The O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat offers a number of activities related to Irish dancing including classes, workshops and a céilí. With the exception of our Advanced Sean-Nós Dancing Course, they are open to all of our students regardless of ability. Here is a FLYER listing all of the dance activities.
Sean-nós Dancing Course (Advanced Level)
Instructor: Rebecca McGowan
Sean-nós (“old style”) Irish dance is a joyful expression of movement and sound. Considered to be one of the earliest forms of Irish dancing, sean-nós is an improvised solo style, with footwork danced close-to-the-floor, a relaxed upper body, and a playful dialogue between the dance and the music. In this class, students will enjoy listening and responding to traditional Irish music while gaining confidence as percussive dancers. The class is for experienced dancers and will focus on timing, technique, building a body of steps, and developing a personal style. Please wear comfortable shoes with a smooth hard sole (leather or hard rubber soles are preferred — please no taps or fiberglass). Dancers are encouraged to bring water, a notebook, and a recording device.
Céilí Dance Workshop
Presenter: Jeremy Welch and Lisha Willeng
This workshop will get you prepared for the Friday night Lone Star Céilí held in the Rec Hall after the evening’s Instructor Concerts. While designed for beginning céilí dancers, everyone is welcome to attend this one-hour review of the basic dance steps, footwork and terms common to this particular Irish dance. If you have two feet, are able to move forward, backward and sideways, you will be ready for céilí dancing after this workshop.
Lone Star Céilí
Callers: TBA
Music provided by Lone Star Céilí Band
We have our “Lone Star Céilí” on Friday evening after the instructor concerts (around 8:45 p.m.) and is open to all levels. Playing music for the céilí will be the Lone Star Céilí Band.
Sean-nós Dance Workshop
Facilitator: Emily Critz
In this workshop, we will explore the basic techniques of sean-nós dancing! This class is open to all levels, but geared towards beginners/improvers who have always wanted to give dancing a try. We will learn a basic reel step with variations, and a basic jig step with variations. This workshop is welcome to all levels and physical abilities, with modifications available when needed. Water bottle and a small hand towel are suggested. Closed toe shoes that are secure and comfortable will make your experience more enjoyable. Live music will be provided.
Set Dance Workshop
Facilitator: Angelika Eleni
Set dancing is a lot of fun and has great social and cultural value. For more than 150 years, this form of dancing has been popular in Ireland derived from French quadrilles that Irish dancers adapted to their own music and steps. In this workshop, we will explore the basic techniques, figures and movements of set dancing and experience Ireland’s most popular way of dancing. We will work through one common set dance as we learn the fundamentals, so that by the end of class we can dance through it at speed. This workshop is welcome to all levels and physical abilities, with modifications available when needed. Water bottle and a small hand towel are suggested. Closed toe shoes that are secure and comfortable will make your experience more enjoyable.
Step Swap Session
Facilitator: Rebecca McGowan
Dancers like to dance and, when they’re not dancing, they like to discuss dancing, so we have set aside time on Thursday night to do both. The “Step Swap” is what the name implies — an opportunity for dancers to share their favorite dance steps.