tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39759605570388382572024-02-02T19:24:20.185-05:00The Joy of SetsIrish set dancing in the Greater Boston areaIrish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-88044735677474454332011-12-09T06:58:00.001-05:002011-12-09T07:09:49.090-05:00The Joy of Sets in Greater Boston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYr304CVnIovl2lJBdc-QEEMGg6suQ4z6oftPH7_mch-fWszLs0EOS-Ax2e7u2QuxTKIo8o73MYBK5J9gQvJ52snPEby7ppN0N4gofBwFkQmJvvJc1rttx185wTXpGkDICoFvkoTCN5A/s1600/JoyOfSetssmall100x102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYr304CVnIovl2lJBdc-QEEMGg6suQ4z6oftPH7_mch-fWszLs0EOS-Ax2e7u2QuxTKIo8o73MYBK5J9gQvJ52snPEby7ppN0N4gofBwFkQmJvvJc1rttx185wTXpGkDICoFvkoTCN5A/s1600/JoyOfSetssmall100x102.jpg" /></a></div>
<a data-mce-href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/" href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/">T</a><a data-mce-href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/" href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/">he Joy of Sets</a> is a blog just for Irish Set Dancing in the greater Boston and the broader New England area that includes information on classes, events, venues, and the traditional Irish music that makes the dancing so lively and fun.<br />
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Welcome to those who are new to set dancing! There are many classes in various locations around New England to learn the many fun sets that are danced in Ireland and around the world. There are a few basic simple steps used in dancing the sets; these are combined in various dances in a way that gives each set its unique style. When it's time for the new dancer to "branch out" and dance at other locations in the community, there are many classes and dance sessions just about every night of the week to expand your repertoire and your social network.<br />
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Set dancers are encouraged to share information about set dancing with other greater Boston set dancers and notify the community about upcoming events. Check the list of special workshops, ceillis, and other events for times and places.Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-25605908126233577612011-07-18T15:30:00.000-04:002011-07-18T15:30:11.124-04:00Beginner Irish Set Dancing Classes at Harrington'sTry something new this summer with an Irish set dancing class at <a href="http://www.harringtonspub.com/">Harrington's</a> Pub in Wakefield (MA). Here's the updated summer class schedule. Every Monday night at 7:30, Frank & Eileen teach a new set. See <a href="http://www.harringtonspub.com/assets/docs/HarrringtonsBeginnerClass-Summer2011-e-2.pdf">details here</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIz7tAR7-nTqkLpix-UoA9egKsy53_j-hrACcFydcQRAYC_dCfegdx0WIekIiBSd24_yHL9l-WF-t4opgL0LFOzWpWDdFyJ9eCaRnghNzL4ayrCZ28MMt8d9BzotWZ41BcYwG6nnWluo/s1600/setdancers-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIz7tAR7-nTqkLpix-UoA9egKsy53_j-hrACcFydcQRAYC_dCfegdx0WIekIiBSd24_yHL9l-WF-t4opgL0LFOzWpWDdFyJ9eCaRnghNzL4ayrCZ28MMt8d9BzotWZ41BcYwG6nnWluo/s1600/setdancers-sm.jpg" /></a></div>This is a perfect opportunity for beginners to learn the basic steps and most common sets danced year-round upstairs at Harrington's every Wednesday at 7:30 and indeed in the Greater Boston area where you can find a set dance or lesson just about every day of the week.<br />
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See the <a href="http://wakefield.patch.com/articles/event-spotlight-beginner-irish-set-dancing-classes-at-harringtons#c">write-up in the Wakefield Patch</a>.Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-62038526269201064192010-08-29T12:19:00.003-04:002011-02-08T23:09:51.185-05:00Harrington's Set Dancers in Set Dancing NewsBill Lynch's current issue of <a href="http://www.setdancingnews.net/">Set Dancing News</a> ran a photo-spread of the Harrington's Pub set dancing workshop with Patrick O'Dea that was held July 21. [<a href="http://www.setdancingnews.net/news/photos/magazine/colour_leaflet.pdf">magazine subscription form here</a> in PDF format]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ2GDcBPu4SCbITKjAS4Ij6yGm77AO8HggiiEaTmiR69pRPfWcPUIF_Unv67jGux1MWSky1sSegai0NWxdkLOfPC4DjYsw6k8IEjoGr9j9ehPhW9wRAJabVzSgaoEysUFUueiGeDCBbU/s1600/SDNews-Harrngtns8-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ2GDcBPu4SCbITKjAS4Ij6yGm77AO8HggiiEaTmiR69pRPfWcPUIF_Unv67jGux1MWSky1sSegai0NWxdkLOfPC4DjYsw6k8IEjoGr9j9ehPhW9wRAJabVzSgaoEysUFUueiGeDCBbU/s320/SDNews-Harrngtns8-2010.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br />
Patrick taught the Loch Neigh set (<a href="http://mabula.net/setmusic/set/lough_neagh">music notes and dance notes source</a>).<br />
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The Lough Neagh is the largest lake in Ireland; it is 8 miles long by 15 miles wide, according to this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juA30Num174">YouTube vido of the lake Lough Neagh</a>. It is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland<br />
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<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1688245957"></span>The Joy of Sets article by Bill Lynch<span id="goog_1688245958"></span></a>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-26999225193670416822010-07-25T11:47:00.000-04:002010-07-25T11:47:38.742-04:00The Caledonian Set<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="style6" style="font-weight: bold;">The Caledonian Set</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="style6" style="font-weight: bold;">Study Notes for The Caledonian Set:</span></span><a href="http://www.setdancingnews.net/teacher/caledonian.htm"><br />
Caledonean Study Notes</a> [Set Dancing News]<br />
<a href="http://sf.ccewest.org/dance/caledonian_set.html">Caledonean Study Notes</a> [San Francisco's Cooley-Keegan Branch CCE]<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">The Caledonian Set Figures (short descriptions): </span></b><br />
[6 figures: all reels except 4th jig; 6th hornpipe]<br />
Figure 1 -<strong>House Across [or, home-house-home] (Reels)</strong><br />
Figure 2 - <strong>House Around (Reels)</strong><br />
Figure 3 - <strong>Home & Across (Reels)</strong><br />
Figure 4 - <strong>House Opposite (Jigs)</strong><br />
Figure 5 - <strong>House All the Ladies (Reels</strong>)*<br />
Figure 6 - <strong>Hornpipe<br />
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Caledonian Set Videos:</strong><a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/notes/video"><strong><img alt="video" border="0" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 12px;" /></strong></a> <strong style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA">First Two Figures of The Caledonian Set</a></strong> Irish Dancing At Milltown Malbay 2006<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 12px;" /></a></strong> <a href="http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=GG98IgaVpr8">First Figure on You Tube</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" style="height: 11px; width: 12px;" /></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTwjdTTc8h8">First & Second Figure of the Caledonian Set</a> Midwinter Set Dance Weekend 2009, Caledonian 1 & 2<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></a></strong> <a href="http:///">Second Figure on You Tube</a> - (see 1st & 2nd above)<br />
