While innumerable things have changed in our world in the last year, no virus can stop the seasons from changing. From this vantage point in March, we’re all dreaming of spring, but parents know there’s something slightly more ominous looming in the horizon: summer. Two or three whole months of no school, and these days, little social interaction outside the house. But since the 1870s, parents have been turning to the most active possible solution to keep their kids engaged during the hottest months…summer camp! Connecticut has a long history with summer camps, with the first American summer camp having been founded in Gunnery, CT just after the Civil War. The idea caught fire and in a less than 20-year period around the turn of the century the number of summer camps in the United States rose from 100 to over 1,000. These first camps were all about removing children from urban environments to reconnect with nature, and this kind of summer camp hasn’t changed all that much since. But after WWII, parents were eager to return their children to a more innocent time and summer camps had a second boom—this time with a wider range of variety as special-interest camps such as sports camps and arts camps popped up all over the country. But what has made the summer camp an American institution? The skills taught at summer camps—be it outdoorsmanship or art forms like dance—have always been only part of the equation. The Harvard Graduate School of Education puts it this way: “All those classic camp dynamics—being away from home and parents, making new friends, being part of a team, and trying new things—are building blocks to crucial social-emotional [learning (or SEL)] skills.” Foundational, SEL skills include “self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making” and have been found to be crucial for both success in school and in later, professional life. But, unfortunately, due to the restraints placed on teachers by state-mandated curriculums, we often see this type of learning not prioritized in the classroom. Americans have been turning to a solution outside of school for 150 years now, and we have the data to back it up: a 2005 study conducted by the American Camp Association found consistent and significant growth in SEL skills (and self-confidence) in children after only a single summer camp session! As important as SEL skills are, there’s another factor that’s helped give summer camps such staying power: the physical benefits. The majority of summer camps have always included a focus on physical activity, and in our increasingly digitized world, finding a healthy and active outlet for kids is more important than ever. We all know that our country has been facing issues for years when it comes to the health of younger generations—but it turns out summer camp could be of help. In a 2011 edition of the Journal of Adolescence, a study reported that adolescents with no organized summer activities were at the greatest risk of obesity, while a 2010 study found that day camp campers who were exposed to active peers and active teachers were more likely to be physically active even after camp ended. While a week of physical activity is definitely good, the way camps instill the habit of exercise is even better! While our registered dancers here at SRL Irish Dance Academy (from Beginner level up!) know all about how fun one of our summer camps can be, what about someone who’s never attended an Irish dance class? Don’t worry, we have a great option for even the newest dancer, as well! SRL is hosting two, week-long “Intro to Irish Dance” Summer Camps this year. Each week consists of five straight days of one class a day (at work-friendly times for parents!) to give new dancers a real feel for our year-long programs. The best part? Until May 1st, SRL is running a deal that will carry you into the school/dance year: sign up for this "Intro" Camp and we'll include a free four-week Taster Session in September (and wave your registration fee when your dancer falls in love with Irish dance and insists on signing up!) This camp is multipurpose, for not only will it ease any parent’s mind about how interested their child is in Irish dance before enrolling for the year, but it will provide that social and physical outlet kids need every summer (but this one especially!) Even if your child finds out Irish dance isn’t right for them, they’ll still be invited into a fun, welcoming environment, taught to stretch and move their body in new ways, and be able to interact with their peers as both team mates and friends while they increase their self-esteem by learning a new skill. We’ve been holding classes in our clean, appropriately socially-distanced studio since September without any issue, and are excited to introduce your child to the world of Irish dance! We could go on and on about the benefits of starting dance early (and we already have! check out our post about it,) but the real takeaway from SRL’s intro program is the same as any camp: increasing your child’s SEL skills while allowing them to express themselves in a healthy way and have fun! This opportunity creates a break from technology, lets them develop a sense of independence, let all that silly energy out, and have more and varied social interactions. And, not to mention, it gives parents a much-needed break, too! Learn more about our “Intro to Irish Dance" Summer Camp—with a special discount (and additional savings!) running until May 1st! Or feel free to reach out by phone or email (office@irishdancect.com) for more info. We look forward to dancing with you soon!
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Name: Christina H. Dancer at SRL: Aubrielle How long has your family been with SRL? 2 years How did you pick your dancer’s name? Aubrey and Brielle were our two favorite girl names, so I put them together and that’s how she became Aubrielle. Why Irish dance? Aubrielle has been doing other types of dance for years but Irish dance is beautiful and unique. What’s your favorite dance-related memory? When Aubrielle was 4 years old she was up on stage for her recital and throughout her entire jazz dance she had the biggest frown on her face. She did a great job dancing, but that frown had her father and I laughing throughout the entire number. What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why? When I was little, I wanted to be a waitress when I grew up because waitresses were so nice, and they always served my favorite food. Favorite winter family activity? Our favorite winter activity is snow tubing in our backyard. What advice would you give parents who are looking to try out Irish dance? If your child loves to dance, they should try Irish dance. It is different than any other style of dance. How do you think dance has positively affected your dancer? Dance has built her confidence and has opened her up to experiencing new things. What’s the most important quality to have in life? The most important quality to have is courage. If you have courage, nothing will hold you back from achieving your dreams. This post is part of a series. Meet our last spotlighted parent, Becca H., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Aubrielle Age: 12 How long have you been dancing with SRL? Why SRL? I’ve been dancing at SRL for 2 years. We heard that it was a great Irish dance school from our neighbor. How did you get started with Irish dance? I saw Irish dance at my cousin’s dance recital and thought it looked like fun. That fall my mom signed me up for it. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza! It’s my favorite. What’s your favorite dance-related memory? Winning three medals at the Fall Feis. If you were an animal, which one would you be and why? I would be a Cheetah because they are very fast and strong. What’s your favorite thing about dancing? My favorite thing about dance is mastering new dance steps. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? Ireland to learn more about the history of Irish dance. What’s the best advice you can give a new or younger dancer? Stick with it, even when you think it’s hard just keep trying and you will get. Who do you look up to? Mr. Christian because he is an amazing Irish dancer. I would love to be able to dance like that someday. This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with another SRL dancer, Madison T., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Caroline T. Age: 5 How long have you been dancing with SRL? Why SRL? I started in Fall 2019 as a pre-beginner. Now this is my second year and I'm in the beginner class. My sister and I both started at SRL at the same time. If you were an animal, which one would you be and why? I would be a dolphin because they are cute and I could swim with all the other animals in the ocean. What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? A veterinarian because you get to take care of animals. How did you get started with Irish dance? I tried it in the summer at a camp, and really liked it. Who do you look up to? Daddy What's the best gift you ever received? My ice cream play-doh set I got for Christmas. What's your favorite snack and favorite TV show to watch while you eat it? Pretzels, and Peppa Pig What's your favorite dance-related memory? Wearing my Halloween costume in class! This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with Caroline's big sister, Madison T., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Madison T. Age: 8 How long have you been dancing with SRL? Why SRL? This is my 2nd year. I started in the fall of 2019 as a beginner. We found out about SRL when we went to a performance at the Enfield Public Library, and loved watching the dancers. How did you get started with Irish dance? I went to a trial class at the studio and wanted to come back because it was so much fun. Who do you look up to? My mom. What's your favorite dance-related memory? The first day of my very first class. I loved my teacher! What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? A singer. I love singing and making up songs. What's your favorite thing about dancing? I love learning new steps. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why? Florida. It's super warm, and I love it there. Plus, I was born in Tampa. