The Frothy Band at Imminent Brewery, Northfield Minnesota on April 7Th, 7- 10 Pm
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April Irish Music & 2018 Márt Dance Association Márta The mission of the Irish Music and Dance Association is to support and promote Irish music, dance, and other cultural traditions to insure their continuation. Inside this issue: IMDA Recognizes Dancers 2 Educational Grants Available Thanks You 6 For Irish Music and Dance Students Open Mic Night 7 The Irish Music and Dance Association (IMDA) would like to lend a hand to students of Irish music, dance or cultural pursuits. We’re looking for students who have already made a significant commitment to their studies, and who could use some help to get to the next level. It may be that students are ready to improve their skills (like fiddler and teacher Mary Vanorny who used her grant to study Sligo-style fiddling with Brian Conway at the Portal Irish Music Week) or it may be a student who wants to attend a special class (like Irish dancer Annie Wier who traveled to Boston for the Riverdance Academy). These are examples of great reasons to apply for an IMDA Educational Grant – as these students did in 2017. 2018 will be the twelfth year of this program, with help extended to 43 musicians, dancers, language students and artists over the years. The applicant may use the grant in any way that furthers his or her study – help with the purchase of an instrument, tuition to a workshop or class, travel expenses – the options are endless. Previous grant recipients have included musicians, dancers, Irish language students and a costume designer, but the program is open to students of other traditional Irish arts as well. And the program is available to students of any age. This is a merit-based opportunity. Applicants are asked to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or community elder familiar with their work. And recipients are expected to bring their new skills back to the community by performing at an IMDA event. IMDA is committed to the vitality of our Twin Cities Irish community, and helping students of the traditional arts of Ireland is a way of helping to insure that vitality for the future. IMDA is especially proud that previous Educational Grant recipients continue to contribute to our community. 2007 grant recipient Liz Hines has gone on to develop Eilís Academy at Escalate, one of the Irish dance schools performing at IMDA’s 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration and Day of Irish Dance. 2008 grant recipient David Ochs continues as an Irish dancer; David was a part of the company of the 2018 “Kickin’ It Irish” show, performing as both a dancer and a musician. 2012 grant recipient Becky Bollinger continues her music study and performed on St. Patrick’s Day as part of the Center for Irish Music’s Open Sky Ensemble. More information on the previous recipients and how they used their grants is available on the IMDA website. IMDA funds these grants with proceeds from our events, special fundraisers like the Irish Dancer T- shirt sales and with donations. IMDA is especially grateful for gifts from the community through Give to the Max and Giving Tuesday on Facebook. The 2018 application deadline is April 16. Applications are available at the IMDA website: www.IMDA-MN.org, or by contacting Jan Casey at [email protected] or 651.699.8937. www.IMDA-MN.org Irish Music & 2 Dance Association The IMDA Board is: IMDA Recognizes Dedicated Dancers President: Julia Rogers Vice President: Jan Casey Treasurer: Rob Thomas The Decade of Dance Award was created to recognize the Secretary: Jean Bergstrom Board Members: John Concannon very special commitment that some students make to Irish Kevin Carroll dance. The dancers who receive this award have studied Irish Kathie Luby Amber Ladany dance for at least 10 years; for most, it represents the major Maureen Engelhardt portion of their young lives. They have shared a unique Aja Beers Editor: Kathie Luby element of Irish culture with audiences in all kinds of settings Assistant Editor Kevin Carroll IMDA Board Meetings are open to the membership. from community festivals and concert halls to nursing homes The Board meets regularly on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the and schools. Along the way, they delight audiences, have fun, Dubliner Pub, St. Paul. Members are encouraged to verify the time and location make friends, and serve as very visible and engaging shortly before, as meeting times and locations can change. ambassadors for Irish culture to the greater community. Contact Information The awards were presented on the Main Stage at IMDA’s Day E-mail: [email protected] of Irish Dance