News 24. 1. 2009
Major Championships in Irish Dancing in 2009 (by CLRG)
On the programme are mainly solo competitions divided into different age groups and girls/boys and ladies/men compete in separated groups. Other competitions are in Ceilí dancing (usually 8 hands) – danced by teams from different schools – separated into Junior and Senior groups. Figure dancing – that is very interesting competition to watch – teams of 8-16 dancers have to portray an Irish theme or item by movements. Figure dances are choreographies created by individual Irish dance teachers and therefore there is an original dance composition at every school. They are specific for changeover from one shape to another and on majors teams are always perfectly prepared! It is the only Irish dance style, where it is allowed to use different arm movements. Another interesting competition what you can come across at the World championship is so called Drama dance – one night during whole week is reserved for schools to introduce their pieces – according to rules, dance dramas must consist of 8-20 dancers. Each dance must portray a specific historical or traditional story or event. Only Irish music can be used – reels, jigs, slip jigs, single jigs, hornpipes, Irish marches or Irish slow airs or a combination of these are allowed. Spoken words or songs are not permitted as part of the dance drama. Results are very promising and we practically guarantee, you will leave the event well inspired, with positive energy and determination to dance…
Missing dates and venues will be displayed as soon as they will be announced by organizers.
All Ireland championships (7th – 15th of February)
Killarney, R.O.I. – INEC
World championships (5th – 12th of April)
Philadelphia, USA – Kimmel Centre
North American Irish Dance Championships (4th-7th of July)
Nashville, Tennessee, USA – Opryland Hotel
British National championships (usually end of July)
All Scotland championships (usually mid of October)
Great Britain championships (usually end of October)
Václav Bernard
