Archives of Irish Dance Events

SCMA Party Céilí -- Thursday, December 7, 2006

"Awesome" is the word most often heard to describe the mid-season party céilí. We danced at the Plaza Arts Center in old downtown Carrollton to Irish music played by 11, count 'em, 11 musicians! The room was decorated prettily for Christmas, making the evening even more festive. We danced some two-hands, the Siege of Carrick, Waves of Tory, some figure from the Sliabh Luachra set, and we ended with the Maggie in the Woods figure with a great big Christmas. Check out the pictures and video!

SCMA Céilí -- November 11, 2006

We danced the entire Sliabh Luachra set as well as a couple of fun little two-hands and the Bridge of Athlone. Click here for the pictures

O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat (and Dancing!) -- October 27-29, 2006

The retreat was great fun in a beautiful setting with gorgeous weather. Check out the retreat website for information on the retreat and our gallery for pictures and video.

Set Dance Worshop - October 19th, 2006

Maldon Meehan & Ronan Regan taught a great workshop on Thursday, October 19th on the Connemara Set (a lively and quite popular set) and steps that go with it.

This was a fantastic opportunity to learn a fun dance from two talented instructors, check out the pictures from the workshop.

SCMA Céilí -- October 7, 2006

Pictures and video are available online now in our picture gallery from the October SCMA ceili There was a small group this time but we enjoyed some more set figures, waltzes and ceili dances.

O'Flaherty Retreat Fundraiser -- September 22, 2006

The fundraiser for the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat at Trinity Hall Pub started at 5:00pm and went well into the night and was great fun with lively dancing and energetic music. Pictures and video are available in the gallery

Ceili social dance at Denton Senior Center -- September 16, 2006

The last céilí/ceilidh social hosted by the Denton Celtic Dancers at the Denton Senior Center on 509 N Bell Ave, Denton, TX 76209 was great fun.  For pictures and video check out the gallery.

SCMA Ceili -- September 2, 2006

There was great dancing at the Move Studio! We made it through several céilí dances, starting with the Morris Reel, as well as the first two figures of the Clare Plain set.  For pictures and video head on over here.

SCMA Celtic Céilí Dance -- May 13, 2006

Come dance a jig at the Move Studio on Saturday night.  This is the last céilí of this series; let's finish with a bang! Your humble callers had a blast in April dancing a full weekend of sets in Chicago, so expect plenty of those (easy ones) plus Fior Céilí favorites. Check out the céilí page for more details.

SCMA Celtic Céilí Dance -- March 11, 2006

We had a great crowd of new and regular dancers at the Move Studio on Saturday night.  We even made it through the second figure of the Claddagh set (which took more time to teach than to dance). Music was played by Allison Hicks and Jason Huntley and was a pleasure to dance to.  Click on the picture to see a few more from the evening and keep April 8th open on your calendar because that's when the next céilí will be!

North Texas Irish Festival -- March 3 - 5, 2006

The 24th annual North Texas Irish Festival is over now but was great fun.  Saturday was full of dancing with two dance workshops and the evening ceili (not to mention the schools performing throughout the day).   For some additional pictures just click on the stage.

Irish American Cultural Institute's Céilí for Dummies -- January 29, 2006

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, dancing in the Tipperary Inn with the patio doors open and a warm breeze. Sharon O'Rourke took beginning dancers though the basics, and we all danced a few figures.

O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat (and Céilí) -- October 29, 2005

(Click the photo to see the rest of the impromptu band.)
If you love Irish music and dance, this was definitely the place to be. The retreat was held at Hoblitzelle Conference Center near Midlothian, a lovely campground with tall trees and a beautiful lake. Musicians of all ages and experience levels learned from each other and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Oh, and we did a little dancing too, in céilí classes and the Saturday night céilí after the concert. Good craic!
(Bookmark the retreat website so you can plan for next year.)

Denton Scottish/Irish Céilí -- September 10, 2005

The céilí was great fun once again and it was a joy to spend the evening dancing and listening to good music played by the The Lone Star Céilí Band.  The céilí was co-sponsored by the Irish Dance Club and the Denton Celtic Dancers.

 

Here's a video of some of the dancing.

