intro
2026 Spring Dance Intensive
Rhythm is Everything
April 15–19 | Alberta Arts District | Portland, Oregon
Join us for five immersive days of Irish dance, rhythm, and community in Portland’s vibrant Alberta Arts District.
The 2026 Spring Dance Intensive is designed for dancers who want to deepen their relationship with rhythm — through Sean-nós improvisation, set dance battering, percussive technique, and step creation.
We’ll explore traditional steps from Cavan, Longford, Roscommon, Clare, and Connemara — and then take them apart, reshape them, and rebuild them so they are strong, musical, and danceable at any speed.
Each day includes:
- Two focused workshops
- Technique, rhythm vocabulary & musicality work
- Creation sessions
- Evening opportunities to dance, listen, and connect
We’ll work on:
- Stripping steps down to their essential rhythm
- Adding ornamentation and variation
- Dancing the tune (echoing, layering, shifting emphasis)
- Timing, phrasing, extra beats, crooked steps
- Weight shifting and tone (heel, toe, full foot)
- Layering time signatures (reels over polkas, slides over hornpipes)
- Improvisation, call & response, and dancing off each other
Evenings bring community time — informal practice, connection, and late-night tunes at nearby spots including TC O’Leary’s, just four blocks away.
For Out-of-Town Dancers
Stay right in the neighborhood — no car needed. Restaurants, galleries, cafés, and shared accommodations are within walking distance.
Limited space to ensure personal attention and a close-knit experience.
Reserve your spot:
https://maldonmeehan.com/april-16-19-spring-dance-intensive/
schedule
Schedule
| Wed 4/15 | Thu 4/16 | Fri 4/17 | Sat 4/18 | Sun 4/19 | |
| Morning session 10am-11:30am | Workshop 1 | Workshop 3 | Workshop 5 | Workshop 7 | |
| Afternoon session 1:30 pm-3 pm | Workshop 2 | Workshop 4 | Workshop 6 | Workshop 8 | |
| Evening | Welcome Gathering 6:00 pm TC O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St Music 8:00 pm Mikey Beglan | Night of Song Dancing & Songs | Céilí Two Rivers Céilí Band | House Party Tunes & dancing | TC O’Leary’s Sesson After TBA |
register
Register for the Spring Dance Intensive
Only $250 for the whole week. Price goes up to $300 on March 2nd, Sign up by March 1st to reviece $50 off. What a deal!