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Homemade mac and cheese. That's my favorite meal. What's the best advice you can give a new or younger dancer? Always do your best, and keep practicing whenever you can so you don't forget your steps! This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with another SRL dancer, Sarah H., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Becca H. Dancer at SRL: Sarah H. How long has your family been with SRL? Just over 2 years Why Irish dance? Sarah kind of fell into it when a friend joined, and she wanted to dance with her friend. Its upbeat cadence and structure definitely appeal to her more than ballet or jazz dance. And as a musical family with 3 violin players, we love hearing the beautiful reels and jigs! Favorite winter family activity? I’m not a big cold weather fan, so I’m happy snuggling under a cozy blanket for a family movie (or escaping on a vacation to somewhere warm!) Who’s your biggest inspiration? It all depends on my interest at the time. Whenever I set a new goal, I seek out role models who I can learn from by breaking down big goals into achievable milestones. When I was training for my first marathon, I was inspired by Olympian runner Jeff Galloway who had a great method for learning to run long distances, and it was a thrill to meet him at the marathon expo the day before my big race! What’s your favorite dance-related memory? I was always intrigued by the Irish Step dancers who would perform for us in elementary school with their beautiful dresses. A close second, purely for the laughs, is when my sister and I were doing a tap dancing routine and she forgot to duck when I was supposed to swing my leg over her head – boink! What food have you never eaten but would really love to try? Since eliminating gluten & dairy from my diet 7 years ago for health reasons, pretty much anything that comes out of a fryer at a fair looks amazing! What advice would you give parents who are looking to try out Irish dance? Give it a whirl! Just be aware that anything hanging on your walls will be off kilter from your student constantly jumping and kicking down the hallways. 😉 What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why? Like many kids, I wanted to be a vet since I love animals. Instead, I became an IT professional, but foster kittens to fulfil that desire to work with animals. If you had a theme song, what would it be? “I Won't Back Down” How do you think dance has positively affected your dancer? I’m amazed at the choreography she memorizes. I was so proud that she quickly gained the confidence to participate in a public performance and also do her first feis. I enjoyed watching her teach a dance to some younger Girl Scouts at one of our meetings last year, and I love that she has volunteered to help out at SRL classes with younger children – it’s all been a great growing experience for her in many ways. This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with another SRL family, Ken and Dana J., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Sarah H. Age: 12 How long have you been dancing with SRL? Just over 2 years. How did you get started with Irish dance? My friend was doing Irish step and I wanted to try it too. What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? A baker because I like to bake cakes and cupcakes a lot. Who do you look up to? Duff Goldman because he is an amazing baker. What’s your favorite dance-related memory? I had a mini show with a friend for her parents where we choreographed our own dance in her basement. If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be and why? Tinkerbell because she can fly and tinker. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why? To fly because it sounds fun. What’s your favorite thing about dancing? I like that Irish dance actually has a beat to listen to unlike some other dance types. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Italian meatballs and garlic bread. What’s the best advice you can give a new or younger dancer? To work on technique a little before you just speed it up. Because it might be more fun, but technique is very important and can be hard to correct once you make a bad habit. This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with another SRL dancer, Magnus, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Levels and Competitions, Part 3 Many of our parents and dancers here at SRL are fully aware of all the ins and outs of Irish dance, and this post isn’t really for them (unless they’ve always been a little fuzzy on some of it—we won’t tell! It’s complicated!) This post is for our up and coming dancers who are excited about competing more regularly. If you’re a Beginner, still learning the ropes, or checking out our website for the first time, check out the six previous posts in the series to catch you up to the present in Irish dance’s history! Regional Oireachtas to Worlds Irish dance’s prevalence these days isn’t simply a case of respect for the intricate footwork, perfect balance, and incredible stamina and grace it takes to make an Irish dancer, it’s a type of cultural exchange that expands the diaspora of the Irish people. Whether you’re of Irish heritage or not, participating in or watching Irish dance brings you a little closer to a country with a complex and rich history. It’s no surprise that the CLRG (the main governing body of Irish dance, based in Ireland) now have records to indicate “that Irish dancing is practiced in countries as far afield as Japan, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and at an ever-growing rate in Eastern Europe.” Not to mention North America! In our previous two installments, we discussed the foundation of competitive Irish dance: the role of feiseanna (pronounced fesh-anna, the plural of feis i.e. fesh) and the different types of dances performed at these festival competitions (with corresponding music and at varying levels as your technique and skill develop.) But feiseanna are only the local level of the competitive Irish dance circuit. The next step? Time to move up to an Oireachtas competition! (At your teachers’ and parents’ discretion, of course!) The term “Oireachtas” (pronounced o-rock-tus, but say it quickly!) denotes a regional competition (as opposed to a local feis) that can be as broad as a whole section of the country, though the way your day goes will look much like a feis. Fun fact: as the word oireachtas roughly translates to “gathering” or “assembly,” it’s also used as the title of the parliament of the Republic of Ireland, but anyone in the Irish dance world will know what you mean! Oireachtaisi (the plural!) all over the world may have once been more or less very large feiseanna, but these days the annual competitions are held as qualifiers for the World Championship competitions. In North America, there are seven regional oireachtaisi competitions each year (held in and around November) put on by the regional branches of the Irish Dance Teachers’ Association of North America (IDTANA.) Each regional (ours is New England!) oireachtas holds a main championship, which SRL dancers are able to start competing in once they reach the Preliminary Championship level. Somewhere in between Oireachtas and Worlds are national competitions (North America’s is usually in July) that are generally secondary qualifiers for Worlds and open only to the highest level of SRL competitor: Open Championship dancers (see more about the levels in last week’s post!) Depending on the size, these competitions can last several days. Each region also holds team competitions, where dancers compete together in groups of 4, 8, or 16 in traditional céilí dances. SRL dancers are invited to the team program when they reach Beginner II and have shown dedication to their dancing through consistent attendance and regular home practice. The céilí dances are standardized by CLRG and are a great exercise in dancing in unison while keeping impeccable technique, all by depicting beautiful movement patterns with those on their team! Regional Oireachtaisi may also hold a subsidiary competition for up and coming dancers to gain experience on the bigger stage. In New England, we hold a traditional set competition where dancers prepare one of the seven standardized traditional set dances to perform for three adjudicators. Once they complete this hard shoe choreography (that’s been passed down generation to generation!), the dancers receive a rank or placement based on rhythm, timing, technique, and posture. At SRL, dancers in the Beginner II Hard Shoe classes are invited once they’ve mastered the set dance “St. Patrick’s Day.” 2020 held a number of unique challenges and disappointments, and none more devastating in the realm of Irish dance as the cancellation of the Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne’s (or the World Irish Dancing Championships’) 50th anniversary this past year. While there’s technically no less than six other organizations that call their competition “Worlds,” the Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne overseen by the CLRG is the oldest running (fingers crossed for 2021!) and often referred to as the “Olympics of Irish Dance.” It’s considered by many to be the most prestigious competition available for Irish dancers, and in its early days (1975) was won by no other than Michael Flatley (yes, the “Lord of the Dance,” aka the first name the average person knows in connection with Irish dance and the first American to win!) The first Worlds took place in 1970 (see the pic above!) in Dublin’s tiny Coláiste Mhuire theater in Parnell Square and to this day is usually held over Easter week. The competition remained in Ireland (though the towns and cities rotated) until 2009, when America hosted the competition in Philadelphia. (Though it has now been held in the other countries where the highest concentration of Irish dancers live: Northern Ireland, Scotland, Great Britain, and Canada.) And while Worlds may have started small, 2019’s event (hosted in Greensboro, NC) boasted approximately 5,000 competitors and about 20,000 supporters. When you think of the fact that upon its founding in 1932, the CLRG counted only 32 teachers and 27 adjudicators (aka judges,) it’s easy to see that Irish dance really has become a worldwide phenomenon! While this “olympic” event can be, in many ways, the pinnacle of an Irish dancer’s career (just qualifying is a huge achievement!) there’s many avenues for dancers to keep their love of Irish dance alive after they retire from the competitive circuit. Beyond the numerous professional companies that tour around the world, helping Irish dance, music, and culture reach innumerable people, many Irish dancers become Irish dancer teachers (just look at our staff!) or open their own studios (like Miss Courtney!) There’s also degrees (both BA and MA) in Irish Dance Studies (once again—Miss Courtney’s a great example,) though many dancers pivot into dance-adjacent professions: nutrition, physical therapy, arts administration or fundraising (to name only a few)…it doesn’t have to become a hobby in a dancer’s adult life! This post is part of a series. Read Part 1 of Levels and Competitions here and Part 2 