These workshops will be on Zoom and are open and FREE to current members of the Midwest and both Canada regions. We are proud to present such world class talent for these workshops and also excited to provide dancers with a new and different online workshop experience. You’ll be able to learn new footwork and show it off once we’re all back to dancing together.
Padriag McEneany — Battering Steps for Set Dancers — June 6, 13 and 20
This class was so popular, we will reprise it for June, thanks to the enthusiasm of participants and the generosity of the Meitheal grant committee, who approved additional funds. Here’s a video clip of some fancy footwork by Padraig: https://youtu.be/GVMtvWDM0c4
Pádraig McEneany is one of the most popular and sought after Set Dance Masters on the Irish dance scene. Pádraig hails from South Armagh, his wife Róisín from Dublin, but together they make their home in Termonfechin, Co Louth and have been dancing together since they met 24 years ago. This is a unique chance to work on your footwork so that when the music starts post lockdown you will be ready to show off your best moves. Pádraig will focus the camera on his feet so that you can learn the finer points of set dancing footwork.
To register, send your name and branch name to [email protected]. Closer to the event you will receive Zoom sign-on instructions.
Not a member? Contact us for more info on how to be part of this groundbreaking virtual series.
Note: For the Battering Steps workshop only we will allow non-members/out-of-region participants to sign up on PayPal ([email protected]) to participate at a cost of $25USD for the set or $10 per class. Classes take place at 11:30 a.m. Chicago time/12:30 p.m. East Coast time.
Maurice Lennon — Fiddle — June 13
Maurice Lennon is a name recognized by many people in the now vast world that is Irish Music. Maurice began playing traditional music at the age of thirteen. At the age of nineteen, he became the youngest person to win the Senior Fiddle Championship at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. The 1980’s were to prove an exciting time for Maurice, he was a founding member of ‘Stockton’s Wing’, a band that went on to attain almost super-group status. The man with music in his veins, Maurice Lennon’s meticulous scholarship and creative energy are what define all of what he has done and will continue to do and he has never been a musician to shy away from any challenge. He has also been concentrating on his first real love of composing music and writing lyrics. Artists who have recorded Maurice’s music include Lunasa, Four Men and a Dog, Capercaille, Sythian, The Kilfenora Ceili Band, Blazin Fiddles, Noel Hill, Brian Rooney, Karen Tweed, The Pride of New York, Liam O’Brien, Jerry O’Sullivan, Cathy Vard and Liam Lawton, The London Lassies, Ashley McIsachs, Michael Mc Goldrick, John Mc Cusker, John Mc Sherry, Ciara Brennan and Chris Dawson. To register, send your name and branch name to [email protected]. Closer to the event you will receive Zoom sign-on instructions. The workshop takes place June 13 at 11:30 a.m. Chicago time/12:30 p.m. East Coast time. Here is a video clip of his music: https://youtu.be/LvdqTMdaquc
Michael Curran — Accordion — June 20
Michael Curran is a distinguished button accordion player from Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone. He has won numerous accolades at provincial and national level, including the highly coveted All Ireland Senior Button Accordion title in 2014. Michael is frequently sought after for sessions, concerts, workshops and adjudicating throughout Ireland and the UK. He has completed tours of Ireland, Britain and America with Comhaltas, as well as travelling and performing extensively in many places around Europe and the US. With a unique Ulster style of playing, Michael is highly regarded among his peers. He is also a member of the award-winning Blackwater Céilí Band, a talented group of musicians from the South Ulster region who have been a dominant force on the céilí band scene in recent years, and were crowned All Ireland Senior Céilí Band champions in 2018. To register, send your name and branch name to [email protected]. Closer to the event you will receive Zoom sign-on instructions. The workshop takes place June 13 at 11:30 a.m. Chicago time/12:30 p.m. East Coast time. Here’s a clip of Mickey playing: https://youtu.be/wfqVdVLBTC0 The workshop takes place June 20 at 11:30 a.m. Chicago time/12:30 p.m. East Coast time.
