Description
For More Info, Contact: Irish Dancemaster Accordions: Irishdancemaster@wmconnect.com Int'l Irish Setdancers/ Breton Dancers Irishsetdancers@yahoo.com Breton Dancing (from Britany) Julius Caesar wrote of the Gauls' love of music & dancing. In Britany, the old Celtic Region in western France music & dancing has been an intergral part of the culture since pre-Christian times. Today it survives and thrives in this remote stronghold of the remnants of the old Gallic tribes. They still speak Breton, an old tongue closely related to Welsh Gaelic, and like their ancient ancestors and modern day cousins in other celtic lands, are mad for the music & dancing. The dancing & the music are lively and has the magical ability to mesmerize your spirit. Every weekend there are fest noz or dances held all around Britany where the whole community, young and old - from toddlers to the eldest elders - pack into school gymnasiums and dance and sing together, arm in arm until morning. Breton dancing at a fest noz is one of the most mesmerizing & magical dancing experiences. Traditional French Folk Dancing Folk dancing has always been alive & well throughout Europe. Many of today's American folk dances have their origins in such dances as the popular 16th & 17th century French country & court dances such as the 'quadrille' or squares, & the 'contre danse'. Dance terminology such as 'promenade', 'chaine', 'alemande', 'balance', 'do si do', 'hay' - were coined by the old French dance masters of the 17th & 18th centuries. Many of the dances survive today in our American folk dancing tradition. Experience the fascinating origins of your favorite dances. Rediscover the dances that were left behind over the centuries of trans-Atlantic cultural migration to the New World ! STOMP the night away!! Irish music was MADE FOR DANCING NOT ( ! ) Riverdance - Men, keep your shirts on!! In Ireland today, all the rage is the incredibly fun Setdancing !! (Traditional Irish folk dancing) Group, couple & step dancing- all in one Enjoy it with a partner, in a group of 2 or 4 couples. Today it is popular in pubs & halls all over Ireland. In days past, it was mostly 'house' and 'crossroads' dancing and took place on platforms by the road, in barns and in kitchens. Breaking down Regional Steps & Styles - 'battering steps' Would you rather see a Monet in black-and-white, or in its full color splendor? Color, of course !! The Caledonian Set is best appreciated in its battering splendor, Clare style. This is the traditional, loose, flat-footed 'drumming' style of footwork that is also the grand-daddy of American clogging. It features unusual 'heel drops' & 'heel-toe' sequences that are unique to this style. We have perfected the techniques for teaching the intricate Clare battering steps so that beginners and experienced dancers alike can learn them easily, right from the start. We also teach the Connemara step, as well as the incredibly fun Cork & Kerry sets.