Skipjack steps and jig shoes

by Petar PLAMENOV

10 October (Monday), 2011
Irish dances
Start: 17: 00
Irish Harp
Address:
Sofia, 7 Sveta Sofia Str.
Working time: 10:00–24:00
Nr seats: 170
Phone: 02 989 92 26
Phone: 02 989 87 37
Mobile: 088 888 39 26

There are many things we can thank the Irish for - St. Patrick's Day, tasty soda bread, Celtic music, bright green grass, wool sweaters, Sir Sean Connery and last but not least step dancing. You can check out who has the luck o 'the Irish this Monday, October 10, at the Irish Harp Club Sofia.
 
Two of the famous soloists of the remarkable dance show Lord of the Dance coming to Sofia to meet with local Bulgarian Irish dance clubs. The program of the event, jointly organized by two organizations - Art BG and Irish Harp, provides dance battle between the professional Irish dancers and Bulgarian boys and girls. For the best Bulgarian dancers are provided tempting prizes, and special guest of the show will be the famous bulgarian singer Koceto Kalki.




The dancing traditions of Ireland probably grew in tandem with traditions of Irish traditional music. The very first roots were in Pre-Christian Ireland, but Irish dance was also partially influenced by dance forms on the Continent, especially the quadrille dances. Traveling dancing masters taught all over Ireland as late as the early 1900s. Stepdancing as a modern form is descended directly from sean nós ("old style") stepdancing. There are in fact many other forms of stepdancing in Ireland (such as the Connemara style stepdancing), but the style most familiar is the Munster, or southern, form, which has been formalized by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, which first met in 1930. An Coimisiún was formed from a directorate of the Gaelic League during the so-called Modern Revival.



Irish stepdance has very precise rules about what one may and may not do and when, but within these rules there is almost infinite room for variety and innovation. Thus, Irish stepdancing is a vibrant and constantly evolving art form.  In the nineteenth century, the Irish diaspora spread Irish dance all over the world, especially to North America and Australia.

The costumes worn by Irish dancers today commemorate the clothing of the past, and often include intricate celtic embroidery and a matching cape. Each school of dancing has its own distinct dancing costume, however costumes are not necessary until your dancer signs up for the first dance competition, known as a “feis”. Girls can wear a simple dress uniform, called a jumper. Older beginners and intermediate dancers will be required to purchase a more elaborate full class costume. Boys wear pants and slacks.

Ghillies- Irish dance” soft shoes” or “pumps” that are worn for the soft shoe dances such as reel, light jig, and slip jig. These shoes are only worn by girls, boys wear “reel shoes” which are similar to jazz shoes, except they have a heel for clicking. Hard shoes- These shoes are similar to tap shoes except they have a fiberglass heel. The shoe’s heel is much more bulkier than a tap shoe however, with tips in the front as well for going onto the toes. These shoes are worn while dancing heavy jig, hornpipe, treble reel, and set dances. Sometimes called “jig shoes” or “heavy shoes.”

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