Okay, I am very aware it's February and that the NE Oireachtas took place in November. I am also aware that I haven't posted since July. Then again, no one actually reads this blog, so what does it matter? :)
The NE Oireachtas were November 20-22 in Providence and I went! First Oireachtas ever...I danced in a choreography, a 4-hand and traditional set. My choreography placed third (out of three :P) and my teacher was toying with the idea of going to Nationals but there wasn't enough commitment...so we're not going, which is okay, because Florida in July is probably more than my freakishly pale Irish redhead skin could take.
The Oireachtas expirence was slightly...AMAZING. Besides dancing and eating and buying overpriced random dance related items I didn't need, I saw Ashley Smith and the Murphy kids, who were on the cover of Feis America last year. I also ran around the convention center and adjoining Providence Mall in my wig and got strange looks, witnessed my friend break a ceiling panel in our practice room with a water bottle and hung out with my dance friends and got to know them a lot better (the sugary junk we all ate while waiting for results probably helped too).
I learned a lot about stage makeup, and what bobby pins can do in emergencies, danced my heart out, ate junk, watched movies, shopped and got very skilled at zipping up dresses. I basically had the time of my life. For weeks afterward--don't laugh--I had reoccuring dreams featuring the Oireachtas, dresses and various friends.
Okay, with that over and done with, I have also officially moved up into novice and I'm competing in a feis on March 7th--right before the huge St. Patrick's Day dancing rush. Speaking of which, I can safely say I'm the only kid I know that looks forward to March 17th more than Valentine's Day (aka Single Awareness Day) which is also over.
I will be obsessing over St. Patrick's Day/Dropkick Murphys/the color green soon.
Enjoy the peace now, before you're rushing to and from schools/old folk homes/country clubs. That time'll be here before you know it ;)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Cool video
Not exactly finger-dancing, per se, but this video is still very cool. Notice what's written on the fridge. Again, sorry, I can't embed videos so a link's the best I can give you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s51aD0_HMk
PS: anyone know where I can get NAN results (for free)? Feisresults.com had World's results, but alas, no NANs. And congrats to anyone that was there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s51aD0_HMk
PS: anyone know where I can get NAN results (for free)? Feisresults.com had World's results, but alas, no NANs. And congrats to anyone that was there!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The WORST miserable excuse to disgrace the name of ID.
The torture starts about a minute into the video. I can't embed it, so the best I can do is give you a link and hope you'll follow it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVIMSHimZZA
**WARNING: THIS MAY BURN YOUR EYES AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. IF YOU ARE BLINDED OR OTHERWISE SCARRED, I URGE YOU TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THIS MAN.**
Now, either you have managed to survive that hideous, awful clip or you are being rushed to the hospital. (Recover soon, and God Bless.)
Now, I am not going to go on a mindless rant. I'm going to go on an organized, well-thought out rant, convientently bulleted for your benefit.
Things that are wrong on so many levels...
1. This is the same guy that attacked an Olympian runner back in Athens. Yes, he tackled an Olympian that was probably going to finish first, but in the end placed third. He was also that deranged guy waving a flag around at a NASCAR race (The Prix, perhaps? Excuse my lack of knowledge on that one.) He was on the news for all that, and, I believe, being tried for child molestion also shows up in his bad past. Don't tell me that the people who run Britain's Got Talent didn't recognize him or do a background check, because you'd be lying.
3. "I practice virtually every day, for at least half an hour." Tell that to someone who practices 2 hours every day, buddy.
2. That ridiculous outfit. Since when do we wear mustard-yellow scarfs and green knee-highs? And that skirt--no, it's not a kilt. A kilt would have been somewhat acceptable--is much too short. Did anybody notice his shoes? They're Highland dancing shoes. Not ghillies or reel shoes. Highland dancing shoes. So technically, he's defaming not one, but two types of Celtic dance.
3. "A traditional Irish dance called the Soft Jig." The soft jig isn't a traditional irish dance. In fact, I'm not even sure people even use the term "soft jig" (I could be wrong, they might use it over in Europe. Just never heard it here in the States.). Traditional Irish dances are dances like the Blackbird and the St. Patrick's Day. Whatever he was doing with his feet, it sure wasn't irish dancing, and it sure wasn't traditional.
4. His "dancing". Forgive me, but did anyone see anything that looked remotely like, say, a skip? A point? A jump? Cause I didn't. He looked like he was squashing bugs out there, and improvising on the spot. If I went into great detail about how bad it was, I'd be here for a year. Oh, and he doesn't know when to finish and falters at the end.
5. "This guy represents every folk dancer in the country." You've GOT to be kidding me. I actually cringed. Somebody should go and give Piers a good old kick to the head for me. With their hardshoes on. I agree with Simon, only there are far, far more that "a few" problems.
