Competing During the Pandemic

Life on lockdown is difficult for everyone and Irish Dancers are no exception. While many in Europe are now experiencing a second wave of restrictions, dance studios in America are slowly beginning to feis again and dancers are excited to be back to the business of dancing.

When Celtic Steps of Colorado announced their feis, the Celtic Steps Championships and US Belt was moving forward in late September, four Brady Academy families from Boston signed up for the feis, even though it meant flights, rental cars, and hotels.

The Fraser, Harrington, O’Donnell and Pinkham families were beyond excited to be back on the feis circuit after being sidelined for so long. Confident that Celtic Steps would deliver a safe environment, the families took the plunge back into the feis scene.

Dancers Neve (U10), Claire (U12), Ronan (U11) and Nola (U10) could not contain their excitement to be feising again. The dancers had travelled together in the past, including for the 2020 All Irelands in February where Ronan placed in Boys 10-11 and the girls all recalled and finished in the top 30. After the All Irelands, the families were planning to travel together to the 2020 Worlds, but those plans were squashed by the pandemic.

Pictured: The Brady Academy families at the All Irelands in February 2020

Throughout the pandemic the dancers stayed motivated and with the help of their teachers, continued training “as if.” They trained as if the Worlds were not cancelled, as if nationals were happening, and as if their next big competition was right around the corner. This attitude serviced them well at the Celtic Steps Championships and US Belt.

Claire Harrington won the U13 Championships and placed 2^nd in the US Minor Belt. Ronan O’Donnell placed 2nd in U11 Championship and 3^rd in the US Minor Belt. Nora Pinkham placed 3^rd in the U11Championships and 7th overall in the Minor Belt and Neve Fraser placed 7^th in the Celtic Steps Championships.

Pictured: Training "as if" paid off for these Brady Academy dancers at the Celtic Steps Feis & US Belt

Other feiseanna are slowly restarting in America. The Gilleoghan Dance Academy and the Scariff School hosted the Florida Suncoast Feis & Tampa Bay Feis on October 10^th-11^th. On hand was IDM's newest team member Ethan Frank of the Watters School in Florida.

IDM Launches Apparel Shop

IDM Delivers more than a magazine with the debut of IDMSHOP!

You asked for it and we are delivering apparel to Irish Dancing & Culture fans. The shop offers traditional merchandise from IDM's classic logo to fun apparel along with clever slogans/sayings that only an Irish Dancer would understand. There is something for everyone including baby, toddler, children, and adult sizes. For those with a furry fan, we have a special doggie tee as well!

Plus, for dancers all over the world who missed dancing at their World or National competition, IDM debuted our own exclusive styles to commemorate this fabulous achievement.

Riverdance on Concert4Cancer

Event Raised over €450,000 For Cancer.

On the 28^thAugust, Riverdance appeared on Concert4Cancer, broadcast on Virgin Media Ireland. The event also featured performances from Nathan Carter, Brian Kennedy, Gary Barlow, Aimée, Kodaline, The Coronas and Ronan Keating.

The Concert4Cancer raised over €450,000 for the Marie Keating Foundation, one of the largest cancer charities in Ireland. The charity was founded in 2001 in memory of Marie Keating, Ronan’s mother, who passed away in 1998 from breast cancer at the young age of 51.

Director/co-founder of Riverdance, John McColgan explained why the troupe was excited to get involved with this charity project.

“When we were approached to get involved in this Concert4Cancer we were absolutely delighted to do so. We felt that if Riverdance can use the power of its music, its dance and its reach, to help this great cause, then we absolutely have to do what we can to lend our support.”

One of the troupe members, World Champion, Elliot Kwelele took to the stage for the second time with Riverdance as part of their flying squad. He shared on his Instagram account.