A Gathering Place for Adults Who Love Irish Dance

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Book Review and Interview: Heidi Will, author of The Ghillie Girls



Heidi Will is the author and illustrator of The Ghillie Girls: Irish Dance Pals, published in 2008 by Cinealta Press. Will based her book on the experiences she and her friends had in Irish dance. Visit Heidi Will online at www.ghilliegirls.com.



The Ghille Girls introduces four very different girls who have one thing in common: a love for Irish dance. Heidi Will uses these girls to illustrate the terms, and language that is unique to Irish dance. Vocabulary blurbs define the words that are sometimes foreign to the beginning Irish dancer.

Bold and colorful, the illustrations show striking colors reminiscent of the flamboyant solo dresses often worn in competition. The cut-out style of the pictures make me think of paper dolls.

I love the information page in the back that includes vocabulary, basic Irish dance history and directions of where to find an Irish dance school.

We are thrilled to be able to have Heidi Will with us on the blog today. 


Feis America:  What prompted you to write about Irish dance?

Heidi Will:  I initially wrote The Ghillie Girls as a Christmas present for three of my Irish dance friends. Kim (“Addy”) had moved away from Phoenix to New Hampshire, Beki (“Libby”) and I had stopped dancing competitively, and Jacqui (“Keelin”) was the only one left at our old dance school. It seemed that we were drifting apart, and I wanted to do something to bring us together and celebrate the friendship we had developed through Irish dance. It started as The Wig Sisters, which is what we called ourselves. That first version was quite a bit different than the final published version of The Ghillie Girls (I changed the name to make it more specific to Irish dance). I printed copies for everyone and they loved it, and suggested I publish it. I decided to tweak the book to be an introduction to Irish dance in the hopes of exposing more people to this wholesome and enriching art form. I happened to stumble across the Irish dance world in my college years, and still view it as a well-kept secret that needs to be shared!

Feis America:  Your illustrations are unique, how did you design them?

Heidi Will:  Thanks! I considered many different illustration styles and finally chose a simple, modern look. I love color (as one can tell instantly upon entering my home) and so I had fun making the book very bright and colorful. The illustrations translate well into coloring pages, which I use a lot with my own Irish dance students at the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center.

Feis America:  What were the challenges you had in bringing your book to life?

Heidi Will:  I wanted to make the book accessible to non-dancers so I got feedback from several people who knew nothing about Irish dance to be sure that I explained things that dancers take for granted—especially the pronunciation of Irish words. Since every Irish dance school does things a little differently and calls things by different names, I consulted people from different schools and regions to make the book as accurate as possible. It was hard to decide if I should seek a traditional publisher for my book, or attempt to self-publish. I finally chose the self-publishing route, because it allowed me to have complete control over the final product. As a graphic designer, I enjoyed every aspect of the process—writing, illustration, and layout design.

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Feis America:  Do you have future plans for the Ghillie Girls?

Heidi Will:  I have more books in mind, if I can make the time to write them. I would love to write about the adventures we had while competing in Irish dance. We had so much fun traveling together; going to Oireachtas, taking road trips, visiting friends across the country while “feising.” I would also like to explore the struggles we had, competing against each other. Sometimes it really strained our friendship, but in the end, I value our friendship and the memories we made so much more than any medal I won. That is what I want to communicate to young Irish dancers: to appreciate what is really important, and not to get hung up on winning.

Feis America:  Can you share anything with us from what you are currently working on?

Heidi Will:  The book that has taken the most shape in my mind tells the story of how the Ghillie Girls meet and become the Ghillie Girls. It is longer, with more words and fewer illustrations. I’m also working on a coloring and activity book.

Feis America:  Thank you for sharing the inside scoop with us. We look forward to reading more about the Ghillie Girls.

To find out more information, purchase The Ghillie Girls, and print off free coloring pages, visit www.ghilliegirls.com.

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Readers: Are you an adult Irish dancer, competitive or not, with a story to share? Would you like to inspire others to feel your passion for Irish dancing and culture? Do you have a question about Irish dancing? Please comment in the box below for replies and contact information!


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Renowned Irish dance camp welcomes young adult Irish dancers

Camp Rince Ceol Irish dance camp
Photo: Courtesy Sheila Ryan-Davoren


For thirteen years, Camp Rince Ceol has been known as the camp “where Irish dancers spend their summers.” Now, young adults, ages 19-24, have a chance to experience the highly acclaimed Irish dance camp.

Camp Rince Ceol is a summer camp for Irish dancers who want to increase their knowledge of all things Irish dance. Sheila Ryan-Davoren, TCRG began the camp with her husband, Tony Davoren, after they both toured with Riverdance in the Lee Company. Together, they formed a camp that combines an intense study of the sport of Irish dancing with a fun summer camp experience. Sheila says, “I wanted to incorporate summer-time feeling with classroom instruction.”
Campers take a break from classes
at Camp Rince Ceol
Photo: Courtesy Sheila Ryan-Davoren
After receiving many requests to allow older dancers to attend camp, Sheila and Tony decided to invite dancers ages 19-24 to attend Camp Rince Ceol. During the third session of camp in New York, young adults will come together to increase their learning of Irish dance and culture.