<a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/video/harringtons-caledonia-set"><strong><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></strong></a> <a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/video/harringtons-caledonia-set">Second and Third Figure of the Caledonian</a> danced at Harrington's in Wakefield (on this website)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></a></strong> <a href="http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=RA3Bl_7A_yI">Third Figure on You Tube</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI3TIt3F1BE">Third and Fourth Set of the Caledonian</a> Midwinter Set Dance Weekend 2009, Caledonian 3 & 4<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></a> Fourth Figure of the Caledonian</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></a> Fifth Figure of the Caledonian<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeyF0ryL__c">Fifth & Sixth Figures of the Caledonan</a> Midwinter Set Dance Weekend 2009, Caledonian 3 & 4<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaUX2k8duA"><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></a> Sixth Figure of the Caledonian</strong><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Caledonean Reel Footwork:</span><br />
"<span style="color: #000066;">The Clare style reel step is used for all reel figures and the 'down' jig step for the Fourth Figure." (<a href="http://www.setdancingnews.net/teacher/caledonian.htm">Set Dancing News</a>)</span><br />
<a href="http://www.hoilands.com/battering.htm">Ladies Caledonion Reel Battering Pattern for Set Dancers</a> (links) used in the advance retire or dance in place<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm8j0n2NQus"><strong><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></strong></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm8j0n2NQus">Ladies Caledonean Footwork Video</a> [and a one, and a one, and a one then two] by YouTube - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MaryMcKibbon">MaryMcKibbon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hoilands.com/battering_men.htm">Gents</a> "This footwork pattern repeats over n over for the entire Caledonian set dance. Its stepped off during swings, dance at homes, house around, etc." <a href="http://www.hoilands.com/">Hoilands</a> http://www.hoilands.com/<br />
<a href="http://www.hoilands.com/battering_men.htm"><strong><img alt="video" border="0" height="11" src="http://www.irishthymes.com/images/video_icon.gif" width="12" /></strong></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgwLeSIQuJU">Gents Caledonean Footwork Video</a> [and a one, and a one, and a one then two] by YouTube - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MaryMcKibbon">MaryMcKibbon</a><br />
* <span style="color: #000066;">"Often when dancing the Fifth Figure, all dancers will advance and retire rather than just the dancing couples, and both ladies and the non-dancing gents will turn in place as the dancing gents change partners"</span> <span style="color: #000066;">(<a href="http://www.setdancingnews.net/teacher/caledonian.htm">Set Dancing News</a>)</span>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-89690537944839078562010-07-25T10:51:00.002-04:002010-07-25T11:07:23.263-04:00Photos of Maine Set Dancing Workshop with Tony Ryan April 2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscM5inaFnyQqS4lrfTyjspe2x36KW3O0BEWmGVkpT4Y65eGkCFxVvWtovJY8Qlar1V1u46EAIAym7mrYqVeLsAK43V9XHTtsKXiOQSKSuOmbewOWG5Jpxw8jAp56dN1RtDe0fFvkXw0Y/s1600-h/maine2008-1.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscM5inaFnyQqS4lrfTyjspe2x36KW3O0BEWmGVkpT4Y65eGkCFxVvWtovJY8Qlar1V1u46EAIAym7mrYqVeLsAK43V9XHTtsKXiOQSKSuOmbewOWG5Jpxw8jAp56dN1RtDe0fFvkXw0Y/s400/maine2008-1.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvET81v6duIazptxMn4qjNYj-zNSQWW7AB5vGiryxrS3oGPxnYDCpPOK5XiPUDsAiVv4x_fbfdBZZAvT4J-caR3_UJ_ORGeKQBFfURxc9SUlOLz7BsWlP6iNa6teuytafw8F8_5Vuxlg/s1600-h/maine2008-2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvET81v6duIazptxMn4qjNYj-zNSQWW7AB5vGiryxrS3oGPxnYDCpPOK5XiPUDsAiVv4x_fbfdBZZAvT4J-caR3_UJ_ORGeKQBFfURxc9SUlOLz7BsWlP6iNa6teuytafw8F8_5Vuxlg/s400/maine2008-2.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvHP9U7hec3A9Hxs8ziuUD7K26_WA2Lcf1CxmcrPK4RA_ns4T589H8R2kyobHohmht0gr_c6Yk-frDTZYT6UTo3hZeoOwdzlYQ2Qy3iZHwNCUvrdKHmn2ebG-OVPexkhKj5iQfG5CV6k/s1600-h/maine2008-3.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvHP9U7hec3A9Hxs8ziuUD7K26_WA2Lcf1CxmcrPK4RA_ns4T589H8R2kyobHohmht0gr_c6Yk-frDTZYT6UTo3hZeoOwdzlYQ2Qy3iZHwNCUvrdKHmn2ebG-OVPexkhKj5iQfG5CV6k/s400/maine2008-3.JPG" /></a><br />
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See related post:<a href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/2010/07/antrim-square-set.html">The Antrim Square Set</a></div>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0Portland, ME, USA43.661471 -70.255325943.5372865 -70.4887854 43.7856555 -70.021866400000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-58765747057710157752010-07-25T10:44:00.003-04:002010-07-25T11:19:07.394-04:00The Antrim Square SetThe first time I danced The Antrim Square Set was at the<a href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/2008/07/tony-ryan-workshop-in-maine-august-5th.html"> Irish Set Dancing weekend in Yarmouth, Maine</a> (related post), hosted by Cathy & Bill Gavin in April 20008. Tony Ryan was the workshop teacher for the weekend and he introduced The Antrim Square to the area; it had already been big in Ireland. Here are the set dancing notes to the Antrim Square set, a short description of each figure, and links to YouTube videos of the figures being danced.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-b5DW8zbVLSa_pk1lrgsf47gEfgVlcw5dW330FOqxf6NJD4MbMeg-xz3IO4iSgv1_6ASW42W_IabK7NQ6mTbaPmi9prqozsvxTi58TAmcSOQCIaP-4P0rGwLg4SLMLhm3Xe7Aiz_Z0o/s1600/maine2008-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-b5DW8zbVLSa_pk1lrgsf47gEfgVlcw5dW330FOqxf6NJD4MbMeg-xz3IO4iSgv1_6ASW42W_IabK7NQ6mTbaPmi9prqozsvxTi58TAmcSOQCIaP-4P0rGwLg4SLMLhm3Xe7Aiz_Z0o/s320/maine2008-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set Dancing teachers demonstrate The Antrim Square at the Tony Ryan workshop in Maine. Dancing from left: Pat & Barry Callahan (Rhode Island), Cathy & Bill Gavin (Maine), Tony Ryan (Ireland - white shirt) and Ger Cooney-Browne (Massachusetts), and unknown-to-me (sorry) [<a href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/2010/07/photos-of-maine-set-dancing-workshop.html">more photos here</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Antrim Square Set</span><br />
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Study Notes:<br />
<a href="http://users.tpg.com.au/juliasm/Irish-Dance/instructions/Antrim-Square-Set.html">Antrim Square Study Notes</a> - Newcastle Irish Set Dancers<br />
<a href="http://www.personal.kent.edu/%7Eltaylor1/antrim%20square.htm">Antrim Square Study Notes</a> - Larry Taylor<br />
<a href="http://www.personal.kent.edu/%7Eltaylor1/terms.htm">some common abbreviations in set dancing notation</a> (see short notes below)<br />
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Antrim Square Videos:</span> <br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqNjjg4Wq7g">Figure 1 - Instruction</a> <span class="description">by</span> <span class="description">Padraig & Roisin McEneany at Cape May / Rehoboth October 2008 by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ceili308">ceili308</a></span></li>
<li><span class="description"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MdpUEHqiF4">Figure 1 - Danced</a></span> <span class="description">Padraig & Roisin McEneany at Cape May / Rehoboth October 2008 by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ceili308">ceili308</a></span></li>
<li><span class="description"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNqbr0-WeTg">Figure 1</a> - Vienna, Austria, workshop with Patrick O'Dean by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Cuchullain10">Cuchullain10</a></span></li>
<li><span class="description"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFiaMtIzfgs">Figure 1 & 2</a> Patrick O'Dea teaches Antrim Square in Seattle February 2009 by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MaryMcKibbon">MaryMcKibbon</a></span></li>
