Book Review - Liffey Rivers #1 by Brenna Briggs

How fun is a mystery set at an Irish dance competition?

Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the Sparkling Solo Dress Crown by Brenna Briggs, is the first book in a series about Liffey, a spunky, quirky girl who dreams of qualifying for an Irish dance solo dress, and eats spaghetti and meatballs the night before every competition. Because of her overbearing personality, no one can anticipate what she will do next.

The author pulled me into two new worlds that, as a reader, I may never otherwise explore. The first is the world of Irish dance. Second, Briggs brought me into the city of St. Louis, Missouri, giving me a feel for a place I've  never been.

Liffey lets her imagination run a bit wild, which makes her the perfect sleuth. She notices clues that other people might not even wonder about.

I can see where Liffey’s looniness might be hereditary. I laughed when I heard that her aunt gave a cheer during Liffey’s competition:“Kick ‘em high, kick ‘em low, go, go, go.” Even though I enjoyed Liffey’s eccentricities, her daydreams and a few stray points of view switches gave me whiplash.

I felt pity for Liffey that she was always left alone at competitions, and had no mother to care for her. But pity wasn’t enough to make me relate to her. I could see why the other girls in her Irish dance school avoided her. I would too. Her quirkiness kept things interesting, but at times went past the point where I enjoyed reading about her idiosyncrises.

Liffey internalizes about her fears and dreams in a way that most girls her age can relate to. She wants a solo dress more than anything. She draws her own designs for a dress, notices other girls’ dresses and daydreams about it every few minutes.


The verdict:

Think Nancy Drew meets the Irish dance world. Anyone who loves Irish dance will enjoy reading about Liffey’s adventures.

You can learn more about the adventures of Liffey Rivers at www.liffeyrivers.com.
Purchase Liffey Rivers and the Mystery of the Sparkling Solo Dress Crown on Amazon.

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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 visit www.christydorrity.com. 

Focus on Duncan Irish dance studio in Johannesburg, South Africa - PHOTOS

Irish dance TCRG, Susan Theron, and the Duncan Studio of Celtic Dance
Photo:  courtesy Susan Theron

When you think of Irish dancing, you may not associate the percussive dance sport with South Africa, but if you venture to Johannesburg, you will find a thriving Irish dance community at the Duncan Studio of Celtic Dance.

Irish dancers from Johannesburg, South Africa
Photo: courtesy Susan Theron

In 1997, Susan Theron, TCRG (certified Irish dance teacher), introduced Irish dancing at her Highland dance school. Soon after, Theron established the Irish DancingAssociation of South Africa. For almost a decade, the school worked closely with Dr. John Cullinane from Cork, Ireland to bring teachers to South Africa. In 2007, the first pioneering teachers took their examinations, and ensured that Irish dance settled in South African soil. “Irish dancing has offered another dimension in my life,” says Theron. “I find it invigorating, and uplifting to have the structure, as well as the opportunity for expression, and I believe Irish dance is probably the most all-encompassing form of dance.”

Irish dancers at Kimberley Feis
Photo: courtesy Susan Theron

The Duncan Studio of Celtic Dance is one of the largest in South Africa. Dancers of all ages flock to the school that focuses on dancing for everyone, ranging from the sheer joy and sociality of classes, to the fun of performance, to the challenge of high level competition. Adult Irish dancers are common to the studio and Theron encourages them to do all forms of Irish dance—soft shoe, hard shoe, and ceili dancing. There are an unusual number of male Irish dancers at the Duncan Studio. “I am extremely fortunate to have a good quota of male dancers,” Theron says. “This adds a wonderful and balanced dimension to the studio.”

Irish dancers from Johannesburg, South Africa
Photo: courtesy Susan Theron

Theron and her Irish dancers have travelled overseas for the past three years to attend The All Irelands, and the World Irish Dance championships. The Duncan Studio made history when they had the first South African dancers recall and place at both competitions. The Duncan Studio exhibition troupe are always eager to perform for church and community fundraisers, corporate events, and have performed for well-known companies such as Virgin Atlantic Airways, Deloitte & Touche, Cadbury’s, Lifeline to name a few. This year the Duncan Studio’s Irish dancers performed in the South African Tattoo dance showcase.

