Weekend
workshop
The fourth Canberra Irish Set Dance Weekend
was held from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June at St Johns Anglican Church in
Reid. The weekend comprised a great program of workshops, ceilis, demonstrations
and socialising. Set dancing was taught by Margaret and Bill Winnett of Sydney
and Arthur Kingsland from Newcastle and this
year we also had a sean nos (old style solo step dancing) lesson from Kevin
Hassett who is visiting Australia
from Ennis in Ireland.
Kevin also did two performances at the Saturday night ceili including the ever
popular brush dance. The dance list for the weekend was impressive and included
the Connemara Reel Set, North Kerry Polka Set, Corofin Plain Set, Limerick
Tumblers, Connemara Jig Set, Killarney Waltz, Newport Set, Fermanagh Hornpipe,
Derradda Set, Kildownet Half Set, Clare Lancers, Ballyvourney Jig Set,
Skibbereen Set, Ballyvourney Reel Set and Mazurka Set. A highlight of the
weekend was the Saturday night ceili with fabulous music from the Corner House
Ceili Band and nine sets filling the floor for most of the night. The high level
of experience with this type of dance was demonstrated by everyone confidently
getting through an uncalled North Kerry Polka Set. The weekend concluded with a
meal at King O’Malley’s pub and still more dancing for those with the energy!
This year we put extra effort into
marketing the event and the numbers were the best yet. Sixty three dancers from Canberra
and Queanbeyan were joined by a great contingent from interstate with 12 from NSW,
9 from Victoria, 4 from South
Australia and 1 from Western
Australia. We have received excellent feedback about
the event with many people commenting favourably on the balance between
learning, doing and socialising, the quality of teaching and calling, the
welcoming atmosphere for new and interstate dancers, the general ambience and
the catering.
Thanks to everyone who supported this event
through teaching, calling, demonstrating, playing music, turning up and working
behind the scenes. A special thank you to Sue Dowling who, ably assisted by her
daughters Kira and Angela, worked long hours in the kitchen preparing the great
refreshments and handled all the washing up with a smile. Finally, thank you to
the MFS for supporting this event.
Link to 2008
weekend
workshop website and a photo gallery.
A class at the 2005 weekend workshop.