Sean-nos Dance PDX

Workshop in Newport Feb. 7

2009-01-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Susan Spencer
Bridie's Irish Faire
342 SW Bay Blvd
Newport OR 97365
(541) 574-9366

What: Irish Sean-nós Step Dance Workshop with Maldon Meehan
Sponsored by Bridie's Irish Faire and The Céilí of the Valley Society
When: Saturday February 7, 2009, 11am-2pm
Where: Dance and All That Jazz, 630 SW Hurbert Street, Newport, OR
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door

Step Lively!

There's nothing like a traditional Irish jig to lift your spirits and get your feet moving lively, and that's exactly what is planned for the Oregon Coast on February 7th, when The Céilí of the Valley Society and Bridie's Irish Faire host an Irish Sean-nós step dance workshop featuring Maldon Meehan.

Sean-nós dance, literally meaning "old style", is the oldest form of Irish dance, and most likely the form where the American traditions of tap and clogging draw their roots. An improvisational, rhythmic dance form, sean-nós steps are danced low to the ground and the dancer is free to interpret the music individually.

"When my shop first opened in Salem, customers frequently asked about Irish language and dance classes for adults, which were not available locally at that time," says Susan Spencer, current president of the Céilí of the Valley Society, and owner of Bridie's Irish Faire, a gift shop she moved to the Newport Bay Front last spring. By researching venues, musicians, instructors, and callers, Spencer was able to form weekly sean-nós and céilí dance classes, as well as create a monthly céilí—an Irish social dance gathering that features live music—which is when she and Maldon Meehan first met.

"Maldon Meehan is a tireless, generous instructor, who has been instrumental in the continuation of the Salem classes and céilí in my absence. I am so grateful that she will be able to carve time out of her busy schedule to teach a workshop at the Oregon coast," says Spencer.

Maldon Meehan is a performer, teacher and scholar of Irish dance who holds a BA in Irish Studies/Theater Arts from The Evergreen State College and an MA in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick, Ireland (maldonmeehan.com). She has over 18 years experience dancing, teaching and performing, and was a 2008 Regional Arts and Cultures grant recipient [www.maldonmeehan.com].

"Maldon's education and background in ethnic dance make her an ideal instructor and performer," says Nancy Jarrell of Portland Community College. "She not only knows the physical dance inside and out, but knows and has a love for the dance history, which she happily communicates to her students".

Exciting, rhythmic and fun, this workshop will teach the basics of sean-nós dance with the focus on rhythmic footwork to jigs and reels, specific sean-nós dance steps and improvisation techniques—understanding Irish music and the history of Irish dance will be touched upon as well.

As a sean-nós dancer, Maldon Meehan appeared on the nationally televised 2005 Oireachtas at the Cork Opera House in Cork City (TG4) and on Connemara Community Radio and Raidió na Gaeltachta (RTÉ). She placed 3rd in the Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach, a sean-nós jig competition held annually in Connemara as well as release an instructional DVD of sean-nós dance with Ronan Regan, in 2005, which has sold in more than 17 countries worldwide.

"I love traditional Irish music and dance," says Susan Spencer, "so it was really a selfish endeavor to organize my first Newport Irish dance workshop the moment my new customers showed an interest!" And Spencer is planning ahead, "I can't wait to hold our first "céilí by the sea" here in Newport. I've got amazing musicians and callers lined up, I'm just looking for the perfect dance floor!"

The venue for the February 7th workshop is Dance and All That Jazz, 630 S.W. Hurbert Street. The workshop is open to all levels and ages with no previous experience necessary. Please bring shoes with smooth, hard leather soles; no tap shoes please. To pre-register (cost is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, with one scholarship available), or more information, please contact Susan Spencer at Bridie’s Irish Faire (541) 574-9366 [www.bridiesirishfaire.com].

###

UP COMING EVENTS

2008-11-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

Yachats Celtic Music Festival, Yachats, OR (Nov 7-9)
www.yachatscelticmusicfestival.com/

Sean-nós Dance Class, Portland, OR (Mondays Nov. 10 - Dec. 15)
6:30pm Beginners, 7:30pm Intermediate
www.maldonmeehan.com/schedule.html

2nd Friday Irish Céilí Dance, Salem, OR (Nov. 14)
www.ceiliofthevalley.org

3rd Friday Irish Céilí Dance, Portland, OR (Nov. 21)
www.portlandceilisociety.org

I hope to see you at one of these events.