Irish Céilí at the Tipperary Inn -- Sunday, July 10, 2005, 2:30 - 5:00pm

There was great fun at the wonderful Tipperary Inn on this Sunday afternoon, Sharon O'Rourke called this céilí, offering instruction for newbies and a chance to dance for not-so-newbies. Cost was $5.

North Texas Irish Festival -- March 4 - 6, 2005

The 23rd festival flourished with mild weather, happy music, and of course lots of dancing. Catherine Sherer taught a céilí workshop Saturday afternoon and called the céilí Saturday night, and by the end of it, all dancers' "dogs" were barkin'. It was great!

Denton Celtic Dancers Céilí -- February 26, 2005

The second combination Scottish and Irish céilí dancing, hosted by the Denton Celtic Dancers and the Irish Dance Club was great fun. We danced from 7:00 to 10-something and wanted more! We danced at the Denton Senior Center on 509 Bell Avenue in Denton. The Lone Star Céilí Band provided the tunes and rhythm that kept everybody on their feet and dancing.

Irish American Society Céilí -- January 16, 2005

The IAS held a céilí Sunday the 16th at the Tipperary Inn from 2:30 - 6:00pm. The cost was $5, benefiting the Irish American Society. Sharon O'Rourke taught basic steps and called the dances. Thanks Sharon!

O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat Concert and Céilí -- Saturday, October 30, 2004

For lovers of Irish music and dance this was great craic. The O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat instructors took turns playing, a little rain notwithstanding, and master fiddler Seamus Connolly capped the show with his amazing playing and delightful wit. Spectators reclined on the lawn to soak in the tunes and just a few raindrops.

Here is a photo of Mr. Connolly playing his final tune. Click it to view a video of same, but be warned -- the file is over 7Mb. The visual is grainy because it was pretty dark, but you can hear his lively playing just fine.

After the concert, some folks went off to play in more sessions while those of us who can't resist dance enjoyed the cozy lodge and fine music from by the Trinity Hall Session Players while we danced the Seige of Ennis, the Bonfire Dance and more. We might have danced all night but for a noisy thunderstorm and threats of hail at 11:00. It was loads of fun, and everybody is looking forward to next year's retreat.

 

Celtic Céilí -- Saturday, September 11, 2004, 7:00 - 10:00pm

It was a lively céilí in a spacious hall with terrific music from the Lone Star Céilí Band! This was a joint effort between the Denton Celtic Dancers and the Irish Dance Club, and there was definitely great "craic." (That's Irish for fun!) Check out the photos and video.

Cairde Rince Céilí na hEireann -- 6th-8th August 2004

A dancing opportunity in Galway, Ireland. Details right here.

Colin Dunne Dance Workshop -- August 5-7, 2004

The workshops were fantastic. This event ran from Thursday, August 5 to Saturday, August 7. Click here for details and a few photos.

Céilí -- Friday June 11, 2004

Catherine Sherer will be in town calling a céilí at the Unity of Richardson church from 7pm to 10pm.  While recorded music is currently planned, any musicians who want to come and play are quite welcome.  If you haven't been to one of Catherine's céilithe you should come out and let your feet experience it. The last time she was in town, she kept the floor going for six hours.  We only get three this round but I'm certain it'll be a fun time.

It will be $10/person at the door and the address is:

2701 Custer Parkway
Suite 702 (Custer@Lookout)
Richardson, TX 75080
972-437-361
http://www.unityofrichardson.com

The contact at the church for this céilí is Sandy Hanne and she can be reached at 469-438-8634

Texas Celtic Festival -- April 16 - 18, 2004

Odessa College Campus
201 West University
Odessa Texas 79764
Hours of Operation

Friday April 16th, 2004 - 5:00 - 10:30 PM
Saturday April 17th, 2004 - 9:00 AM - Midnight
Sunday April 18th, 2004 - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

http://www.texascelticfestival.org

Celtic Heritage Festival -- April 17 - 18, 2004

Downtown Kilgore, Texas
Saturday April 17,  9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday April 18,  12:30 pm - 6:00 pm

http://www.kilgorechamber.com/events/celtic/celtic.html

North Texas Irish Festival -- March 5 - 7, 2004

Jesse called the Saturday night ceili...

Carrollton Céilí -- February 21, 2004  12:00pm - 6:00pm

What a céilí it was!

