Category: In Person Set Dance

In Person Set Dance

2023 October | 6:30-8:30pm Thur | Irish Set Dance Class | Claddagh Set

maldonm

Claddagh Set dance instructions – detailed instructions with written descriptions of each move. This is from the Dance Minder site, a great resource for dances. Much like the session.org is for music the danceminder.com is for set dancing.

I have written out my callers notes for each figure. I like having simpler callers notes to reference as the dance minder notes are very detailed and harder to take a quick look at for referencing once you know the moves from the dance and need to just remember the order of things.

Unique to this dance:

House: cross hand house half way, then lead back home half way. I will just call it house.

Ladies Chain: right in the center, left to the to the opposite (gent dose not turn around he faces forward the whole time, making sure to dance to the right and back so that the lady can get around him). Ladies no chain on the way back.

Here is a video from Ireland of the whole dance straight though with no teaching.

Figure 1 – Dance around the opposite

Memorizing tips

  • Lead Around: the lead around is for 6, turn 7 & 8, lead back is for 6, gents back to the set, lady facing him for 7 & 8
  • The swing with opposite is for 6, 7 & 8 to get back to your partner, keeping the pointy hand with the opposite. You partner can help by dancing 7 & 8 up to meet you.
  • After dance around opposite and swing we will always dance Advance/House/Swing
  • The couple or dancer who is active in the next movement dances out the last 2 bars (7 & 8) before they start the movement.
  • Last Swing: All step out the last 2 bars (7 & 8)
  • Starts with Lead around/Lead back/Swing and ends with all swing.
First Figure – “Dance around the opposite” Reels 192
AllLead around for 6, turn for 2 (Cross hand)
Lead back for 6 (gent finish with back to set, lady facing)
Swing (waltz hold)		24
1st TopGent & Opposite lady dance a circle around each other
Swing for 6, back up to home keeping pointy hand		16
TopsAdvance & Retire 2x
House
Swing		24
1st SideGent & Opposite Lady dance a circle around each other
Swing for 6, back up to home keeping pointy hand		16
SidesAdvance & Retire 2x
House
Swing		24
2nd TopGent & Opposite Lady dance a circle around each other
Swing for 6, back up to home keeping pointy hand		16
TopsAdvance & Retire 2x
House
Swing		24
2nd SideGent & Opposite Lady dance a circle around each other
Swing for 6, back up to home keeping pointy hand		16
SidesAdvance & Retire 2x
House		16
AllSwing to finish8

Figure 2

Memorizing tips

  • Circle Advance and Retire, Advance and Retire and the lead around are all for 6, with the last 2 bars as a step it out.
    • The circle advance & retire for 6 bars and then face your partner for the last 2 bars.
    • The advance and retire to the center is for 6 and step out the last 2 bars as you get into the Christmas.
  • LADIES CHAIN – Every time there is a ladies chain in this figure it is followed by a house and swing (Montra – chain/house/swing). The Christmas always has a ladies chain after it. The gent dances to the right and back to the left so that he can allow for the lady to get around him.
  • SECOND MOVEMENT – (mantra)
    • gents star/lead/advance/christmas
    • chain/house/swing
Second Figure – “Christmas” Reels
AllAdvance & retire 2x (Cross hands)8
Swing8
TopLadies Chain
House
Swing		24
SidesLadies Chain
House
Swing		24
TopGents Right hand star in the center
Left hand back for 2, pick partner dance on spot for 2		8
TopsLead round for 6, back up into home spot
Advance & Retire, Advance & Dance on spot (open waltz hold)
Christmas (ladies hand on gent near shoulder)
Ladies Chain
House
Swing		48
SideGents right hand turn / Left hand back / pick up partner8
SidesLead around
Advance & Retire, Advance & Dance on spot (open waltz hold)
Christmas (ladies hand on gent near shoulder)
Ladies Chain
House		48
AllSwing to finish8

