November 21, 2012

BACK COVER Page W4 · Richmond Review

FRONT COVER Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Richmond Review · Page W1

PhOTO COuRTESy OF: ON SIGhT PhOTOS (ONSIGhTPhOTOS.CA)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Celebrating Christmas with Irish Flare Gaelic spirit will be in full force at the Richmond Olympic Oval from November 30–December 2 as the De Danaan Christmas Feis unites the community to celebrate Irish culture.

In addition, there will be two other main events: a worldrenowned play from Maire Clerkin entitled The Bad Arm: Confessions of a Dodgy Iris Dancer and a concert from popular Irish band Beoga.

“There will be theatre, music and dance concerts, music workshops and competitions, Gaelic football and hurling, a performance psychology seminar and a marketplace,” says Leslie Wilson of the De Danaan Society.

“The calibre of entertainment is absolutely next to none,” she says. “The members of Beoga are individually and collectively among the top musicians in Ireland today.”

Feis events are traditionally centered around dance and this one is no different. The De Danaan Society will host its Irish Dancing competition throughout the weekend.

“Western Canadian Irish dancers hold some of the top North American and World Championship placings in competitive events,” says Wilson. “here’s a local opportunity to see World calibre Irish dancing right in our own back yard.”

“Maire Clerkin has had audiences from Ireland to hollywood roaring in their seats,” adds Wilson. “It’s appealing to all audiences regardless of their knowledge of Irish dancing.”

In addition to the three main events there will be workshops and crafts all weekend, including music workshops with Beoga, Dancing Minds with BBC featured Sean Connolly, Gealic football demonstrations, Christmas crafts, jewelry, shoes, dancewear, and much more.

Friday, November 30

Saturday, December 1

Sunday, December 2

The Play

Concert & Championship

Grade Competitions

The Bad Arm—Confessions of a Dodgy Irish Dancer

Beoga Concert

Christmas Craft Fair

Doors Open 6:30pm

2012_11_07_RichmondReviewWrap_Feis.indd 2-3

Doors Open 6:30pm

11/19/2012 1:40:23 PM

“I watched Lord of the Dance and Riverdance and tried to copy it,” explains Shum.

“I think it was the music and the quick feet and the rhythm and just the way that dancers moved through the air.”

The aesthetics were the first draw, but it soon became apparent to Shum that she had talent.

“I think grade three was my first goal: I wanted to go to the North American Irish Dance Championships,” she remembers. “After I kind of figured out ‘Oh I’m actually pretty good at this,’ I wanted to qualify for [the World Championships].”

Shum did just that last weekend in Calgary at the North American Championships.

She placed seventh in her age category and qualified to compete in the Worlds next March in Boston.

But before then, Shum will be one of many local dancers competing in the Feis Irish Dance competition at the Richmond Olympic Oval from November 30 – December 2. The competition is one part of a weekend-long celebration that includes a world-renowned play and a Christmas concert by popular Irish band, Beoga.

“That’s going to help me prepare for the World’s,” she says about Feis. “It really helps you prepare and get the mindset for how you’re going to do things for the major competition.”

2012_11_07_RichmondReviewWrap_Feis.indd 4-5

PhOTO CREDIT: JOhN FuNk

A Story About More Than Just Irish Dance

“There’s so much else, and there was so much else to my upbringing,” says the 54 year-old North London native. “Irish dance was just one part of it.”

Clerkin’s one-woman comedy The Bad Arm – Confessions of a Dodgy Irish Dancer kicks off the De Danaan Christmas Feis on November 30 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. And while the play is centred on her journey as an Irish dancer, the writer-actor is quick to laud its appeal to the masses.

“It’s a story about all kinds of issues that many people with no Irish dance background would relate to,” explains Clerkin, who moved from London to California before writing the play. “There’s sibling rivalry, difficult relationships with parents, teenage rebellion … identity confusion.”

All are subjects she has dealt with throughout her life. The daughter of two English school teachers, Clerkin’s passion for dance was not always seen as sensible; certainly not as a career. But her determination led her to discover talents as a playwright, actor and teacher.

“Whatever you train in – whether it’s a sport or not – you have to make mistakes in order to learn,” she explains. “A child will fall over learning to walk or run.”

She says the subject of failure is explored through both comedic and dramatic means in The Bad Arm, something with which the audience can sympathize.

