Try Irish Dancing at The Southern Cultural Heritage Center

PR Log (Press Release) – Jun 08, 2009 – The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation is delighted to introduce beginner Traditional Irish Dance classes.  Irish dancing is great fun, terrific exercise and will help to fine tune or develop the participant’s sense of rhythm.  These workshops will be held on Saturday, July 11th and will be divided into three different classes and times.  The breakdown of ages and times are as follows:  ages 6-12 (4pm-5pm, $15), ages 13-18 (5pm-6pm, $20) and the Adult workshop (6pm-8pm, $35/SCHF members and $40/Non-members).  Reservations are required.  

This workshop will be a rare opportunity for the community to learn some old-style steps through the Irish culture of dance.  Irish dance is a lively, energetic form of dance that encompasses three major forms:  Céilí Dancing, Set Dancing, and Step Dancing.  Céilí (pronounced cay-lee) dancing is the ancestor of Appalachian contra dancing and is similar, as well, to country square dancing. Set Dancing is also a type of social dance and is based on the French Quadrilles, where four couples form a set.  Step dancing is a solo dance form and is again divided into sub-categories:  modern step dancing, which we mostly associated with Riverdance, and old-style regional step dancing.  

The classes will be taught by certified and professional instructor, Catherine Sherer Bishop.  Students do not need any prior experience with Irish dance, or a partner, to participate.  Irish dancing has a rigorous aerobic quality.  As with any new fitness activity, you are encouraged to check with your doctor before beginning if you have any special health concerns.  Participants should bring water to drink and should wear clothes that allow for easy movement.
 
Catherine Sherer Bishop holds a MFA in Dance from Southern Methodist University and received a Fulbright award to study at the University of Limerick, earning an MA in Ethnochoreology, with an emphasis in Irish Traditional Dance. While undertaking an intensive study of Irish dance and teaching, Catherine also earned the T.C.R.G (Irish dance teacher certification) from the Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin.  Trained in ballet, Irish dance, jazz, modern, ballroom, musical theater and tap, Catherine has worked professionally in both ballet and Irish dance. She was Principal Ballerina and Ballet Mistress for Ballet Mississippi from 1998-1999.  Her more recent training and passion for Irish dance has brought opportunities to perform and present workshops in Germany, Ireland, France, Florida, Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and South Carolina, and she is the only certified Irish Dance teacher in the state of Mississippi.  Most notably, Catherine toured in Germany with the Irish Harp Orchestra in 2003 as lead female dancer, choreographer, and dance captain.

Space is limited and reservations for are required.  To register or for more information, call the SCHF business office at (601) 631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.