<li><span class="description"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WIPK5euLPw&feature=related">Figure 2 - Instruction</a></span> by P<span class="description">adraig & Roisin McEneany at Cape May / Rehoboth October 2008</span> <span class="description">by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ceili308">ceili308</a></span></li>
<li><span class="description"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h--KbE5HS2w">Figure 2 - Danced</a></span> <span class="description">Padraig & Roisin McEneany at Cape May / Rehoboth October 2008</span> <span class="description">by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ceili308">ceili308</a></span></li>
<li><span class="description"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV68ifpuDHY">Figure 3 - Instruction</a> by</span> <span class="description">Padraig & Roisin McEneany at Cape May / Rehoboth October 2008</span> <span class="description">by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ceili308">ceili308</a></span></li>
<li><span class="description"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FckzKInepOk">Figure 3 - Danced</a> </span> <span class="description">Padraig & Roisin McEneany at Cape May / Rehoboth October 2008</span> <span class="description">by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ceili308">ceili308</a></span></li>
<li><span class="description"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7dTrzgtKKU">Figure 3</a> led by Patrick O'Dea in Seattle February 2009</span> <span class="description">by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MaryMcKibbon">MaryMcKibbon</a></span></li>
</ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJnbKMonZd0">Tractor Square Dance</a> - The tractors are dancing! <span class="description">The beginning of this figure is identical to the "Big Square" in the Antrim</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Short Notes:</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fig 1 (reel) Ladies Star , Gents Star, Advance-Right Square</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: LAR in sweetheart hold, pivot back & Swing.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tops</span>: Ladies Star (r-l), Gents Star (r-l). TCs House & Ballyvourney-style square (advance-right 1-2, 123, backup to opp & 1/2 house to home).<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: Big Square (tops advance / sides retire), reverse & Swing.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sides</span>: Ladies Star, Gents Star , Sides House & BV-style sq.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: Big Square (sides advance / tops retire), reverse & Swing; House.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fig 2 (jig) Crossovers & Basket</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: LAR in sweetheart hold, pivot back & Swing.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tops</span>: Ladies cross, gents cross, ladies cross back (& move into the center) gents cross back (& move into the center), Basket (swing-4) & Swing.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: Big Square (tops advance / sides retire), reverse & swing.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sides:</span> Ladies cross, gents cross, basket & swing.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: Big Square (sides advance / tops retire), reverse & Swing; House.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fig 3 (polka) Slide & Change; Swing Corners, Swing Partners</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: LAR in sweetheart hold, pivot back & Swing.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tops</span>: Slide & Change, Swing Corners, All Swing Partners.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: Big Square (tops advance / sides retire), reverse & swing.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sides:</span> Slide & Change, Swing Corners, All Swing Partners.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All</span>: Big Square (sides advance / tops retire), reverse & Swing; House.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-55715338652871574012010-07-21T09:05:00.000-04:002010-07-21T09:05:07.385-04:00Patrick O'Dea in Boston at Harrington'sPatrick O'Dea, one of Ireland's foremost Irish dance masters, will make a stop on his brief US tour at Harrington's in Wakefield this Wednesday, June 21st. O'Dea will teach a few set dances at a workshop in the function room upstairs at Harrington's, starting at 7:30. The charge for the workshop and light refreshments is $12.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/s-huMpu8CzUu1mARw-irQfA8jIEYK1Bb5MBAOZIGR3aAu3xxGsg9CWoLO7RKc7I-kbvCRJApPnxWvOI4NnBBfdt74-F9BvOd/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://api.ning.com/files/s-huMpu8CzUu1mARw-irQfA8jIEYK1Bb5MBAOZIGR3aAu3xxGsg9CWoLO7RKc7I-kbvCRJApPnxWvOI4NnBBfdt74-F9BvOd/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick O'Dea teaching his "old style" Irish step dancing <br />
at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton July 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Patrick was born in County Clare, Ireland, grew up outside of London, and now lives in Roscommon, Ireland. He's recognized as a modern-day Irish dancing master because of his encyclopedic knowledge of traditional steps and his unbroken lineage to the dance masters of the 1700s.<br />
<br />
Venue: Harrington's Food & Spirits, 17 Water Street, Wakefield, MA<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.harringtonspub.comcall/" target="_blank">http://www.harringtonspub.<wbr></wbr>com</a>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com117 Water St, Wakefield, MA 01880, USA42.5025146 -71.068879942.4985596 -71.0761754 42.506469599999996 -71.0615844tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-82163615163894967432010-07-19T18:15:00.001-04:002010-07-25T12:29:53.101-04:00East Galway Set Battering FootworkPatrick O'Dea was in Seattle for a workshop in February 2010 and taught <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLBlLMr9m3k" this=""> Irish set dancing battering footwork for the East Galway Set.</a> [links to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MaryMcKibbon">Mary McKibbin's YouTube</a> video] <br />
<br />
<a href="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/XLBlLMr9m3k/default.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/XLBlLMr9m3k/default.jpg" /></a>It's not easy to apply the complicated and bedazzling footwork into a set, especially when it is new. In this video, the dancers are learning the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kWYIo5HE3U">5th Figure of the East Galway Set</a> also taught by Pat O'Dea.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.setdancingnews.net/teacher/EGALWAY.HTM">notes for the East Galway Set</a> can be found on <a href="http://www.setdancingnews.net/">Set Dancing News</a>. Bill Lynch's glossy <a href="http://www.setdancingnews.net/news/magazine.lp">Set Dancing News magazine</a> is filled with stories and photos of events and set dancing information.]Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-2465502426082315502010-07-19T18:08:00.007-04:002010-07-25T10:01:12.105-04:00The Plain Clare Set<div class="ecmsonormal"><b>Tonight we are teaching The Plain Clare Set to Beginners at <a href="http://www.harringtonspub.com/calendar">Harrington's</a> </b></div><div class="ecmsonormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/QeQcDOq3rjsTJvvF7gwBZT1KaINQK0mwcBOZyTMqVw*zvkUFGlykOOS5KGa*B9duqJA5Z-k34JrHC8qletaoiuqvw*VXesrE/IMG_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://api.ning.com/files/QeQcDOq3rjsTJvvF7gwBZT1KaINQK0mwcBOZyTMqVw*zvkUFGlykOOS5KGa*B9duqJA5Z-k34JrHC8qletaoiuqvw*VXesrE/IMG_0268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="ecmsonormal"><b>Plain Clare Set Study Notes:</b><br />