A Celtic Celebration at the Elsinore Theatre

2008-11-03T12:51:00.001-08:00

I had a performance on Sunday that was so unbelievably inspiring that I had to share with you all. Irish flute payer and vocalist, Hanz Araki and I joined the Salem Concert band, a classically based band of 45 members. It was pretty incredible to have sean-nós dance improvisations melding with the full brass sound of a conducted band. Dancing to piccolos, flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones, bassoons, trumpets, horns, tubas, harp, string bass, and drums gave new meaning to the informal nature of sean-nós dance.

New webstie

2008-10-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

On June 16th of this year I received a Regional Arts and Cultures grant to build and create my new website. As part of the grant I was able to hire design and marketing firm Brian Thomas Wright Creative Group (BTWCG) to create the site. You can check out the site at www.MaldonMeehan.com.

The grant also included a photo shoot with Andrea Wright, an amazing photographer with a knack for capturing movement. For the photo shoot we went up to the rose gardens in Washington park on a overcast day and danced in the gardens. Bellow is one of the photos from the shoot.

Brían Ó hAirt Dance Workshop August 4th

2008-07-03T11:41:00.000-07:00

Brían Ó hAirt
Sean-nos dance workshop
Monday August 4, 2008
7-9pm (all levels)
Reserve your spot 503.206.9311 $20

Brían Ó hAirt
Singer, dancer, musician and Irish language master

Now as a matured singer, Brían Ó hAirt (pronounced BREE-un oh-HARCH) has become a mouthpiece for the promotion of unaccompanied song. His anomalous and evocative voice stands as a testament to the power of tradition while his ability to share the mind’s eye of an older generation of singers has afforded him great acclaim at his age. He became the youngest and first ever American to win the coveted Sgiath Uí Dhálaigh shield at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Listowel, Co. Kerry in 2002—adding his name to the shield’s long list of noted traditional singers including Seosamh Ó hÉanaí, Frank Harte and Paddy Berry.

Brían is the founder of Sean-nos Milwaukee an annual event of language, song, dance and music held in Milwaukee every February.

More at:
www.brianohairt.com

www.buamusic.com

Summer term 2008

2008-07-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

Here are the steps thus far:

MONDAY JUNE 2, 2008

THE BASIC CONNAMARA STEP (8 BARS)
Hop(L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
Back(R), heel(L) down (L), heel(R) down (R), Stomp (L)
(repeat 4 times)

STAMP AND STAMP STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Stamp(R) and(R) Stamp (L) back(L) , heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
back(R) Stamp(L) and(L) Stamp (R) back(R) , heel(L) down (L), heel(R) down (R), Stomp (L)
(repeat 4 times)

HEEL TOE (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Heel(R) Toe (R) and (L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
Heel(L) Toe (L) and (R), heel(L) down (L), heel(R) down (R), Stomp (L)
(Repeat 4 times)

HEEL TOE SIDE STEP(8 BARS) (Maldon after Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Step (L) Heel(R) Step (L) Toe (R)
Step (L) Heel(R) Step (L) Toe (R)
Step (L) Heel(R) Step (L) Toe (R)
and (L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)

Step(R) Heel(L) Step (R) Toe (L)
Step(R) Heel(L) Step (R) Toe (L)
Step(R) Heel(L) Step (R) Toe (L)
and (R), heel(L) down (L), heel(R) down (R), Stomp (L)

HEEL TOE SIDE STEP variation 2(8 BARS) (Maldon after Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Step (L) Heel(R) Step (L) Toe (R)
Step (L) Heel(R) Step (L) Toe (R)
and (L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
back (R), heel(L) down (L), heel(R) down (R), Stomp (L)

Step(R) Heel(L) Step (R) Toe (L)
Step(R) Heel(L) Step (R) Toe (L)
and (R), heel(L) down (L), heel(R) down (R), Stomp (L)
back (L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)

MONDAY JUNE 9, 2008

HEEL AND TOE STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Heel (R in front), step (R), toe (L behind)
Step(L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
(repeat 4 times)

RHYTHM CIRCLE STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
(in a circle)
Step (L), Heel (R) Heel (R) (6 TIMES)
Step (L), Heel (R) Heel (R), Heel (L) Step (L), Heel (R) Heel (R)
Repeat again.
(Rosin dances the ending with all heels, but I seem to use a step to make balancing easier)

(we also added a heel brush to the side step above, as well as a toe slap and dancing all of the toes and heels).

