A Community Céilí, “Cake Dance” Showcase, and Tea & Biscuits Potluck to celebrate Lúnasa, marking the start of the Celtic season of Autumn
Throughout the Celtic year, we've been celebrating each season with a community dance! The final Céilí of the Celtic year is extra special - we’ll be celebrating Bilberry “Saturday” (our take on the Irish tradition of Bilberry Sunday) on August 2 with music, group dancing, a “Cake Dance” variety show, and a community potluck.
Our August 2nd Bilberry “Saturday” Céilí is open to the whole community and is family-friendly. It is part of a series of fundraising events to help us with our upcoming studio move.
Participants with DanceStudio Pro accounts can have their accounts charged for the event. Folks can also pay $10 at the door! No payments on Eventbrite - simply reserve your spot.
What to wear: Wear comfortable clothes. If you plan to dance, we recommend shoes with smooth or leather soles. Rubber-soled shoes with treads tend to stick on our floor, and aren’t terribly fun for dancing!
What to expect:
To learn some fun dances! Whether you are familiar with set dancing or are just dipping your toe into the world of Irish dance culture, this event is for you!
A “Cake Dance” display of a variety of talents, from Irish music and dance to song and storytelling. Anyone can participate! Read more below!
Irish music. Bring an instrument if you play!
Irish set and céilí dances - Read more below!
A potluck of finger foods, cookies, and non-alcoholic drinks. Please bring something to share!
Questions? Contact allison@kyirishdancers.org. (859) 444-4JIG (4544)
About the event
What's Bilberry Sunday?
“Bilberry Sunday” is traditionally celebrated in Ireland on the last Sunday of July or first Sunday of August to mark the beginning of harvest season with the gathering of bilberries. We are calling our celebration “Bilberry Saturday,” because we are gathering on Saturday, August 2.
What’s a Cake Dance?
The Cake Dance celebrates a widely documented tradition in the northwest of Ireland of “Cake Dances.” Historically at a Cake Dance, dancers would step out and perform in any number of styles of Irish dancing. The winner would be chosen by the onlookers by their applause and would "take the cake!"
Who can participate in the Cake Dance Variety Showcase on August 2?
Anyone who has an Irish talent to share, ranging from Irish music and dancing to song and storytelling! We will cheer on everyone’s performances, and the winner who “takes the cake” will be chosen by a name drawn out of a hat.
What is set dancing?
Set dancing is experiencing a modern-day revival in Ireland, and gaining in popularity in North America. Irish sets are square dances for four or eight dancers and historically grew out of the performance of French quadrilles. Over time, they evolved to become uniquely Irish, danced to fast Irish reels, jigs, polkas, slides, and hornpipes, and characterized by battering footwork.
What is Céilí dancing?
Céilí dances were codified in the late 19th and early 20th century by Irish cultural nationalists, and became part of the canon of “Irish dancing.” They are group dances for 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 persons, and have historical and stylistic connections to Kerry figure dancing as well as French quadrilles (despite what early 20th century cultural nationalists might have believed!). They are today performed in group dance gatherings, and some are performed in competitive Irish dancing environments.
Who can participate in the set & céilí dancing on August 2?
Everyone! Newer dancers will be supported by more experienced dancers, and all dances will be taught and called (cued by a leader). You don't need a partner, but you can certainly bring a friend to dance with you! Open to all ages, but parents of young children must mind their kids.