also known as The Plain Set, The Plain Clare Set, or simply, The Clare Set<br />
<a href="http://www.setdanceteacher.co.uk/CLAREP.HTM">Plain Clare Study Notes [Set Dancing News] </a><br />
<a href="http://sf.ccewest.org/dance/plain_set.html">The Plain Set Study Notes [San Francisci's Cooley-Keegan Branch CCE]</a><br />
<a href="http://www.setdance.com/sets/plain_set">The Plain Set [Brooks Academy on setdance.com]</a><br />
<a href="http://www.setdance.com/sets/plain_set" id="kv3c" name="kv3c" title="The Plain Set"><br />
</a><br />
<b>The Figures for The Plain Clare Set (brief descriptions):</b><br />
[6 figures: all reels except jig fifth figure]<br />
Figure 1 - <b>Pass Through, Ladies Chain, Half Lead Around - Turn Under (reel)</b><b><br />
</b> Figure 2 - <b>Ladies Turn While Crossing Over (reel)</b><br />
Figure 3 - <b>Chase the Ladies </b> <b>- turn once right hands & twice with left hands</b> <b>(reel)</b><br />
Figure 4 - <b>Wheelbarrow - Hold Hands & Turn the Ladies Out & Under (reel)</b><br />
Figure 5 - <b>The Gallop - Alternating - (Gallop-Chain-Swing) Top Ladies Start Gallop & Chain (jig)</b><br />
Figure 6 - <b>Ladies In (Shake Your Skirts) / Ladies Move On (reel)<br />
</b><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Plain Clare Set Videos:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drX8Vu0NtD4">First Figure Plain Clare</a> by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/clarebannerman">clarebannerman </a>- excellent set dancing led by Aiden Vaughan<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q595c3_ZLw&feature=related">First Figure Plain Clare</a> at Miltown Malbay 2008 by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Martialmaillet">martialmailet</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tulla+C%C3%A9ili+Band+%26+Clare+Set+Dancers+%E2%99%AA%E2%99%AB+&aq=f">First Figure Plain Clare</a> "</b><span class="" id="eow-title" title="Tulla Céili Band & Clare Set Dancers ♪♫">Tulla Céili Band & Clare Set Dancers ♪♫" posted by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/clarebannerman">clarebannerman</a></span><br />
<b> <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9fyIkIYzFI&feature=related">Second Figure Plain Clare</a></b> Private Spring Ceili in Southern Maryland by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/lesliemac56">lesliemac56</a><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-JvlIPh7aA">Third Figure Plain Clare</a></b> Private Spring Ceili in Southern Maryland by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/lesliemac56">lesliemac56</a><b></b><br />
<b><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUAF9N9yzEc">Fourth Figure Plain Clare</a> </b> danced in the Square at Kilrush (Co Clare, Ireland) in August 2004 by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/lazyhound">lazyhound</a><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEU0PBdYtqg&feature=related">Fifth Figure Plain Clare</a> danced by the Copenhagen Set Dancers 2007 by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/LeneMads">lenemads</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bvf5qVeyLk">Fifth & Sixth Figures Plain Clare</a> </b> danced in the Square at Kilrush (Co Clare, Ireland) in 2004 by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/lazyhound">lazyhound</a><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bvf5qVeyLk">Sixth Figure Plain Clare</a> (see 5th & 6th above) </b><br />
<br />
<b>Update: I added links to the "study notes" and short descriptions of the figures above to the links to YouTube videos originally on this post. I welcome your comments or additional links about this set. </b></div><div class="ecmsonormal"><b><br />
</b></div>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-1004169563129258962010-07-06T20:24:00.003-04:002010-07-25T11:01:23.621-04:00Johnny Reidy Ceili Band<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://irishthymes.blogspot.com/2010/07/talking-with-your-eyes-in-killarney.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcVMM6LxeXVgTTVmkp1u84ZUFaRB4dN2jf2W2vOiivUOfl0du1uZWVfOpuZWGGfcdQWY1nlA2dSoA1M5H_VlYTx7j3gevTLH7OwLxM51AKCBGSTThpMHejOobvCKlzhZzoK9Hf5Mqtjg/s1600/TalkingWithYourEyes-JohhnyReidy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7xm3vASKIY">Talking With Your Eyes</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Killarney area set dancers head for the Grand Hotel on Wednesday nights to dance to the music of the <a href="http://skin.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=8681308636">Johnny Reidy Ceili Band</a> (Bebo website). The band is "up-tempo" as you can see in these <a href="http://ceilimor.net/listen/?p=259">set dancing videos from West Cork on Ceilimor.net</a> and this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqwCKuMF_sw&feature=player_embedded">video of the band playing</a> at a festival in Tralee. I was impressed by the Irish dancers when I was there last February and shot this video of them <a href="http://irishthymes.blogspot.com/2010/07/talking-with-your-eyes-in-killarney.html">dancing to "Talking With Your Eyes" sung by Johhny Reidy</a> (on the Irish Thymes blog). Enjoy!Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-49869694324485191552010-06-08T14:11:00.001-04:002010-07-25T11:50:06.693-04:00Benefit Session at The Burren with Set DancingSome of Boston's best traditional Irish musicians will be playing a benefit at <a href="http://www.burren.com/">The Burren</a> authentic Irish music pub / restaurant in <a href="http://www.yourdavissquare.com/">Davis Square, Somerville</a> on <b>Sunday June 13th from 4PM to 1AM</b>. The <a href="http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=trad+session+the+burren+somerville&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=">trad session</a> goes from 4 to 9 featuring Helena Delaney, Peter Malloy (catch Helena and Peter Thursdays in the Burren's Front Room), <a href="http://www.windjam.com/artists/jimmynoonan/index.shtml">Jimmy Noonan</a>, and many more; this is followed at 9:30 by the Johnny Come Lately's.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.burren.com/MaunsellFundRaiser.html">fundraiser event is for the Maunsell family</a>, <b>Seamus Maunsell</b>, a friend and valued employee of The Burren and <span class="style7"><b>Hannah Maunsell, </b></span>his 8 year old daughter, her mum <span class="style36">Jen Maunsell, brother Seamus Jr. and sister Micheala</span>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxemZFgn1UT1amhfjWLfTiGai67i5H6-9RtALCyjSPUGHeWNlFlYSdC77HnHN4AZDkRH0WNCg3yJ4oBkum5m_ASmJ9G-Z7L1h95lEq_Hr0TyzZA75QhFbwOlK3N2T5KMc3B7_z3ILtOoM/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_1270237209"></span><span id="goog_1270237210"></span></a></div>If you're a set dancer, Ger Cooney will be leading a set or two around 5 o'clock. What an opportunity to dance to the live music of these great musicians!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSKh0syaQh6sc7rXqKHDw-7v85nDd_4VcJQxtsc0Itu0FLdbPQJbHOF_wki7vhVVbf5fet7lpBRhmX8NLiLJA_3bOzkw5jLIlhTpMA7gECEm5cF9d0hmqLajsrV2Rn5EROpXq1w939Hk/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSKh0syaQh6sc7rXqKHDw-7v85nDd_4VcJQxtsc0Itu0FLdbPQJbHOF_wki7vhVVbf5fet7lpBRhmX8NLiLJA_3bOzkw5jLIlhTpMA7gECEm5cF9d0hmqLajsrV2Rn5EROpXq1w939Hk/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set Dancing at The Burren in the Back Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-60925709262873856952010-03-20T21:43:00.001-04:002010-03-20T21:43:39.571-04:00Set Dancing at Vaughan's Barn in Kilfenora<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5diQzg33Wpl6ZHCNM8mkIOpOuuI6832D8BxLFkkyZC-x1x7IyoqSWWdAtzXcg7dCnhzDOurFeB_pcOyEOd7V-nmsebPDShdA5YH1JT-nhggHC0eme0pi1xrww63AcJbovO98OyHDz4Q/s1600-h/KB0829700087_163640264_73000_640_480_SD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5diQzg33Wpl6ZHCNM8mkIOpOuuI6832D8BxLFkkyZC-x1x7IyoqSWWdAtzXcg7dCnhzDOurFeB_pcOyEOd7V-nmsebPDShdA5YH1JT-nhggHC0eme0pi1xrww63AcJbovO98OyHDz4Q/s320/KB0829700087_163640264_73000_640_480_SD2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set Dancing at Vaughan's Barn, Kelfenora, Ireland February 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On a recent trip to Ireland, I made my way far to the West of Ireland for a night of set dancing with friends at Vaughan's Barn in Kilfenora before heading back home. Yes, it was worth it. Here's a little <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARLDdKMdgUE&feature=digest">video of a set with Mr. John Vaughan himself</a> in the set closest to us dancing to the music of the Four Courts Ceili Band.Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-90839710207325818192009-10-24T12:49:00.004-04:002009-10-24T13:12:07.395-04:00Irish Dancing at Your Wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy4OJ_DeCThh2_BSavB_RxGd2bH3DRAokSDK1ji7XCoTKFMDNG_sjVSC2FXZmOioCzX8AX1lxuvnJqGZLOh0xhAmv6J8jc9gwlpig7ASHk84bSH8mix6m-v1ApM3ljCJx_TYrD9S9C04/s320/IrishDancerBride.jpg" /><br />