MONDAY JUNE 16, 2008

THE CROSS STEP (8 BARS)
Left, right, left, right (right foot crossing)
step(L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
Left, right, left, right (right foot crossing)
step(L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
Left, right, left, right (right foot crossing)
Left, right, left, right (right foot crossing)
and (L heel drop) back (R toe), and (r heel drop), back (left toe)
and(L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
(You can also dance this step crossing to the right instead of crossing to the left)

We also joined in groups of 2 dancers and created our own steps from the material learned thus far. Bellow are the 2 steps that were created.
ERIN'S STEP (8 BARS) (after Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Heel(R) Toe (R) and (L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
Heel(L) Toe (L) and (R), heel(L) down (L), heel(R) down (R), Stomp (L)
Left, right, left, right (right foot crossing)
Left, right, left, right (right foot crossing)
(pause)
Stamp(R) and(R) Stamp (L) back(L) , heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)

THE JUNE STEP (8 BARS) (after Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
If you come up with a better name let me know
Heel(R) Toe (R) and (L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
Heel(L) Toe (L) and (R), heel(L) down (L), heel(R) down (R), Stomp (L)
Left, right, left, right (right foot crossing)
step(L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)
Left, right, left, right (right foot crossing)
step(L), heel(R) down (R), heel(L) down (L), Stomp (R)

MONDAY JUNE 23, 2008

HEELS ZIG ZAG (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Hop(L), Heel(R) step(R), Heel(L) step(L), (6 times) stamp (R)
(Repeat 4 times alternating left and right)

TOE TOE HEEL (Padraig Ó Hoibicín)
Toe(L) toe(L) heel(L), down(L) heel(R) down(R) heel(L) down(L)
Toe(R) toe(R) heel(R), down(R) heel(L) down(L) heel(R) down(R)
(dance for 8 bars or so)

MONDAY JUNE 30, 2008

'THE JOHNNY’ (From Mick Mulkerrin & Mairead Casey)
Toe(R), Toe(R), heel(R)
Hop(R), heel(L) step(L), heel(R) step(R),Stomp(L)
Toe(L), Toe(L), heel(L)
Hop(L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L),Stomp(R)
(Repeat all 3 more times)

RONAN REGAN (this step is on the Dance Sean-nos DVD)
shuf(R heel)-le(R toe) step(R)
shuf(L heel)-le(L toe) step(L)
shuf(R heel)-le(R toe) step(R)
step (L) step (R)
shuf(L heel)-le(L toe) and (R) back (L)
step (R) step (L)
shuf(R heel)-le(R toe) and (L) back (R)
shuf(L heel)-le(L toe) and (R) back (L)
(repeat starting with left foot)

Golden Keyboard step

2007-09-29T19:34:00.001-07:00

Here is the step we created during the September 8th class.
1. Part A
2. Part B
3. Both parts A & B

Thank you to those who helped in it's creation!

Clare Rhythm Steps

2007-09-29T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here are the steps we covered on the September 8th class. They are the:

1. Clare basic step
2. Mick Mulkerrin's version
3. Maldon Meehan's variation of Mick's Step
4. Both Mick's and Maldon's step together.
The last two steps are very nice together when dancing a tune
with a low(A part) and a high (B part).

Class notes 9/29/07

2007-09-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Class,

I just wanted to say I really enjoyed class today. It was really exciting for me to see all of you dancing. You all did a great job!! I gave you a lot of steps and a lot of very intertict and interesting steps. Well done.

Hopefully I remembered all the things I said I’d pass on. Let me know if there is anything I’m missing.

Just a reminder we have a class blog for the Saturday class. You can find past notes, dance clips and more on the site at:

http://seannospdx.blogspot.com/

Irish Events:

7pm, 1^st Friday Oct 5, Irish Ceili

VFW Hall, 630 Hood Street NE, Salem, OR
Hanz Araki, Johnny Connolly and Cary Novotny
Info: 503.585.4542

If you want to carpool down you should be at my house by 5:45 and we can head down from there. Let me know if you can get to my house and we can arrange something.

5pm, Sunday Oct. 7, 2007

Big Squeeze 2!
Accordion music from:
Mike Beglan (Irish)
Johnny B. Connolly accompanied by Cary Novotny (Irish)
Mira Dinsbir (Czech)
Courtney Von Drehle (from 3 Leg Torso)

Alberta Street Public House
1036 NE Alberta St., Portland , 97211
Info: Carol Spellman at 503-306-5292 weekdays

Saturday Oct. 13, Irish in October

Downtown SW Salmon and Park
All day event (12-5)
Irish music and dance
Free

Watch the Sean-nos Dancing Online!

