Irish dancing Virginia is much more than the popular step dancing introduced to the world by acclaimed shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Many styles developed in Ireland over the centuries influenced by immigration, domination, and invasion. The 3 primary dance styles still enjoyed today are Step, Sean-nos, and Social dance which includes both ceili and the very complex set dances.
Sean-nos is old style, traditional dancing usually done solo. It's an informal spontaneous style characterized by improvisation, rhythmic percussive steps, low to the ground footwork, and free movement of the arms. It has influenced American dance forms such as clogging, hoofing, and soft shoe tap.
Set dances developed late 18th century when Irish dancers were introduced to the popular quadrille danced at French courts. Dance masters blended the form with Irish style and music including polkas, jigs, slides, reels, and hornpipes. A Set dance has 4 couples arrayed in a square performing "a set of dances" that can include up to 7 different figures per set.
Ceili originally referred to any informal gathering for pleasure. Traditional ceili dances were house parties and crossroads gatherings. Today the term refers to an evening of dance or a style of dance. Ceili dances usually involve 2-16 participants in a circle. They can also be danced with an unlimited number of couples arrayed in a long line or a circle. In a social setting, upcoming steps may be called for the benefit of newcomers.
In the late 1700's, dance masters traveled throughout the countryside teaching step dancing to local villagers. Each teacher had his own territory. Dance masters meeting at a community fair might challenge each other to a competition lasting for hours. Popularized by the famous shows, Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, spectators the world over recognize the distinctive style of Irish performance dance also called step dancing. Performance dance combines intricate, rapid, high stepping foot movements and a relaxed but unmoving upper body and arms. Step dances can be performed solo or with a line of dancers performing the same intricate steps. One other form, called a "stepabout", features individual dancers taking turns performing original and unique dance steps.
Competition is very popular in the U. S. Local competitions called feis are held in ballrooms, gymnasiums, sports arenas, and under tents at outdoor festivals. Winners advance to regional competitions called Oireachtas, then Nationals, then the World Championship. The All World Championship is in Ireland in the spring. Solo competitors are the biggest draw but there's also competitions for partners and groups.
Irish dance incorporates 4 types of music, each associated with it's own popular form, the reel, jig, hornpipe, and set dance. Students learn the light jig, heavy jig, single jig, the reel, the hornpipe. The first steps taught are beats, overs, lifts, cuts, sevens, double clicks, and front clicks.
Irish dancing Virginia is a fun social activity with many benefits. This intricate, rapid form of dance burns 100-400 calories per hour. The intricate dance steps develop coordination, balance, and memory. This activity increases flexibility of joints, strengthens and conditions muscles, and increases lung capacity. For the competitive minded, competitors perform their steps in front of judges. They can win ribbons and trophies, and advance to the next level of competition. Kids learn to work with others and develop confidence, coordination, balance, strength, stamina, and memory skills.
Sean-nos is old style, traditional dancing usually done solo. It's an informal spontaneous style characterized by improvisation, rhythmic percussive steps, low to the ground footwork, and free movement of the arms. It has influenced American dance forms such as clogging, hoofing, and soft shoe tap.
Set dances developed late 18th century when Irish dancers were introduced to the popular quadrille danced at French courts. Dance masters blended the form with Irish style and music including polkas, jigs, slides, reels, and hornpipes. A Set dance has 4 couples arrayed in a square performing "a set of dances" that can include up to 7 different figures per set.
Ceili originally referred to any informal gathering for pleasure. Traditional ceili dances were house parties and crossroads gatherings. Today the term refers to an evening of dance or a style of dance. Ceili dances usually involve 2-16 participants in a circle. They can also be danced with an unlimited number of couples arrayed in a long line or a circle. In a social setting, upcoming steps may be called for the benefit of newcomers.
In the late 1700's, dance masters traveled throughout the countryside teaching step dancing to local villagers. Each teacher had his own territory. Dance masters meeting at a community fair might challenge each other to a competition lasting for hours. Popularized by the famous shows, Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, spectators the world over recognize the distinctive style of Irish performance dance also called step dancing. Performance dance combines intricate, rapid, high stepping foot movements and a relaxed but unmoving upper body and arms. Step dances can be performed solo or with a line of dancers performing the same intricate steps. One other form, called a "stepabout", features individual dancers taking turns performing original and unique dance steps.
Competition is very popular in the U. S. Local competitions called feis are held in ballrooms, gymnasiums, sports arenas, and under tents at outdoor festivals. Winners advance to regional competitions called Oireachtas, then Nationals, then the World Championship. The All World Championship is in Ireland in the spring. Solo competitors are the biggest draw but there's also competitions for partners and groups.
Irish dance incorporates 4 types of music, each associated with it's own popular form, the reel, jig, hornpipe, and set dance. Students learn the light jig, heavy jig, single jig, the reel, the hornpipe. The first steps taught are beats, overs, lifts, cuts, sevens, double clicks, and front clicks.
Irish dancing Virginia is a fun social activity with many benefits. This intricate, rapid form of dance burns 100-400 calories per hour. The intricate dance steps develop coordination, balance, and memory. This activity increases flexibility of joints, strengthens and conditions muscles, and increases lung capacity. For the competitive minded, competitors perform their steps in front of judges. They can win ribbons and trophies, and advance to the next level of competition. Kids learn to work with others and develop confidence, coordination, balance, strength, stamina, and memory skills.
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