Irish Dance School in Chatham-Kent

The Oireachtas is the gaelic name for the Eastern Canadian Championships. It is held annually on the second weekend of November at a rotating venue. This year it will be held Montreal.

All dancers taking part will be placed in 4-hands and 8-hands where available. Students are taught one traditional ceilli dance for each of the 4, and 8-hands which they work to perfect as a team in the weeks leading up to the competition.
The benefits of this event are really hitting on two separate levels, both extremely important to a dancers growth.

Working towards a goal: A big one-off competition like this really narrows the focus down. With a deadline to achieve mastery dancers are motivated and determined to be the best they can be.
Positive reinforcement: Win or lose, the Oireachtas is a fun event for a dancer. It’s a weekend away with their dance friends, it’s an exciting trip up to the big ballroom stage and it’s a reward for all of the hard work and repetition they put themselves through to get to this level. Experiences like these are necessary for a dancer to maintain intrinsic motivation to continue to work hard and improve themselves.

To be eligible to take part, dancers must have completed one year of classes.

Check out the full year calendar for all important class information.

The Mae & Paddy Butler Memorial Feis is on this year. Below you’ll find information sent out by the organizers.

“Please join us for the Mae & Paddy Butler Memorial Feis on May 12th 2012!

Now being run by the East Toronto Irish Arts Association (ETIAA) which is made up of parents and friends of the Gilchrist-Canavan School.

www.maeandpaddybutlerfeis.com is up and running which includes syllabus, list of judges and musicians, venue info, food menus and many other details.

~ Centennial College Scarborough Campus * same place as before but with a brand new renovated 65,000 sq foot gymnasium with sprung floor

~ Large stages freshly painted with non-slip paint

~ Overseas and out of region judges

~ Sashes for top 3 in prelim and OC by Lewis Irish Dresses

~ Plenty of free parking, great food, licensed bar and spa on site

~ Treble reel, Tir Na Nog and Special Child dances with proceeds going to Unity for Autism

~ Arts competition including photography, art, writing, song and instrument adjudicated by distinguished judges

~ Mail in entries available now, online entries via paypal coming soon

We hope you can all join us!”

Thursday March 15th @ the Chatham Studio

5:30 – 6:00
Beginner I and Grade 1

6:00 – 7:00
Beginner II and Grades 2 – 7

7:00 – 8:30
Grades 8 – 12

Check out the full year calendar for all important class information.

The Parents’ Association is lining up some performances around town for St. Patrick’s Day. Everyone can participate if they’d like.

Performance Venues and Times for Friday March 16th

10:30 arrive at St. Andrews residence
10:45 dance St. Andrews Residence
11:30 Riverview Gardens
12:15 Chatham Library
Then time to grab lunch
1:15 arrive at Chatham Retirement Resort
1:30 dance Chatham Retirement Resort
2:15 Caleb Village
3pm Residence on the Thames

Rehearsal will be held on the evening of Thursday March 15th at the Chatham studio. Times to be determined based on participation.

Costumes will be handed out after your practice.

Please sign up via email or use the comments on the blog.

FOR DANCERS IN GRADE 5 AND UP
Performance Venues and Times for Saturday March 17th

In addition, we have a night time line-up of dance outs for those in grades 5 and up. Sign up for either day or both.

4:30 -4:45- St.Clair Legion ( need confirmation)
5:15- Blazin’ BBQ
7-7:30 – Crabby Joe’s
8– CBD
8:30-Big Shots ( needs confirmation)
9:00- Encore (needs confirmation)
9h45-Centra

“Your dance resume is incredibly impressive. What is your advice for dancers looking to follow in your footsteps?”

“Hard work and practice!! Also listening to every bit of advice your teacher gives you and acting on it. They are trying to make you into the best dancer you can possibly be and sometimes when they are tough on you, you just have to remember they are doing it for your own good.”

Read the whole interview.

Irish dance troupe, Prodijig (like prodigy + jig) is into the finals of the UK dance show, “Got to Dance” Pretty neat stuff.

March 12th – 16th

9:00 – 12:00, 1:00 – 4:00

We’ll be focusing on few different aspects over the course of the week:

1) New team dances for 2012 Oireachtas.
2) An in depth stretch and strength segment, particularly focusing on increasing flexibility and injury prevention.
3) New solo steps, including traditional sets, treble reels, and individual tweaks to Champ level steps.
4) Nationals prep.
5) Dance routines for St. Patrick’s Day performances

- Camp is open to students grade 1 – 12, and beginners over 6
- Half day program available
- The lunch hour will be supervised

Full Day
$200 + HST

Half Day
$120 + HST

Confirmation by email is required by Friday March 2nd. Space will be limited.