Irish Dance

Welcome! This is the original Irish dance blog on Tumblr.

[lourryhome]

GAVIN HOLY GOD

[irishdancephotos]

[irishdancephotos]

[irishdance]

I am going to be doing y first prelim feis soon, how do I show the judges I'm ready for prelim? What do they look for in a dancer?

This is a great question! Short answer: you already showed the judges you’re ready for prelims; that’s why you’re in it! Have confidence in your ability to shine on stage! :) Longer answer: In prelims they’re looking for more technique than in prizewinner, good timing and knowing what you’re doing on stage are both musts! You want to know your dances well, so that there is in question in any of your movements or rhythms. Also, something simple like having confidence both as you walk on and off the stage can also go a long way as you start your journey in championships! Best of luck!!

[irishdance]

I found this dress I'm in love with and it is $2,180. My dad will help me buy it but I have to help pay for it. I can sell my old solo dress, my old iPhone 4 and save up money from the holidays. Can you help me with other ways I can raise money for it?

I realize I am answering so late that you’ve likely already gotten a new dress! Solo dresses are so expensive, And I’ve totally been there trying to think of ways to pay for one!So, in case anyone else needs advice on new dress funds here are some ideas: *A classic bake sale! Everyone loves a good bake sale. 

*You mentioned holiday money, and I would also add birthday money into the mix!

*Bottle Drop, or returning cans/bottles for the deposit back! This one you may want to ask friends/family for any bottles and cans they may have to really make it worth your while! It can take a lot of bottles/cans but it can start adding up! 

*Selling old dance shoes that are still in good working order! 

*Making something small to sell as a fundraiser such as bracelets, or keychains. 

Hope these ideas are helpful to someone out there! :)

[irishdance]

How do you really stand out in prelim? Also, what exercises and stretches do you suggest doing to get your clicks higher? Thanks! :)

Late answer here! In prelim the goal is to dance like you belong in opens. And to do that you need to have good technique overall, and in my opinion be a well-rounded dancer. So I would say just keep focusing on the basic technique. and then when you get out on the stage really show what you’ve worked on; and that will come through! For getting clicks higher, you not only need hamstring flexibility but also strength in the hamstrings and quads. Splits or half-splits in either direction are a good static stretch for the hamstrings, leg swings (8x each leg), are a good dynamic stretch. And a classic flamingo stretch for the quads. These are some good base stretches to have in your routine! For strength, body-weight or (weighted at the gym) hamstring curls, as well as squats will improve overall leg strength (and bonus core strength on squats!) Hope this helps! 

[pointyourdamntoes]

These Rising Star skirts are giving me serious vintage solo dress vibes 💥

[irishdancephotos]

[irishdancephotos]

[irishdance]

I did Irish dance competitively from the age of 5-8. I still remember all my dances, hard shoe and pump shoe.. I quit at eight and started ballet and jazz. I have done ballet and jazz every year since then and am now 15. BUT I really want to start Irish dance again ! Jazz and ballet just aren't cutting it for me. is it too late to start Irish dance again??? Not competitively.

Definitely not too late at all!! Ballet in particular can really strengthen one’s Irish dancing abilities! It’s great for turn out, pointing the feet, strength, flexibility, musicality and more. I truly hope you ended up going back to Irish to try it out, or if you haven’t that you do! :) 

[irishdance]

Hi :) so I danced from when I was 7 to when I was 11, but then I stopped for a while because my parents couldn't afford it. Things have gotten better now, I'm 15 and I started classes again about 2 months ago. I'm hoping to start competing but I'm worried that I'm too old to be starting over? I don't know.. I was in novice for all if my dances when I was younger but I'm not sure if I would have to start over completely

Definitely ask your teacher about whether they want you to pick up where you left off (at Novice), or to start over! If you do have to start over, you should feel confident that you will likely move back into Novice fairly quickly given your age and past dancing experience! I don’t think you’re too old to be competing again or dancing again, dance is open to everyone, and it’s great for everyone too! I hope my response doesn’t reach you too late and that you’ve been enjoying dance this whole time! :) 

[irishdance]

Do you think I'm too old to be competing in open-prizewinner? I'm 15

Not at all! I truly believe anyone at any age and any level can be dancing and competing! Dance is for everyone. :) 

[morgannalyseedance26-deactivate]

No one can be perfect, but if we strive for perfection we may reach excellence…✨ #2weeks #state #fortheloveofdance #dance #progressnotperfection #lovetodance #irishdance #kh23photography #halloranpride

[irishdance]

Today, my dance instructor told me that I need to work on getting more 'hang time' on my overs. Do you have any advice for that? Thanks!!

Ah yes! The ever present question for lots of Irish dancers! How to get more time in the air on overs or freeze jumps! Personally I find that for height a lot of that comes from strengthening the quads, calves, and hamstrings (so kind of all the major leg muscles). The stronger you are the more push you’ll get, and the more elevation. But height won’t necessarily translate into a better “freeze” or “hang” in the air. The comes from the sharpness of tucking the back leg up quickly, and then holding it and your front leg up in the air until the last possible moment. To practice this I recommend practicing birdies to help get the back leg up quickly and get that muscle memory! :)(Birdies are the overs, without the over. Back leg just goes up and down and stays the back leg.) 

[feisphotos]

Days 1 and 2 photos are up online already at our feis.photos website! Enjoy! #irishdance #feisphotos #clrgworlds2017 (at Citywest Convention Centre)

[irishdance]

When did you go into opens? Just asking because I'm u15 prelim, and my age group seems to be getting so much smaller! :) thanks

Age groups and levels are interesting like that! Depending on region and year they can definitely get smaller as you get older. I got into Opens (I think) when I was around 16 or 17...although I cannot quite remember haha. For most schools/teachers as long as you have 5 in your competition your win would count! So check with your teacher, and keep up the great work. :) 

[irishdance]

I've just started dancing again after 6 years and I couldn't be more excited! Before I restarted I had been working out pretty frequently. I did 3 long distance runs a week and about 4 strength sessions. Now I'm trying to fit dancing into that schedule, and I'm just wondering - How much is too much on my joints?

I think this is a GREAT question! And something all dancers should be thinking about and be aware of. It is definitely going to be different for each person, so my biggest advice is to listen to your body. If something is persistently hurting then your body is speaking to you and asking for some rest and recovery! Running can be wonderful for cross-training and getting stamina up for dance, but much like Irish dance it is particularly rough on the joints. I think it can really help to be doing things like, foot baths, using a massage gun, joint creams, ect. in between heavy practices and runs to keep your body feeling good and running smoothly (pun intended!). So listen to your body, take care of it when it needs it, and rest it when it asks! :)