with the Cedar Valley Celtic Music and Dance Society
co-sponsored by UNI Folk and Ballroom Dancers
Who? |
Anyone age 12 and over is welcome to learn the dances. Younger children are welcome as long as their behavior is not disruptive. |
When? |
Unfortunately, at this time, we do not have a place to dance and are not holding dance classes. If you know of a free/very cheap venue, preferably with wood floors, please contact Michelle at michelle.ozmun@uni.edu |
Where? |
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Attire?
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Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing that allows you freedom of motion. Shoes: Ghillies, ballet slippers, or jazz shoes are preferable, but any soft soled shoe will work. |
What? |
Scottish country dancing is the modern form of the "country dancing" that was wide spread in both England and Scotland in the 18th century. It generally involves groups of about 6 to 10 people of mixed gender usually forming a "set". They dance to the driving strains of reels, jigs and strathspeys. The dance often combines solo figures for the "first couple" in a set with movements for all the dancers. There is considerable variation in country dancing. One source reports that there are over 7,000 different dances have been catalogued and perhaps only about 1,000 are of lasting and non-local importance. These dances often derive from traditional sources such as old manuscripts and printed dance collections, but many are of recent derivation. This fusion of the traditional and the modern, and its ongoing evolution, are to many part of the attraction of Scottish country dance. For more information on what to expect from Scottish Country Dance and lessons, visit http://nscds.eusa.ed.ac.uk/public/scotdancing.html Irish ceili dancing bears some similarity to Scottish country dances, but they are usually simpler and more repetitive and can be a lot more aerobic. Typically, they involve two lines facing each other. Some are also progressive: couples move around the room dancing the same short sequence with successive other couples. Some ceili dances are "The Siege of Ennis," "The Walls of Limmerick," and "The Haymaker's Jig." Square dancers might find this dance looks strangely familiar; upon travelling to the United States with immigrants, it evolved into the "Virginia Reel." Ceili dancing can also include figure dances for groups of two, three, four, six, or eight dancers. Instead of long lines of repetitive movements, figure dances emphasize precision execution of complicated patterns of people. For example a group of eight dancers (an "eight hand dance") might have the dancers form a cirle, then a cross, then a circle and cross, then half the dancers might interweave themselves in a figure-eight fashion around the other four. Coordination between the dancers is key. While two- and three-hand figure dances are usually choreographed by each teacher, the most common four- and eight-hand dances are contained in a handbook and many are well known across schools and generations. Some of these dances are "The Sweets of May," "The High Caul Cap," "The Cross Reel," and the four hand reel. For a great resource on all things Irish and Scottish, visit Ceolas at http://www.ceolas.org/dance/ |
Dates/Location of Lessons |
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WE NEED A PLACE TO DANCE! ANY SUGGESTIONS? You do not need to be present at all lessons -- come when you can. |
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| For more information on the lessons, contact Cliff or Michelle Ozmun at (319) 277-5115 or cliffoz@cfu.net . The Cedar Valley Celtic Music and Dance Society also hosts Celtic music sessions at the Vibe Coffeehouse in Cedar Falls. Click HERE for more infomation. | |
Hope to see you there! |
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