The Oireachtas na Gaeilge is a yearly festival celebrating the Irish language (Gaeilge) and the Irish-speaking regions of Ireland (Gaeltachtai.)

To watch the competition, go to TG4 (www.tg4.ie/) the national Irish language tv station. Click on the Web TV banner at the top of their homepage. (It says "Beo ar an web" or "Live on the Web.") Click "Ceol" on the left of the screen. And choose "Steip Damhsa On Oireachtas."

And you'll have two and a half hours of sean-nos dancing to watch and study whenever you please!

Notes from class:
Here are the notes of the steps we covered in class today. Hopefully this system works for you. Graham is in the process of editing footage of some of the step and we should have them up on the class blog for all to view. I will let you know when they are on the class blog. Eventually when we have several of the recorded we will transfer them on to a DVD for you to all have and study with.

BASIC CONNEMARA STEP
Hop(L), heel(R) down(R), heel(L) down(L), Stomp(R)
Hop(R), heel(L) down(L), heel(R) down(R), Stomp(L)

STAMP AND STAMP STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Stamp (R) and (R) Stamp (L)
Hop(L), heel(R) down(R), heel(L) down(L), Stomp(R)
Back(R) Stamp (L) and (L) Stamp (R)
Hop(R), heel(L) down(L), heel(R) down(R), Stomp(L)

(repeat all again)

HEEL AND TOE STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Heel (R), step (R), toe (L)
Hop (L), heel(R) down(R), heel(L) down(L), Stomp(R)
Back(R) heel (L), step (L), toe (R)
Hop(R), heel (L) down(L), heel(R) down(R), Stomp(L)

(repeat all again)

RONAN’S STEP (Ronan Regan)
Shuff(R heel)-le(R toe) step(R)
shuff(L heel)-le(L toe) step(L)
Shuff(R heel)-le(R toe) step(R)
Step(L) step(R)
Shuff(L heel)-le(L toe) and(R heel drop) back(L)
Step (R) step (L)
Shuff(R heel)-le(R toe) and (L heel drop) back(R)
Shuff(L heel)-le(L toe) and(R heel drop) back(L)

WILLIE KEANE #1
I learned this step from Mick Mulkerrin
Heel (R) down (R) 1(L) 2(R)
Down(L) shuff(R heel)-le(R toe) and(L heel drop) back(R) Pause
Down(L) suff (R heel)-le(R toe) and(L heel drop)
Down(R) shuff(L heel) –le(L toe) and(R heel drop)
Down(L) suff (R heel)-le(R toe) and(L heel drop) down (R)

(repeat again)

WILLIE KEANE #2
Heel (R) down (R) 1(L) 2(R)
Down(L) shuff(R heel)-le(R toe) and(L heel drop) heel(R) heel(L) heel(R) heel(L)
Down(R) shuff(L heel) –le(L toe) and(R heel drop)
Down(L) suff (R heel)-le(R toe) and(L heel drop)
Down(R) shuff(L heel) –le(L toe) and(R heel drop) down(L)

See you in class next week.

-Maldon

Portland Class notes

2007-08-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Just wanted to let you know there will be dancing, art and music this Thursday at the Alberta Street Public House 5:30-8:30 and your all invited to come down and dance. You can see more at http://www.seannosdance.com/NewsEvents/show.html

Also class this Saturday will be a special workshop with Alicia Guinn. Alicia is a great set dancer and sean-nos dancer. I hope you all come out and meet here. It will give you a chance to see another teacher and style. Alicia is a great set dancer who has lived in Ireland and danced over there for years. She has a vast knowledge of battering steps and sets. This is a great opportunity learn some Clare battering.

Bellow is a note from Alicia Guinn:

Sept 1 - Workshop - Clare Steps for Set Dancing - Portland, Oregon
"I’ll be the guest teacher for Maldon Meehan’s usual series of Saturday afternoon workshops in Portland. We’ll focus on Clare battering, a style of stepping that can be used in either set or sean-nos dancing. We’ll put most of our effort into the steps, and at the end of class, we'll work on incorporating them into a figure of the Clare Plain set. I’m excited to see how the sean-nos dancing community is shaping up in Portland! Performance Works Northwest, 4625 SE 67th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97206. 11am-1pm. Live music. $10".