Figure 3

Memorizing tips

  • The beginning and end movement are the same
    • 3rd figure montra – circle/house/swing to start and to end the dance
  • First movement mantra star/house/swing
  • CROSS CHAIN – ALL ladies look to the left (this is the first gent you will chain with) Gents help them out!
    • TOP LADIES – chain twice first, then advance to the gent on the right and cross over to end up beside him
    • SIDE LADIES – advance to the gent on the right and cross inside twice/ chain twice
  • CROSS CHAIN – TOP GENTS
    • First chain – advance/turn
    • Second chain – turn/chain
    • Third chain – turn/chain
    • Fourth chain – advance/turn
  • CROSS CHAIN – SIDE GENTS
    • First chain – turn/chain
    • Second chain – advance/turn
    • Third chain – advance/turn
    • Fourth chain – turn/chain
  • Finished circle/house/swing same way it begins
Third Figure – “Cross Chain” Reels
AllCircle Advance & Retire, Advance & turn to partner
House
Swing		24
LadiesRight hand star / Left hand back for 2 / Gent turn lady for 28
GentsLeft hand star / Right hand back for 2 / Gent turn lady for 28
AllHouse
Swing		16
AllCross Chain (top ladies lead)
Swing		16
Cross Chain (top ladies lead)
Swing		16
Cross Chain (side ladies lead)
Swing		16
Cross Chain (side ladies lead)
Swing		16
AllCircle Advance & Retire, Advance & turn to partner
House
Swing		24

Figure 4

  • Polka down jig step
  • Beginning montra circle/chain/swing
  • Active couple goes under the arch first (mantra) arch/house/swing
  • Leading order: 1st Tops/1st sides/2nd top/2nd sides
  • Ending mantra chain/swing (you don’t repeat the beginning exactly!)

Figure 4 – Arches – Jigs 192 bars

Fourth Figure – “Arches” Jig
AllCircle Advance & Retire 2x
Grand Chain (turn lady in opposite position)
Chain home (dance on the spot for 2 bars)
Swing		32
TopsAdvance & Retire / Arch (1st Tops under the arch lady turn 2x)
Advance & Retire / Arch (2nd Tops under the arch lady turn 2x)
House
Swing		32
SidesAdvance & Retire / Arch (1st Sides under the arch lady turn 2x)
Advance & Retire / Arch (2nd Sides under the arch lady turn 2x)
House
Swing		32
TopsAdvance & Retire / Arch (2nd Tops under the arch lady turn 2x)
Advance & Retire / Arch (1st Tops under the arch lady turn 2x)
House
Swing		32
SidesAdvance & Retire / Arch (2nd Sides under the arch lady turn 2x)
Advance & Retire /Arch (1st Sides under the arch lady turn 2x)
House
Swing		32
AllChain
Swing to finish		16
Classes, In Person Set Dance, Irish Set Dancing, Past Classes

2023 April | Saturday 4pm | Set Dancing [IN-PERSON]

maldonm

intro

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

Irish Set Dancing

Saturday 4-6pm

Waverly United Church of Christ

3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR, United States, Oregon

$10 general, $5 students

Last Saturday Céilí ~ 4-7 ~ Live Music

week 1

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.

Connemara Set

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

WEEK 2 | Class notes

Sat. April 8, 2023

Set of the Week: The Claddagh Set

This another Connemara set. It was taught by Seamus O Meoloid a great set dancer and Sean-nós dancer. The set was revived in Ráth Chairn, Co. Meath. There is a Gaeltacht in Ráth Chairn.

“n 1935 a number of families from the Connemara Gaeltacht were transplanted east to Ráth Chairn to live on land acquired by the Land Commission. It continues today as a thriving Gaeltacht, where Irish is spoken and its traditions embraced through dance and music.” from Ireland XO.

My hope is to keep working on this set and have become one of Portland’s regular dances.

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

week 3

WEEK 3 | Class notes

Sat. April 15, 2023

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

If there is time we will review the Claddagh set.

Week 4

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.

Quarterly Rambling House

Saturday Rambling House (Bealtaine)

  • Saturday, April 29, 2023
  • 4:00 PM  10:00 PM
  • Waverly UCC (map)

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!

Classes, In Person Set Dance, Irish Set Dancing, Past Classes

2023 March | Saturday Set Dancing

maldonm

intro

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!

Irish Set Dancing

Saturday 4-6pm

Waverly United Church of Christ

3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR, United States, Oregon

$10 general, $5 students

Last Saturday Céilí ~ 4-7 ~ Live Music

week 1

WEEK 1 | Class notes

Sat. March 4, 2023

Our set of the week is: 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.

week 2

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

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.

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.

Last Saturday Céilí

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.