Looking to Start Irish Dancing?
If you or someone you know has the desire to try out Irish step dancing, you are in luck! Perhaps you or your children watched a performance at one of the many Irish festivals this summer and have been thinking about trying out some Irish dance classes. This time of year, many local Irish dance schools start a new class of beginner students. This is a great way to get active, learn a bit of Irish culture, and make new friends!
Yes, Irish step dancing is a great way to get active and exercise. You will definitely get your steps in, get your heart rate up, and build muscles through this cardio workout. Each dance lasts between one and three minutes and can include jumps, kicks, spins, and more, all while staying on your toes. If you want to try it out for fun, fitness, or even competition, this beautiful art form will get you sweating and burning calories.
Looking to Start Irish Dancing?
Joining an Irish dance school is also a great way to learn a bit of Irish culture through music, dance, travel, and the stories shared. The tunes that are danced to are traditional Irish music typically played on accordion, keyboard, tin whistle, and fiddle. You will learn the different types of tunes and what dances go with each!
The discipline of the dance, moving only from the waist down, shares the stories that the Irish want to pass down through dance to their children during a time when British soldiers would not allow the Irish to dance. Thus, the Irish kept their upper bodies very still while joyfully and skillfully moving their legs and feet. The folklore and storytelling in the Irish culture live on through the dance community.
Being Part of the Irish Community
Being a part of the Irish dancing community is an opportunity to make new friends that will last a lifetime! This unique community shares a love for dance, music, friendly competition, and a sense of Irish cultural belonging. There is a sense of pride knowing that we are helping preserve our Irish heritage and sharing this beautiful art form with the next generation of children. For many involved, this has been a tradition carried on in Irish American families for several generations.
There are several schools in the Cleveland area accepting new students this fall! Is there a studio near you?
