Ooo New Forum, irish dancing

[Lyra Luminara]

When I return there is an Irish dancing forum, and coincidentally in my absence I have taken up Irish dance. Last sunday I actually preformed for the first time, that was pretty crazy. I have yet to purchase my own shoes though since they're expensive. But anyway, does anyone else dance--hard or soft shoe?
I've only done hard shoe so far...and find it so invigorating and fun and it's just a rush to dance in such a complex and beautiful manor to the sounds of Ireland.

[Irish Stepper]

This is my 3rd year dancing. I do both hard shoe and soft shoe. I've competed in 2 Feis's so far, and have done well at both. You're right though...it is a rush!

[Ceciliastar1]

I've taken a few lessons here and there. I've never owned my own shoes or anything but I would love to. I totally want to dance more. I miss it s ton. Maybe I'll pick it up again. I have a few friends who might teach me cause I can't afford real classes, plus there are no irish dance schools where I am living. Cool new forum!

[Irish Stepper]

Dance schools are few and far between...that's for sure! There's one in Maryland, but I don't like the guy in charge of it. I travel down to Falls Church, Virginia for classes, which is about 85 miles away. She's a well established and awesome teacher though, and well worth the trip. I even take my boys down to her Saturday mornings for their class.

http://www.oneilljamesschool.com/

[gwenlee]

I don't do Irish Step Dancing, but I do Scottish Country Dancing and when I was looking for classes I typed in the city where I live and found that there were several places in our area that offered discounted Irish Step Dancing classes at local churches and community centers. If you can't find Irish Step Dancing classes perhaps you might try Scottish Country Dancing. We do reels and gigs too. Depending on the place the cost is very little we pay 2 dollars a class. We have a lot of fun we have monthly socials and do demos at community events and Highland games. People of all ages and levels participate. I hope you find a dance style and class to your liking.

[catlynelizabeth]

I've been dancing for around four years now and my school that i dance with is none competitive. I only heard about the classes from a friend who is one of the teachers. We hold classes, now three times a week and the charge is like 7 dollars a day and you can dance for like 2 hours a night. I love it, my teacher is great and we are very family oriented so its nice because my mom and i dance together. Sometimes you just have to keep you ears and eyes open and a small school will pop up out of now where.

This is the webpage for my dance school.

[WizardofOwls]

I am a dancing voyeur! I have 2 left fett, but I LOVE to watch! Riverdance still gives me cold chills every time I watch it! I sit hypnotized and captivated!

[Irish Stepper]

Yes, Riverdance will hypnotize you and captivate you. However, if you want to be truly entertained and amazed, then try watching Lord of the Dance: Feet of Flames on video. Michael Flatley is a true entertainer.

[WizardofOwls]

I have The Lord of the Dance, but what is Feet of Flames? Is that different?

[Irish Stepper]

It's basically the same show, but it was performed in an outdoor theater in England on a HUGE stage. The original video was the first performance of Lord of the Dance in Dublin. Feet of Flames has some more dances in it and the lighting and visuals are a lot better, since they had time to perfect it. I just like that one better. I have the original video, but I don't even watch it anymore.

[WizardofOwls]

WOW! Sounds really good! I'll have to check into it!

BTW, LOVE the new avatar! VERY pretty! Your coat of arms, I assume?

[Irish Stepper]

Yeah...Mac is trying to get together some Irish Coat of Arms for avatars, and he used one I had uploaded to use as an example and make it prettier. This one is his first try at it, and it's awesome isn't it?

[WizardofOwls]

YES! He did a great job on it!

[VetteGal]

WOW! That looks great! Too bad I'm not Irish to have a coat of arms.

[Irish Stepper]

Well, that's ok...apparently Irish families don't have Coat of arms. At least that's according to a thread called Irish Clans, under the Celtic Nations forum. I think the only reason my family has one could be because they were originally Nomans that came to Ireland in the 1100's. Who knows? All I know is I have one!