Irish Dance Master Drills Boston Dancers

The pace was brisk at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton (MA) on Thursday night (7/24/08). Guest dance instructor Patrick O’Dea from Ireland kept the crowds hopping, first the step dancers then the set dancers. Patrick dances and teaches the old style of step dancing, known as sean nos Irish step dancing. “His feet batter in loose shuffles, hops, rocks and drums - complicated and percussive - but graceful, effortless and understated.” [From the Boston Irish Reporter, August 31, 1998 By Kieran Jordan; article archived at Celtic Cafe. I believe the step dance he taught was The Blackbird; as I sat waiting for the set dancing to begin, I watched the dance come together and was inspired into thinking about adding step-dancing lessons to my fall schedule; it looked like so much fun to do.

The set dancers gathered in their groups of eight to learn the Valencia Right and Left [Larry Taylor's Study Notes and Set Dancing News Study Notes]. As explained in “Another Brilliant Weekend by the Windmill” article in Set Dancing News, “this is an easy going set with an unusual ladies chain. Ladies don't touch or chain in the centre they pass each other by and chain with the opposite gent.” The Spanish sounding name had some of the dancers puzzled, but this set is from Valentia Island in the southwest of County Kerry in Ireland. It’s all polkas and the Kerry dancers love their polkas. As the study notes explain, you dance a gliding low-to-floor polka step, with a Ballyvourney-style “double-reverse” or "backup two steps and house" house. It was a fun night and an enjoyable dance that I am sure has gained instant popularity in the Boston area.


The organizers, Jackie and Janine, are shown here with Patrick. [View larger image] Keiran Jordan arranged and promoted the event, and Pat Callahan notified the set dancers on his email list covering Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Together they pulled together the "last minute" step and set dancing workshop with Patrick O'Dea. As you might imagine, word passed quickly among the dancers of the opportunity to learn from a renowned dance teacher.

Tony Ryan, another celebrated Irish dance teacher, will be leading a set dancing workshop in Yarmouth, Maine Saturday, August 2nd 2008 and again the following Tuesday. See the Irish Thymes Google calendar for details.