As for notes from Class we covered 2 steps last week.
The basic step
(notes and video clip are on this blog)

Cross Step (Maldon Meehan)
(This step was inspired by a tune that Joe, Dawn and Lee were playing. Lee told me the name the tune a few times, but alas it escapes my mind. I'll try to get the name from here on Saturday, if any of you know the name let me know.)

step(L) cross(R) step(L) step beside (R)
step (L) back (R) step(L) tap beside (R)
step(R) cross(L) step(R) step beside (L)
step(R) cross(L) step(R) Tap beside (L)
1(L), 2(R), 3(L), 1(R), 2(L), 3(R), 1(L) , 2(R)
step(L) heel(R) step(L) , step(R) heel(L) step(R) 1(L), 2(R)

-Maldon

Salem class Notes

2007-08-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Sean-nos Dance class

Here are the notes from the 2 steps we learned on Tuesday night.

THE BASIC STEP Connemara Step
Hop(L), heel(R) step(R) , heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)
Hop(R), heel(L) step(L), heel(R) step(R), Stomp(L)
(repeat all 3 more times)

STAMP AND STAMP STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Stamp(R) and(R) Stamp(L)
Hop(L), heel(R) step(R) , heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)

Stamp(L) and(L) Stamp(R)
Hop(R), heel(L) step(L), heel(R) step(R), Stomp(L)

This is a video clip of me dancing the basic Connemara step.

Irish Sean-nos Dance Connamara

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Tuesday Ceili Class

Duke Reel
A round dance for three couples (Reels: 264 bars)

1. Circle Right and back (8 bars)
2. Body

Slip Sides: Slip sides with partner and back(8 bars), Slip sides with corner and back (8bars)
Link Arms: Link right with partner (2 bars), left corner(2 bars), partner(2 bars), corner(2 bars)
Interlace: face partner pass right shoulder to right, left to the next, right and left till home
Advance and Retire: join hands in a circle and advance and retire twice (8bars)

3. 1st Figure

Figure of eight: With promenade step, couple 1 advance towards couple 2 while couple 3 stand idle. Lady 1 dances figure 8 around lady 2 then gent 2, while gent dances figure 8 around gent 2 then lady 2. (8 bars). All circle to the left and swing back to place
Order: couple 1 with couple 2, couple 2 with couple 3, couple 3 with couple

4. Body
5. 2nd Figure

Right and left chain: Couples 1 and 2 dance right and left chain.
House around

6. Body
7. Finish: All house around to finish

Connemara Set
Figure 1: Reels
a. Lead around / lead back
b. Swing
c. Tops Advance / retire twice,
d. house
e. swing
f. Sides dance it
g. Top ladies chain
h. swing
i. Side chain and swing
j. Tops repeat figure
k. Sides repeat figure
l. All swing to finish

Figure 2: Reels
a. Lead around / lead back
b. Swing
c. 1st top gent and opp. Lady dance around eachother for 8 bars and Swing
d. Tops Advance / retire twice, house, swing
e. 1st side gent, 2nd Top gent, 2nd side gent
f. All swing to finish

Figure 3: Reels
a. Join hands in a circle, advance / retire twice
b. Swing
c. 1st top couple Advance / Retire twice, swing
d. Tops Christmas
e. Top Ladies chain
f. Tops Swing
g. 1st sides
h. 2nd tops
i. 2nd sides
j. swing to Finnish

Figure 4: Polka
a. Join hands in a circle, advance / retire twice
b. Dance at home
c. Circle Advance / retire twice change partners
d. Dance at home, moving 1/4 to the right
e. Repeat until home

This will put a smile on your face

2007-07-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

Check this dancing out. Some old style hornpipes from the Comhaltas branch in Japan.

Video Clip

-Maldon

Steps thus far

2007-07-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

Beginners Class
1. Basic step (Lead around)
2. Stamp and stamp
3. Heel and toe
4. The Johnny
5. Cross step
6. Heels in a circle
7. Zig zag heels
8. Heels back
9. In and out
10. Grapevine

Advanced Class
11. Aer Aran #2
12. Aer Aran #3
13. Advance and retire

Skip back step

Connemara Set

2007-07-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

Connemara Set
Figure 1: Reels
a. Lead around / lead back
b. Swing
c. Tops Advance / retire twice,
d. house
e. swing
f. Sides dance it
g. Top ladies chain
h. swing
i. Side chain and swing
j. Tops repeat figure
k. Sides repeat figure
l. All swing to finish

