The “All About Irish” School of Dance Will offer several workshops including:
1. What is Irish Dancing and a brief overview?
Irish dancing is a distinctive style of dancing that originated in Ireland over many centuries. Dance Masters are
credited for starting the most modern form of Irish Dance back in 1750. Who were the Dance Masters? They were
men who traveled from town to town performing 6 weeks at a time in the same place and staying with a
hospitable family during their stay.
It is also believed that it may have been the Dance Masters who were responsible for the lack of arm movement in
Irish solo dancing. Dance Masters often challenged each other to competitions at fairs, which would end when
one fell to the ground in fatigue. They would also compete for the right to teach in a particular village, with the
Master who new the most steps winning.
There are several Irish Dance organizations from Ireland that are now a part of the United States: An Coimisiun le
Rinci Gaelacha referred as CLRG, Cumann Rince Naisiunta referred as CRN, Teagascóir Coimisiúin le Rinci
Gaelacha referred to as TCRG and Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa, just to name a few. They each have contributed a
unique style to Irish step dancing.
A student will first learn the basic dance steps which may consist of 1,2,3’s, leap 2,3’s and the side step. After that
they learn their first “reel” dance. Below is information about the different types of dances they learn along with a
brief history and the different timings for each type of dance.
Reel: The reel originated around 1750 in Scotland and the Irish dance masters brought it to full development. The
music is 4/4 time and it is danced at a relatively fast tempo (ONE-two-three-four). Both men and women dance the
reel.
Jigs: There are references to the jig in ancient Ireland. A number of variations of the jig are performed including
the single (or soft), double, treble, and slip jig. The music is 6/8 time (the emphasis on beats in a jig is: ONE-two-
three four-five-six). Slip jigs are in 9/8 time (ONE-two-three four-five-six seven-eight-nine). Dancers perform single
or soft jigs in soft shoes. The treble jig has a slower tempo, but dancers triple beats in hard shoes. The slip jig
(soft shoes) is the most graceful of Irish dances and features light hopping, sliding, skipping and pointing.
Hornpipe: The hornpipe began around 1760, evolving from English stage acts. The hornpipe is in 4/4 time,
reminiscent of a slow reel with accents on the first and third beat (ONE-and-a two-and-a three-and-a four-and-a).
Traditional Set Dances: Another group of sets, including St. Patrick's Day, The Blackbird, Garden of Daisies, and
Job of Journeywork, are considered to be traditional dances. These are all very old tunes and were part of early
Irish dance history. The title The Blackbird is actually "code" for Bonnie Prince Charles who tried to overthrow the
English with a group of Scotsmen. Garden of Daisies should be the Garden of Deise, an area in County Waterford.
They traditionally perform this group of dances at a fast tempo without high jumps or lifts. A notable feature is the
frequent use of a rocking motion with the ankles.
2. Demonstration of The Walls of Limerick plus others, a Ceili Dance.
Ceili Dances: Ceili dances were derived from group set dances and French quadrilles, but were set to Irish music.
They appear to have evolved with the help of the Irish dance masters, many from County Kerry. Nationalism,
combined with the Handbook of Irish Dances published in 1902, led to standardization of ceili dances. Recording
the descriptions of these dances occurred through the 1930s. Luckily, many ceili dances were recorded before
being lost in history.
A "ceili" is a gathering for music and dance. The Gaelic League sponsored the first Irish ceili in 1897. They
borrowed the idea from the Scots and a precedent was set that a piper opened the ceili. Because the ceili dance
revival was not widespread at that time, the dances at the first Irish ceili consisted of group set dances and
French quadrilles!
An example of a Ceili dance is The Walls of Limerick, which begins with 2 couples facing each. This is a
progressive dance, which means that after each section you will dance with a new couple until you come down to
the end of the line. If the music is still continuing you can then turn around and go back in the direction you came
from. It is a way to meet new people.
It can be demonstrated by those that are already familiar with the dance and then actually teach it to those who
are not familiar with it. This is a very easy dance to teach and learn.