at Landmark Center. The dancers received a certificate and a special Decade of Dance medal. Newsletter Submissions We welcome our readers to submit articles of interest, news, and notices of events These are this year’s recipients, and some of their favorite to be published in the newsletter. The deadline is the 18th of the preceding month. memories of Irish dance: Send to: [email protected] Sarah Becker ~ Rince na Chroi “I think one of my favorites was driving to LaCrosse, WI after a long day of dancing on St. Patrick’s Day. I had so much fun road tripping with my Rince na sisters, and when we arrived I got to dance with Gaelic Storm for my first time…But overall, I just mostly enjoyed meeting new people and dance with girls who have become my best friends. Irish dance, and specifically Rince na Chroi has given me so much joy, laughter, and many lifelong friendships.” Christopher Bergthold ~ Rince na Chroi “My favorite memory of being an Irish Dancer is having a great opportunity to meet many wonderful people from my fellow teammates & Instructors, to people all over the community. Spreading joy and happiness through Irish Dance is the best!!” Mattie Ernst ~ Green Fire Irish Dancers, Scoil na dTri Academy of Irish Dance, O’Shea Irish Dance “Working with fellow Green Fire member to write, choreograph, and execute our own new dances for performances like Irish Fair and Day of Dance.” Mollie Ferrel ~ Rince na Chroi “My favorite memories were with my friends, going on road trips, performing at Irish Fair, and walking in parades. I know I will be lifelong friends with my friends I have made through dance.” Emma Freebersyser ~ Shamrock School of Irish Step Dance “Practicing for shows!” Anna Hester ~ Scoil na dTri Academy of Irish Dance, O’Shea Irish Dance “Being part of the Kickin’ It Irish production for the past 2 years, having strong friendships, and being on a céilí team that won the Mid-American Oireachtas in 2017.” www.IMDA-MN.org Irish Music & 3 Dance Association Lily Jones ~ Mulhern School of Irish Dance “I have made a ton of friends in dance. I’ve gotten to travel the country, compete, and win. It’s been incredi- bly important to me to be able to set goals and then achieve them. But for sure the friends have been the most important part of dance.” Kelly Anne Krohn ~ Rince na Chroi “My favorite Irish Dance memory is when I earned my first sleeveless/advanced dress. Because it meant that I was officially advanced!” Madeleine Lemay ~ Scoil na dTri Academy of Irish Dance, O’Shea Irish Dance, Mactír Academy of Irish Dance “I first saw Irish dance when I was four years old at Irish Fair in St. Paul and wanted to join. I was doing all sort of activities at the time… My parents signed me up and here I am….It’s been great to travel to perform and compete.” Clara McMillan ~ O’Shea Irish Dance, Loring Irish Dance Team “I really enjoyed chaperoning the Loring kids on their St. Patrick’s Day adventures.” Lilllian Pettigrew ~ Mactír Academy of Irish Dance, St. Paul Irish Dancers “Performing with We Banjo 3 at St. Cloud’s Paramount Theater.” Emily Shoonover ~ Rince na Chroi “All the fun times I have had with my friends at dance and making lasting memories throughout the past ten years. Especially those memories made at Irish Fair.” Margaret Sullivan ~ corda mór irish dance, Mulhern School of Irish Dance “My favorite memory and experience with Irish Dance has been getting to work with younger kids, teach them and work with them. … This has been my favorite thing because it has shown how much I love to work with people and it had contributed to me continuing dance for a whole decade.” Zoe Sullivan ~ Mactír Academy of Irish Dance “Dancing with my céilí team at Oireachtas. I enjoyed bonding with my team. We sent many hours drilling, dancing and laughing. There is a special connection formed with a group of girls when you dance and com- plete with a group. Including Scoil na dTri in this recognition is a way to remember Brenda Buckley, who passed away in 2009, and who was a very important influence in the lives of her dancers. This is the thirteenth year that this award has been presented; in that time, MDA has recognized a total of 189 dancers. Congratulations to these dedicated dancers and to their parents and families who support and encourage them. www.IMDA-MN.org Irish Music & 4 Dance Association The Gaelic Corner By Will Kenny By the time you read this, we the west. will just have had our second When you decide to visit me, we "blue moon" in the first three have slightly different perspectives months of this year. A blue on the journey, and we use moon, of course, commonly different Irish direction words to refers to a second full moon in a talk about it.