Young adult dancers receive all of the benefits of their younger counterparts: a full curriculum of core classes, bonus classes, amazing meals, clean rooms (no tents here), night-time activities, and an opportunity to showcase what they have learned. In addition to the regular privileges, young adults get a few extra perks.  They are allowed the use of cell phones, have access to a Wi-Fi network during camp, and are treated to an off-campus dinner with instructors.

Sheila wants Irish dancers to have a great experience socializing, having fun and sharing the love of Irish dance. Sheila says, “Camp is fun, but we are there for a reason—the kids work hard. “
Camp Rince Ceol campers "hand dancing"
Photo: Courtesy Sheila Ryan-Davoren
What you should know about Camp Rince Ceol:

All of the Irish dance instructors at Camp Rince Ceol are former touring group members from such shows as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. A list of instructors can be found on the Camp Rince Ceol website.

Camp Rince Ceol is open to campers ages 8-24.

In addition to core Irish dancing classes, other classes include language, sports (hurling, rugby), show steps, behind the scenes, ballet, yoga, foot care, rhythm and timing, footwork, stage presence, and Irish dance and music history.

Camp Rince Ceol has been approved by An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha as an "Open Workshop" for 2012 and therefore is exempt from any association/affiliation rules.

There are two locations:  Dunn School, Los Olivos, California and Union College in Schenectady, New York.

Young adults are invited to attend Camp Rince Ceol in New York during the week of July 29th-August 3rd.

Camp Rince Ceol


Irish Dance Diet - A Change of Scenery

The view from my cabin last week
photo by Christy Dorrity 

It's been a few weeks since I've posted and I think it's been good for me to think about other things besides my weight.  I find that sometimes, when I am obsessing about it, I start to sabatoge myself. 

Last week I went on a writing retreat for an entire week, by myself, in a little cabin on my parent's trout ranch and resort. My loving husband worked from home to be with the kids and let me do this wonderful thing.  I ended up writing over 25,000 words in my YA novel (about Irish dance, of course). 

You would think that sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day would kill my diet, but I actually lost 2 pounds during that week! Here's why:

1-I was distracted.
When I involve myself in things I enjoy, I don't even think about eating. 

2-Because I was excited about something, I didn't use food to fill the void of boredom or entertainment. 
I was on a sort of high from doing so much creative writing that I didn't even want to eat, let alone overeat. 

3-I wasn't in the kitchen as much. 
While I was gone I packed healthy foods to have on hand, sat down to meals at my mom's table (thanks mom), and allowed myself a small treat -the key being small. I'm trying to figure out ways to apply this to my every-day life. 

4-I made a decision not to eat while I was writing. 
Mindlessly munching on chocolate covered cinnamon bears while I'm reading or writing, or watching TV is the equivalent of smearing them onto my hips!  I don't even realize I'm eating and it's not a good idea. 

5-I was surrounded by inspiring scenery.
I felt relaxed and wanted to "drink in" all of the beauty around me. It gave me a positive boost and helped me keep perspective. 

What ways do a change of scenery help you in your goals, weight loss, or otherwise?



Weight lost= It's been a few weeks and I've lost about 3 pounds
Total weight loss= 6.5



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Darrah Carr Irish dance group nominated for a Bessie Award - VIDEO

Darrah Carr Dance 
Photo: Lois Greenfield


Irish dance performance group Darrah Carr Dance, and guest choreographer Seán Curran have been nominated for a 2012 New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie Award) for "Outstanding Production of a Work that Pushes the Boundaries of a Traditional or Culturally Specific Form”.

Artistic director Darrah Carr, is thrilled and honored to receive the nomination. Grateful to the Bessie Selection Committee and to Seán Curran, Carr says, “This nomination would not have been possible without the boundless energy of my company members, and the steadfast support of our presenting partners at the Irish Arts Center and at Gotham Arts Exchange.”
 Artistic Director, Darrah Carr  
Photo: Lois Greenfield

Darrah Carr trained in both competitive Irish dance and classical ballet from ages six to sixteen. When she began her training in modern dance, she learned to relax her arms and torso and work with gravity. “I realized that in modern dance, bucking tradition was the traditional way of doing things,” Carr says. “I began to explore how I could reconcile two very differnt types of training to create a distinctive choreographic voice.”

So began “ModERIN”, a play on words that combines contemporary modern dance with “Erin”, an Anglicized word for Ireland. The result is what Darr describes as “a process of fusion, and a tightly woven marriage of modern dance freedom, and Irish dance structure.”

