MARCH 10 2O16 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA //
Academy Fundraiser Goes Leg Deep in Irish Dance HANIYASSINE Arts Editor __________________________ With green being the predominant clothing and lighting color, the night was almost a prologue to St. Patrick’s Day. It was a celebration of Irish culture, or more specifically Irish dancing during the Ardan Academy pub night fundraiser on the evening of Mar. 4. The Water’s Edge event centre served as a fitting way for patrons to be treated to some traditional Irish music, complete with an inspired pub menu and, of course, culturally enriched dance performances from Ardan Academy students. With a dance hall originally in Livonia, Michigan, the night marked a 30-year anniversary of the academy’s Windsor residence. Among the teachers of the academy was Shannon Thoms, who said her mother was responsible for the Windsor location, noting how it’s been growing provincially ever since. “I was already dancing at that time, but I was going to classes in Michigan, and she just thought that Windsor should have its own Irish dance school,” Thoms said. “There’s so many schools now from here to Toronto than there ever used to be, which is nice.” According to Thoms, the age group for dancers usually falls anywhere between three and 22, noting how some do it for fun while others treat it as a competition. Among those who embrace Irish dancing for the latter is 18-year old Morgan Muzzatti, who’s currently attending the University of Windsor as a visual art major with honors.
A group of Ardan Academy students are in the middle of a performance during their fundraising event at Water’s Edge Mar. 4. [Photo by // Hani Yassine]
Muzzatti has been dancing for at least 12 years, qualifying in both Canadian and North American championships. While she’s dabbled in other forms of dance such as hip-hop and lyrical, she finds herself more invested in the nuances of the Irish style. “You don’t use your arms, the dresses are very extravagant and different from ballet, lyrical or anything like that, and it’s strictly leg and core strength,” Muzzatti said. Muzzatti also noted how Irish dancing isn’t without some fierce competition, as they have their own regional, national and world championships. She essentially related it more to ballet on principle, saying there’s plenty of fine-tuning and dedication towards what she refered to as a sport. “Pretty much perfection is the essence,” Muzzatti said. “You need to train like you’re in the Olympics, and I find it really drives me to do better.” All proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards the dance hall’s competitive touring runs across the continent.
The senior group of Ardan Academy perform a routine during a fundraiser at Water’s Edge on the evening of Mar. 4. [Photo by // Hani Yassine]
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