Figure 2: Reels
a. Lead around / lead back
b. Swing
c. 1st top gent and opp. Lady dance around eachother for 8 bars and Swing
d. Tops Advance / retire twice, house, swing
e. 1st side gent, 2nd Top gent, 2nd side gent
f. All swing to finish

Figure 3: Reels
a. Join hands in a circle, advance / retire twice
b. Swing
c. 1st top couple Advance / Retire twice, swing
d. Tops Christmas
e. Top Ladies chain
f. Tops Swing
g. 1st sides
h. 2nd tops
i. 2nd sides
j. swing to Finnish

Figure 4: Polka
a. Join hands in a circle, advance / retire twice
b. Dance at home
c. Circle Advance / retire twice change partners
d. Dance at home, moving 1/4 to the right
e. Repeat until home

Class Notes Juy 21

2007-07-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I really enjoyed myself in class to today, thanks for coming out and dancing. I especially want to thank the musicians, Dawn and Joe for playing during the class.

All those of you who are new to class thanks for coming out. Just to let you know there is a blog for the class in case you want to look over some notes from other classes. I also wanted to reiterate that the very first step, one of the building blocks of sean-nós, is also one of the harder steps. It takes a bit of time for the step to feel natural, but once it does you’ll be flying as it is the basis for many of the future steps.

Bellow are the notes from the class.

-Maldon

Beginners Class Notes

Connemara Step

Hop(L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)
Hop(R), heel(L) step(L), heel(R) step(R), Stomp(L)

The clip bellow is of the Connemara basic step. It is from the Dance Sean-nos DVD.
Dancer: Maldon Meehan, Musician: Johnny O'Holloran.

Irish Sean-nos Dance Connemara Step

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Skip Back step (Máirtín Beag Ó Gríofa)

And(L) back(R) and(R) back (L)
Hop(L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)

Máirtín Beag Ó Gríofa was a beautiful dancer. Today in Ireland there is a competition held honor. The late Cóilín Sheáin Dharach, who I have mentioned in the past, is the only dancer to win the Máirtín Beag Ó Gríofa competition twice. If you ever have a chance to talk with a singer, dancer or musician from Connemara there’s a good chance they have a story or two about Máirtín. He was a great dancer and is remembered by many.

This particular step is dance quite often by sean-nós and set dancers. You’ll see it danced frequently in the Connemara set.

Intermediate class Notes

Advance and Retire #2 (Maldon Meehan)

step (L) heel(R) toe (R) and(R heel drop)
step (L) heel(R) toe (R) and(R heel drop)
step (L) heel(R) toe (R) and(R heel drop) step (L)
step (L) shuff(R heel)-le (R toe) and (L heel drop)
step (R) shuff(L heel)-le (L toe) and (R heel drop)
step (L) shuff(R heel)-le (R toe) and (L heel drop) step(R) step (L)

With this step you can leave a pause between the advance and retire or you can also ad another beat by stepping on your left foot again before you retire. You can also ad the lead in beat when you dance it twice in a row by stepping on your left foot again before you advance the second time.

Toe rhythmic step (Maldon Meehan)

1(R) 2(L) shuff(R)-le(R) and(R) step(L)
down(L) shuff(R)-le(R) and(R) step(L)
and(L) a(R) 1(R) a(L) 2(L)
shuff(R)-le(R) and(R) step(L)
down(L) shuff(R)-le(R) and(R) step(L)
(repeat again)

This step is danced entirely on your toes. A few years ago I went up to the Friday Harbor Irish Music Camp when Mick Mulkerrin and Mairéad Casey were teaching. At the camp Mick taught a really nice battering step (I’ll eventually teach you the step). The step was amazing, but I had trouble dancing it up to speed with music, so I created this step, which has a very similar rhythm. Today I will dance both steps, quite often I’ll use Mick’s step on the low part of a tune and the other step on the high part of the tune. They are quite nice steps together.

Hey, Graham and Melia, I remembered the step that you were asking about. It was an advance retire step, bellow are the notes. I will go over it with you the next time you're in class, just remind me.

Advance and Retire #1 (Maldon Meehan)

and(L) a(R heel) 1(R step) and(L) a(R heel) 2(R step)
and(L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)
and(R) heel(L) and(L) heel(R)
and(R), heel(L) step(L), heel(R) step(R), Stomp(L)

When I taught this step we also looked at making extra beats coming back. You can come back with (and, heel, and heel) as I have written above or you can dance (and a heel and a heel). To do this instead of putting your whole foot down put your toe first then the whole foot and you will get two beats.