And the mindless crowd ate it up, without any idea of how painful it was. Why can't anybody decent ever be on any of these shows? Like Ashley Smith? Jean Butler? ANYBODY BUT HIM.
I always thought it would be cool if, you know, they had ID on Dancing With the Stars, though the Superstars of Dance with Bernadette Flynn was a step in the right direction. But with guys like this, we're taking two steps back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVIMSHimZZA
**WARNING: THIS MAY BURN YOUR EYES AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. IF YOU ARE BLINDED OR OTHERWISE SCARRED, I URGE YOU TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THIS MAN.**
Now, either you have managed to survive that hideous, awful clip or you are being rushed to the hospital. (Recover soon, and God Bless.)
Now, I am not going to go on a mindless rant. I'm going to go on an organized, well-thought out rant, convientently bulleted for your benefit.
Things that are wrong on so many levels...
1. This is the same guy that attacked an Olympian runner back in Athens. Yes, he tackled an Olympian that was probably going to finish first, but in the end placed third. He was also that deranged guy waving a flag around at a NASCAR race (The Prix, perhaps? Excuse my lack of knowledge on that one.) He was on the news for all that, and, I believe, being tried for child molestion also shows up in his bad past. Don't tell me that the people who run Britain's Got Talent didn't recognize him or do a background check, because you'd be lying.
3. "I practice virtually every day, for at least half an hour." Tell that to someone who practices 2 hours every day, buddy.
2. That ridiculous outfit. Since when do we wear mustard-yellow scarfs and green knee-highs? And that skirt--no, it's not a kilt. A kilt would have been somewhat acceptable--is much too short. Did anybody notice his shoes? They're Highland dancing shoes. Not ghillies or reel shoes. Highland dancing shoes. So technically, he's defaming not one, but two types of Celtic dance.
3. "A traditional Irish dance called the Soft Jig." The soft jig isn't a traditional irish dance. In fact, I'm not even sure people even use the term "soft jig" (I could be wrong, they might use it over in Europe. Just never heard it here in the States.). Traditional Irish dances are dances like the Blackbird and the St. Patrick's Day. Whatever he was doing with his feet, it sure wasn't irish dancing, and it sure wasn't traditional.
4. His "dancing". Forgive me, but did anyone see anything that looked remotely like, say, a skip? A point? A jump? Cause I didn't. He looked like he was squashing bugs out there, and improvising on the spot. If I went into great detail about how bad it was, I'd be here for a year. Oh, and he doesn't know when to finish and falters at the end.
5. "This guy represents every folk dancer in the country." You've GOT to be kidding me. I actually cringed. Somebody should go and give Piers a good old kick to the head for me. With their hardshoes on. I agree with Simon, only there are far, far more that "a few" problems.
And the mindless crowd ate it up, without any idea of how painful it was. Why can't anybody decent ever be on any of these shows? Like Ashley Smith? Jean Butler? ANYBODY BUT HIM.
I always thought it would be cool if, you know, they had ID on Dancing With the Stars, though the Superstars of Dance with Bernadette Flynn was a step in the right direction. But with guys like this, we're taking two steps back.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Recital Season
With the end of June--summer vacation!--fast approaching, I'm seeing recitals appear all over the board. My own recital is two days after the last day of school, and I'm looking forward to it. I'm ending this ID year with a bang--a feis and the recital all in the same week. I'll be practicing like crazy for these next few weeks, and I'm sure it's the same story for many dancers as they hang up the ghillies for flip flops.
Personally, I love the backstage feel of recitals and shows--feis-esque, but instead of competing against your peers, you're working with them. I see five-year-olds running around in curlers and leotards, moms chasing after them with hairspray before they have to go greet Granny and Pops outside in the auditorium. I see prelim dancers confidently adjusting their friend's wig and lending a forgetful dancer some sock glue. I see unity as the team dancers--myself among them--all sit together in their formations and nervously run through their steps, whispering reminders and tips as they prepare to grace the stage.
The recital is the one time a year when you can really see the school as a school, and it makes all those sweaty practices when you were sure that this time your legs really were going to fall off worth it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that's run around in a dazed, hysterical frenzy the day of and telling anyone that does or doesn't care that "My recital's tonight! Tonight! And I think I forget which way I'm supposed to skip for the lead around!" This short rant is most often accompanied by a sharp tug of the hair and a frustrated groan (It was worse the year I wore curlers to school. There was no hair for me to tug, so I substitued by digging my nails into my palms. I didn't realize I was bleeding until two hours later.)
After the recital I won't know what to do with myself. I know I should enjoy the two blissful months I have where I won't suffer from shin splits and blisters and cracked toes, but part of me will be looking ahead to see what dancing endevours will take place next year.