On Saturday Feb 21st from noon to 6:00pm in the party room at the Prairie House Restaurant there was a wonderful céilí called by Catherine Sherer with music played by members of Beyond the Pale and several other fine area musicians.

Can you imagine six hours of nearly non-stop dancing?  Maybe this page will help.

It was a wonderful event and we can't wait for the next big céilí.

January 22, 2004 8pm -- ?

Emily Bryant, fiddler Michelle Feldman, fiddler Mimi Rogers, flute/whistle player Janice Deane, and Craig Scotland on bodhran have recently joined to form the group GALLUS.

Their first gig was January 22nd at McHenry's in Fort Worth from 8 until the cows come home.  They played almost all dance tunes and were happy to have dancers out doing steps and figures.

MacHenry's gets top marks for dancer friendliness.  They graciously moved aside tables and were quite enthusiastic and welcoming of the dancing.  Hooray for MacHenry's!

MacHenry's
7618 Camp Bowie West
Fort Worth, Texas
817-377-0202
http://www.machenrysupstairs.com

January 3, 2004

It was the first session at the "Harrison Studio" with Carl, LaTrisha, Eva, Michael and Susan.  We did an hour of Step and Sean Nos dancing followed by an hour of Céilí dances.

December 31, 2003

The Celtic Store, our former dancing home, closed at the end of 2003.  It was a lovely store and a happy gathering place for a variety of Celtic groups, and it is certainly missed. We wish the best of luck to Rick Sainz in his adventures touring the country.

The Irish Dance Club continues to meet at "the Harrison Studio" in far north Plano until another home can be found.  If you have suggestions for another dancing location, perhaps in the Carrollton area, please drop us an e-mail.

December 13, 2003

The Celtic Store had their annual Christmas Céilí.  There were several hours of dancing, singing, story telling and conversation.

The following images link directly to mpeg movies.

Some (sorry, the names escape me) Scottish dances.

Susan and LaTrisha kick up their heels with some Sean Nos dancing.

The Sword Dance!

March 15, 2003  11:00am - 1:00pm

This Saturday was another good one.  Unfortunately we were missing Carl and Latricia but a few new people showed up and we had enough for some six-hands.

January 18, 2003  11:00am - 1:00pm

The Saturday time worked out well.  We had eight and danced the 8-Hand Reel! We also found time to play "catch the red dot" with the cats.

January 12, 2003  2:00 - 4:00pm

Sunday was not the best day for everyone, so we're moving to Saturdays.  We did enjoy watching the snow outside while we danced, and Teagle had a grand time chasing the laser dot on the floor.

   

January 2, 2003  7:00 - 9:00 pm

Dancing as usual, last time on Thursday night.

Céilí at the Celtic Store - December 8, 2002

The owners of the Celtic Store hosted their traditional holiday céilí in the afternoon of December 8.  There was Scottish and Irish dancing, gaelic singing, and yummy treats.

September - December 2002

Irish dancing at The Celtic Store

when:	every Thursday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
what:	basics 7:00 - 8:00pm
where:	The Celtic Store
music:	recorded but very danceable
cost:	$5 per person per class or $15 per person per month $7 per couple per class or $20 per couple per month

August 2002

Irish dancing at The Celtic Store

when:	every Tuesday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
what:	steps 7:00 - 8:00pm, céilí or set 8:00 - 9:00pm
where:	The Celtic Store
music:	recorded but very danceable
cost:	$5 per person per class or $15 per person per month $7 per couple per class or $20 per couple per month

Spontaneous dancing opportunity

These musicians love playing for dancers and want to encourage everyone to come out.

when:	Friday, August 23rd 9:30 pm - 1:00am
what:	Dance because you feel like it!
where:	The Tipperary Inn Restaurant and Pub 5815 Live Oak, Dallas TX 75214 214-823-7167
music:	Cluan A band from Austin. Plays traditional Irish music and song
cost:	Admission is free!

Benefit Céilí and Dancing

when:	Saturday, August 24th, 2-11pm
what:	SCMA sponsored Céilí & Concert Farewell Benefit
where:	Tipperary Inn Restaurant and Pub
music:	Live!
cost:	by donation ($5 minimum suggested)
	more information...

Rick & Lori's trip to Ireland

Stopping to visit Catherine and Chuck.

North Texas Irish Festival 2002

The Saturday night céilí   with motion...   Go, Jesse, go!