Next class Sat. July 21st
Performance Works Northwest
4625 SE 67th Ave, Portland

Padraig O Dubhain steping it out

2007-07-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

Here’s a clip that Alicia Guinn found of Patrick DeVaney (Padraig O Dubhain) from Carna stepping it out in London. The sound quality is really bad, but the dancing is nice. I actually turned off the volume and just watched him dance with out the sound.

Class notes July 14

2007-07-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

It’s been a hot week. Fair play to all those who made it out to dance in this heat.

This week we mostly reviewed the steps from the last few weeks. We also split up in groups and the second group learned one more step. The notes for the step are bellow.

AER ARAN (Ronan Regan) Rhythmic Variation #2
(this version is a step I put together to vary the rhythm)
Heel tap(L) step (L) heel(R) step(R) Heel tap(L) step (L) heel(R) step(R) heel tap (L)
step(L) heel(R) step(R) heel(L) step(L) heel(R) step(R) stamp(L)
Step (L) heel(R) step(R) Stamp (L)

You may notice that it is a little easer to dance than last week’s version, if you get a chance play with putting the two steps together. The second part of this step is also a great ending step that can be added to almost any step. It’s also great for set dancing and the 2 bar ending batter for the Connemara set.

I have been asking around to see if any musicians would like start a session during the class and play for the dancers. I’m still in the process of trying to put it all together, but if you know anybody who would like to play during the class let them know or if you would like to bring your instruments down go for it. Anybody who played for a class would be able to take the second class for free.

Bonus points:
If anybody feels so inclined play around and make up a step. You can use any of the elements from any step we have learned thus far and combine them to make a new step or you can make up something entirely new.

There’s also talk of a field trip to get dance shoes. Any of those interested let me know and I can find the best time. We could go to a few of the good thrift stores as well as a dance store or two. I’ve been known to find dance shoes at the thrift store for less that $5.

-Maldon

July 7 Class notes

2007-07-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

The class today was very productive we added 5 new steps to our routine. Here are the class notes from July 7th.

HEELS ZIG ZAG (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Hop(L), Heel(R) step(R), Heel(L) step(L), (6 times) stamp (R)
(Repeat 4 times alternating left and right)

HEEL AND TOE BACK (Maldon Meehan)
Heel(R) and(R) toe(L) and (L)
Heel(R) and(R) toe(L) and (L)
Heel(R) and(R) toe(L) and (L)
Hop(L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)

Heel(L) and(L) toe(R) and (R)
Heel(L) and(L) toe(R) and (R)
Heel(L) and(L) toe(R) and (R)
Hop(R), heel(L) step(L), heel(R) step(R), Stomp(L)

STAMP AND STAMP (SAME FOOT IN / OUT) (Maldon Meehan)
Stamp in(R), hop(L), Stamp out(R)
Hop(L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)
Stamp in(L), hop(R), Stamp out(L)
Hop(R), heel(L) step(L), heel(R) step(R), Stomp(L)
(repeat right and left again)

GRAPVINE STEP (Paddy Nelyon)
1(L), 2(R), 3(L), 4(R), 5(L), 6(R), 7(L) Two basic (hop on L first)
and(L) 1(R), 2(L), 3(R), 4(L), 5(R), 6(L), 7(R) Two basic (hop on R first)

AER ARAN (Ronan Regan) this a variation of Ronan’s step
Heel tap(L) step (L) heel(R) step(R) Heel tap(L) step (L) heel(R) step(R) heel tap (L)
Step(L) heel(R) hold toe (R)
Step (L) heel(R) step (R) heel tap (L)
Step (L) heel(R) step (R) heel tap (L)
(Ronan choreographed this step on an airplane going to the Aran islands. It’s is inspired by the playing of Johnny O'Halloran)

Irish Sean-nós Dance

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June 16 & 23

2007-06-27T00:08:00.000-07:00

In the beginners class we covered the following steps.