The Darrah Carr Dance group began in New York in 1998. The group performs extensivly, not only in New York, but in such venues as Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and The Yard at Martha’s Vineyard, to name a few. Recently the group performed on NBC’s “The Today Show”, with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and featured “Dingle Dewali” at Symphony Space, for which they have been nominated for the Bessie Award.

“I source from two genres,” Carr says, “traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance. Dance in Ireland traditionally happened at a crossroads, a reminder to respect the road that led me to a place of intersecting genres, while simultaneously remaining curious about the path that lies ahead.”

Darrah Carr Dance in "Dingle Diwali" 
Photo: Matthew Murphy
Not only does the Darrah Carr group inspire from the stage, they also seek to spread their dance expertise through a junior troupe, DCWee, and an outreach program that travels the country. Carr says, “I am proud to spread awareness and appreciation for Irish music and dance through our educational and outreach programs." Carr loves doing school assembly performances. Often the children ask imaginative questions such as if leprechauns are real, and whether or not the group has seen one.

Many of the performers and students involved with Darrah Carr Dance, and the outreach program are adult Irish dancers. Carr enjoys teaching adults in a relaxed and low-key atmosphere. “I also find that adult dancers really want to be at class, which makes them really engaged, and eager students.”

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Darrah Carr Dance company member Timothy Kochka in "Dingle Diwali" 
Photo: Matthew Murphy
Artistic director Darrah Carr is excited about the paths that Irish dance is headed down. Many dancers who retire from touring with the major shows, such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, are still interested in performance opportunitites. “I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of these dancers,” Carr says. “They have exquisite technique and incredibly open minds.”

The Darrah Carr Dance group will be dancing their annual New York season at the Irish Arts Center November 16-18th. For more information go to www.irishartscenter.org.

You can find out more about Darrah Carr Dance, the DCWee junior troupe, and outreach programs at www.darrahcarrdance.com.

Darrah Carr Dance -VIDEO




Readers: Are you an adult Irish dancer, competitive or not, with a story to share? Would you like to inspire others to feel your passion for Irish dancing and culture? Do you have a question about Irish dancing? Please comment in the box below for replies and contact information!


Thursday, August 2, 2012

Irish dance competitions for adult Irish dancers in August


Adult Irish dancers from Beaton School of Irish Dance in Maryland, USA
Photo: Courtesy Rachel Joy
Many feiseanna (Irish dance competitions) offer competitions for adult Irish dancers. Here's a quick glance at feiseanna that welcome adult Irish dancers in August.

Plan on supporting a feis in your area that includes adult Irish dancers, and keep an eye out for those feiseanna who are offering slow speed dances for adults. 


Key: FF-first feis B-beginner, N-novice, PW-prize winner, O-open championship



Two Rivers Feile 2012
Des Moines, IA - Aug 3, 2012 to Aug 4, 2012
Iowa Irish, Inc.


B1/B2, N/PW
4 soft shoe
2 hard shoe, traditional speed only
traditional set 
8 hand
no specials

Arizona State Championships & Feis 2012
Phoenix, AZ - Aug 4, 2012 to Aug 5, 2012
McTeggart, AZ


B, N/PW
4 soft shoe
2 hard shoe
traditional set 
2,3 hand
parent/child special

Milwaukee Feis 2012
Milwaukee, WI - Aug 11, 2012
Milwaukee Feis Society


B1/B2, N/PW
3 soft shoe
2 hard shoe, traditional speed and slow speed
traditional set 
any figure
parent/child specials

McMenamin Academy Feis 2012
Milwaukee, WI - Aug 12, 2012
McMenamin Academy of Irish Dance

B1/B2, N/PW
4 soft shoe
2 hard shoe, traditional speed only
traditional set 
8 hand
no specials

Southern Tier Feis 2012
Binghamton, NY - Aug 18, 2012
Carle Irish Dance Co.


B1/B2, N/PW
3 soft shoe
1 hard shoe
no traditional set 
no figures
parent/child special

Great Lakes Feis 2012
Lansing, MI - Aug 19, 2012
Ardan Academy


FF/B1, B2, N, PW
3 soft shoe
2 hard shoe, traditional speed or slow speed
traditional set 
2,3,4,8 hand
no specials

Cowboy State Feis 2012
Casper, WY - Aug 25, 2012
Irish Dance Association of Central WY


B, N/PW
4 soft shoe
2 hard shoe
traditional set 
2,3 hand
parent/child special

St. Louis Gateway Feis 2012
St. Louis, MO - Aug 25, 2012
St. Louis Gateway Feis Society


B1/B2, N/PW
3 soft shoe
2 hard shoe
traditional set 
no figures
no specials

Kansas City Feis 2012
Kansas City, MO - Aug 31, 2012 to Sep 1, 2012
O'Riada-McCarty-Manning Academy


B1/B2, N/PW
4 soft shoe
2 hard shoe
traditional set 
8 hand
no specials

If you have a photo of your adult class practicing or performing that you would like to see featured, please email me.