Harriet Island - August 10-12
Free Admission!
Dance
Since the introduction of Riverdance about a decade ago, interest in Irish dance has exploded. At least 10 Irish dance schools now teach nearly 1000 kids and adults jigs, reels, hornpipes and much more. At least five adults groups are regularly performing throughout the state.
At the Irish Fair, we like to showcase all these schools, groups and dancers. From wee ones learning their first steps to accomplished dancers who compete internationally to intricate set dances, you can see performances throughout the festival on the Dance stage. Kick up your own heels a little later in the evening when, reminiscent of Irish crossroad dances, a ceili or set dance begins.
Social Dance
The Dubliner Pub Dance Floor at the Crossroads Tent will be open for craic (fun, good times) again for its third year. Free classes will be taught in both set and ceili dancing, the two most popular forms of Irish social dancing, culminating with a dance each evening and one on Saturday afternoon. Classes are designed to accommodate everyone, from experienced dancers to those who are trying it for the first time, and will run throughout the day, each day of the Fair. Check out the social dance schedule in the Crossroads Tent for opportunities to join a group lesson, or to attend an afternoon or evening ceili or set dance. New this year are our Children’s Dance Floor (to let those too small to follow a whole dance join in the fun) and an information table that will direct you to the whole world of Irish social dance opportunities in the Twin Cities and beyond!
Our Irish guest teacher this year is Gerard Butler, of Co Roscommon, Ireland. Ger began set dancing at the age of fifteen and teaching shortly thereafter. He was a member of the Elphin Set Dancers, winners of nine all-Ireland titles, and has toured Asia and Europe as a Sean Nos dancer and percussionist with Dublin's Rhythm of the Dance. Over the past 19 years, he has conducted dance workshops in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Budapest, Russia, and Australia. In Ireland, he is a featured teacher each year at many of their well-established workshops. In addition, he is the co-organizer or the Sean Og Set Dance Weekend, one of Ireland's most popular and innovative dance weekends. In 2006, Ger was a big hit as our first guest teacher at the Dubliner Dance Floor in the Crossroads Tent. A brilliant dancer and engaging teacher, Ger brings great enthusiasm to all his classes and workshops. Don't miss it!
(Want to see Ger doing some AWESOME Sean Nos and set dancing? Visit YouTube and search for "Set Dancing by Gerard Butler" and "Gerard Butler Irish Dancing Demo - The Harp, Tempe".)