Love Irish music? Always wanted to “get up and dance a jig” with like-minded spirits but were intimidated by the idea of “Riverdancing?” Well, you may not be able to “Riverdance” – but you can learn to do this! Irish ceili dance was a popular form of social dance in the 18th and early 19th century and again at the turn of the 20th century. This beginning class introduces basic “steps” and figures in an older, lower style suitable for adults of any age. We’ll learn “7’s and 3s” and “the rising step” and and dance fun old “house” and “wedding” dances such as “The Walls of Limerick,” “The Siege of Ennis” and more. Best of all, we will have live music! No partner or fancy shoes needed, just your happy smile, comfortable shoes and clothing, and love of dancing. Close-toed flat shoes such as deck shoes recommended.
Shirleigh Brannon has been teaching non-competitive Irish dance in once form or another (solo and figure/ceili) since 1984. Her dance passions include older style step dance (in the tradition of CRN and Joe O’Donovan), ceil and set dance. She is never so happy as when dancing – except possibly when watching someone Irish dance who thought they couldn’t learn.
She was formerly the dancer director for the Irish Guild at the Renaissance Faire at Black Point Forest and her celebrated Scots-Irish music and dance troupe Siamsa le Cheile is one of the highlights of the annual San Francisco Great Dickens Christmas Fair.