What is Irish Set Dancing?
Irish set dancing is social dancing usually in the form of square "sets" with four couples. This dance is for anyone from young adult up to dancers in the 70's and onward (so long as you have a reasonable level of fitness -
the music and footword is reasonably fast). This dance form is generally danced by adults and older children. Younger children (who are far
more flexible and energetic usually participate in Irish Step dancing (see below). Each dance has several figures set to traditional Irish tunes such as reels, jigs, polkas or hornpipes.
The footwork ranges from simple stepping to fast battering steps. In set dancing you usually dance with a partner, yet in many figures also dance with
one or more other members of the set. Most set dances have a social figure in which each lady dances with each gent and vice versa. Traditionally,
set dances were not called, although during classes there will be calling to remind the dancers of the next movement.
To learn more and see some videos of the different types of Irish dancing visit Set Dancing Australia's website.
Irish Set Dance Classes
Newcastle Irish Set Dance classes teach Irish Set dance where the
steps specific to that dance are taught along with each figure of
the dance. Each figure has a walk-through and time to practice
movements and steps. We repeat figures to reinforce the dance
elements and come back to these dances over the coming weeks.
Dances are called until the dancers have become proficient at each
figure.
Weekly dance sessions are held every Tuesday evening
from 7:15 - 9:00-9:30pm. No experience is necessary, but you should be
aware that the dances are energetic and require at least moderate
fitness. No Partner is needed. Classes are held at the "The Place"
- Charlestown Community Centre, Charlestown Shopping Centre. The
cost for the regular class is $8 for Newcastle and Hunter
Valley Folk Club members or $10 for non-members.
Irish Step Dancing
If you are looking for Irish dancing for your children then you
are probably looking for Irish Step dancing. Irish Step classes
are available for adults as well! Did you enjoy "Riverdance" and
"Lord of the Dance"? Would you like to kick your legs like Jean
Butler, stamp your feet like Michael Flatley or click your heels
like Colin Dunne? We recommend Marieclaire de Wit-Beekmans'
classes:
Voyage of Irish Dance
Teacher: Marieclaire de Wit-Beekmans
T: 02 4973 4984 / M: 0417 484 689
E:
W: www.voyageofirishdance.com
Classes held in Ourimbah, Morisset & Wallsend. No
previous experience is needed. Anyone from the age of 5, including
adults, is more than welcome. Visit Marieclaire's website...
Other Irish Set Dance Classes in NSW & the ACT
- Central Coast Irish Set Dancers
- Wednesday nights, 7:45-9:15pm.
CWA Hall, Pacific Street, Long Jetty, Killarney Vale (North
of Gosford).
Contact Maureen Houston 02 4351 1016 (h) or 0423 208 267 or
.
- Sydney - The Gaelic Club - 64 Devonshire
Street, Surrey Hills
- Monday nights, 8.00-9.30pm, Irish National Association of
Australasia.
Contact Liz Carter 0404 062742 or
.
- Wednesday nights, 8-9:30 pm, The Harp Dancers.
Contact Trish McGrath 02 9580 4865 or
.
- Sydney
Irish Ceili Dancers
- Thursday nights, 8-10.30pm.
Kingsgrove Uniting Church Hall, 289A Kingsgrove Road,
Kingsgrove.
Contact Bill & Margaret Winnett 02 91506765 or
.
- Canberra
- Monaro Folk Society Irish Set Dance
- Wednesday nights, 8-10 pm, 4 x 10 week terms per year
(Feb. - Dec.).
Canberra Senior Citizens Centre, 10 Watson St, Turner ACT
2612.
Contact Paul Wayper & Kate Armstrong 02 6251 5257 (h),
0422 392 081 (m) or
.
- Canberra
- Set Dance Australia
- Contact Nora Stewart 0431 862 853 or
.
Useful Irish Set Dance (and other) Links
Contact details
For more information choose one of the categories below, or
contact one of the teachers:
Arthur Kingsland
and Julia Smith
Telephone: (02) 4955 5701
Web: <http://users.tpg.com.au/juliasm/Irish-Dance/>
Newcastle Irish Set Dancers are part of the Newcastle
and Hunter Valley Folk Club.
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Newcastle Irish Set Dancers