</div>A wedding is a great time to celebrate your heritage and what better way to entertain your Irish guests than with an Irish dance. You could, for instance, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWiSSWWMh3o">like this bride</a>, surprise your husband and amaze your guests with an Irish jig you've secretly practiced.<br />
<br />
Or you could <a href="http://www.idanceirish.com/celtic_storm_news.html">hire a professional dance troupe, like Celtic Storm</a>, to perform during your wedding reception. How about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1rNFoFLWlg">the bride kicking off freestyle Irish dancing</a> with the guests, the wedding party, and the groom joining in - that looks like a lot of fun to me. You're lucky if you've got a talented Irish dancer in the family, like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgwB4zKJATE&feature=related">this bride's brother</a>, willing to do an Irish dance on your special day. <br />
<br />
The whole <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP4MEqy7liA&feature=related">family joined together in what looks like an Irish set dance</a> (or an 8-hand reel) in this video. That's very impressive and they've done a great job. You can hear in the background a guest commenting, "This is my favorite part of the whole wedding." <br />
<br />
Here <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ytm2LctP44&NR=1">the bride and groom join the traditional Irish dance troupe</a> (girls with curls). This video clip had me laughing out loud at the non-dancer groom's efforts (What a good sport!) and the groomsmen as they are obviously having a great time, and that's the way it should be.<br />
<br />
Even if it's just you and your new spouse doing your first dance together, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGTp2h816YM">like this couple dancing to a bagpipe tune</a>, you can honor your Irish heritage with a two-hand reel or a highland fling. But then, why not respectfully <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&feature=fvw">dance down the aisle like this wedding party</a> - it's not Irish, but you get the idea. <br />
<br />
Even if there is nothing in particular scripted into the event, with an Irish tune playing, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmnuKp1i0-c&feature=related">the guests will surely want to give it a try and have some fun</a>.<br />
<br />
So, if there's a wedding being planned in your family, these videos provide some great ideas to express your individuality and honor your culture. But you don't have to wait for a wedding to incorporate Irish dancing into an event. Get inspired and, most of all, have fun!Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-52076516975741182372009-10-23T19:25:00.001-04:002009-10-23T19:27:02.549-04:00Clare Lancers Set With Sean-Nos StyleThe Clare Lancers is a fun traditional Irish Set Dance. with a variety of moves. This YouTube video clip of the 3rd & 5th figures of the Clare Lancers, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5iygOyMrn4">Maldon Meehan's Irish Dance Show "An Damhsa": Clare Lancers Set Dance</a>," is especially well done and what footwork!<br />
<br />
<div class="watch-video-desc description">The video is a clip from a show presented in Portland, Oregon, in September 2008. I recognize the names of two of the dancers in the video from my brief foray into Sean-Nos Irish Step Dancing, <a href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/2009/08/alicia-guinns-beginner-sean-nos-dance.html"> Alicia Guinn</a> and <a href="http://www.maldonmeehan.com%20%20/">Maldon Meehan</a>, who are dance teachers, as well.<br />
</div><div class="watch-video-desc description"><br />
</div><div class="watch-video-desc description">There are some <a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/notes/Clare_Lancers">links to videos and study notes for the Clare Lancers</a> on the Irish set dancing social network, irishsetdancing.ning.com along with <a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/notes">notes for other sets</a> in the Notes tab.<br />
</div><div class="watch-video-desc description"><br />
</div>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-48047503633482247792009-10-04T22:45:00.004-04:002010-07-09T18:58:38.248-04:00Gathering Momentum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpN1JL3D8UUwQzeho3EqMfaOUkX-vkvPHVp9gWT60Rvojz9O-n5_VH8KV-Y0L3jWG8gA5CM5z9hk738UIf7H87GuDq4b1zl2jKbpNYFH01R74oj659Sr3jRib9npzdc1zma57lM70Urs/s1600-h/gathering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpN1JL3D8UUwQzeho3EqMfaOUkX-vkvPHVp9gWT60Rvojz9O-n5_VH8KV-Y0L3jWG8gA5CM5z9hk738UIf7H87GuDq4b1zl2jKbpNYFH01R74oj659Sr3jRib9npzdc1zma57lM70Urs/s200/gathering.jpg" /></a>"The Gathering" flyers are ready. If you've been set dancing in the Boston area for any number of years, you're bound to hear about <a href="http://www.thegathering.ie/">The Gathering in Killarney</a> in February. Ger Cooney-Browne, who teaches set dancing at <a href="http://www.burren.com/">The Burren in Somerville</a>, organizes the hotel and bus arrangements for most of the Americans making the trip from the northeast. Download a flyer and find more about information and articles on this traditional Irish music and dance extravaganza on the <a href="http://www.joyofsets.com/#gathering">Joy of Sets</a> website. There are set dancing workshops, sean-nos dancing workshops, ceilis, concerts, and a whole lot more.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Saturday morning set dancing workshop with Pat Murphy at the INEC - February 2009</div><br />
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</div>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland52.0597857 -9.506935252.0333997 -9.5653002 52.0861717 -9.4485701999999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-40004528589971168342009-08-23T09:22:00.000-04:002009-08-23T09:22:44.971-04:00Alicia Guinn's Beginner Sean-nós Dance WorkshopI brought along a couple of visiting family members to Alicia Guinn's Beginner Sean-nós Irish Step Dancing workshop in Milton, Massachusetts, yesterday - they were good sports to accompany me and had never done Irish dancing before. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/seannosseattle">Alicia</a> teaches in the Seattle, Washington area. By the end of the 1 1/2 hour lesson, they had mastered the not-so-easy heel lift and were looking mighty fine as they danced to the concertina music provided by <a href="http://www.georgekeith.net/">George Keith.</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFd4mONuiE9ec2HNRCfs17afj2CimufiJB_h6FjxNEKG_AnCbUCqZ7uHTd2ycwlJVBQjrX3rDT5TfBx850swRDaYEUdIA5nEezufUPfj361KWNqclJ8e_xqAjhmsUM4zp8KEkFxThTGsE/s1600-h/AliciaSeannosAug09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFd4mONuiE9ec2HNRCfs17afj2CimufiJB_h6FjxNEKG_AnCbUCqZ7uHTd2ycwlJVBQjrX3rDT5TfBx850swRDaYEUdIA5nEezufUPfj361KWNqclJ8e_xqAjhmsUM4zp8KEkFxThTGsE/s320/AliciaSeannosAug09.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alicia (left) at Sean-nós workshop August 2009</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
