FEB 23, 2018 | IRISH DANCING
“It just depends on the individual choreography that each teacher comes up with,” Kaster said. “Most of it’s inspired by what they learned when they were younger. They just put their own modern little twist on it.” One major piece of modern Irish dance culture is the outfits. Richens/ Timm has its own academy costume embroidered with Celtic symbols worn for group performances. However, solo dancers also have outfits unique to them. “Your solo dress is something that you earn, and you can design it so it makes you more flashy,” Rose said. “Usually, judges will be watching the people with the better dress, or a dress that catches their eye more. You want something that looks better so you get looked at by the judges more.” Irish dancers also wear either hard or soft shoes for certain dances. Sophomore Gabriel Greener, who has been dancing for Richens/Timm for nine years, said the soft shoes are slightly different for male dancers. “When we do a soft shoe dance, meaning it’s a little bit quieter, guys have a heel that has a hard bottom, that way you can click your heels together while you dance,” Greener said. Another factor of modern Irish dance culture, Rose said, is the
DID YOU KNOW?
irish style
There are three principle Irish dances mentioned often in 16th century writing. One of the first references to dance is in a letter written by Sir Henry Sydney to Queen Elizabeth I in 1569.
Here are some parts that make up the iconic Irish dance.
IRELANDSEYE.COM | SOURCE
competitiveness and hard work that goes into every performance and competition. Greener said the week before events are high-stress. “You’ve got to have your steps memorized,” Greener said. “Something that I always struggled with for performances is getting my timing right and not messing up the counts, which I still sometimes will mess up during practice, but not as much during competition.” Rose said many months of preparation go into every performance and the final product and overall experience makes it all worthwhile. Rose said, “Even if you don’t particularly want to be an Irish dancer ... if you go to the performances and stuff, it’s such a great experience and I encourage you to go to (watch) any H performance you can.”
GETTING READY: (Far left) Rose applies her makeup for her dance routine. Rose said she wanted to dance since she was little. (Bottom left) Rose adjusts her wig in front of the wall. Rose has been dancing with the Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance since she was in 6th grade. (Above) Rose applies her mascara as she gets ready. Rose said Irish dancing has many different components to it.
Caitlyn Burns | Photos
Each dance school has its own dress. As dancers advance to higher levels of competition, they will be designed a solo dress, often very glamorous and decorated. In the past, dresses were adorned with images and symbols from the four Gospels of the Book of Kells. Large, curly wigs are a signature of Irish dancing. Dancers either wear wigs or curl their natural hair. The wigs are usually topped with a headpiece or crown of some kind.
Dancers must keep one knee in front of the other knee at all times. When switching the leg in front, keep knees as close as possible. This is called ‘kissing your knees.’
This move is a signature of Irish Step Dancing throughout the world. When performing this movement, dancers keep the front leg stretched straight out in front, the back leg bent at the knee and foot up to the posterior. amy zhou | graphic antoni pacelli | Source
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