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Set dancing class with Brendan Cronin. |  |
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Last update: September 22, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In 2004, the good John Walsh revitalised the weekly set dancing class in Antwerp. We started originally in The Dubliner Pub, but then moved to Den Heksenketel. This page summarises the sets taught by Brendan Cronin in Antwerp during the period July 2004 - June 2005. Sets that I encountered before they were covered by Brendan, are described on other pages and can be reached through the hyperlinks that I provide.
Since then, Noreen Donovan and I took over the class. New sets taught as of July 2005 can be found here. July 28, 2004 We started with the basic set dancing reel step which is quite different from the tradional or ceili style steps. It is danced very low to the ground, nearly sliding and with emphasis on the heels. Then, we took on The Clare Lancers, which we described elsewhere. August 4, 2004 Another reel set was covered: The Plain Set. August 11, 2004 We started with the easy Sliabh Luachra set, which is ascribed to the Sliabh Luachra district on the border of Co. Cork and Co. Kerry, known for a special traditional style of music. The set exists with many variations:
In the advanced session, we tried the Clare reel step. I always thought it goes like this for the gents (ladies using opposite foot): //L-step / R-step - L-heel / L-toe - L-step / R-stamp // R-step - L-heel / L-toe - L-step / R-stamp / R-step //. But that is a more complicated step used by Mick Mulkerrin. I couldn't get the basic Clare batter right. August 25, 2004 A short, but loaded evening with three sets being covered. The Plain (Reel) Set was rehearsed, and two new sets introduced: the Connemara (reel) set and the Cashel set. September 1, 2004 This time, I succeeded in getting the Clare batter analysed: it goes like this for the gents (ladies do opposite footwork): / R-heel L-heel // L-toe - / R-heel L-heel / L-toe - / R-heel - // R-heel L-heel / L-toe - / R-heel / ... . Depending on whether you dance at home or advance, you might replace a "R-heel - " with a "R-stamp - ". Then the Plain (Reel) Set was rehearsed again, as well as the Connemara (reel) set. We finished with the Caledonian Set that we discussed earlier. September 22, 2004 For that evening, Brendan had invited Jim Keenan, a set dancing teacher from Rockville, Maryland, USA. Here is a complete report on his teaching of the Kilfenora Set. September 29, 2004 This time, we took on the Ballyvourney Jig Set, which was not unknown to me since I had danced it during the Leuven Ceili with the Davey Ceili Band, and with the Innishfree Ceili Dancers in Buffalo a few weeks earlier. But whereas the Innishfree Ceili Dancers danced it to jigs, we danced it here to polkas, which is must faster. All figures are danced immediately one after another, first by the top couples, then the sides, who have the time to look what the tops are doing, except for the last figure. The best way to remember this set is: for the first four figures:
October 6, 2004 Another polka set was introduced, but again one that I had danced before: the Borlin Polka Set. There was however a difference with the square movement that is performed throughout all figures except the hornpipe. Brendan explained that you can square either as in the Ballyvourney, or with the lady moving backwards. October 13, 2004 Four Italian young ladies joined the club, hence the right time to rehearse the The Clare Lancers and the Borlin Polka Set. October 20, 2004 The Italian ladies didn't show up, but another new guest arrived: Sofie. Unfortunately, she had to give up after a series of fast swings which made her too dizzy. Understandable, since we started with rehearsing the Cashel set and the Borlin Polka Set. Quite some turning there indeed. Then a new set, at least for the class, was introduced: the Corofin Plain Set. Here are a few descriptions:
October 27, 2004 Two of the Italian girls that visited us on Oct 13 came back, this time dedicated to continue dancing. And also Sofie was present, despite the problems she was faced with last time. That's the spirit ! Nothing new was done. Again We sticked to the Cashel set, the Borlin Polka Set and the Plain Set. November 17, 2004 A fresh start after a three weeks break, hence the right time to look back at some oldies: the Plain Set and the Ballyvourney Jig Set. We were honoured with the visit of the great Flemish bal folk dancer "Little Thomas". November 24, 2004 Rehearsal of the Corofin Plain Set and the Cashel set. January 5, 2005 We started the year in a new location: De Heksenketel, and we learned immediately a new set: the West Kerry (Polka) Set, which comes from the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. This region is known for a specific kind of Irish music. Do not confuse this set with the North Kerry Set. Here are some online resources:
January 12, 2005 This time, a less popular, though very pleasant reel set from Co. Clare was covered: the Mazurka Set, also known as the Clare Myserks. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with a mazurka. Here are some online resources:
March 2, 2005 The past weeks have primarily been used to rehearse the sets taught thus far. Now, we took on a new one: The Melleray Lancers (Lannsuidhthe Phort Láirge). Melleray is a village in France, where Trappist monks founded an abbey. In 1830, because of the French Revolution, the monks had to leave and some of them founded Mount Melleray Abbey not far from Cappoquin in Co. Waterford. I have no idea what the relationship is between the set and the monks, and I really doubt whether the kissing in one of the figures has something to do with it. The only online resource that I found is the explanation by Joe O'Hara. Music for the set is available on Matt Cunningham's Dance Music of Ireland (vol.8). The set is demonstrated on the video The Magic of Irish Set Dancing, Vol 2. April 13, 2005 This time, Elizabeth MacDonald was invited to give a class on The Cloonagh Lancers. May 11, 2005 After a short interruption due to Feest van de Folk activities, we continued with what I thought to be a set that I danced for the first time. That was not true. More than a year ago, The Monaghan Set was played by the Davey Ceili Band in Leuven. May 18, 2005 Again something new was taken on: the Derradda Set, a strange name that Google wants to correct in Derrida, an even more strange philosopher that died this year. Nevertheless, Derradda (also written as Derada) is a village in Co. Mayo, near Newport. The Derradda Set is indeed named after that village, which is known also for the Strawboys, an old Irish tradition. It was believed to be a sign of very good luck when the Strawboys arrived, as uninvited guests, at a country wedding or party. The Strawboys were disguised in old suits and dresses adorned with straw, wearing handmade straw hats completely covering their faces. They would perform dances and songs and play musical instruments to entertain the guests. After their performance they were usually invited to remove their disguises and join the festivities. Here are two on-line descriptions of this set: Music is available on June 15, 2005 For his last class, Brendan introduced us to a fine set from Co. Kerry: The Caragh Lake Set. Caragh Lake is a beautiful lake near Killorglin. There are nice places to stay, such as Ard na Sidhe. The set is a nice jig set, danced to fast music, but with little, delicate steps. For sure a surprise for Pieter, a very good dancer who I encountered only once two years ago, but who I remembered very well when he suddenly entered the pub. I found only one on-line descriptions of this set:Joseph O'Hara's study notes. It features also in the book The Walking Polka from Brooks Academy. Music is available on Matt Cunningham's Dance Music of Ireland CD Vol. 9. |
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