Excuse me. I have to go practice for my recital.
Personally, I love the backstage feel of recitals and shows--feis-esque, but instead of competing against your peers, you're working with them. I see five-year-olds running around in curlers and leotards, moms chasing after them with hairspray before they have to go greet Granny and Pops outside in the auditorium. I see prelim dancers confidently adjusting their friend's wig and lending a forgetful dancer some sock glue. I see unity as the team dancers--myself among them--all sit together in their formations and nervously run through their steps, whispering reminders and tips as they prepare to grace the stage.
The recital is the one time a year when you can really see the school as a school, and it makes all those sweaty practices when you were sure that this time your legs really were going to fall off worth it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that's run around in a dazed, hysterical frenzy the day of and telling anyone that does or doesn't care that "My recital's tonight! Tonight! And I think I forget which way I'm supposed to skip for the lead around!" This short rant is most often accompanied by a sharp tug of the hair and a frustrated groan (It was worse the year I wore curlers to school. There was no hair for me to tug, so I substitued by digging my nails into my palms. I didn't realize I was bleeding until two hours later.)
After the recital I won't know what to do with myself. I know I should enjoy the two blissful months I have where I won't suffer from shin splits and blisters and cracked toes, but part of me will be looking ahead to see what dancing endevours will take place next year.
Excuse me. I have to go practice for my recital.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
More than you could possibly ever need to know about me
Hey,
So, in case you haven't picked up on it, I'm Siobhan. It's pronounced Shi-vawn, and it's just about as irish as you can get when it comes to names. I've been dancing for four years now, competing in the advanced beginner/novice levels because I'm a late starter, but also a walking dictionary on all things Irish dance.
I got my passion from my paternal grandmother, who was an off-the-boat Dubliner of the '50s and dancer for half her life. She was teaching me how to point before I could talk, but it wasn't till years later that I started taking formal classes.
I got my first used dress this year for a steal of $300, and a strawberry blonde wig just a few weeks ago and, like every other dancer, think that duct tape is the most useful thing since can openers and Mcdonald's drive-thrus. My hardshoes have been christened by my friend Kailene Dublin and Boston (Boston's the right one, Dublin's the left one) and I love being a ginger. My favorite dances are slip jigs and hornpipes, and I love doing the 8 hand "The Suites of May". Every St. Patrick's Day I skip school and perform for my old elementary school. March 17th is pretty much my favorite day of the year. Yes, including Christmas.
I think it was great that Worlds was held for the first time in Philly this year, and very proud to say I spent two hours looking for the results online and found that the 16+ Dance Drama team from my school had placed 5th!
My two good luck charms that I always bring with me when I'm feising are a Claddaugh necklace my aunt gave me and a a Tara brooch that belonged to my dancing grandmother. She still comes to as many feisanna and recitals as she can, and I love her for it.
I love Irish dance (duh) because a) it teaches confidence, determination and commitment b) it gives you friends c) connects me with my heritage and d) gives you great legs!
See? Told you--this is much, much more than you'll ever want to know about me.
Keep dancing!
~Siobhan
So, in case you haven't picked up on it, I'm Siobhan. It's pronounced Shi-vawn, and it's just about as irish as you can get when it comes to names. I've been dancing for four years now, competing in the advanced beginner/novice levels because I'm a late starter, but also a walking dictionary on all things Irish dance.
I got my passion from my paternal grandmother, who was an off-the-boat Dubliner of the '50s and dancer for half her life. She was teaching me how to point before I could talk, but it wasn't till years later that I started taking formal classes.
I got my first used dress this year for a steal of $300, and a strawberry blonde wig just a few weeks ago and, like every other dancer, think that duct tape is the most useful thing since can openers and Mcdonald's drive-thrus. My hardshoes have been christened by my friend Kailene Dublin and Boston (Boston's the right one, Dublin's the left one) and I love being a ginger. My favorite dances are slip jigs and hornpipes, and I love doing the 8 hand "The Suites of May". Every St. Patrick's Day I skip school and perform for my old elementary school. March 17th is pretty much my favorite day of the year. Yes, including Christmas.
I think it was great that Worlds was held for the first time in Philly this year, and very proud to say I spent two hours looking for the results online and found that the 16+ Dance Drama team from my school had placed 5th!
My two good luck charms that I always bring with me when I'm feising are a Claddaugh necklace my aunt gave me and a a Tara brooch that belonged to my dancing grandmother. She still comes to as many feisanna and recitals as she can, and I love her for it.
I love Irish dance (duh) because a) it teaches confidence, determination and commitment b) it gives you friends c) connects me with my heritage and d) gives you great legs!
See? Told you--this is much, much more than you'll ever want to know about me.
Keep dancing!
~Siobhan
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