Enda Scahill – Gan Ainm/Liz Carroll’s (Air Tune) – steps inspired by this track. I went down the rabithole after class and continued to work on the step. I created the orginal part of it just before class and then built on it and am in the process of adding a triplet into the step. It’s a work in porgress.
I’m on the hunt for great banjo players and recording to share with you. I put it out on facebook and got some great recommendations some of whom I had never heard of. Those of you not on facebook here’s the list so far. If you are on facebook check out the post as folks keep adding to it.
I have been going through and listing to some of these. If you find ones you really like please let me know. I put a few of my favorites at the top of the list.
8:30 AM PST | 9:30 PM MST | 10:30 AM CST | 11:30 AM EST | 12:30 PM ADT | 4:30 PM GMT on ZOOM
Hosted by Kathy Fletcher
Room to open 15 minutes early and close 15 minutes after the official end time.
Elevate your practice routine with Open Studio! Join artists, dancers, crafters, and musicians for free weekly practice sessions that boost accountability. From Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week, sharpen your skills and receive peer support in a non-judgmental environment. The encouraging community at Open Studio will inspire you to excel in your craft. Struggling to stay motivated? All are welcome, and it’s entirely free.
we will learn the Armagh Lancers. This set will be familiar to some of you who were in class last year. It also shares many similarities with the Clare Lancers Set. If you are taking the PCC class we will be learning the Armagh Set, this week which is also a jig set.
There’s no official shoe for set dancing. The most important thing is a smooth, non-grippy sole that allows you to glide across the floor.
Good options include:
A tap shoe without the tap
Smooth-soled dress shoes
Dance sneakers
Regular sneakers aren’t recommended, as they tend to grip the floor and make turning and traveling harder.
Local option: The Leotard on MLK carries several shoes that work well for set dancing. Let them know you’re taking a dance class and you’ll receive 10% off.
Steps for Set Dancing Playlist: Smooth 3’s practice videos
Clare Battering Playlist: you are welcome to go down the rabbit hole here. This playlist had many videos of Clare Battering steps. The battering is an optional component of set dancing. If you like working on footwork and like the percussive elements of set dancing this is a good playlist to start working on your own. I will teach some battering steps in class, but they do take time outside of class to work on them and get them up to speed. This is a part of set dancing that I ablsoutly love and there are other dancers who prefer the smooth options. It’s completly up to you what you work on.
This week we put together the start of our routine. Sean-nós dance is at it’s core improvisational and free form, but when you are starting out you need a place to start. Having a routine and something to practice as you get comfortable with the dance form.
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.
