www.irelandsdance.com

Learn The Dance of The Emerald Isle

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Ireland is a fascinating country and, ever since Riverdance, has been known as a country that has a lot of dancing.

Truth is that Irish dance varies a fair bit, including set dancing, which is the Irish form of country set dancing. Ceili (social) dances also exist, which are the kind of dance you would do at a party. A ceili or party might have both ceili and set dancing, and often has a prompter to call the steps…so even if you don’t know how to dance you can join in.

Irish stepdance is what you see in Riverdance, and is used in competition and display.Didn’t catch that? This explains it. It is often seen at folk festivals.

Learning to dance is a good way to get fit and meet people, and Irish set and ceili dancing is a great form of socialization. Irish set dance tends to be fast and exciting, with the tempos often being jigs or polkas. It’s the perfect dance style if you want to get a little bit out of breath. Ceili dancing is also fast and complex – where dance is concerned, the Irish do nothing slowly.

Learning the dance of the Emerald isle is a fun, fast-paced way to get and stay in shape and a great excuse for a party.

Green Dance: Learning The Irish Dance

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The roots of Irish Dance date back to the 18th century. Today Irish Dance has become an extracurricular activity for many, from children to adults. Irish Dance can be performed by solos, couples or large groups. Irish dance is characterized by a stiff posture with rapid foot and leg movements. Irish Dance is somewhat complex and does require great level of commitment from the participant.

Just as equally important are the costumes, dress attire and the shoes. The dress is an elaborate and intricate design, representing the culture and art of Ireland. For the ladies or girls, this costume usually is accompanied by a tiara. There are two different types of shoes. First is the hard shoe, resembling along the lines of a tap shoe, making loud noises. The second is the soft shoe, with this shoe there is no loud noises.

Music is next. These are lively beats. There are many different beats of Irish music like the light jig, reel, hornpipe, or the slip jig.

Competitions are also part of the Irish Dance community. Skilled dancers have the opportunity to compete in what are called “Feis” These are divided by age and skill levels.
Have fun Irish Dancing.

Dancing Green: Irish Dance And Culture

admin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Irish dance became widely known to those of both Irish and non-Irish descent through a few amazing and highly-polished stage performances. But at its root, Irish dance is a social activity performed by everyday people. At any social gathering featuring a fiddle and bodhran, you may see dancers step up to volunteer a few reel or jig steps. Many Irish festivals end the evening with a gathering where dancers and non-dancers alike can learn a few steps and then join together in a large ceili dance. Children as young as three and four years old get their start in step dance classes in everyday places like church basements and small studios tucked between dry cleaning shops and corner hardware stores.

While Irish dance is for everyday people, it comes along with some of its own social customs. Even the feis, an Irish dance competition, has developed its own culture. Simple A-line dresses embroidered with knots taken from the Book of Kells have given way to shiny satin dresses featuring neon curlicues. Female dancers bounce around in curly wigs and puffy white socks. The flurry of energy and curls and colors at a feis is something that truly must be seen to be believed, and it is part of what makes Irish dance such an amazing and fun family and social activity.

Irish Love: Culture, Dance And Advantages

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you look far enough into our heritages many of us have some Irish ancestry, and there is not a better way in living your Irish history than by Irish dance.

The history or Irish dance started as far back as 400 AD when the Celts arrived in Ireland and brought their own folk dances. It was then mixed with Norman customs and has progressed through history since then. In the 16th century it became very popular and was danced in great halls and castles and even adapted to be shown to the court of Queen Elizabeth. It has played an important part of Ireland’s history of not only dance but of the history of Ireland itself. Irish dance then became largely popular in the United States after the introduction of the popular Irish Dancing shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance which became an international mainstream success.

Irish dance is a beautiful form of traditional Irish dancing wear dancers in competitions wear beautiful costumes and dance to traditional Irish music. It’s a very fun and enjoyable cultural activity and is a great way to get both girls and boys interested in the dances and history of their Irish ancestors.

Iconic Dances And How To Dance Them

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Iconic dance is a symbolic way of dancing. Irish dances are full of cultural flavor and iconic symbols. These dances were means in which generations passed down traditions. Each step and motion means more than what is outwardly displayed. Dancing is a means of expressing oneself. It is considered an art form. The different variations of Irish dancing came from ancient traditions and meanings. When teaching this form of dance, it is important to remember these elements. The best way to learn these dances is at family or cultural gatherings. This way, all generations present can be involved.
Oftentimes, the older generations will know the symbolic meaning of the dances. They may even know some anecdotes and stories about people they knew or family members. This type of dance is meant to be fun. It can also be a bonding experience, bridging the generational gaps. There are usually cultural centers that will have events that feature dancing. Take your children to these events to foster an interest in their shared heritage. Take advantage of any place that offers a unique take on Irish culture. Weddings and other gatherings can be a great place to introduce this beautifully demonstrative dance form.

Irish Dance And Culture For Children

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Ireland is a country full of interesting traditions and exciting dances. Educating your children about this amazing country can be a fun and enjoyable family experience. One facet of Irish culture that you and your family can learn about is Irish food. A staple food within the Irish diet is the potato. Potatoes are used in dishes like Irish stew and potato pancakes. Another type of food that is popular in Ireland is soda bread. Recipes for these Irish dishes can be found on the internet. You may also find recipe books that specialize in creating famous Irish dishes.Check out this link here.
A huge source of Irish entertainment comes from Irish dances. Irish dance consists of a variety of intricate dance moves. Some Irish dances include Irish set dancing and Irish stepdance. Irish set dancing is a form of group dancing where four people dance together while moving their feet in a sliding motion. Irish stepdance is a highly structured dance where the toes must hit the ground hard enough to produce sound. Some Irish stepdance can appear rigid while other Irish stepdances have dancers move with loose movements. Dancers and performers today have incorporated the use of dance moves into their performances.

Advantages And Culture Of Irish Dance

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Irish dance is one of the most powerful and joyous forms of expression and culture practiced today. It’s fun, and it’s the fastest way to become fit. At first, it may seem like something that is not relevant to daily life, but it really can make a difference in the way kids see themselves.

Learning a unique new skill is a great way for kids to make friends and build self esteem. Kids can learn to work as a team to learn steps for performing in recitals. Many Irish dance teams perform all over the world in competitions, charity events, and talent shows. Irish dance is very popular with crowds who may have never seen anything quite like it.

These quick, sometimes complex dances quickly build muscle and endurance. Dancers develop strong legs and arms from the fast movements. The heart thrives and becomes more resilient, and the whole body becomes stronger and more flexible than ever before.

Those of us who are of Irish descent can become closer to a rich heritage by learning and performing Irish dance. Fast-paced, thrilling step dances may be modernized with new costumes and stunning young performers, but the spirit of the dance is the same as it was a hundred years ago.