3. More advanced workshop for Irish dancers.
For those who are interested in choreographing their own dances or would like to improve their technique
abilities, Mrs. Rodgers, who has a knack for music and drama is available to assist you in those areas. Please
plan to bring the music you would like to choreograph a dance to or if you simply need assistance on technique,
then supply a list of the areas you are struggling in.
Diana Rodgers, the Owner/Director of the “All About Irish” School of dance has 10 years experience in Irish
Dancing. Her dance background also includes Spanish Folkloric dancing. Diana is an associate member of
Cumann Rince Naisiunta (pronounced koo-mun, rin-ka, now-shun-tuh) or referred to as “CRN”, the National Dance
Association of Ireland and the only CRN Irish Dance school in Oklahoma. Diana’s background also includes
teaching Drama for many years and she enjoys choreographing dances.
Diana would like to donate “in kind” any payment to the Oklahoma Celtic Heritage Festival.
1. What is Irish Dancing and a brief overview?
Irish dancing is a distinctive style of dancing that originated in Ireland over many centuries. Dance Masters are
credited for starting the most modern form of Irish Dance back in 1750. Who were the Dance Masters? They were
men who traveled from town to town performing 6 weeks at a time in the same place and staying with a
hospitable family during their stay.
It is also believed that it may have been the Dance Masters who were responsible for the lack of arm movement in
Irish solo dancing. Dance Masters often challenged each other to competitions at fairs, which would end when
one fell to the ground in fatigue. They would also compete for the right to teach in a particular village, with the
Master who new the most steps winning.
There are several Irish Dance organizations from Ireland that are now a part of the United States: An Coimisiun le
Rinci Gaelacha referred as CLRG, Cumann Rince Naisiunta referred as CRN, Teagascóir Coimisiúin le Rinci
Gaelacha referred to as TCRG and Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa, just to name a few. They each have contributed a
unique style to Irish step dancing.
A student will first learn the basic dance steps which may consist of 1,2,3’s, leap 2,3’s and the side step. After that
they learn their first “reel” dance. Below is information about the different types of dances they learn along with a
brief history and the different timings for each type of dance.
Reel: The reel originated around 1750 in Scotland and the Irish dance masters brought it to full development. The
music is 4/4 time and it is danced at a relatively fast tempo (ONE-two-three-four). Both men and women dance the
reel.
Jigs: There are references to the jig in ancient Ireland. A number of variations of the jig are performed including
the single (or soft), double, treble, and slip jig. The music is 6/8 time (the emphasis on beats in a jig is: ONE-two-
three four-five-six). Slip jigs are in 9/8 time (ONE-two-three four-five-six seven-eight-nine). Dancers perform single
or soft jigs in soft shoes. The treble jig has a slower tempo, but dancers triple beats in hard shoes. The slip jig
(soft shoes) is the most graceful of Irish dances and features light hopping, sliding, skipping and pointing.
Hornpipe: The hornpipe began around 1760, evolving from English stage acts. The hornpipe is in 4/4 time,
reminiscent of a slow reel with accents on the first and third beat (ONE-and-a two-and-a three-and-a four-and-a).
Traditional Set Dances: Another group of sets, including St. Patrick's Day, The Blackbird, Garden of Daisies, and
Job of Journeywork, are considered to be traditional dances. These are all very old tunes and were part of early
Irish dance history. The title The Blackbird is actually "code" for Bonnie Prince Charles who tried to overthrow the
English with a group of Scotsmen. Garden of Daisies should be the Garden of Deise, an area in County Waterford.
They traditionally perform this group of dances at a fast tempo without high jumps or lifts. A notable feature is the
frequent use of a rocking motion with the ankles.
2. Demonstration of The Walls of Limerick plus others, a Ceili Dance.
Ceili Dances: Ceili dances were derived from group set dances and French quadrilles, but were set to Irish music.