here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Ken and Dana J. Dancers at SRL: Magnus “the Tall” and Greta “the Red-Haired” How long has your family been with SRL? Greta is in her 6th year and Magnus is in his 4th. Why Irish dance? Greta quit soccer, basketball, ballet, tap, AND jazz! We were just hoping something would stick. Courtney offered a week long mini camp that gave Greta a chance to try it out before committing to anything long-term. Magnus saw how much fun Greta was having! Favorite winter family activity? Skiing and board games. What’s your favorite dance-related memory? Dana: The hours in the car driving to class and to feiseanna, there is a lot of time to chat. Ken: Watching both kids dance a 4 hand with another sibling duo at the Yardgoats game. How do you think dance has positively affected your dancers? So many things! They have learned how to set long term goals and create plans to achieve them, time management and how to take corrections, the importance community and volunteerism, these are just a few. If you could meet any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Dana: The person that invented the dishwasher. I owe them so much. Ken: Donald MacPherson, Scottish legendary piper, teacher and one of the most successfully competitive solo pipers of all time. What’s your secret talent? Ken: Sarcasm. Dana: Gifted in the campfire starting arts. How did you choose your dancers’ names? Why? We wanted uncommon, but easy to pronounce names. There was a pro cyclist, Magnus Backstedt that gave us the inspiration for the boy's name. The name Greta goes well with Magnus…especially when shouting. What’s the most important quality to have in life? Integrity. What advice would you give parents who are looking to try out Irish dance? Do it! At least try it out. They will learn so much and it is a great opportunity to make friends outside of school. And always bring snacks. This post is part of a series. Meet our last spotlighted parent, Andrea K., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Levels and Competitions, Part 2 Many of our parents and dancers here at SRL are fully aware of all the ins and outs of Irish dance, and this post isn’t really for them (unless they’ve always been a little fuzzy on some of it—we won’t tell! It’s complicated!) This post is for our Beginner parents, our dancers just getting excited about maybe competing, or even the parent just checking out our website for the first time. (If that’s you, maybe check out our five previous posts in the series to catch you up to the present in Irish dance’s history!) Leveling Up Note: the following is a general overview and varies by region—this guide is for our region, New England, USA. Your dancer’s instructor is always the best authority on any and all information pertaining to the competitive track in your area and your dancer’s level, specifically. Competition level names and our class level names may share similar terms, but are not directly related. There’s a quote written on the mirror in the larger studio here at SRL: “You earn your medals in class, you pick them up at competition.” Today, we’re going to lay out how the levels work on the Irish dance competitive circuit, but these levels aren’t about the shiny dresses and big hair—they’re about the discipline, hard work, and practice, practice, practice. The CLRG says it best: The purpose…is to provide a structured framework within which dancers can progress towards an achievable goal. [It] provide[s] a strong foundation in Irish Dance by developing a candidate’s physical skills, stamina, expression, musicality and an appreciation and knowledge of the traditional dances and culture. But, the competition must go on! To explain this all in the most basic way: competing and placing in a feis (check out Part 1 if this term is new to you!) is how dancers move up from one level to another. But the rules and regulations involving that movement are anything but simple. Let’s take a closer look at the lower and intermediate levels, usually called “grades”: Beginner Grade: This level is for dancers ages 6+ that are brand new to competing for their first calendar year in the competitive circuit. Once a dancer has learned the necessary skills and steps at class—two steps of reel and light jig—they are eligible to take part in their first feis at the Beginner level. It’s always exciting to get on stage with the possibility of earning a medal for their hard work in class! Advanced Beginner Grade: Students remain at this level until they place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a competition of at least 5 competitors. They move up when competing in the next calendar year and only within the type of dance they placed in—i.e. a dancer can be a Novice in the Slip Jig, but still an Advanced Beginner in the Reel. You are not considered in the next level fully until you move up in all your dances. Novice Grade: This is the level where things begin to get more complicated—the steps get more difficult, and the tempo of the music may be slowed in order to fit more and more advanced steps into the dancer’s performance. Novice dancers move up only if they place 1st in a competition of 5 or more dancers, though groupings of 20 or more dancers will move 1st and 2nd place up to the next level in that specific dance. This is the level where solo costumes (as opposed to your school’s costume) are allowed. Prizewinner Grade: An advanced level competitor that has placed fully out of Novice Grade, but is working on rising to the level of Preliminary Championship Grade. The regional minimum to advance requires a dancer to place 1st in both a hard shoe and soft shoe dance in order to move up, but, as the final grade before Championships, SRL dancers are required to win all their Prizewinner dances in order to advance. Now, let’s explore the championship levels, where the dancing is extremely advanced and dancers begin to compete at the regional, national, and international levels: Preliminary Championship: Competitors at this level generally perform three dances: soft shoe, hard shoe, and a set dance. At the championship levels, the soft and hard shoe dances get longer than they were in the grade level—this requires more stamina and strength. At Preliminary Championship level dancers are invited to represent SRL at the regional championships held each November. A dancer must win 1st place twice in order to advance to the top level of Irish dancing—Open Championship—and qualify for Nationals. Open Championship: The highest competitive level. Similar to the prelim level, dancers perform a longer soft shoe dance and a longer hard shoe dance, along with a set dance. Set dances are a dancer’s solo piece that showcases their best strengths, impeccable rhythm, and musicality. If a dancer wins a 1st at this level, they may never return to competing in Prelim. Open Championship dancers are pursuing high placements at regional and national championships and working to qualify for the world championships (often competing at major championships--The All-Irelands, The All-Scotlands, The Great Britains, etc.—though this past year saw the cancellation of many.) While most Irish dancers start young and finish their competitive careers by their early twenties, many feiseanna offer competitions for older age ranges, as well! SRL offers recreational adult classes in six-week night sessions—perfect for dipping your toe in the Irish dance world! Feiseanna are competitive, but they’re also a cultural touchstone—bringing together people of every walk of life to celebrate painstakingly developed skills that bring alive Ireland’s vibrant history and culture. This post is part of a series. Read Part 1 of Levels and Competitions here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Magnus Age: 15 How long have you been dancing with SRL? Why SRL? I have been with SRL for 4 years. I really enjoy the environment Courtney’s created. How did you get started with Irish dance? At first, I watched my sister do the performances and feiseanna. I thought it was really cool so I decided to try it. Who do you look up to? I would have to say mainly my parents and teachers. What’s your favorite dance-related memory? My favorite dance related memory was my first feis. I remember it being a lot of fun and having a great day with my family. What three items would you bring to desert island with you? (Assuming you already have food, fresh water, and shelter.) I would bring a soccer ball, a fishing pole and books. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why? I would live in Bar Harbor Maine. I want to live here because of the gorgeous scenery and hiking trails. I also love to fish and there are many spots where you can. I also have great memories of when I was younger and we would go hiking and camping there. What’s your favorite thing about dancing? My favorite thing about dance is the competition. I like that in Irish dance you can show off how much you've learned and progressed through competitions. If you were a fictional character, who would you be and why? I would definitely be Obi-Wan Kenobi because I think the fact that he can control things with the force is pretty cool. If you could snap your fingers and instantly make the world better, what would you do first? I would get rid of Coronavirus. What’s the best advice you can give a new or younger dancer? The best advice I can give a newer dancer is to stick with it and have fun. This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with another SRL dancer, Ellie H., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Levels and Competitions, Part 1 Many of our parents and dancers here at SRL are fully aware of all the ins and outs of Irish dance, and this post isn’t really for them (unless they’ve always been a little fuzzy on some of it—we won’t tell! It’s complicated!) This post is for our Beginner parents, our dancers just getting excited about maybe competing one day, or even the parent just browsing out our website for the first time. (If that’s you, check out our four previous posts here to catch you up to the present in Irish dance’s history!) A little recap: It was the Gaelic revival in the late 19th century, and the forming of the Conradh na Gaeilge (Gaelic League) in 1893, that helped Irish dance truly begin its journey from unrecorded folk tradition to the international, competitive art form it is today. With the League’s creation of a governing body specific to dance in the 1930s (Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha—aka The Irish Dancing Commission or CLRG—still the primary governing body of Irish dance today,) Irish Dance Masters became a legitimate authority on a world stage (no pun intended.) The world of Irish dance as we know it today was built