“People are groaning in the audience. They’re not groaning for me they’re growing for them.”

Popular Irish band Beoga promises a good time in Canada The atmosphere will be electric when popular Irish band Beoga plays the Richmond Olympic Oval on December 1.

Clerkin’s decision to turn what began as short stories about her life into a play based on her experiences up to the age of thirty came from encouragement from friends and a strong desire to share her love for Irish dance.

The band’s Bodhrán player Eamon Murray says Beoga is looking forward to returning to Canada and ready to put on a show. “People [in Canada] aren’t scared to have a good time, which is good as neither are we” says the percussionist in a phone interview while the band tours in Germany. “We try to change things up.”

“One of my goals was to present an alternative version of Irish Dance.”

“It should be good fun.”

According to Clerkin, who has now toured the world with this play, the world-famous Riverdance shone a light on Irish Dance and opened the door for people like her to tell their stories.

If that promise isn’t enough for those considering taking in the show – which headlines the De Danaan Christmas Feis at the Oval November 30 through December 2 – one need only look at Beoga’s roots for convincing. The band’s name is Gaelic for lively and by all accounts their live shows are just that.

Clerkin is quick to praise event organizer Leslie Wilson for making the Feis event at the Oval one that celebrates stories through various mediums.

“Originally a FEIS was more than dance, it was music and poetry, and baking,” she says. “I think she really is a great champion of Irish culture in a broader sense. It’s not just about an Irish dance competition.”

Clerkin is looking forward to visiting Richmond not only to perform her play, but also to judge the Irish dance competition and take in one of her favourite bands, Beoga – both of which are a part of the Feis weekend festivities at the Oval.

Their music certainly is.

“We try to keep the listener guessing and that means there are always plenty of twists and turns in the music which helps keep it interesting.”

The result is worldwide acclaim, including the Wall Street Journal’s assertion that Beoga is “the most exciting new traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century.” But keeping true to traditional Irish roots is only one part of the band’s appeal. It connects to a younger audience through the exploration of different musical genres, resulting in its soaring popularity across the globe.

“We all grew up playing traditional Irish music so that forms the basis of most of our material,” Murray says of the band’s musical style. “We have a lot of different influences which sees us sometimes venturing off the traditional path and maybe throwing in some more blues or jazz influences.”

The band was shortlisted for a Grammy nomination in 2010 and is using its success as motivation to continue to produce great music. “From the beginning, we were very conscious not to repeat ourselves,” Murray explains. “We’re always trying to develop new sounds and pieces that we don’t think have really been done by an Irish band before.”

Beoga plays at the Richmond Olympic Oval on December 1 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.

KIDS GOT HAPPY FEET? Check out Irish Step Dance at the Oval!

IRISH STEP DANCING | 6–11 YRS Irish Step dancing has deep historical roots and is an energetic art form that has quickly become the new trend in dance. Learn the lively reels and jigs of Riverdance fame.

Dancers will learn the foundational steps and rhythms with a strong focus on technique. Suitable for beginners.

Scan me!

12 sessions Friday, 5:30PM–6:30PM

Scan the QR code below to watch Beoga perform “Antics” live!

NEED A QR CODE READER? Visit http://reader.kaywa.com/ for a free QR Code Reader.

DON’T HAVE A SMART PHONE? View the video online at

January 11–April 12

Course Code: 4023

V

She lives in Coquitlam and does not come from an Irish family. But when 17 yearold Nicole Shum was first exposed to Irish dance, she was hooked.

The Bad Arm: There is no doubt Máire Clerkin is an Irish dancer. After all, growing up in an Irish family she spent most of her life perfecting the craft. But to say that Irish dancing is her life doesn’t paint a complete picture.

Richmond Review · Page W3

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

V

Local Irish Dancer Prepares For World Stage

PhOTO CREDIT: JOhN FuNk

PhOTO COuRTESy OF: ON SIGhT PhOTOS (ONSIGhTPhOTOS.CA)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

PhOTO COuRTESy OF: ON SIGhT PhOTOS (ONSIGhTPhOTOS.CA)

Page W2 · Richmond Review

ReGISTeR!

Don’t miss out on this exciting class! Register now at richmondoval.ca/register!

http://youtu.be/IatVSDg5zt4

11/19/2012 1:40:30 PM

“I watched Lord of the Dance and Riverdance and tried to copy it,” explains Shum.