They appear to have evolved with the help of the Irish dance masters, many from County Kerry. Nationalism,
combined with the Handbook of Irish Dances published in 1902, led to standardization of ceili dances. Recording
the descriptions of these dances occurred through the 1930s. Luckily, many ceili dances were recorded before
being lost in history.
A "ceili" is a gathering for music and dance. The Gaelic League sponsored the first Irish ceili in 1897. They
borrowed the idea from the Scots and a precedent was set that a piper opened the ceili. Because the ceili dance
revival was not widespread at that time, the dances at the first Irish ceili consisted of group set dances and
French quadrilles!
An example of a Ceili dance is The Walls of Limerick, which begins with 2 couples facing each. This is a
progressive dance, which means that after each section you will dance with a new couple until you come down to
the end of the line. If the music is still continuing you can then turn around and go back in the direction you came
from. It is a way to meet new people.
It can be demonstrated by those that are already familiar with the dance and then actually teach it to those who
are not familiar with it. This is a very easy dance to teach and learn.
3. More advanced workshop for Irish dancers.
For those who are interested in choreographing their own dances or would like to improve their technique
abilities, Mrs. Rodgers, who has a knack for music and drama is available to assist you in those areas. Please
plan to bring the music you would like to choreograph a dance to or if you simply need assistance on technique,
then supply a list of the areas you are struggling in.
Diana Rodgers, the Owner/Director of the “All About Irish” School of dance has 10 years experience in Irish
Dancing. Her dance background also includes Spanish Folkloric dancing. Diana is an associate member of
Cumann Rince Naisiunta (pronounced koo-mun, rin-ka, now-shun-tuh) or referred to as “CRN”, the National Dance
Association of Ireland and the only CRN Irish Dance school in Oklahoma. Diana’s background also includes
teaching Drama for many years and she enjoys choreographing dances.
Diana would like to donate “in kind” any payment to the Oklahoma Celtic Heritage Festival.
Beginner
Fiddling, AKA So You Think You'd Like To Fiddle Around...
Presented by Rebecca The Fiddler (Rebecca Grotts), Carney, OK
Presented by Rebecca The Fiddler (Rebecca Grotts), Carney, OK
This will be a true Beginner class - a one-hour workshop that will teach the following skills: how to correctly hold a violin and bow (standard 'classical' position, since that's what I use), string names, basic finger placement (I intend to pre-mark the loaner instruments with 'finger tapes') and note names, sound production (how to get a pleasant tone), and at least two basic melodies will be taught, one of which will be a fiddling tune (probably Bile 'Em Cabbage Down, and either Hot Cross Buns or Mary Had A Little Lamb). I will *not* be teaching note-reading or music theory - this is strictly a hands-on playing class, learning the melodies by rote (ear).
Both children and adults are welcome; children age 10
or younger will need to have a parent or responsible adult with them during
the entire session (I can work with students as young as age 5 or 6, although
an hour-long lesson might be a bit strenuous for them). I can teach up
to 8 students at a time and am willing to offer the sessions more than
once during the weekend, if there is enough interest. Students who have
working fiddles/violins are welcome to bring them in, or they may use
one of the available loaner instruments.
Sponsored by Stu's Music in Cushing, OK http://www.stusmusiconline.com/
Workshops
The Oklahoma Celtic Heritage Association is pleased to announce a vast array of workshops that will be made
available for the 2008 Oklahoma Celtic Music and Heritage Festival. Listed below are the proposed workshops and
information pertaining to said workshops. Please be sure to check in often for updated information concerning
registration and additions to the workshop line-up. If you are interested in hosting or participating in a workshop
please contact Roger and Carol Graham at celticgraham@sbcglobal.net.
available for the 2008 Oklahoma Celtic Music and Heritage Festival. Listed below are the proposed workshops and
information pertaining to said workshops. Please be sure to check in often for updated information concerning
registration and additions to the workshop line-up. If you are interested in hosting or participating in a workshop
please contact Roger and Carol Graham at celticgraham@sbcglobal.net.