on this bedrock: the CLRG set down a series of rules and regulations to govern and standardize Irish dance (everything from steps and form to certifications for teachers.) This led to the creation of competitive opportunities to elevate its reputation, preserve and promote Irish culture, and nurture the art. And those competitions, rules, and regulations are what we’re here to discuss with you today! Feis Out the Best We’ve discussed feis and feiseanna (pronounced fesh and fesh-anna) before in this series—meaning simply “festival(s)”—they’re a long-standing tradition meant to celebrate and preserve Irish culture. Feiseanna today are still much the same (though in the dance world, they may only be a dance competition and not have as many outside vendors,) and vary in size: dance academies often hold inter-school class feiseanna, but there are also larger, regional feiseanna all over the world. These competitions are divided by both age and skill level (discussed next week!) and competitors are judged on a variety of technical and stylistic concerns such as timing, turn out, foot placement, deportment, choreography, rhythm…the list could fill this entire post. To put this all as simply as possible: dancers compete in multiple different dances divided into two major categories: hard shoe and soft shoe. From those larger categories, more specific ones emerge based on the music and its timing, in three broad categories: jig, reel, and hornpipe (though the slip jig is completely unique in Irish music and dance with a 9/8 time signature—we’ll explain further below!) Soft shoe dances include the reel, the light jig, the slip jig, and the single or hop jig, while hard shoe dances include the treble or double jig, hornpipe, and treble reel. Most feiseanna will have dancers beyond the earliest levels compete in soft shoe rounds, hard shoe rounds, and then a final round that’s often hard shoe, and often a set dance (more about that below.) Some feiseanna will include team or cèili (pronounced kay-lee) dances, as well. But how does a dancer get to be a competitor? Dancers begin preparing for competition at the earliest levels: every move they learn in their Beginner later becomes part of a dance. Beginners start with the basic reel and jig. Once a dancer has mastered these basic steps and has good control of their technique, they begin learning hard shoe with the treble jig (essentially a hard shoe version of the jig they’ve already mastered and know the music for—but with hard shoe skills and movements instead!) Hornpipe and traditional set dances are added as a dancer progresses in their hard shoe technique. Each dancer will gradually add more complexity to these basic dances, differing in rhythm and timing, as they develop as dancers—for example: over time, the basic steps of the reel, light jig, and slip jig are upgraded with more difficult choreography. Traditional set dances are unique, tune-specific dances that were choreographed long ago by Dance Masters in Ireland to exactly match the music. They have titles such as “St. Patrick’s Day,” or “Garden of Daisies,” and are largely universal around the world (though there are slight regional and studio variations.) This is different to other types of dances (reel, jig, slip jig, treble jig, and hornpipe) that are unique to each school. This is why (well, at least until 2020 forced many competitions online) videotaping Irish dance competitions has always been forbidden—you have to protect that choreography! What the layperson needs to understand in order to hear the differences in dances/music really comes down to is the timing: different dances have differences in their beats per bar of music, as well as different emphasized beats. Here’s a little breakdown of the major groupings, though further designations into dances have even further and more complicated variations (check out a musical theory breakdown of each one here and click on each type of music to hear an example!): Reels: 4/4 time signature and will probably sound the most “normal” to a non-dancer as the beats are evenly emphasized. Can be detected if you can say “double decker, double decker” in time with the music. Jigs: 6/8 time signature, i.e. three beats per bar with the 1 and 3 emphasized (non-Irish dancers will recognized this as a waltz.) Detected by non-dancers by saying “carrots and cabbages, carrots and cabbages” in time to the music. Includes light jigs and treble jigs, but not slip jigs! Slip Jigs: 9/8 time signature, i.e. similar to the above jig but with three beats per bar and three eight notes in one beat (with the emphasis on the 5 and 9 beats.) This one can give a lot of dancers some difficulties at first—it has an almost rolling sound to it! Hornpipes: 4/4 time signature, like the reel, but with the 1 and 3 beats emphasized. There’s more variation here, but many hornpipes can be detected with “humpty-dumpty, humpty-dumpty.” Next week, tune in to the blog for the purpose of feiseanna competitions (besides fun!): rising through the levels or “grades.” This post is part of a series. Read more about how Irish dance's iconic form developed here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Christian Cairone TCRG Position: Instructor How long have you been working at SRL? Almost 2 years. Why SRL? I loved the atmosphere that Courtney had created and wanted to be a part of the team. How long have you been dancing? I was a competitive dancer for 20 years, but I've been dancing since I was 3. Why Irish dance? My older brother saw Riverdance on TV and wanted to start doing it. I went to the first practice and was hooked. My teacher at the time didn't allow for children to dance at 2, so I would go to class and dance in the back of the room doing everything everyone was doing in class. My teacher let me start the following year and I haven't looked back! What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why? I always wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals so much growing up. What are you interested in that most people aren’t? Star Wars and culinary arts. What weird food combination do you enjoy? As a chef I love many different flavor combos, but the strangest might just be: a piece of toast with peanut butter, topped with an over-easy egg. (Trust me, you need to try it!) How has dance affected your everyday life? Dance has given me the ability to have friends all around the world that share the same love and passion for Irish dance that I do. What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited? (Remember travel?!) The Azores, which is a subsection of islands off the coast of Portugal. What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of? Why? Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It was a story my grandfather would read to me all the time when I was a kid and whenever I watch it I always remember him and the different ways he would tell the story. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? I would love to time travel! Why do you think people dance? I believe there are many reasons behind why people dance, including because friends or family members did it in the past or currently do it now. But I think that some people dance for the same reason I did: for a way to escape reality from time to time. I remember going to the studio, totally forgetting about the outside world, and just living in the moment that was happening throughout dance class. What advice do you have for aspiring dancers? The best advice I have is this: "Believing in yourself is the first step to achieving greatness." This post is the last in the series (at least for now!) Meet our whole staff: Courtney, Bailey, Codi, Devon (and, of course, Christian, above,) through their Q&As. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Tara L. Age: 20 How long have you been dancing? Why Irish dance? Do you still dance? I was a competitive Irish Dancer for 15 years, regionally ranked numerous times at the New England Regional Oireachtas and nationally ranked at the North American Irish Dance Championships. I retired in 2019 after my freshman year of college. Irish dance was a life changing experience that provided me with so many opportunities to learn and grow. It was a daily challenge, which inspires my work ethic today. I always aim high and dream big. Through Irish Dance, I learned by working hard and practicing my craft, I could achieve anything. If you had to work, but didn’t need the money, what would you do? I think I would be a teacher, whether that would be for school or dance. I always loved my time as an assistant teacher for Courtney and still keep in contact with some of my students today. When they finally got their jumps or skips, it was such a proud moment for me. I miss working with them! If you could meet any historical or famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? As everyone knows, I am a huge Taylor Swift fan. I would love to meet and interview her, asking how she got to where she is today, what does she hope fans take from her music, and why she decided to pursue a music career. I think she is such a great role model for young people and has such an interesting story that I would love to hear more about! What’s your favorite outdoor winter activity and why? I love ice skating with friends! It is so fun to skate with music and just have a good laugh. What advice do you have for aspiring dancers? There were many times during my career where I felt stuck and thought I would be better off quitting, but I did not. There were many times the chips did not fall my way, whether that be in class or at a competition, but I told myself that I had to keep trying because deep down I knew I could make my goals. My advice is no matter how the chips fall dance because you love it and because you can see yourself achieving your personal goals. Why do you think people dance? I think people dance because it is freeing. In Irish Dance, it is you and the floor working in harmony to produce something beautiful and culturally significant. It is a personal challenge, similar to golf, where the only opponent is yourself. It is also an opportunity to celebrate a culture very few understand. To represent and celebrate my Irish heritage through dance has connected me more with my family’s ancestry. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why? I would love to mind read... it would have been super helpful to know what the judges were thinking while I was dancing! Now as a journalism major, I would love to know what my sources are really thinking when I ask them a question. What was your favorite SRL memory? My favorite memory was competing at my final North American Championships in 2018. It was probably the most fun I have ever had at a competition and I danced my personal best. While I fell just short of my goal, I admire the work I put in from January to competition day to put my best foot forward and succeed. However, I miss the daily classes the most. Seeing my friends and classmates always brightened my day and you never really knew what was going to happen that day! There were always plenty of jokes to go around! How do you think your time at SRL positively affects your everyday life as an adult? As an adult, my time at SRL taught me the value of time management, passion and persistence. Until college, I was a multi-sport athlete, competitive dancer and a participant in various other extracurricular activities. I learned quickly how to manage my school load with these other commitments to keep everything in balance. I hold myself to a high standard to do everything the best I can, so being able to manage that while maintaining a passion for the sport taught me so much. Today, I approach everything I do with passion and persistence while remembering I have to manage my time well to accomplish all of my goals. What’s the most important quality to have in life? The most important quality to have in life is to be hardworking. Without some level of hard work or effort, you will never reach your full potential. Talent can only get you so far. Hard work gets you to the finish line. This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with another former dancer, Lindsey H., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. First Name: Ellie H. Age: 15 How long have you been dancing with SRL? Why SRL? I've been with SRL for 3 years now. At first it was a free trial, but I loved it so much I wanted to keep going back. What’s your favorite thing about your personality? I think my favorite thing about my personality is how open I am to meeting new people and getting to know them. What’s your favorite thing about dancing? Meeting all of these people that I can definitely call my family and getting to do so much with them. What’s your favorite TV show to binge watch? Grey’s Anatomy! What’s the best advice you can give a new or younger dancer? It takes a little while to get things down, but it is so worth it in the end. So just stick to it! What’s your current obsession? Why? One Direction because their music is so good and that’s all I play. What’s your favorite dance-related memory? I think the 2019 Christmas party is one of my favorite things from dance. If you were an animal, which one would you be and why? I think I would be a chipmunk because I am small, spazzy, and cute. (According to my mom.) Who do you look up to? Everyone, because I'm small. No, but really, I look up to my mom because she always looks for the good in situations and I look up to Courtney because she has given me a second home and something that I truly love. This post is part of a series. Meet our last spotlighted dancer, Molley, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. For Parental Figures Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance! You didn’t think we’d forget the parents and guardians of our dancers, did you? Here’s a gift guide that caters toward those who cater to our dancers—we know they couldn’t do it without you! Whether you’re treating yourself or buying for someone else, here are some Irish dance themed gifts for the people who have been spending so much time waiting outside in their cars this year. Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best highlight small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! 1. Insulated Travel Mug Sláinte! With as many performances as possible being outdoors this year, you’re going to need something to keep that…coffee warm? Look, we won’t tell anyone what’s inside, but we all might as well cheers with a properly insulated drink in hand. Additional Options: Inspirational Ghillies Travel Mug “Irish Dance is the Best Dance” with Handle Irish Dance Mom Travel Cup 2. Water Bottle Your dancer isn’t the only one to get thirsty at a feis! Make sure you and your fellow dance parents stay hydrated too with their own water bottle (some more options with personalization are listed below.) This year, staying healthy is more of a priority than ever—and we all know that good health starts with water! Additional Options: Sláinte Custom Water Bottle Irish Dance Dad Water Bottle Dance Dad Water Bottle 3. Jewelry While all these ideas could easily be for mom, grandma, an aunt, or any Irish dance parental figure, they’re great options for your dancer as well. (Perhaps even some matching ones for mom and daughter, or whatever combination makes up your home!) Many of these options have beautiful, subtle personalization options such as a birth stone (of your dancer or dance mom!) or letter detail. Additional Options: Ghillie Post Earrings Personalized Heart Dancer Necklace Celtic Knot Dangling Earrings 4. Tees While Dad might not want a necklace necessarily, let him show his support through his gear too! We have some mom options below as well, and even one for grandma. There’s a way to let every member of your family show their support of your dancer—bonus points if you embarrass them just a little (we all know they secretly love seeing your support, no matter what they say!) Additional Options: “Nothing Will Feis a Dance Dad” Tee Irish Dance Mom Tee Irish Dance Grandma Tee 5. Chairs This one might not seem as intuitive, but who wants to stand all day at a feis or performance? In fact, when we inquired with our parents about their feis essentials, something to sit on came up frequently (though not as much as this tip: remember your shoes!) With us not fully knowing what future competitions and performances will look like, this gift’s versatility makes it an even better buy (and that personalization means you’ll never walk away with the wrong chairs!) Additional Options: Rechargeable Heated and Massaging Bleacher Seat Personalized Bleacher Seat Another Personalized Camp Chair 6. Blanket This goes along with chairs as something that can be: often personalized, always multipurpose, and a great gift for everyone! Keep warm while showing your support of your dancer at the next outdoor performance, or while snuggling up by a fire. Who doesn’t like to be cozy? Additional Options: “Like a Normal Sport But Harder” Blanket Personalized Photo Blanket Personalized Sherpa Blanket This is Volume V of a series. Come back next Saturday for the last installment or read last week’s for some wearable gift options. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Lindsey H. Age: 21 How long have you been dancing? Why Irish dance? Do you still dance? My mom started me in Irish dance at the age of 3. My mom Irish danced, and my aunt danced, and my grandma watched a lot of Riverdance, so it only made sense that I would Irish dance too. After my first dance class in an old church basement, a 16-year competitive Irish dance career followed. My last time on stage was Vancouver nationals in 2019, but I still dance around the kitchen, and, of course, visit the studio when I am home from college. If you could meet any historical or famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? If I could meet any famous person, I would meet Taylor Swift. First off, she is an absolute icon and I think I would melt if I met her. Second, one time I stole a traffic cone from her driveway in Watch Hill, and it is one of my most prized possessions. And third, Spotify told me that I am in the top 1% of her listeners this year. This is one of my biggest accomplishments and it took a lot of hard work and dedication to become this big of a fan. What was your favorite SRL memory? SRL has provided me with so many opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime. Some range from laughing so hard in yoga class Courtney made me leave, to recalling at the North American Championships. But if I had to pick just one memory, I would choose the All Irelands in 2016. Even though I didn’t make the recall that year, it was such a fun trip! Especially when I got back to CT and Courtney gave me a quiz on the history of Ireland, and I failed it. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why? If I could have a superpower, I think I would choose shapeshifting. I always wonder what it would be like in someone else’s shoes and shapeshifting would allow me to gain this perspective. It would also be awesome to know what it would be like to be a cow, or a shark, or a dinosaur. Why do you think people dance? When there are no words to explain how you feel, you express yourself through dance. I remember there would be nights when I had lots of homework to do, or I wanted to go to a football game, or I was tired, but when I walked through those studio doors I knew it was my time to work. And when I walked out of those doors at the end of the night, I felt like a better person than when I walked in those doors early that night. What’s your favorite outdoor winter activity and why? My favorite outdoor activity is skiing. I go to school in Boulder, Colorado so hopefully I will get some good ski days in this year. While this is my favorite outdoor activity, it was not Courtney’s favorite activity of mine. I am a rather accident-prone person, so the added chance of injury was not appreciated by Courtney. If you had to work, but didn’t need the money, what would you do? If I did not have to worry about doing adult things like paying bills, I think I would travel around the world and experience everything this planet has to offer (going to outer space would be cool too). As of right now, I am not really exactly sure what I want to do when I grow up, but hopefully I can someday share my passion of Irish dance with others. What advice do you have for aspiring dancers? In the crazy world of Irish Dance, where there are so many things that you cannot control, I would only focus on what I could control. It didn’t matter which judges were judging or which dancers were dancers, the only thing that mattered was how I danced. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the commotion, but when you walk off that stage, the only thing that really matters is how you danced. How do you think your time at SRL positively affects your everyday life as an adult? I often find myself doing a little jig with my fingertips or a little treble with my feet. But Irish Dance trained me to have a very high stamina, physical and mental. Courtney was the best at pushing her dancers towards their goals. I know how to work towards long term goal without being worn out, and to push through to the very end. What’s the most important quality to have in life? Growing up, every day when we walked down the stairs before school my brother and I had to hit a poster that said, “Win the Day”. The constant reminder to be a better person at the end of the day than when I woke up that morning instilled a strong sense of drive in me. My drive has allowed me to accomplish all of the things that I have wanted to so far. This post is the first in a series. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Feis Survival Basket Tonight we’re coming at you with a multifaceted gift idea for our competitive dancers: why not make them a “Feis Survival Basket”? We asked our parents and dancers to help us compile everything you could think of (and a few things you wouldn’t normally consider…) to bring to a feis. While we might not be attending as many feiseanna this year as in the past, these competitions were a vital part of your dancer’s life up until this year, and this gift has a bonus: a sense of normalcy, even as we learn to adapt. And, 2020 notwithstanding, we’re still figuring out ways to make sure more feiseanna can happen! So, consider helping make the rest of your dancer’s competitions this year as seamless as possible by providing them with something truly unique, special, and practical this holiday. (P.S. Don’t forget a basket! It can always be home décor later.) Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best to promote small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! 1. The Look I can’t count how many times we were told the most important thing to bring to a feis is: everything. As in, make sure every part of your costume (and every member of your family) is in the car! Make it a little easier for them (and you!) to remember everything with a personalized checklist like the one pictured here. But the look isn’t just the costume, is it? Below, we’ll list some staples you can pick up at your local drugstore or order on Instacart, however you’re shopping these days—but by having these items already set aside for a feis, you and your dancer are much less likely to forget them! And why not make some of them extra special? Think about adding in an Irish dance themed makeup bag (makeup is definitely on the list of things not to forget if they wear it!), a personalized compact mirror, and/or a personalized hairbrush to make their gift extra special. You could also consider adding in a new number clip! Here’s a bejeweled option, and some that are less glittery, more Celtic in design. P.S. You can also check out our “For Your Competitor” installment of our “Irish Dancer Gift Guide Series,” for some additional add ons like customizable dress bags and shoes bags! Remember: -Your costume, socks, and shoes -Shoe buckles if desired -Makeup bag and makeup -Mirror -Hairbrush -Favorite lotion for legs and hands -Bobby pins -Favorite hairspray -Sock glue if they use it! -Hole punch for numbers -Number Clip 2. Rescue Items These items are the real heroes, and maybe the most necessary things to include since they’re not the most obvious ones. Below you’ll find a list of many, many kinds of tape among other items that might come to the rescue one day, but there are some items you can make fun as well! While there’s always a good, ol’ utilitarian travel sewing kit, there are some cute options out there too. Same with scissors—sure, any old pair would do. But why not add something more fun in the mix with their favorite color, SRL’s colors, or even some glitter? That way everyone knows that pair of scissors belong in their feis survival kit, not anywhere else! Remember: -Travel Sewing Kit -Scissors -Lint Roller -Electrical tape (black for shoe repairs!) -Gaffers tape -Rescue tape (2-sided fabric tape) in case a shoe catches a hem! -Safety pins in various sizes -Black shoe polish -Their preferred deodorant -Tide pen 3. Staying Alert Okay, I was wrong. These items are the real heroes, and not just because they involve snacks. These are the things to remember to help get you, your dancer, and anyone else from your family that’s attending through a long, long day. You know your dancer’s favorite snacks and I’m sure they’d be delighted to have them, but there’s always another option…something brand new! Companies like Munch Pak or Try the World offer one-offs or subscription services for a variety of tasty treats sourced from all over the world—the UK included. And don’t forget the most important fuel for every dancer: water! (Also, depending on their age, coffee.) A personalized water bottle or travel mug (more suggestions in coming gift guides!) is the easiest way to make sure they’re picking up the right one—something more of a concern than ever these days. Beyond the three main food groups: snacks, water, and coffee, what else do you need to make it through? Something entertaining, of course! Include a pack of cards in the basket, an age-appropriate coloring book and colored pencils, or some books. While you can check out our Irish book recs here and here (and we have more for various age groups coming!) one fun option for those in the middle reader age range would be Grace’s Feis Survival Guide—what else could be more appropriate? Remember: -Snacks! -Water bottle -Coffee -Boredom killing activities (books, cards, etc.) 4. Extras Next we have all the extras to consider: extra socks, extra laces, extra crystals and glue for their Champion costumes…not the most exciting part of basket, but just as important! We sell socks in the SRL office (and can just charge your DSP, very hassle free,) and you know where to buy laces and the type of crystals they might need. The rest of these extras are for you as much as them: cash in case this brilliant idea fails and you still forget something, medicine for the inevitable headache that follows that many hard shoe performances, and wet wipes (because they’re always useful—especially after all those snacks.) One more thing to consider: somewhere to sit! Portable camp chairs are a great option for some, bleacher chairs another, and collapsible stools (this one has a cooler backpack!) for those who may be wearing their competition dress—you don’t want your dancer getting tired or messing up her costume before the performance. (Though, if you go with one of these seats, you may need a bigger basket!) Remember: -Extra socks -Extra laces -Extra crystals and glue if needed -Cash -Motrin/Advil -Wet wipes -Seats/Chairs 5. Your Support!
The idea of this gift isn’t really about buying your dancer a lot of tape, of course. It’s about showing your support for all their hard work and passion! To quote one of our amazing parents, make sure to “pack your patience and an attitude that can celebrate that needed first or comfort a disappointing day.” For something extra special, maybe pre-write them some notes to be opened upon completing their next few feiseanna—kind of like packing them an encouraging note in their lunch. You know what your dancer will need to hear in case of success or failure more than anyone else, even if the moment hasn’t happened yet! In our “For Your Littlest Dancer” installment of our gift guides, you can find some fun (and some custom!) stationery options—all Irish dance themed—but we all know the real gift is in your encouragement. This is bonus post of a series, come back next Saturday for the next installment or read the previous one all about Irish dancer décor here! And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. To Wear Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance! This week on our Irish dancer gift guide series, we’re looking at apparel! Whether it be to relax in or for class (don’t worry, almost everything is available in SRL Academy colors,) these items are sure to excite an Irish dancer of any age. Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best highlight small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! 1. Masks While I’m sure everyone’s already ordered their SRL masks, we’re suggesting a few more options for both in the studio and out. So much has changed this year and that can be scary—personalized and/or decorative masks that show off your dancer’s interests can help demystify and normalize something that’s become our new reality. (And we all know we need more masks than we have if we want to wash them as directed—it’s time to start collecting!) Additional Options: Ghillie Mask “Keep It Reel” Mask Tiara Mask 2. Sweatshirts While your dancer’s SRL hoodie is cozy, it does have to go in the wash sometimes. Here are a few options so they can rep their love of Irish dance no matter how long it takes to get to the laundry. The above option and the last option are unisex! Additional Options: “Keep It Reel” Hoodie Irish Dance Outline Hoodie “Keep Calm and Feis On” Crewneck 3. Practice Tanks and Tees While it might be getting chilly outside, once your dancer starts dancing, the studio can really heat up! Help them layer with a fun tank for under their sweatshirt and coat or gift them something new to sleep in at night. While most of these suggestions are for our female dancers, see the last one below for a great unisex option! Additional Options: “Keepin’ It Reel” Tank Harry Potter/Irish Dance Tee “Keep Calm and Feis On” Tee 4. Light Tote I know we all have a million tote bags, but don’t you use them all the time? From dance class to grocery shopping, school to a sleepover (fingers crossed we get back there,) a tote bag is one of the most versatile gifts you can give. For those dancers who don’t necessarily want to wear a dance tee, this can be the perfect way for them to show their passion for dance in a more understated way! Additional Options: Irish Dancer Outline Tote Custom Tote with Pocket Dance Sets Print Tote 5. Key Chains/Bag Accessories Then, there’s always an even more understated way to show your love of Irish dance: with a small bag accessory! For the male or female dancer (some non-glittery options below,) this is a great way to know which one is yours while also adding a fun and decorative element to your dance gear, purse, or school bag. And with so many personalized options out there, there’s something for everyone! Additional Options: 5, 6, 7, 8 with Tassel Assorted Irish Dance Bag Tags “I Love Irish Dance” Key Chain 6. Charm Bracelets While this might not be the right thing for every one of our dancers, jewelry that commemorates their love of Irish dance could be a smash hit this holiday! Charm bracelets have a classic, old-fashioned appeal with the added bonus of being able to be added on to year after year. We’ve given some additional jewelry options below in case your dancer would be more interested in something with a little less jangle. Additional Options: Irish Dancer Dangling Earrings Personalized Bar Pendant Necklace Modern Charm Bracelet This is Volume IV of a series. Come back next Saturday for the next installment or read last week’s for some décor gift suggestions for your dancer. