I'm delighted to announce that Rebecca McGowan is returning to Rochester for a Sean Nós workshop in September, hosted by Rochester Irish Arts! Sean Nós (sha nose) means "old style" in Irish, and is the oldest form of Irish stepdance. It is a very rhythmic style which is less formal than modern stepdance, with a relaxed upper body and steps danced close to the floor.
Rebecca hails from Boston, and began step dancing as a child with Clare Sullivan. As an adult she developed a love of the musicality of older style steps and Sean Nós dance while studying with Kieran Jordan. Her dancing is also informed by the joyful traditions of American, Irish, and English social dance. Rebecca currently performs as part of Kieran Jordan Dance and teaches Sean Nós and step dancing classes for children and adults.
Watch Sean Nós:
Saturday, September 23, 4:30-6:00 p.m. at Rince Na Saor. Rince Na Saor is located at Dance Biz, in Longview Plaza, 1742 Long Pond Road, just off Route 390.
Workshop Fee: $25
Contact Jean Smith (rochesteririsharts[at]gmail.com) or Kathy Whitfield (kathyw[at]rns.dance) to register. You can also print out a registration form and mail it in.
Wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes, peferably with a smooth, hard sole. Low-heeled tap shoes and clean sneakers will also work. Don't wear Irish hard shoes; dancers carry their weight differently in Sean Nós, and hard shoes will impair your balance.