Whether Riverdance is the first thing to come to mind when you think of Irish dancing, or if you've never heard of the show before, their 20th Anniversary Tour is sure to be something special. I grew up watching Riverdance and Lord of the Dance with my mom (she thought Michael Flatley was cute), so I'm especially excited to get to see the show (even if Michael Flatley isn't in it) this weekend at Keller Auditorium. There will be 5 shows over the course of three days, one Friday night, two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Tickets are still available and range from $25 to $75. You can get them here. If you're still confused about what Riverdance is (the very short version that doesn't do it justice is that it's an Irish step dance show) here's their website. Though I think the best place to start would be Youtube. Reading about it just isn't the same, it's better to see it.
0 Comments
A hooley is a party, or an evening of traditional Irish music and dance. For the last several years, I've been hearing about the Stomptowners and how much fun it is to dance and listen to their music at Biddy McGraw's. Unfortunately, I haven't yet gotten to go. That doesn't mean that you can't investigate and let us know how it was though! The important details are that the Hooley starts at 6pm and goes until about 8pm. Biddy McGraw's is at 6000 NE Glisan Street in Portland, Oregon. Here's a link to the Facebook event. The Stomptowner's website is here. Third Fridays also mean ceilis in Portland, so if you're not going to the Session at Dudley's, you should go to the ceili instead. The lesson starts a 7:45pm and the dancing will go until 11pm at the Norse Hall (111 NE 11th Avenue). General admission is $12, or $8 for PCS members. The dances are taught and called so you don't need a partner or dance experience. Bring a water bottle and comfy shoes you can dance in. This is the last Portland Ceili of the year, so go dance while you can! Here's a link to the Facebook event. And the Portland Ceili Society website is here. Every third Friday there's a Celtic Music Session at Dudley's, a local bookstore right here in Bend. For those who don't know what a session is, it's a group of musicians getting together to play music, usually in a public place, but sometimes in a house. They claim a corner, make a circle and play. The goal is for them to have fun playing music and for the other people there to enjoy the music as background noise. Only if someone is singing is it expected that you quiet down and listen. If you'd like to join in the session, grab and chair and join the circle. If you'd like to dance, you can do that too. So come on down to Dudley's (135 NW Minnesota Avenue) around 6pm on the 20th to play, dance, or listen to some excellent music! Gaelic Storm is a wonderful Irish/Celtic, sometimes-trad, sometimes-not-trad band. You might know them as the band in the third class compartment from the movie Titanic. I (Shannon) was introduced to them while I was still living in Salem. Now, 5 years later, going to their concerts whenever they come through Oregon has become a yearly tradition. They're one of my favorite bands and they put on a great live show. This year they're coming to the Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon. Doors open at 7pm and the music starts at 8pm. Tickets are still available and they're $25 in advance and on the day of the show. Griff and I will be there. Hope to see some of you in the audience too! It's second Friday again, which means it's time for another céili in Salem, Oregon!
Céilis in Salem are the best--in my opinion--for beginners because their lessons are good (especially when Maldon is teaching and calling like she is this month) and they're very family friendly. So if you can go, definitely do! We've reposted their poster below which should have most of the details you'll want, but if you have other questions or would like to see what else the Ceili of the Valley Society does, their website is here. First Friday means it's ceili time in Tualatin, Oregon. Sam Keator and his wife Anne put them on. They always have excellent live music and Sam does a wonderful job calling. The doors open at 7 and there's usually a short lesson from 7:30 to 8pm. The dancing starts at 8 and goes until 11pm. The dances are held at Winona Grange #271 (8340 SW Seneca Street in Tualatin, OR). It's $10 for adults and $8 for students, Veterans and those 65 and over. Make sure you bring dancing shoes, comfy clothes and a water bottle. There will probably be snacks, but you can also bring treats to share. A word to the wise, Tualatin ceilis are better for those 10 and up. For more information or to RSVP, here's the Facebook event. For even more information about Irish events in Tualatin, here's Sam and Anne's website. |
AuthorUsually Shannon, but sometimes Griff. Archives
December 2018
Categories
All
|