Feet of a Dancer-Week 6

This is one of my favorite songs and lyrics. My dear friend Kristen sang this song when she was leaving and moving away. It is still a dear memory to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4EcvlZpzLc

Feet of A Dancer
By: Maura O'Connell (discography) Back to Roth's Song Index
On: Philo So Far, Just in Time



Chorus
I hope you find the feet of a dancer, I hope you can sing in the rain
I hope you find all the easy answers to your pain
I hope you find love and affection, someone who cares
I hope you find all the right direction everywhere.


It won't be easy, but what can I say
There will be trouble on the way
And around every corner, there'll be terror and tears
But always remember that we're here.

Chorus


A shoulder to cry on, whenever you're low
You know you can rely on us, you know
'Cause there's nothing too crazy, and there's nothing too dear
But always remember that we're here.

Chorus


Bridge:
Even when the rain comes falling down
You know it's falling down on you

Chorus

***Student Question: Please post any songs or poems you might find relating to your cultural background. Please give a meaning as to why you chose it.

Pictures of Irish Step Dancing-Week 5

Performing at my wedding above
All of my best friends-the "old dancers" at my friend Katie's wedding in 2007.

Kelly performing a jig

"old timers"

Jenni and Kelly performing the two-hand jig

The old dancers at my wedding-it was a great time!

Since I retired from Irish Dancing in 1995, I have performed in numerous family weddings, reunions and friend's weddings. I was married in July 2006 and I had invited many family and friends who took Irish Dancing. As a surprise by my cousin who was an Irish Dancer with Mullane Irish Dancers in Chicago, she surprised me by having Mullane perform and then all the "old dancers" performed. Here are some pictures from my wedding and other friends weddings. http://www.mullanehealyobrien.com/

***Student Question: Please list any fun facts or pictures about your cultural background.

Irish Dance Companies in the Chicagoland Area-Week 5

I grew up taking Irish Step Dancing in the years of 1986-1995. I took dancing for Richens Academy in Columbus, Ohio. Back in the day when I took it there was only one dance academy in Columbus, Ohio. Now in 2011, they have grown and I even have two friends who started their own company in Columbus, Ohio. Talk about going full-circle. They are the Regan-Rankin Academy in Columbus, Ohio. http://www.reganacademy.com/MISSION.html

I competed throughout the mid-west for all of my Irish dancing career and the Chicagoland market was huge and very competitive. Most of the years that I grew up taking Irish Dancing the competitive and popular Irish Dance group that was in Chicago was Trinity Irish Dancing

http://www.trinityirishdancers.com/

Trinity has performed on numerous tv shows; Johnny Carson, the movie "Backdraft" and WGN, The Today Show and many more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luF2kzWxYcM

Here is website of schools all over the United States

http://www.feisworx.com/school_list.php

***Student Question: If there are any social groups in the area that meet to discuss about your cultural background, please list, conduct an interview or visit one of them.

Jig-Irish Dance Documentary-Week 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ4D2cg48uw

Here is the Irish Dance Documentary that I am dying to see. They have been showing the trailer on facebook and youtube. I am hoping it will come to a theatre near me soon!

Here is an article about the documentary: http://www.irishcentral.com/story/ent/unateresa_eye_on_irish_dance/jig-trailer--a-feature-length-documentary-by-award-winning-producerdirector-sue-bourne-117466233.html

Riverdance-A Phenomenon-Week 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rjj9kAL9W4

Riverdance has become a phenomenon since its first showing in 1994 at the Eurovision Song Contest. I was 14 years old at the time when Riverdance came out and I was still dancing at this age. It was such a exciting time in Irish Dance and everyone who I danced with was excited. I was at a dance competition in Toronto, Canada and rode the same elevator with Jean Butler who was the female lead for Riverdance for many years. Riverdance is a theatrical production that tells the story of Irish Culture and Irish Immigration to America.

Many of my friends that I danced with went on to audition for Riverdance their Junior and Senior years of High School in 1998 and 1999. I had had about 10 friends who I danced with who have traveled the world with Riverdance and performed. I have one friend, Joe Moriarty who has been dancing with them since 1997 and I have attached a short clip of Riverdance and he is the male lead. This was a recent performance he had in Columbus, Ohio-my hometown. Riverdance has been such a positive influence in the Irish Culture and a huge success across the United States and in Europe!

***Student Question: In your cultural background is there any type of performances or plays that have captured the essence of your heritage? Please use examples.

Irish Dance Costume-Week 3

Solo Irish Dance Costume for Girls

Solo boy costume
Old Irish Dance Costumes for boys and girls

Several generations ago, the appropriate dress for a competition was simply your "Sunday Best" when going to church. In the 1970s and 1980s, ornately embroidered dresses became popular. Today even more ornamentation is used on girls' dresses, for example lace, sequins and brilliants, silk, extensive embroidery, feathers and fur. Irish Dance schools have school dresses, complete with a small cape, bloomers, and a headband. These are worn by "Beginner" (Bun Grad) through "Novice" (Ullmhuchan) dancers. When dancers reach a level decided by their school, may get a solo dress of their own design and colors. Solo dresses can range from 100 to 5000 dollars, and are unique to each dancer. In competitions, solo dresses are usually only allowed to be worn when competing in the Mean Grad level or higher. Today in competition, most men wear a shirt, waistcoat, and tie assigned by their school paired with black trousers or a kilt. But when they get into the higher levels, as the girls do, they get to pick their own waistcoat, shirt and tie.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_dance

***Student Question: What types of uniforms or outfits did your Cultural Background have and please describe and show pictures in your own blog.

Irish Dance Steps and Shoes-Week 2

Soft Shoes
&

Hard ShoesThere are so many different dances in Irish Dance. They are all done with either a soft shoe or hard shoe that has taps on them. There is the Reel, Slip Jig, Light JIg and Hop Jig that are done with soft shoes. Treble Jig and Horn Pipe are danced with hard shoes. A reel step 4/4 time and the slip jig a 6/8 time. Being light and quick on your feet is a benefit, along with keeping to the music.

***Question for Students: What kind of traditions of dance do you have in your cultural background, if any?