“I think it was the music and the quick feet and the rhythm and just the way that dancers moved through the air.”

The aesthetics were the first draw, but it soon became apparent to Shum that she had talent.

“I think grade three was my first goal: I wanted to go to the North American Irish Dance Championships,” she remembers. “After I kind of figured out ‘Oh I’m actually pretty good at this,’ I wanted to qualify for [the World Championships].”

Shum did just that last weekend in Calgary at the North American Championships.

She placed seventh in her age category and qualified to compete in the Worlds next March in Boston.

But before then, Shum will be one of many local dancers competing in the Feis Irish Dance competition at the Richmond Olympic Oval from November 30 – December 2. The competition is one part of a weekend-long celebration that includes a world-renowned play and a Christmas concert by popular Irish band, Beoga.

“That’s going to help me prepare for the World’s,” she says about Feis. “It really helps you prepare and get the mindset for how you’re going to do things for the major competition.”

2012_11_07_RichmondReviewWrap_Feis.indd 4-5

PhOTO CREDIT: JOhN FuNk

A Story About More Than Just Irish Dance

“There’s so much else, and there was so much else to my upbringing,” says the 54 year-old North London native. “Irish dance was just one part of it.”

Clerkin’s one-woman comedy The Bad Arm – Confessions of a Dodgy Irish Dancer kicks off the De Danaan Christmas Feis on November 30 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. And while the play is centred on her journey as an Irish dancer, the writer-actor is quick to laud its appeal to the masses.

“It’s a story about all kinds of issues that many people with no Irish dance background would relate to,” explains Clerkin, who moved from London to California before writing the play. “There’s sibling rivalry, difficult relationships with parents, teenage rebellion … identity confusion.”

All are subjects she has dealt with throughout her life. The daughter of two English school teachers, Clerkin’s passion for dance was not always seen as sensible; certainly not as a career. But her determination led her to discover talents as a playwright, actor and teacher.

“Whatever you train in – whether it’s a sport or not – you have to make mistakes in order to learn,” she explains. “A child will fall over learning to walk or run.”

She says the subject of failure is explored through both comedic and dramatic means in The Bad Arm, something with which the audience can sympathize.

“People are groaning in the audience. They’re not groaning for me they’re growing for them.”

Popular Irish band Beoga promises a good time in Canada The atmosphere will be electric when popular Irish band Beoga plays the Richmond Olympic Oval on December 1.

Clerkin’s decision to turn what began as short stories about her life into a play based on her experiences up to the age of thirty came from encouragement from friends and a strong desire to share her love for Irish dance.

The band’s Bodhrán player Eamon Murray says Beoga is looking forward to returning to Canada and ready to put on a show. “People [in Canada] aren’t scared to have a good time, which is good as neither are we” says the percussionist in a phone interview while the band tours in Germany. “We try to change things up.”

“One of my goals was to present an alternative version of Irish Dance.”

“It should be good fun.”

According to Clerkin, who has now toured the world with this play, the world-famous Riverdance shone a light on Irish Dance and opened the door for people like her to tell their stories.

If that promise isn’t enough for those considering taking in the show – which headlines the De Danaan Christmas Feis at the Oval November 30 through December 2 – one need only look at Beoga’s roots for convincing. The band’s name is Gaelic for lively and by all accounts their live shows are just that.

Clerkin is quick to praise event organizer Leslie Wilson for making the Feis event at the Oval one that celebrates stories through various mediums.

“Originally a FEIS was more than dance, it was music and poetry, and baking,” she says. “I think she really is a great champion of Irish culture in a broader sense. It’s not just about an Irish dance competition.”

Clerkin is looking forward to visiting Richmond not only to perform her play, but also to judge the Irish dance competition and take in one of her favourite bands, Beoga – both of which are a part of the Feis weekend festivities at the Oval.

Their music certainly is.

“We try to keep the listener guessing and that means there are always plenty of twists and turns in the music which helps keep it interesting.”

The result is worldwide acclaim, including the Wall Street Journal’s assertion that Beoga is “the most exciting new traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century.” But keeping true to traditional Irish roots is only one part of the band’s appeal. It connects to a younger audience through the exploration of different musical genres, resulting in its soaring popularity across the globe.

