You might remember watching Michael Flatley prance across the stage shirtless and sweaty when Riverdance exploded onto the scene. The stage production put Irish dancing on the map, but step dancing isn't the only form of Irish dance.
The Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) is hosting an Irish Ceili, 8 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 6), which is similar to a country-dance with live traditional music from the Road Wires Ceili Band. Caller Kari-Ann Thor will teach each dance and no experience is necessary. Tickets are $15 and available at the BAG and Bookshelf bookstore.
"My connection to Irish music started when I was very young and I wanted to share that passion with Squamish," said John Godard. "This is more of a community thing than a money making thing."
The best way to share that passion turned out to be Irish Ceili dancing, which is similar to a square dance with an energetic twist. Ceili is an informal dance and one of the oldest Irish dances. The dance incorporates live music and you don't need a partner.
"We are suggesting that people come a half hour early to learn the steps or you can just move around in time with the music," Godard said.
Godard grew up in Liverpool England but fell in love with Irish music around the same time he started rock climbing in the Lake District. Traditional music was still played at the smaller pubs and Godard's inner musician was stirred.
"I used to sing a lot of traditional Irish music but people in North America don't connect with it as much. They just think it is kind of cute," Godard said. "When I came over here, I started playing the guitar more."
The idea to host a country Irish dance came after Godard noticed that dancing is universal. Godard said there is no language and cultural barriers when it comes to dancing - it is simply moving to the music.
"I started in Vancouver and a lot of people are into Celtic music but I wanted to get back to traditional Irish music," Godard said. " I spoke with some acquaintances of mine to bring them up to 樱桃视频for a dance."
Last year's Irish Country Dance was sold out and Godard is predicting tickets will go fast.
"We had people come who did not intend to dance but ended up on the dance floor the whole night. It's just a lot of fun," Godard said.
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