Irish dancer from Johannesburg, South Africa
at All Irelands 2012
Photo: courtesy Susan Theron

Recently the Duncan Studio attended the South African Oireachtas. Five of their dancers have qualified to attend the World Irish championships at Boston, USA in 2013. Many trophies and medals were awarded to dancers for solos, as well as ceili dancing.

Irish dance is flourishing in South Africa, and there is no sign that the interest will slow down any time soon. Theron attributes much of the popularity to the televised shows like Riverdance, and dance troupes that visit the country. She says, “There is no doubt that the various dance shows have been instrumental in creating interest in the Irish dance form (in South Africa).”

The future of Irish dance is bright. Theron encourages her dancers to complete their grades and take their exams. “I would like to see our numbers to increase so that the future will be well-cemented and sure,” Theron says. “My passion for Irish dance continues, and I foresee many more years of happy and challenging activity for our busy studio.”

Irish dancers from Johannesburg, South Africa
Photo: courtesy Susan Theron

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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 visit www.christydorrity.com. 

The Irish dance diet week one - using dance and diet to get back in shape

Irish dance diet day one
Photo: Christy Dorri

Week One

Weigh in: 153 pounds

I'm starting something new today.

The Irish dance diet.

Yes, you heard me right.  I'm going to use Irish dance to lose my extra weight and get back into shape.

After having five babies, I've gone back to my Irish dance class. It's a bit harder to get off the floor now than it used to be and I have goals I want to accomplish in dance!

Then, last summer I slipped a disc in my back which put me out of commission for a few months.  I gained a good ten pounds from the lack of exercise. When I went back to class again I ended up with severe sciatic nerve pain that put me right down on bed rest.

It's a vicious cycle that begins with weight gain, spirals to a lack of exercise and keeps going.

So I've decided that if I'm going to accomplish not only my dance goals, but other goals in my life, I need to go for it.

Here's the plan:

Irish dance class weekly, and dance practice at home at least three more times a week, coupled with a healthy diet that will help me get to my goals.

What are my goals?

Short term: Lose 10 pounds by January 1st
Long term: Lose a total of 25 pounds
Condition myself and improve my stamina and technique in Irish dance
Reward: a solo dress for competition

Why am I doing this?

I either need to bite the bullet, lose the weight and become a real Irish dancer, or resign myself to dancing at less than my capabilities.

How will this help you?
Each month I will update you on my progress with the Irish dance diet, and motivate you to be healthy as well. Check back to see my progress.

Wish me luck!

Are weight or health problems holding you back from what you want to accomplish? Does dance motivate you to get into shape? I want to know!

An Irish dancer's guide to preventing shin splints with Dr. Jack Giangiulio

Shin splints can be painful for Irish dancersPhoto: Flickr user Jos Dielis

Every Irish dancer complains of shin splints at one time or another. This painful injury, characterized by pain, and sometimes swelling in the front part of the lower leg, is common among those adult Irish dancers who have just begun taking lessons. 

So what are shin splints, and what can Irish dancers do if this painful injury happens to them? 

Dr. Jack Giangiulio, D.C., from Newport Beach, California shares his expert advice on shin splints.  As a Dance Specialist, Dr. Jack tours with dance companies around the globe, preparing and treating their dancers backstage.

What are shin splints? 

“Dancers get shin splints from either under-training or over-training, especially if they have poor foot control.” says Dr. Jack.  He explains that a shin splint is a sprain, strain or spasm of the tibialis anterior or posterior muscle of the leg which causes tendinitis in the muscle. 

The tibialis anterior muscle lifts the foot up and points the foot inwards.  All dancers use this muscle for balance, but Dr. Jack explains that Irish dancers use this muscle more extensively.

“Irish dancers use it for both balance and ballistic strength (the quick repetitive lifting of the foot).” Dr. Jack says. “These muscles, if not kept in a healthy state, are subject to overuse injuries.”

What should I do if I get shin splints?

Dr. Jack recommends calf and tibius exercises, in addition to class warm-ups. He stresses the importance of icing the injured muscles immediately after activity, and for ten to twenty minutes, two or three times daily thereafter.

Irish dancers prevent shin splints Photo: Flickr userAlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker

“As long as the dancer follows these rules, he or she may still dance while being treated for the injury,” says Dr. Jack.

