Alameda Ceili

This week:
30 August 2010

A slightly convoluted plan has hatched... from 8-8:40, MacKenzie will teach Polka Set related things to most folks & I will teach reel footwork & a few other reely things to beginners. At 8:40, we'll come together as one big happy family & learn the Wild Wild West barn dance. We did it a long time ago, but the learning part was cursory at best & chaoes ensued. This time we'll spend some time learning the bits, then practicing them, then working on whatever crashed, & do it again.

The Set List

Money

Yahoo Group: AlamedaCeili

Alameda Ceili
Yep, this is the Irish social dance
your mother warned you about.

Mondays 8:00-11:00 p.m. at the

Alameda Ballet Academy
1402 Park Street, Alameda

$5 each, lesson included

Ceili Photos

Hints & Disclaimers

"This is a dance for everyone..." We nearly always start with a lesson at 8:00 p.m., then open dancing starts at 9:00 with a waltz, then a dance for everyone, then a more advanced dance... repeat... until the last waltz, just before the evening ends at 11:00. Actual Ceili may vary. There may be disco. Or renegade packs of cheerleaders.

Beginning Dancers: Beginners will generally learn a little Irish footwork & a dance or two, focusing primarily on the 4-Hand Reel, a very traditional dance that is danced all over. Occasionally, you'll learn jig footwork & a traditional jig instead. After the lesson, listen for dances for everyone - these dances will be taught first, then called again as you dance.

Experienced Dancers: For the intermediate & advanced dancers, there will be a lesson, then lots of dances you know. We call this our "Core" group, since this group encompasses dancers at many experience & skill levels & works, for the most part, on a bunch of dances that we would like to call our core dances.

Which am I?: Generally, a beginner is someone who is learning the two types of footwork & basic concepts that make up Irish dancing, by way of learning "Reel" footwork, the 4-Hand Reel, & "Jig" footwork. Once you feel that you can do the 4-Hand Reel without much prompting, you are probably ready to move into the Core group. Check with your teacher to be sure you're ready. If you've been away a while, there's no shame in joining the beginner class to get back up to speed. If you remember most of the 4-Hand Reel & don't need the brush up, you're welcome to dive in to the Core class.

Rules: No food or drink, except bottled water, is allowed in the dance studio. Bring comfortable shoes that won't mark or scratch the dance floor. General social dance etiquette applies. And if you arrive during the lesson, please keep loud conversations in the lobby.

Contact: If you'd like to ask questions, make suggestions or comments: Alameda Ceili

Terry's Dance Book

The collection of dances assembled & edited by Terry O'Neal, our teacher & our leader for many years, back at the Starry Plough in Berkeley. Lots of traditional dances, some of Terry's dances & a few written by other folks:

DOC | PDF

More Dances

Improper Exchanges (Reel)