It was a great class. We started off with just slow-walking in time to the music and built on that rhythmic step, adding the heel-lift - "lift 1-2-3, and 1-2-3," then adding the heel-taps to this basic step- "lift and-1-and-2-and-3, lift and-1-and-2-and-3" (or "lift a-1 a-2 a-3" the "a" being the heel tapping or dragging on the floor; it's a quick and light movement). We added the hop-back step - "hop-1 hop-2 hop-1-2-3" - and variations on the basic steps.<br />
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After a summer break, I'm eager to start my second year of <a href="http://www.kieranjordan.com/classes.php?id=c-weekly.html">classes</a> with <a href="http://www.kieranjordan.com/">Kieran Jordan</a> in the new <a href="http://www.greenstreetstudios.org/">Green Street studio location</a> in Cambridge (MA). Not only is it a great low-impact aerobic workout, but it is wonderful to be able to tap out a reel or a jig any time, anywhere, to give the spirits a lift. I personally find it invigorating to tap it out in the ladies room at work for a bit before heading back to my sedentary desk job.Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-77465085044421744382009-08-20T07:57:00.003-04:002010-07-25T11:00:44.456-04:00Irish Dancing in FloridaIt's August and I'm still dancing. Summer is a less rigorously scheduled time when most dance classes take a break and here in Boston, at least, the regular Sunday set dances to live Irish music run from September to May, roughly. But Irish festivals, special Irish dance cruises, workshops, and a few year round set dancing groups keep the music going and the feet battering.<br />
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I was happy to read about the Irish dancing activities in Gainesville, Florida. The <a href="http://www.inisheeririshdance.com/">Inisheer Irish Dance Company</a> sponsored "The Long Hot Summer Irish Ceili Dance and Workshops" in July <a href="http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090723/COLUMNISTS/907231006/1030/ENTERTAINMENT?Title=Fundraiser-offers-dance-workshops-performances-"></a>- <a href="http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090723/COLUMNISTS/907231006/1030/ENTERTAINMENT?Title=Fundraiser-offers-dance-workshops-performances-">read the article in the Gainesville Sun</a> - <i>consisting of an Irish step-dance workshop and a subsequent ceili and set dance workshop, followed by an evening ceili dance accompanied by excellent area musicians,</i> with guest instructor Liam Eagan of West Palm Beach leading the social dances and Piper Call leading a workshop on Sean nos ("old style") Irish step dance. [The article, by the way, does a great job of defining the various types of Irish dancing: step dancing, sean-nos dancing, set dancing and ceili dancing.]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3lzudHqmPMCDQrWzzXGC-Mw5D4q9MtocPW9oG8wP3jmOJZAVlLGn4LrVShPdreQQNLMtzXZbn_JMbEy_m83AnwZ1T134BvWCg8wsHkAsOuvtkWcteBn5XzYqDAekZA5ETwEe5PQ93ZI/s1600-h/beginnerclass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3lzudHqmPMCDQrWzzXGC-Mw5D4q9MtocPW9oG8wP3jmOJZAVlLGn4LrVShPdreQQNLMtzXZbn_JMbEy_m83AnwZ1T134BvWCg8wsHkAsOuvtkWcteBn5XzYqDAekZA5ETwEe5PQ93ZI/s320/beginnerclass.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.wickedlocal.com/reading/fun/entertainment/arts/x409291996/Dont-call-it-step-dance">Harrington's Beginner Class</a> - Nora Helps Out (Reading Advocate photo)</i></span> </div><br />
It has long been a wish of mine to some day be a "snow-bird" but the one thing I would miss if I headed south in winter would be the Irish dancing - in season, September to May, you could dance every night of the week around Boston and several groups remain active all summer - so I'm glad to know that there are pockets of it alive and "kicking" in Florida. It's funny, though; as part of a plan to ensure that I would be able to dance no matter where in the world I go, I have started to teach set dancing to beginners so I can bring the Irish dancing with me.Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-43715476556427811532009-07-27T08:41:00.003-04:002009-07-27T08:45:38.078-04:00Beginner Set Dancing at Harrington'sFrank and I have started teaching a beginner Irish set dancing class at <a href="http://www.harringtonspub.com/">Harrington's pub in Wakefield</a> (MA, USA). We dance there upstairs on Wednesdays and have noticed there was an interest in the set dancing by some of the pub-goers but a lack of experience kept many from joining in. With a general lull in the set dancing classes for the summertime, we announced an eight-week series of classes at the pub on Monday nights. We were pleasantly surprised to find so many from the surrounding communities show up for the first night of classes. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWuJ-ixz6F1gXqKKwhB-F7FQyATg2Ne7CUMzgh11TzAJsxbUqDe7OBEjP6-1MXrtyW6hS4VG79zzmSDmilPV6x5TAI_cYPrnIDFVrZ65yrHE_M9bYstCQZ6reHWssPA6u9iyvj3tQGWI/s1600-h/setdancers-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWuJ-ixz6F1gXqKKwhB-F7FQyATg2Ne7CUMzgh11TzAJsxbUqDe7OBEjP6-1MXrtyW6hS4VG79zzmSDmilPV6x5TAI_cYPrnIDFVrZ65yrHE_M9bYstCQZ6reHWssPA6u9iyvj3tQGWI/s320/setdancers-sm.jpg" /></a>We worked on the footwork and steps for <a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/notes/Connemara_Set_Notes">The Connmara Reel Set</a> [links to instructions and videos] and managed to get through the set, with a little help from our friends PJ, Peggy, and Maureen. Thanks, guys!<br />
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Tonight we're on to <a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/notes/North_Kerry_Set_%22Short_Notes%22">The North Kerry Set</a> to demonstrate more set dancing footwork and dance moves like the polka, hornpipe, "show the lady," and the "four ladies chain." Having been a teacher in one of my prior lives, I understand the importance of a lesson plan and, as always, I am reminded that the best way to learn something well is to teach it. Looking forward to lesson two tonight.Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com017 Water St, Wakefield, MA 01880, USA42.502331 -71.06874942.498376 -71.0760445 42.506285999999996 -71.0614535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-22022951471982927492009-06-20T12:07:00.007-04:002010-07-25T11:51:38.656-04:00Boston Set Dancers Drafted for New Irish Play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-tFaNmfDqULs1PkdKfNZm578W0IgZdYm6FhBV_B9Z155unEgjPYLD4xu5kPPVErmkIoexeVU2ly926dSUMXxD4hJXD9gK55sZECl3JLDyfGvgM-ttskfdQwNqGRO0XitFnbIEk8bF3U/s1600-h/banshee_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-tFaNmfDqULs1PkdKfNZm578W0IgZdYm6FhBV_B9Z155unEgjPYLD4xu5kPPVErmkIoexeVU2ly926dSUMXxD4hJXD9gK55sZECl3JLDyfGvgM-ttskfdQwNqGRO0XitFnbIEk8bF3U/s320/banshee_sm.jpg" /></a></div>The Irish-American community around Boston is eagerly awaiting the new Irish play by Ireland's <a href="http://www.midwestradio.ie/MWR/index.php?page=tommy-marren">Tommy Marren</a> of <a href="http://www.midwestradio.ie/mwir/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=65&cntnt01origid=72&cntnt01returnid=55">Mid-West Radio</a> based in County Mayo, <b>The Banshee of Crokey Hill</b>. Irish set dancers were happy to co-operate when asked to participate in the kitchen hooley scenes in this 3-act play.<br />
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Dancers from Sally Harney's Comhaltas Watertown group and Frank Keane's Harrington's group in Wakefield will dress in West of Ireland '70's attire to welcome the neighbors' son returning to Ireland after being away in Manchester, England, as the drama unfolds around them. <br />
