Céilí dancing

Teacher, traditional Irish sean-nós, set, and céilí dancing

St. Petersburg, Russia (Folk Dance Festival 2013)

Thursday 9 May – Sunday 12 May 2013

Sean-nós 1.5 hours per day

Set & céilí 1.5 hours per day

Overview:

Classes in traditional Irish sean-nós, set, and céilí dancing will provide new beginners with a broad introduction to three different styles of dancing, and will give more experienced dancers the tools to improve their knowledge, skills, and personal dancing style.

Sean-Nós Dancing

This class will expose learners to traditional ‘old-style’ Irish dancing. Participants will learn both reel and jig steps, and will also have the opportunity to create their own footwork by exploring rhythms and movements taught during the course. There will be an emphasis on creativity and spontaneity, along with ensuring that students learn the key elements of this percussive style of traditional dance.

Set Dancing

A type of social dancing done in ‘sets’ of eight people, set dancing (influenced by French quadrilles, or court dances) is very popular in Ireland and abroad, and gives learners a chance to get to know each other while learning something new together. Students will learn a variety of set dances, with a focus on the sets that are most widely done at céilíthe in Ireland. More experienced learners will have the chance to experiment with ‘battering,’ percussive rhythms danced in the sets.

Céilí dancing

A very traditional and purely ‘Irish’ form of social dancing, céilí dancing can be done with a variety of people, from two dancers to twenty-two to 222, if there is enough space! Like set dancing, céilí dancing gives learners the opportunity to get to know one another while learning something together. A variety of céilí dances will be taught, including 2, 4, 6, and 8-hand dances.

Proposed Daily Timetable (subject to change)

Day 1: Sean-Nós Dancing

Introduction to sean-nós dancing

Introduction to reel rhythms

Learn the Basic Reel Step

Begin building set of basic reel steps

'Challenge' / Advanced options available for experienced dancers

Day 1: Set Dancing

Introduction to set dancing

Learn foundation movements: lead-around, advance & retire, round the house, dance at home, ladies chain, etc.

Learn The Connemara Set (reels)

'Challenge' options of 'battering' (percussive steps for set dancing) within the set for experienced dancers

Day 1: Céilí Dancing

Introduction to céilí dancing

Begin with simple social dances: The Two-Hand Reel, The Two-Hand Jig, The Walls of Limerick, The Seige of Ennis

Day 2: Sean-Nós Dancing

Review the Basic Reel step + steps from previous day

Continue to build on the set of reel steps, with increasing speed

Students will dance in groups, pairs, and singly to work on rhythm

Day 2: Set Dancing

Review the Connemara Set

Begin learning a second set, The Antrim Square (Reels, Jigs, Slides)

'Challenge' options of 'battering' steps within the set for experienced dancers

Day 2: Céilí Dancing

Review dances from the previous day

Learn more complex progressive dances: The Harvest-Time Jig and The Bridge of Athlone

Day 3: Sean-Nós Dancing

Review reel steps

Introduce jig rhythms in sean-nós dancing

Learn the Basic Jig Step

Begin building a set of jig steps

'Challenge' / Advanced options available for experienced dancers

Day 3: Set Dancing

Review The Connemara Set and The Antrim Square

Begin learning a third set, The Clare Plain Set (Reels and Jigs)

'Challenge' options of 'battering' steps within the set for experienced dancers

Day 3: Céilí Dancing

Review dances from the previous day(s)

Learn an 8-hand dance: The Sweets of May (Jig)

Day 4: Sean-Nós Dancing

Review reel and jig steps

Step-building / Choreography: students will work in small groups; each group will build on a specific movement/rhythm motif to choreograph their own sean-nós steps

Day 4: Set Dancing

Complete The Clare Plain Set and/or learn a fourth set, The Ballyvourney Jig Set

Review The Connemara Set and The Antrim Square

Review battering steps

Day 4: Céilí Dancing

Review dances from previous days

Complete The Sweets of May and/or learn a 6-hand céilí dance, The Fairy Reel or The Rakes of Mallow

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 807