Author: maldonm

The month of April we will be learning sets from Connemara.

WEEK 1 | Class notes

Saturday April 1, 2023

Our set of the week is: The Connemara Set

Footwork for the Connemara. The Connemara step and the stamp and stamp step. The stamp and stamp step can help you travel when you are first starting out it might be hard to travel across the floor and I find this step easer to move further. I used it for years until I was able to dance the Connemara step fully.

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Connemara Set

• Instructions for the Connemara

The Connemara set is a nice 4 figure set. The first sides are on the right of first tops.

We reviewed the Seit Doire Cholmcille (Derry Set). We covered this dance in February. Videos and instructions can be found on the February class page under the week 1 tab.

We also danced 3 figures of the Inis Oirr Set.

WEEK 2 | Class notes

Sat. April 8, 2023

If there is time we will review the Connemara and The Derry set.

WEEK 3 | Class notes

Sat. April 15, 2023

Our set of the week is: Foraer a Neaintín (Connemara Jig)

• Instructions Foraer a Neaintín (Connemara Jig)
• the dancing in this video is not great, but it is the only one I can find at this time.

If there is time we will review the Claddagh set.

WEEK 4 | Class notes

Sat. April 22 2023

Mini Céilí

• The Connemara
• Foraer a Neaintín (Connemara Jig)
• Inis Oirr
• Claddagh Set

We might not get to them all but we will try.

Saturday Rambling House (Bealtaine)

Quarterly CCE open house and fundraising event. Our quarterly Saturday Rambling House returns for an half-day event featuring a General Meeting of the branch followed by instrumental sessions, singing circles, and music & dance workshops. Potluck and full céilí dance to follow! This is a great opportunity to introduce members of the wider Portland community to Irish cultural traditions while bolstering our current MÓD community with convivial conversation, moving music, superb singing, deft dancing, and FOOD!

Shake out those shamrocks ‘n let’s boogie!

This March, our theme of the month will be advance and retires. We will focus on basic Clare advance and retires as well as including some battering. We will continue to review previous techniques and learn new dances.

As always I encourage you to review the videos and instructions before and after class. If you don’t have time, I’ve got your back. I will break everything down nice and handy and we will progress through the months dances. There’s never a better time to enjoy the art of Irish Set dancing. St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner!

WEEK 1 | Class notes

Sat. March 4, 2023

Our set of the week is: Caledonian

• Instructions for the Caledonian

This is one of my favorite sets. It is one I love teaching both beginners and experienced dancers. It’s the perfect set for perfecting housing and dancing at home. It also allows room for battering. The set can be receptive and when you aren’t focusing on footwork it some might call it boring. But adding a little battering and some great advance and retire steps lights up the dance. We will cover the basics and beginning of advancing and retiring as well as more advanced steps for those with more experience.

If there is time we will review the Claddagh Set. Reviewing the instructions and video before class will give you a nice leg up. If you don’t have time or forget no worries I’ve got your back and will teach and call everything.

• Instructions Claddagh
• Callers notes for the Claddagh Set – this is a google document. You can make a copy and save it and print it for your reference.

WEEK 2 | Class notes

Sat. March. 11, 2023

Our set of the week is: Clare Plain

If there is time we will review the Seit Doire Cholmcille (Derry Set). We covered this dance in February. Videos and instructions can be found on the February class page under the week 1 tab.

WEEK 3 | Class notes

Sat. March 18, 2023

Our set of the week is: Corofin Plain

Jim Belcher recently taught a lesson on the Corofin Plain set at our Sweet Hearts dance in February. We will review the set and add more footwork.

• Instructions Corofin Plain

If there is time we will review the The Cashel or (The Castle). We covered this dance in February. Videos and instructions can be found on the February class page under the week 2 tab.

WEEK 4 | Class notes

Sat. March 25, 2023, 4-7pm

Last Saturday Céilí music by Preston Howard

• The Caledonian
• Seit Doire Cholmcille (Derry Set)
• Claddagh Set
• The Corofin Plain Set
• The Clare Lancers set

We might not get to them all but we will try.

• Musical Playlist