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Boston's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0rfPlA0JMg">Larry Reynolds</a> (video with Larry joined by concert flute player Mike Rafferty and button accordionist Tara Lynch, originally from Corofin, Co. Clare. ) and friends provide the traditional Irish tunes for the kitchen session. The play also features the renowned <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lwfv86eLRA&feature=fvw">Brian Cunningham</a> (take a sneak peek at this amazing video), Sean-Nos dancer from Connemara. <span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">"There is an exceptional ‘hooley’ scene that includes a breath-taking display of brush-dancing (an old Irish dance done with a sweeping brush!) by Brian Cunningham from Connemara in County Galway and traditional musician that will warm the hearts of the audience!</span><b>"<br />
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<b>The Banshee of Crockey Hil</b>l will be presented Friday & Saturday, <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">June 26th & </span>27th at 8PM and Sunday, <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">June 28th,</span> at 3PM at the <a href="http://www.regenttheatre.com/events/Banshee.htm">Regent Theatre</a> in Arlington, MA (<a href="http://www.regenttheatre.com/directions.html">directions)</a>.<br />
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<b>Post Script</b>: Link to some "Banshee" photos and a video on the Irish Set Dancing social network:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/photo/albums/backstage-at-bostons-banshee" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnB7TIEVa0rTUyhIRNGRTvehJl-3H63B9BYZKxlyeiqJQQ9QxHMjFJs3UoO7nPTsU4914dLSd4M7hujk-xNBlEfgWAwPl1fiys6GzG3zAqXbjx3wVF7TmQIbI8eyNIyRG2ZR-iWCDcyQ/s200/TommyMarren-sm.JPG" /></a></div><a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/photo/albums/backstage-at-bostons-banshee">Photo Album: Backstage Photos of The Banshee of Crokey Hill - Boston Performance </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3975960557038838257&postID=2202295147198292749" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1duYlMyn3PyAn2J8dT-U89G77jkIFchGiL_dK0Hx-803IiauX18aEseUHJw4UO_mh0WhGUZz8f-u-6e-xIrIf_TyyC8B-tANm_QQSerU3WOksyV_F2oE0KoSZZmqNEVcBsMhJ2Tkltg/s1600-h/OffBroadway-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1duYlMyn3PyAn2J8dT-U89G77jkIFchGiL_dK0Hx-803IiauX18aEseUHJw4UO_mh0WhGUZz8f-u-6e-xIrIf_TyyC8B-tANm_QQSerU3WOksyV_F2oE0KoSZZmqNEVcBsMhJ2Tkltg/s200/OffBroadway-sm.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/photo/albums/off-broadway-production-of">Photo Album: "Off Broadway" Photos of The Banshee of Crokey Hill - Broadway in Arlington MA</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3SFSzo6vupnmoDbMI_1ULGrIH83U1yGxmmWHjjTtpedYv0eYF0Pgz7vG8H7oQfV1swYBTmmeE5jHHVn9-G6yUZEZlpbJnUg13cwkKoWbBdimhlR65fhl0t5AhpM8lrQe0aCENUMuZjI/s1600-h/HughieVidoePix.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3SFSzo6vupnmoDbMI_1ULGrIH83U1yGxmmWHjjTtpedYv0eYF0Pgz7vG8H7oQfV1swYBTmmeE5jHHVn9-G6yUZEZlpbJnUg13cwkKoWbBdimhlR65fhl0t5AhpM8lrQe0aCENUMuZjI/s200/HughieVidoePix.jpeg" /></a></div><a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/video/the-famous-hughie-gaffney">Video: Boston Sean-Nos Dancer Hughie's Stage Debut at Sunday Performance</a>Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-9837493797591563982009-05-18T18:11:00.005-04:002009-05-18T18:48:00.545-04:00A Little Rain Falls on Siege of Ennis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgottYU-KbMKQlv4L8bQA07SXsA8gV6N613BuLb5wmvJgLB3yp_c2kxOW1pcwpCMP226ScHz9e1238yLRLxBKMRS8NExA6sO2hhgkHAi6npEe1Isb8ykKKGBt-P2C0oVDtRymh-xBHIjKk/s1600-h/SiegeOfEnnisBreakRecord.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgottYU-KbMKQlv4L8bQA07SXsA8gV6N613BuLb5wmvJgLB3yp_c2kxOW1pcwpCMP226ScHz9e1238yLRLxBKMRS8NExA6sO2hhgkHAi6npEe1Isb8ykKKGBt-P2C0oVDtRymh-xBHIjKk/s200/SiegeOfEnnisBreakRecord.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337292893940716082" border="0" /></a><br />It rained in Ennis (surprise) but it didn't seem to dampen the spirits much for the Special Olympics fundraiser. Around 6,000 people turned out to dance The Siege of Ennis. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyKsL8wgUrc">Watch the video</a>.<br /><br />Here's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBnda_SH-zU&feature=related">how the dance is done professionally</a>; it's nice, but it's much more fun <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrWtpi1VA24&NR=1">with a big crowd of people</a>.<br /><br />These are the <a href="http://users.tpg.com.au/juliasm/Irish-Dance/instructions/Siege-of-Ennis.html">study notes</a> with detailed instrctions on how to dance it: "Two couples line up facing two couples in lines of four ..."<br /><br />It's a ceili dance but is often danced as well by set dancers.Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-225108562767134812009-03-14T11:18:00.008-04:002010-07-25T12:34:13.971-04:00My First "Gathering" in Killarney<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijksMFNDOOsbFGqFjnl0SfFnGBgFT1k2xm1RaP_aacM3ZSItxRs261QunOabpZ_0fA6C7qUe7Xn1AOg9z28-4h5bijoD8mTmaYs79Rp8inSifqcFO_EgPZyPm4sIE96R7Kq8PpiHNxOJg/s1600-h/GleneagleAptKitchen2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijksMFNDOOsbFGqFjnl0SfFnGBgFT1k2xm1RaP_aacM3ZSItxRs261QunOabpZ_0fA6C7qUe7Xn1AOg9z28-4h5bijoD8mTmaYs79Rp8inSifqcFO_EgPZyPm4sIE96R7Kq8PpiHNxOJg/s200/GleneagleAptKitchen2009.jpg" /></a>After five years of set dancing, I figured I should be able to keep up with the dancing at <a href="http://www.thegathering.ie/">The Gathering</a> in Killarney, so I gave it a try. There was a group going from Boston and a couple of <a href="http://www.harringtonspub.com/">Harrington's</a> dancers looking for roommates, so I booked my flight in October for the February 2009 event at the first sight of Aer Lingus's winter sale. We eventually settled on accommodations at the Gleneagle River Apartments (<a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-gathering-2010">see travel tips for The Gathering)</a> , which were excellent.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The fun began on Wednesday night. A group of us headed into town to dance to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqwCKuMF_sw">Johhny Reidy Ceili Band</a> at the Grand Hotel. The tempo was brisk. The night was fun. The small crowd of likely regulars was welcoming. The Gathering organizers sponsored an optional ceili and pub session in a nearby town.<br />
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The activity was non-stop after that, starting with the school outreach program Thursday morning (a rewarding experience) and enhanced by a couple of independent excursions on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Set dancing ceilis on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon and sean-nos and set dancing workshops on Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning filled in most of my schedule, but there were music concerts and pub sessions that I didn't want to miss - so I got very little sleep from then on. It was truly amazing.<br />