LEADAROUND: (8 BARS) THE BASIC STEP
Hop (L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)
(repeat 8 times)

STAMP AND STAMP STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Stamp(R) and(R) Stamp (L)
Back (L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)
(repeat 4 times alternating right and left)

HEEL AND TOE STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Heel(R), step(R), toe(L)
step (L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)
(repeat 4 times alternating right and left)

‘THE JOHNNY’
Toe(R), Toe(R), heel(R)
Hop(R), heel(L) step(L), heel(R) step(R),Stomp(L)

Toe(L), Toe(L), heel(L)
Hop(L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L),Stomp(R)
(Repeat all 3 more times)

CROSS STEP (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
Step (L), Cross(R), Step(L), Step(R)
Hop (L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)

Step (L), Cross(R), Step(L), Step(R)
Hop (L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)

Step (L), Cross(R), Step(L), Step(R)
Step (L), Cross(R), Step(L), Step(R)

And(L) back(R) and(R) back(L)
Hop (L), heel(R) step(R), heel(L) step(L), Stomp(R)

RHYTHM CIRCLE STEP (8 BARS) (Rosin Ni Mhainnin)
(in a circle)
Step(L), Heel(R) Heel(R) (6 TIMES)
Step(L), Heel (R)Heel(R), Heel(L) Heel(L), Heel(R) Heel(R)
Repeat again.

Next class is Sat. June 30

There will be no class on August 11th as I will be in Boston at the Irish Connections Festival

Saturday June 2

2007-06-05T22:02:00.002-07:00

Beginners
The beginner’s class reviewed steps from past classes.

Intermediate
Learned several Quebec style chair dances. We worked on several rhythms and variations.

Next class is Saturday June 9th.

-Maldon

class notes on the waltz and more

2007-06-05T22:02:00.001-07:00

Beginners
The beginners’ class reviewed the various steps we have covered in the past months. We also watched the short film entitled ‘Why the Irish danced that way’. My dance partner, Ronan Regan, was the choreographer for the film.

Intermediate
The intermediate class worked on the English Waltz Clog. This class was great as Maura’s kids joined and were all dancing the hardest part of the step. Well done guys.

The step covered is written bellow:

Basic step
1(L),2(R),3(L), 1(R),2(L),3(R)
Basic step
1(L),2(R),3(L), 1(R),2(L),3(R)
Basic
1(L),2(R),3(L), 1(R),2(L),3(R)
1(L),2(R),3(L), 1(R),2(L),3(R)
heels, click toes, toe (L), toe (r), click heels, heel (R), heel (L)

Class notes on the Brush dance.

2007-06-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

For those of you who were in class the 2 weeks we did the brush dance here are some notes.

There are several ways to dance the brush dance, but most of them have a few things in common. In class we danced the following version of the brush dance.

Lead around 8 bars
Step it out for 16 bars
Dance down the brush 8 bars
Step it out for 16 bars
Dance forward with the brush 4 bars and the other direction 4 bars
Toss the brush 8 bars
Lead around 8 bars

It is up to you to keep the brush dance up and improvise on your own version of the dance.

If you have any questions please let me know.

-Maldon

Live dancing on the Radio tonight

2007-05-07T09:48:00.001-07:00

Tune in to KBOO at 9pm for Live music and dancing on the RADIO!

When I was living in Ireland I would listen to several traditional music programs on the Radio. My favorite was always the shows with dancing. Dancing on the Radio what a concept. There was one show in particular that would broadcast ceili and set dancing on the radio. Well tonight Portland will carry on the tradition of dancing on the radio.

Monday 9pm, Celtic Hour, KBOO 90.7

-Maldon

Brush Dance

2007-05-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

Michael O Rourke and Ger Butler dancing the brush dance together.

Sara Cory in Portland

2007-05-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

Dancing extraordinary Sara Cory will be in Portland Sunday May 13th and Monday May 14th.

For any of you who are interested in percussive dance Sara’s workshop is for you. Her dancing style is based in American clogging, Cape Breton, Irish Sean-nós dance and her own thing. What is so amazing about her dancing is that she danced the ‘tune’
rather than just the ‘steps’. When she dances you can hear the melody of the tune. She’s incredible and one of my inspirations. The workshop and performance are not to be missed.

Sun May 13th 8 pm
Alberta St. Pub
Performance with Bridgetown, $8

Monday May 14th 2-4 pm
Dance workshop
Performance Works NorthWest

More information: (808) 346-3464

About Sara Cory:
Sara Cory has been performing dance for over 10 years and teaching for six, throughout the west coast and Hawaii. The basis of her style is Appalachian clogging; but her passion for Irish music and dance, as well as any percussive steps she finds, has influenced her style dramatically.

Sara grew up in California in a musical household with her brother Dave Cory (with Bridgetown). At 16 she discovered traditional music and a couple years later started focusing on fiddle and dance. She has traveled throughout the United Stated and Ireland playing, teaching, and studying traditional music for the past ten years. She and her husband are emigrating to Ireland this spring.