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Andrea K. Dancer at SRL: Molley How long has your family been with SRL? We are in our 4th year! Why Irish dance? I wanted Molley to get involved in something, but she did not want to try the traditional tap, jazz, ballet route I got her to try a class at SRL the summer she was 4 years old and she fell in love with the dancing, the older kids, and of course Miss Courtney. Favorite fall family activity? Carving Pumpkins on Halloween. Something my family did every year since I was very little and I try to live up to my dad’s talent every year! What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited? (Remember travel?!) I visited Paris when I was a junior in high school (26 years ago!?!?!). My first time away from my family and out of the country. I fell in love with the atmosphere and community throughout the city. Molley and I have promised each other to visit together when she graduates from high school. What advice would you give parents who are looking to try out Irish dance? TRY IT!!! It’s different and fun! And I love the way the classes are structured to challenge the students just so much that also pushes them forward in their learning. If you had to work, but didn’t need the money, what would you do? The same thing I am doing now - a teacher. The only thing I might change is to teach History instead of Mathematics. What’s your favorite dance-related memory? Molley’s first Feis experience. She was so nervous to compete that she didn’t want to enter one until the end of her second year. She ended up placing 2nd in both her dances. To see the pride on her face was priceless! What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why? So, I’ll be honest - I wanted to be a bus or truck driver. I always wanted to travel all over and I love staying in hotels and eating out. What’s the most important quality to have in life? Happiness - of course, there are times that are stressful, sad, and full of anxiety, (and that’s ok and natural) but you have to remember what makes you happy and hold on to that. When I get in a funk, I just think of my kids and remember those happy moments and it gets me through the rough times. I try to have at least one truly happy moment each day to hold on to, and I haven’t been let down yet! How do you think dance has positively affected your dancer? Confidence and challenge! I think Irish Step Dancing has been the first time she has really felt challenged. But because she enjoys it so much and because of the guidance from the older girls like Miss Ellie and of course from Miss Courtney’s teaching and motivation, she continues to try even when she gets so upset that she is not getting a step the first time around. This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with Avonlea's mom, Erin Kate, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Décor Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance! This week in our installment of gift guides for your Irish dancer, we have something for everyone within our next topic: Irish dance décor! From the glittery to subdued, Christmas ornaments to mugs, there’s something for every dancer who might come into the studio. Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best highlight small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! (Fun note: most of the items are customizable with SRL’s (or your child’s bedroom) colors!) 1. Prints Keep them dreaming of dance by having it be the last thing they see at night and the first thing they see when they wake up with these completely customizable prints. There’s as many ways to go with this idea as there are ways to decorate your home, but we’ve gathered a few, diverse options for you to peruse. From the artistic to the inspiring, help your dancer make their room an expression of their passion (while still keeping everything coordinated!) Who knows, maybe it will even help them pick up their room (note: not a guarantee.) Additional Options: Name and Color Personalized Male Irish Dancer Print Outline Drawing Print 2. Wall Decals Don’t worry, Mom and Dad, they peel right off! (And without harming standard paint!) Nothing gets a kid more excited than a “new room” and that can be achieved with only a few details! Get some wall decals, a new comforter, and maybe some of the prints above, and everything feels refreshed. What better holiday present could there be then redecorating the space we’re now all spending so much time in? Additional Options: Inspirational Ghillie Decal Male and Female Dancer Decal Shamrock Heart Decal 3. Ornaments If your family puts up a Christmas tree, why not commemorate their love of dance with an ornament? Whether you’re celebrating them beginning their dance journey, or celebrating their wins (see the second one below,) an ornament is something they can keep forever—one day putting it on their own family’s tree. A fun and sentimental keepsake! Additional Options: Female Personalized Ornament Qualifier Personalized Ornament Funny Ornament 4. Stockings Another one for those of us who celebrate Christmas: why not a stocking to go with that ornament? It might not match the rest of your holiday décor, but it sure will give Santa a laugh when he sees this personalized ghillie stocking! We’re all trying to find ways to make these holidays as wonderful as possible with everything this year has brought, and something like this customized to your dancer is a perfect way to make them feel special. Additional Options: Female Dancer Stocking Personalized Photo Irish Stocking Claddagh Stocking 5. Bedside Light If you don’t want to commit to hanging or sticking something to your walls, consider something a little less permanent—like this customizable bedside light. For what’s been posted so far, can also choose to just purchase the decal and apply it wherever you want (and who doesn’t love a good sticker?) Below are some more fun options for a variety of tastes: Additional Options: With Academy Name Irish Dancer Silhouette Light Female Irish Dancer Nightlight 6. Mugs The above mug may be specific to Irish dance sisters, but we know we have a lot of them at SRL! See the suggestions below for more mug options if your dancer doesn’t have a sibling. Might as well get something fun for your dancer to drink their cocoa out of this winter! Additional Options: “Reel Deal” Mug Male/Female Dancer Personalized Mug “Champion” Mug This is Volume III of a series. Come back next Saturday for the next installment or read last week’s for some gift tips for your feis-obsessed dancer. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. First Name: Molley Age: 8 years old How long have you been dancing with SRL? Why SRL? I’m in my 4th year. My mom found a free class online, so I tried it. How did you get started with Irish dance? My family loves to celebrate our Irish heritage and I liked to watch Riverdance on television, so I wanted to try it. If you were an animal, which one would you be and why? Either a panda or a sea horse. A panda because they are cute and cuddly and can do what they want. A sea horse because you can swim all the time and they look really cool. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Candy - I love candy because it makes me hyper. What’s your favorite thing about dancing? I get to meet new friends and learn new steps. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? I want to go to Paris because I want to see the Eiffel Tower and eat baguettes. What do you daydream about? My puppies and getting my own Pomeranian, Shitzhu, or Corgi puppy. What’s your favorite dance-related memory? The first Feis I did in Glastonbury. I came in second in the Reel and Light Jig. Who do you look up to? I look up to my mom because she works hard and does nice things for me. I want to be a teacher when I grow up like my mom, not math though, a writing or art teacher. What’s the best advice you can give a new or younger dancer? If you need help, then you should ask the teacher and try as hard as you can. This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with Avonlea here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. For Your Competitor Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance! This week on our Irish dancer gift guide, we’re concentrating on a different group of dancers: the feis enthusiasts! Is your dancer laser-focused on perfecting their moves before the next feis? Do they love moving up through the levels? Are you running out of places to put their ribbons? Then this is the guide is for you. And though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best to uplift small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! (Fun note: most of the items are customizable with SRL’s colors!) 1. Ribbon Hangers This one’s a no-brainer for the dancer who has more feis ribbons than they know what to do with—who doesn’t need more organizational options in their life? There’s more options for these than I could possibly post here, so there’s an option to fit every dancer’s style. (And, if your dancer is more about dancing recreationally—or just younger—they make a pretty cute jewelry or coat hanger as well!) Additional Options: Dancing Girl Ribbon Hanger Personalized Hanger Comes in a Variety of Sizes 2. Shoe Bags One pair of ghillies looks like every other pair of ghillies—so help your dancer come home with her own shoes with these personalized Irish dance shoe bags! Beyond that obvious benefit, this will keep whatever they stepped in from getting anywhere near the rest of their things, as well as protect those expensive shoes. Additional Options: Personalized Dance Shoe Bag Ghillie-Shaped Bag Backpack Option 3. Water Bottles Almost everything in this post is able to be personalized, and for good reason—many kids and teens aren’t always the most careful with their personal belongings. These days, a personalized water bottle is more than a cute present, it’s a safety measure that will help your dancer steer clear of cross-contamination with their friends (or someone else with a blue water bottle.) The option pictured comes in a variety of fonts and colors, and there’s even male and female dancer decals you can add! Additional Options: Personalized Bottle with Shoes Lidded Cup with Straw Sport Top 4. Makeup Bags Get your little treble maker something to keep false lashes and stage makeup in! Makeup bags run in that same realm of avoiding any cross contamination with friends, while also ensuring your dancer comes home with their own belongings. They can also be used as regular makeup bags, pencil cases, or general carryalls for those who prefer not get under those bright lights. Additional Options: “Feis Face” Bag “Hard Work Beats Lazy Talent” Bag “Eat, Sleep, Dance, Repeat” Bag 5. Custom Competition Mask and Tiara This gift idea goes the extra mile and really embraces the reality of all the 2020 feiseanna. This Etsy seller will work with you to create two pieces that matches your dancer’s costume perfectly, along with a coordinating wrist band to hold the mask! Not many people do this kind of specialty work, so below I’ve linked a few fun hair accessories (for practice days,) instead. Additional Options: Personalized Headband Ghillie Hair Bows Sequined “Dance” Shamrock Headband 6. Dress Bags Those competition dresses have all kinds of embellishments and can be pretty pricey—might as well make sure they’re well protected! Note the “lemon wedge” shape, perfect for keeping that full skirt as neat as when it was hanging in the closet. See below for a personalized garment bag versus dress bag—perfect for our male dancers’ costumes! Additional Options: With Matching Duffel Customizable Sizes with Claddagh Personalized Garment Bag This is Volume II of a series. Come back next Saturday for the next installment or read last week’s for some gift tips for our youngest dancers. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. Name: Courtney Jay TCRG Position: Director and Instructor, all levels How long have you been working at SRL? Why SRL? It was my dream to create SRL! Since I was 12 years old I knew I was going to own an Irish dance studio. While I did not fully comprehend what that meant at the time, I had files upon files of documents on my computer with all my plans and visions. Looking back, it is pretty incredible that I had an idea at a young age that I committed to and brought to life in adulthood. I opened SRL in 2014 when I was 22 years old and since then it has taken on a life of its own, much bigger and faster than my 12 year old self could have ever envisioned! My work at SRL includes the day to day operations, managing our team, teaching classes, protecting and executing the vision, and implementing business strategies to ensure we continue to grow and thrive. Everyday is different! What are you interested in that most people aren’t? Two things – competitive gymnastics (Elite and NCAA) and The Sims. Gymnastics is the only sport I’m interested in, and I can tell you in great detail what skills are being done while watching routines, about NCAA line ups, and watch every meet I can for both divisions. The Sims is something I indulge in during my VERY rare and sporadic moments of free time and I love to build things and get lost in my imaginary world. How long have you been dancing? Why Irish dance? I started Irish dance when I was six, after starting gymnastics and ballet as a two year old. I was really drawn to the quick movements and the driving music as a kid who was getting bored at the ballet barre. I begged my mom to let me switch to Irish for an entire summer before she agreed to sign me up, on the condition that I continued ballet. I was the kid who liked to quit everything, so I’m sure she wasn’t very confident I’d stick to Irish dance but here we are 23 years later! As I got more into Irish dance, the draw that has kept me after all this time is you’re never done learning. There is always something new to learn or create – movements that trend and work their way into our repertoire each year, new rhythms that come to you in your sleep, and different pieces you’re creating to showcase a particular dancer’s strengths. No matter how good you get at it, there is always something more you can do, improve, or learn! What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of? Why? I actually prefer to watch the same movies over and over again – my go to’s are: Any of the Harry Potter movies, Mean Girls, and Catch Me If You Can. I hate the process of picking something new to watch and wondering if I’ll like it, so I’m perfectly content to watch something tried and true. How has dance affected your everyday life? There aren’t very many areas of my life Irish dance hasn’t touched – my best friends and closest social circle is from Irish dancing. My oldest friends and I grew up dancing together elementary through high school and now we’re experiencing adulthood together. So many of my best experiences in life have been because of my involvement in Irish dancing – traveling the globe for competitions, attending events that have made me a better and stronger person, and building this business living out my dream career. What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited? (Remember travel?!) Hawaii; if it wasn’t so far away and expensive, I would have already gone back. I really love the beach but there’s something about Hawaii that feels more magical and exotic than other beach destinations I frequent. Why do you think people dance? Ultimately I think it brings people joy – you get to move your body and release the endorphins that make you happy. Your mind gets to focus on something outside of the ‘everyday’ thoughts, worries, and stressors that we often get lost or caught up in. You are surrounded by people drawn to the same activity and have a common interest that bonds you. Going to dance class is like being surrounded in pure joy. What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why? For quite some time, I wanted to be an architect. Part of that may come from my love of the Sims, which I’ve played since it was released in 2000. I was always drawing floor plans on paper, building in the Sims, and then in high school took drafting and architecture classes. While it ultimately wasn’t for me, I’m glad I got to experience those classes before I needed to make college decisions. What advice do you have for aspiring dancers? It sounds cliché, but never give up. I was not naturally talented and Irish dance was not easy for me when I started. I struggled until I decided I wanted to get better at it, started practicing at home, and then eventually reaped the benefits. Even once I had success, there were still times where certain steps, dances, or competitions challenged me and required me to be patient and dig deeper. If I had given up early on or once I was frustrated for a period of time, I wouldn’t be where I am today! This post is part of a series. Read our Q&A with another instructor, Bailey, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. The Form If you had to ask someone who’s only seen competitive Irish dance once or twice in their life to describe it, the first things they mention are always going to be the same: 1) the footwork, 2) the distinctly rigid upper body, and 3) no arm movements. For the layman (or woman,) this is what makes Irish dance so clearly Irish dance when they compare it to other styles they’re familiar with. It’s not quite ballet or jazz or tap, but something unique and artful on its own terms…and it’s the lack of movement in the upper body that seem to distinguish it most clearly. This brings us to the question that people have been asking for at least the last 100 years: how did Irish dance end up with such a disparate and distinguishing form? What swirls around out there are plenty of rumors and hearsay—myths and stories. But what can we know for sure? The first issue with determining the form’s origins is that of Ireland’s oral tradition. Until the 1800s, we have very few recorded texts or notations of any dances that were performed. If you read the first three volumes (I, II, III) of this series, you know we only have the vaguest outline of Irish dance’s history, and what we do have speaks of bans, restrictions, and a variety of foreign influences over the years. The rumors that abound can’t be confirmed or denied and largely concentrate on the English suppression of the Irish and the constant religious upheavals that have plagued Ireland for centuries. One story tells of the Irish dancers who were brought to England to perform for Queen Elizabeth I: they refused to raise their arms to the foreign queen and the concept caught on. Another tale tells us that the Irish would dance behind bars and hedges to hide their practice of Irish culture from the Anglican church in the 18th and 19th centuries—the only part the authorities could see was their torsos, so they learned to keep them still. This one seems even more unlikely (maybe they wouldn’t have seen their feet, but I think I’d notice a bartender hopping up and down,) but the time of hedge schools and religious oppression were very real. The speculation doesn’t stop there, but it all revolves around a similar theme: oppression and defiance. It could be English soldiers tied the Irish up and made them dance, or that the Catholic church restricted the arm movements to make the dancing less provocative. Or maybe it’s just that Irish pubs are so crowded, you can’t move your arms! All these ideas seem to tell us more about the Irish love of storytelling than their dance traditions. What seems more likely from a historical standpoint is a combination of two factors: the influence of French court etiquette and decisions made as Irish dance became a competitive and international art form. The Dance Masters of the 18th and 19th centuries were also known for their concentration on decorum, having been trained by the (supposedly) more refined French. In hopes of taming the “wild Irish,” arm movements were removed to help civilize them. But this could still just be gossip. What we know for sure is that when the Gaelic League (“Conradh na Gaeilge”) was formed in 1893, and then the Irish Dancing Commission (“An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha”) in 1927, the two organizations decided on specific criteria for Irish dance that has mostly remained till this day. Though there’s some controversy in modern circles about the Irish Dancing Commission’s decisions to standardize Irish dance, it was considered helpful from the perspective of judging to have the arms uninvolved so there’s no distractions from the feet. In any case, this is the only real, recorded evidence we have available to us for a specific reason Irish dance developed such a unique form.
While competitive Irish dance still adheres to this rigid posture, there’s of course traditions and performances that break from this standard (most notably Sean Nós, céilí dancing, and modern interpretations of step dancing like Riverdance—something we’ll cover in another post!) However it came to be, the form that was once a symbol of oppression is now one of defiant skill. After all, Irish dance’s form has added another difficult element to a dance style already known for its rapid and complex footwork—no other dance style expects perfect balance without the help of the arms! This is Volume IV of a series. Read Volume III about Dance Masters and Gaelic Clubs here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram. |
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