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Sunday afternoon' set dance workshop was on the <a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/video/melleray-lancers-set">Melleray Lancers Set</a> (video posted on <a href="http://irishsetdancing.ning.com/">IrishSetDancing.ning.com </a> by Peter Jackson) - see <a href="http://www.personal.kent.edu/%7Eltaylor1/melleray%20lancers.htm">set dancing notes</a> - also known as the Waterford Lancers, from County Waterford, Ireland.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHC8v-vL4fcvJELaAd9lwf1RW4MCPZABEAKPNFgplciyWAT6S8rcrQjTWoeYXqLK3p8EMIr6_CP4joZi8h-S-LVAKQUOWzn1DQeGSqqyYbC3CPL9OHTGvA9qSFdSKDx9lSdNf3oTaniY/s1600-h/P1010712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHC8v-vL4fcvJELaAd9lwf1RW4MCPZABEAKPNFgplciyWAT6S8rcrQjTWoeYXqLK3p8EMIr6_CP4joZi8h-S-LVAKQUOWzn1DQeGSqqyYbC3CPL9OHTGvA9qSFdSKDx9lSdNf3oTaniY/s320/P1010712.JPG" /></a></div>Our unofficial mini-group guide (see <a href="http://thejoyofsets.blogspot.com/2009/02/killarney-gathering-2009.html">Frank's account of his Gathering experience)</a> took us to a night of set dancing with the regulars at <a href="http://www.ireland-guide.com/establishment/vaughans_pub.3168.html">Vaughn's Barn in Kilfenora</a> on Sunday night. In contrast to the hordes of people at The Gathering, this was very homey - the floor was full of set dancers dancing to the fabulous Four Courts Ceili Band.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBzp62tGVaNNhgYuAyA31bQqGHGy41KVKvPJXI36BnSTasAT8fxGr3NPLZ9svV4WG9foNHlqJiBBT26sMqpGBx5iDHZERHT5rz2XPZxJ9Gb3aIDW5bFvQRM7SAjseaYruiaefGZnwLYs/s1600-h/P1010726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBzp62tGVaNNhgYuAyA31bQqGHGy41KVKvPJXI36BnSTasAT8fxGr3NPLZ9svV4WG9foNHlqJiBBT26sMqpGBx5iDHZERHT5rz2XPZxJ9Gb3aIDW5bFvQRM7SAjseaYruiaefGZnwLYs/s200/P1010726.JPG" /></a></div>All in all the trip was a nice blend of local charm, friendly faces, and Irish music and dance extravaganza. <br />
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Follow-up note May 2009: Vaughan's Pub now has its own website at <a href="http://www.vaughanspub.ie/">http://www.vaughanspub.ie/</a><br />
View a great video of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIjFaXzAyL0">set dancing at Vaughan's Pub</a> on YouTube.Irish Thymeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481554966176964057noreply@blogger.com0Muckross Rd, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland52.0529911 -9.506917552.0463936 -9.5215085 52.0595886 -9.4923265tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-12942867231169758802009-02-25T14:14:00.017-05:002010-07-09T19:05:03.549-04:00Killarney, The Gathering 2009Just returned from the 2009 Gathering. Of the three years I have attended, this was the best yet. Dancing started in Killarney on Wednesday to the fast paced pokers from the Johnnie Reidy Band. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqwCKuMF_sw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqwCKuMF_sw<br />
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This was followed by the annual trip to the schools as part of the community outreach program on Thursday.This year was different in that we had 8 set dancers, 6 musicians, ( four of them from France) and one French Sean Nos style dancer with blazing feet.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Thursday afternoon we were treated to a tour of the Black Valley by a friend who grew up in Dingle</div><div style="text-align: justify;">.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qANb0mCHvJc/SaWjko41RTI/AAAAAAAAAYc/N-euqq2DB_E/s1600-h/Ireland+009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306827585772406066" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qANb0mCHvJc/SaWjko41RTI/AAAAAAAAAYc/N-euqq2DB_E/s320/Ireland+009.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 305px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><br />
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Thursday's Ceili music was provided by Micheal Sexton and Pat Walsh.<br />
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Friday during the day, we drove to Cobh in Cork to visit some relatives as well as tour the port where the "Coffin Ships" departed during the famine<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qANb0mCHvJc/SaWksk_te_I/AAAAAAAAAYk/paeZVEm4d1U/s1600-h/Ireland+day+2+007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306828821678095346" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qANb0mCHvJc/SaWksk_te_I/AAAAAAAAAYk/paeZVEm4d1U/s320/Ireland+day+2+007.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Friday night we had the Brian Boru Ceili Band. As much as we thought the first three bands were terrific, the music provided by the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daP9WJ7Hi8E">Allow Ceili Band</a> on Saturday was over the top. I think there were twelve instruments, all playing an uptempo style of music. When we did the Clare Lancers figure with the 4 and 4, all 800 dancers were linked arm in arm, a sight I will never forget.<br />
<div>The dance floor was filled with set dancers from 8 to 80, young competition ready dancers with flying feet, old smoothies, and the ever present Kerry Crazies, all having great craic.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Matt Cunningham finished the weekend's set dancing. I can only hope that he plays the same speed when he comes to Watertown in May<br />
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Sunday PM we jumped in the car and drove to Doolin, picked up another friend, and then drove to Kilfenora, to set dance to the Four Courts Ceili Band in the Mecca of Set Dancing, Vaughan's Barn.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyEMfgMckDpPsmBcUKFKPZrdjvgEBuaHIQBd_QPipq6Z-GWv3_oZvhKx9eIj8iGu2-ZytYej8JkuJIIXtkifg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297300053153334982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-88988887351347276092009-01-29T10:09:00.003-05:002010-07-25T11:52:15.938-04:00Set Dancing on the radioThis week will be a "first" for some Boston area Irish Set Dancers.<br />
We will be dancing on the radio, via Paula Carroll's Kitchen Sessions, which is being broadcast from Winchester Ma.<br />
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Trying to tell friends to listen in has been interesting since they usually can not tell us by the sound of our feet battering through some reels. I can imagine telling someone afterwards, "listen that's me. I can tell since I missed a beat."<br />
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<a href="http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/kitchen_sessions_in_clare/lang/ga/">http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/kitchen_sessions_in_clare/lang/ga</a>/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297300053153334982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-2270131516933201782009-01-21T11:34:00.003-05:002010-07-25T11:59:28.123-04:00Keaney Brothers - Cousins of Vincent'sJust heard from Vincent that some of his cousins are on YouTube. While they do not do set dancing, their footwork is fabulous <a href="http://www.diddlyi.com/video/695138:Video:60516">The Keany Brothers Irish Step Dancing on YouTube</a> on Diddlyi, a social networking website for Irish Step Dancers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297300053153334982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975960557038838257.post-35187542390904905612009-01-11T13:25:00.005-05:002009-01-29T10:09:23.344-05:00Paula Carroll. back on the road with Kitchen SessionsPaula Carroll, Clare FM, takes her world famous "Kitchen Sessions" on the road starting on Jan 11 from Fanore, in North Clare<br /><br /><a href="http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/kitchen_sessions_in_clare/">http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/kitchen_sessions_in_clare/</a><br /><br />The shows are usually repeated on Wednesday nights and available on the following Thursday for Download as a podcast<br /><a href="http://www.clarefm.ie/listen.php?mode=standalone§ion=clarefm"></a><br /><br />If you are wondering what this has to do with set dancing, listen carefully to the music. In the background, on some of the songs, you will hear the unmistakable footwork of those County Clare set dancers<br /><br />Enjoy the series<br /><br />One of the sessions will be held in Winchester Ma. at Gerry Dunleavey's house. Now we need to figure out how to get an invitationAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297300053153334982noreply@blogger.com0