“We all grew up playing traditional Irish music so that forms the basis of most of our material,” Murray says of the band’s musical style. “We have a lot of different influences which sees us sometimes venturing off the traditional path and maybe throwing in some more blues or jazz influences.”

The band was shortlisted for a Grammy nomination in 2010 and is using its success as motivation to continue to produce great music. “From the beginning, we were very conscious not to repeat ourselves,” Murray explains. “We’re always trying to develop new sounds and pieces that we don’t think have really been done by an Irish band before.”

Beoga plays at the Richmond Olympic Oval on December 1 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.

KIDS GOT HAPPY FEET? Check out Irish Step Dance at the Oval!

IRISH STEP DANCING | 6–11 YRS Irish Step dancing has deep historical roots and is an energetic art form that has quickly become the new trend in dance. Learn the lively reels and jigs of Riverdance fame.

Dancers will learn the foundational steps and rhythms with a strong focus on technique. Suitable for beginners.

Scan me!

12 sessions Friday, 5:30PM–6:30PM

Scan the QR code below to watch Beoga perform “Antics” live!

NEED A QR CODE READER? Visit http://reader.kaywa.com/ for a free QR Code Reader.

DON’T HAVE A SMART PHONE? View the video online at

January 11–April 12

Course Code: 4023

V

She lives in Coquitlam and does not come from an Irish family. But when 17 yearold Nicole Shum was first exposed to Irish dance, she was hooked.

The Bad Arm: There is no doubt Máire Clerkin is an Irish dancer. After all, growing up in an Irish family she spent most of her life perfecting the craft. But to say that Irish dancing is her life doesn’t paint a complete picture.

Richmond Review · Page W3

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

V

Local Irish Dancer Prepares For World Stage

PhOTO CREDIT: JOhN FuNk

PhOTO COuRTESy OF: ON SIGhT PhOTOS (ONSIGhTPhOTOS.CA)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

PhOTO COuRTESy OF: ON SIGhT PhOTOS (ONSIGhTPhOTOS.CA)

Page W2 · Richmond Review

ReGISTeR!

Don’t miss out on this exciting class! Register now at richmondoval.ca/register!

http://youtu.be/IatVSDg5zt4

11/19/2012 1:40:30 PM

BACK COVER Page W4 · Richmond Review

FRONT COVER Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Richmond Review · Page W1

PhOTO COuRTESy OF: ON SIGhT PhOTOS (ONSIGhTPhOTOS.CA)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Celebrating Christmas with Irish Flare Gaelic spirit will be in full force at the Richmond Olympic Oval from November 30–December 2 as the De Danaan Christmas Feis unites the community to celebrate Irish culture.

In addition, there will be two other main events: a worldrenowned play from Maire Clerkin entitled The Bad Arm: Confessions of a Dodgy Iris Dancer and a concert from popular Irish band Beoga.

“There will be theatre, music and dance concerts, music workshops and competitions, Gaelic football and hurling, a performance psychology seminar and a marketplace,” says Leslie Wilson of the De Danaan Society.

“The calibre of entertainment is absolutely next to none,” she says. “The members of Beoga are individually and collectively among the top musicians in Ireland today.”

Feis events are traditionally centered around dance and this one is no different. The De Danaan Society will host its Irish Dancing competition throughout the weekend.

“Western Canadian Irish dancers hold some of the top North American and World Championship placings in competitive events,” says Wilson. “here’s a local opportunity to see World calibre Irish dancing right in our own back yard.”

“Maire Clerkin has had audiences from Ireland to hollywood roaring in their seats,” adds Wilson. “It’s appealing to all audiences regardless of their knowledge of Irish dancing.”

In addition to the three main events there will be workshops and crafts all weekend, including music workshops with Beoga, Dancing Minds with BBC featured Sean Connolly, Gealic football demonstrations, Christmas crafts, jewelry, shoes, dancewear, and much more.

Friday, November 30

Saturday, December 1

Sunday, December 2

The Play

Concert & Championship

Grade Competitions

The Bad Arm—Confessions of a Dodgy Irish Dancer

Beoga Concert

Christmas Craft Fair

Doors Open 6:30pm

2012_11_07_RichmondReviewWrap_Feis.indd 2-3

Doors Open 6:30pm

11/19/2012 1:40:23 PM