Vivid Irish dancing dreams

I think we can all probably remember at least one time in our lives when we were having such a wonderful dream, we didn’t want it to end. This recently happened to a very precious seven-year-old step dancer, Andee, from the Irish Stars Parker School of Irish Dance. Her mom Julee shared a story of what happened when she recently went to wake Andee up on a crisp autumn morning.

Andee woke quite groggy and somewhat disappointed that morning had arrived. After stretching she said: “Mommy, I don’t want to get up. I was having the most wonderful dream. I was finally able to do toe stands.”

Anyone who knows Andee knows that she lives, sleeps and dreams about Irish dance. She has both ghilles and hard shoes and dances in both beautifully. She watches the older, more experienced dancers in their hard shoes doing toe stands and wants to be like them. She understands that her Irish dance teachers, Dawn and Jacque Parker, don’t want her to do them until she is strong enough to do so properly. So for now, she does them in her dreams.

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I am quite confident that when Andee is strong enough, she will do them with grace, poise and determination. After all, she is getting a lot of practice in her dreams.

Do you go over your steps in your dreams? What’s the craziest Irish dancing dream you’ve ever had? Share in the comments below.

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The Divine Providence Village Rainbow Irish step dancers prep for Christmas show - VIDEO

The Divine Providence Village Rainbow Irish Step Dancers are eagerly awaiting their first public performance. It’s hard to tell who is more excited, the nine amazing developmentally challenged women who make up this extraordinary group, or myself, their instructor.

Since I started volunteering to teach Irish dancing to these women last January, I have watched them grow in ability and confidence. And now, thanks to Dawn and Jacque Parker, owners and instructors of the Irish Stars Parker School of Irish Dance, where I am a student, these amazing women will have an opportunity to perform. Dawn and Jacque very graciously invited them to be a part of our Christmas recital on Dec. 11 in Bethlehem, PA.

Words can’t describe their excitement. They know they are dancing in Santa hats and can’t wait to wear them. They don’t know where Bethlehem is, but they can’t wait to get there. And they’re so enthusiastic at all of the practices we are already having for the show. For these ladies, Dec. 11 can’t come fast enough.

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When I changed the music from the traditional reels we use for practice, to “Christmas in Killarney,” they lit up like Christmas trees. As usual, their excitement brought tears to my eyes. Because of their disabilities and challenges, their steps will probably never be perfect. But these ladies will show all who are fortunate enough to see them, that dancing doesn’t just involve the feet. It also takes a whole lot of heart and soul.

I will be taking plenty of photos that I will share after the recital and have no doubt you might find a tear or two of joy in your own eyes when you see them.

Even though Halloween hasn’t even happened yet, check out this Bing Crosby version of “Christmas in Killarney” to start getting you in the holiday spirit…

Are you preparing for any special holiday Irish dance performances? Share in the comments below.

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Touching hearts with sign language and Irish dance

The other day, I had the privilege of performing my signature dance, “Book of Days,” which I discussed in my last post, at an Italian festival. Several people commented on how it had touched their hearts and souls. I know of two people in the audience who had tears in their eyes.

My instructors, Dawn and Jacque Parker of the Irish Stars Parker School of Irish Dance, and I recently re-choreographed a few sections to incorporate a deeper sense of my journey and my thankful heart for having Irish dance in my life. With so many people doing hand dancing to help memorize steps, we thought it would be a good idea to incorporate sign language into my routine.

There is a point in Enya’s song when I simplify my steps and focus more on my hands as I sign “Thank you God. Thank you for my journey. Thank you for my dance.” While we all know hands aren’t supposed to be used in the traditional form of the art, I feel as though my entire being is drawn into a place of peaceful wholeness with my new choreography.

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That day, I saw my dance as a gift not only for me, but also for all those who told me I had touched them in a special way. I heard words such as “calm,” “beauty,” “peace.” All of which are very important to me. After all, aren’t we all here to touch the lives of one another in a special way? I am so fortunate that it can be through Irish dance.

Have you tried incorporating sign language into any of your Irish dance choreography? Share your experience in the comments below.

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The benefits of community service through Irish dance

I have recently responded to a calling within myself to do more with Irish dance. For those of you who have read my Adult Dancer article in Feis America, you may remember that the song “Book of Days” by Enya has a very special meaning for me. It has been choreographed as my signature dance, telling the story of my journey of self discovery through Irish dancing.

Well my journey continues. This past January, I started volunteering my weekends to teach Irish dance to developmentally-challenged adult women. It is both a blessing and a privilege to be able to share my passion for the art with them. Although I am dealing with a wide variety of physical and/or mental disabilities, I find that each woman I work with gives it her all.

The joy on their faces says it all. For some, the extent of what they can do, will be confined to our class time. For others, there is tremendous potential for performing in nursing homes and parades. Seeing their enthusiasm, I have no doubt they will keep me busy.

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We never really know what direction our future will lead us. I never thought that four years ago, when I started Irish dance, I would be answering this call. I do know that I am finding great joy in responding to this and, hope to for many more years to come.

Whether it’s performing at local charity events or helping struggling classmates with a step, there are many ways we can help the community through our individual Irish dancing talents.

Enya - Book Of Days (Official Music Video)Enya

What’s one way you’ve touched the community with your skills? Share in the comments below.

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Safe sports drinks for Irish dancers

The popularity of energy drinks continues to rise and, unfortunately, so do their dangerous side effects. The popular energy drinks on the market today do not contain sugar, which the body needs for energy. Rather, they contain caffeine, a stimulant, in very high amounts.

Ginseng, guarana and taurine (an amino acid) and other herbs are also added to such drinks to enhance the stimulating effects of the caffeine. Increased heart rate and increased blood pressure can result, leading to heart attacks, cardiac arrest and even death when consumed in excess.

Look at it this way: The typical energy drink contains 70-200 mg of caffeine per 16 oz. A 16 oz cup of coffee contains 80-300 mg. Although they appear to be comparable, those who consume energy drinks often do so in excess to try to gain a competitive edge. And not only that, they carry an addictive component due to the caffeine. Which is why energy drinks have been banned in several European countries.

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The traditional sports drinks that have been around for a long time, such as Gatorade and Powerade, are much safer. However, in extreme excess, they can also be dangerous because they can throw off the body’s electrolyte balance. In moderate amounts, sports drinks are used to help hydrate and restore electrolytes lost though excessive sweating. So unless someone is a professional dancer, practicing all day, they are often not necessary.

What should the typical Irish dancer simply choose to rehydrate with? Water. My advice is to avoid the energy drinks completely. Use sports drinks only when dancing intensely for a few hours. And always drink plenty of water.

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Health advice for all Irish dancers

Hi everyone! My name is Kathy Madigan. I am involved in Irish dance in two ways.

First, I am a novice-level dancer with Pennsylvania’s Irish Stars Parker School of Irish Dance. I started Irish dancing four years ago at the age of 50. It was actually a birthday present I gave myself. I wanted to find a fun way to get out of having to go to the gym every day. Thinking this would be a good way to exercise one or two nights a week, I was intrigued. And, yes, I was proven right.
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As an Irish Star dancer, I perform frequently and love it. I am also an Irish dance instructor for a group of developmentally challenged women, whom I have been instructing for the past eight months and find it very rewarding.

Not only do I love dancing, I have been able to use my other talents to help those in the Irish dancing community. As a registered dietitian, I write the nutrition articles for Feis America magazine and will now be sharing advice on this very new “Healthy Irish Dancing” blog on IrishCentral.com.

With proper nutrition, dancers of all ages can perform their best. It's my goal to help make that happen. So start following and be on the lookout for more tips coming your way!

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