What can I do to keep from getting shin splints?

Dr. Jack’s suggested list for prevention of shin splints:

1. Stretch, stretch, stretch the calf muscles.  Tight calf muscles lead to an overworked tibialus anterior.

2. Dance regularly.  If you dance on a sprung floor, make sure to alternate with a hard floor to keep your body’s protective mechanism active. 

3. Regular (chiropractic) manipulation of the feet, ankle, hips and spine.

4. Correctly sized and weighted dance shoes.  If your shoes are worn out, do not keep dancing in them.

5. Fuel your body, and drink lots of water. Increase carbohydrates when your dancing increases (many muscular injuries are related to burned out muscles-not enough carbohydrates for the activity).

Spend the extra time preventing and treating your legs for shin splints, and you’ll be landing those leap-two-threes for years to come.

For more information about dance injury prevention and treatment, please go to Dr. Jack Giangiulio’s website www.danceinjurydoctor.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 visit www.christydorrity.com. 

Vicky Roberts, adult Irish dancer from the United Kingdom - PHOTOS

Vicky Roberts, adult Irish dancer
Photo: courtesy Vicky Roberts

Irish dancing is a world-wide phenomenon, and dancers all over the globe participate in Irish dance, music and culture.

Please welcome Vicky Roberts. Vicky lives in Formby, Liverpool, UK, and she dances with  Hopping Mad Scoil Rince na hEireann. 

Christy: How did you first discover Irish dancing?

Vicky:  When I'd gone to University in London (the first time, in 1989), I saw a poster for Inter-Railing in Ireland and it had 3three Irish dancers on it. I asked someone what they were and decided then and there I wanted to do that. As this was pre-Riverdance, it was really hard to find an Irish dance teacher who not only would teach me but take me seriously as an Irish dancer. Simply put, back then it just wasn't done to be older and starting to learn Irish Dance! After a few hiccups, I finally found Linda Fryday (now Linda Fryday-Rafferty) who was quite happy to have an older dancer, and taught me my basic steps.

When I left London, I stopped dancing for a while as I couldn't afford lessons as I was out of work, and when I eventually found work back in London, a friend took me along to her Irish dance teacher - Maria Barry & the Barry School (now Maria Geoghegan & re-named Rince Mor Academy). When I left London again, I went back to Liverpool & went to dance with Scoil Rince Ferguson. I still train with my old school, but because George Ferguson doesn't compete anymore, I have been taking "lessons" via Skype from the Hopping Mad dancers in Brighton, East Sussex.

Christy: Does your school support you as an adult dancer? 

Vicky Roberts, adult Irish dancer
Photo: courtesy Vicky Roberts

Vicky:  Both do. George is happy to teach anyone who wants to learn, and when I first started, there were quite a few adults. As time went by, the class faded as quite a few of the adult Irish dancers got fed up "taking a back seat" to younger dancers. I'm pretty much the only adult Irish dancer left at the Ferguson School, and pretty much the only competing dancer, hence my decision to change to Hopping Mad. Aine started teaching adults and she is really supportive. She encourages me to do what I want to do.

Christy: What is your favorite traditional set dance?

Vicky:  Hmmm, either St Patricks Day or Job of Journeywork, and I can't say I have a preference for either one. St Patricks is easier thats for sure.

Vicky Roberts, adult Irish dancer
 at the British Opens
Photo: courtesy Vicky Roberts

Christy: If you could change one thing about the adult Irish dance scene, what would it be?

     
Vicky:  I'd say the bias against adult Irish dancers. It's alot better than it was, and adult dancers are really starting to make an impression. Still, though, it is hard even if you find a teacher willing to teach and take you seriously when you say you want to compete. Many still expect you to take a back seat to younger dancers, which can be so annoying when you pay the same class fee's as the kids, and work sometimes twice as hard.

Living here in Europe, there's a thriving open platform community of several dance associations that are very welcoming to competing adult Irish dancers. Still, having started with An Coimisiun, I'd love to be able to say I'd danced at their World Championships. I hear what North American adult dancers have to put up with, and I'm glad I dance here in Europe!

Christy: Thanks Vicky!  And happy dancing.

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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 visit www.christydorrity.com.