The Traveling Feis Monkey

In my last Irish dance how-to, I made a poodle sock monkey.  Right after her birth, I realized this monkey is destined for something greater than making friends with the duct tape balls in my dance bag.  The way her button eyes looked at me pleaded for more company than ankle braces and hard shoes.  She seemed as if was meant to travel and meet other Irish dancers across the United States, and possibly the world to be social and learn from others.  From then on, she became known to me as the Traveling Feis Monkey, and she is looking for other Irish dancers to have a good adventure with.

What you'll be doing is simple:

• Host the monkey for a week.  Show her a good Irish dancer time.
• Upload pictures of the adventures the monkey goes on: Feiseanna?  Dance camp?  Team practices?  The choice is yours!
• Write diary entries, or even a story of the Traveling Feis Monkey's adventures.  These stories will be featured both on Facebook, and on this blog!
• If you're crafty, make an outfit for her.  Does she become an honorary team mascot?  Will she ever earn her solo dress?  Maybe a 'spray tanning' service?
• After your week, you will send her on her way to the next dancer.

To be a part of the Traveling Feis Monkey's adventures: 

1. Email RinceGoBraghBlog@gmail.com (that's me!)
2. Use "Feis Monkey" as the subject.
3. In the body of the email, enclose your name, what level dancer you (or your child) are, your city and state, and any other interesting thing you think I should know.  Don't worry, I am the only one who will see this info!
4. Entries are due Friday, July 13th at midnight EST!

I will choose 10-15 entries, the number being based on interest in the project.  The final list of participants will be emailed with all the details they need on July 15th.

In the meantime, "Like" the Traveling Feis Monkey on Facebook to see what fun things she is up to right now!

Goals: Each hardshoe dance three times for stamina
Days till Os: 155

Irish Dance How-to: Poodle Sock Monkey

Turn one pair of socks into a plush monkey pet that will be the guardian of your dance bag!  This is the third of three, and the most advanced tutorial in the poodle sock upcycle series featuring this monkey, a vase, and a heat/ice pack.  





Tips:

• A link to the tutorial can be found right here.
• Knee-length socks will make for longer limbs on your monkey, and various sizes (small, medium, large) will make different sized bodies. (I used large knee-length socks and this monkey is 19 inches long!)
• Try your hand at tie-dying your old socks so your monkey can be fun colors!
• Be patient when sewing your socks, especially the bubbled part.  That section is particularly stretchy and will try to move around when you're sewing.  Extra pins are awesome.
• Be gentle when you turn your monkey body and legs back to right-side out.  The crotch area is very stretchy and if stretched out during turning and stuffing, the sewing back up process will be more difficult.  Take your time.
• A pencil (use the eraser end) or chopstick is useful for not only helping to turn the body parts right-side out, but also for getting the stuffing down into the feet/hands of your monkey.

Stay tuned tomorrow for special Traveling Feis Monkey information!

Goals: Hardshoe stamina

Days till Os: 156

STFU about Riverdance

June 24th was Sara's birthday, so she decided that for her present she'd like Riverdance tickets.  We decided to go to their very last performance on the last day at the very last time so we'd have bragging rights to saying we've been to the final performance in the United States.  This ended up being a special night partly because it was them saying good bye to American performances and because of Sara's passion towards Irish dancing and being able to see it live... even though this was the fourth show she was going to see.

Anyways, back to me. 

So, I rarely get goosebumps from something being really good or really exciting, especially when it comes to dancing or to music... I have to admit it does not happen too often.  For me to get goosebumps, it has to be something spectacular, something draw dropping and phenomenal.  As the whole company came out onto the stage and began dancing simultaneously, that thunderous pounding of their hard shoes onto the stage created the most awesome noise I have ever heard when it comes to live performances.  The booming of every dancers feet slamming down on the ground along with the background music was amazing.  Even when the cast went a capella it was just as well done.  What do you know, at the end I was shivering and had goosebumps everywhere.  Seeing that in person was 10^1,000,000 times better than seeing it on a screen at home.  Reel Around the Sun, Riverdance, the finale were my favorite parts of the show.

I give Riverdance: The Show (live) two thumbs up!  It truly is an event you need to witness in person.  Go buy your tickets, schedule a date and go see it live... Oh wait!  You can't!  Because Sara and I went to their last show in the United States!!!!  Uh!  What!?  What now!?

Injured: The happy ending

I went to my very last doctor's visit yesterday morning.  The funny part about this appointment was that I spent more time waiting around than him actually visiting me.  He came into the room, looked over the note from my physical therapist, and asked if I hurt and what I was doing.  After assessing all this, he said I didn't have to see him again, but to still take it easy if my ankle hurt (I did tear three ligaments after all).

Today, I graduate from physical therapy.

Because of all this wonderful news, I decided to register for the Nation's Capital feis next month.  I am feeling extra motivated right now, especially after attending Old Dominion feis to run stages.  Being there without dancing was bittersweet: I know I would not have done all that well since I began easing into dance a month ago, but being there all day had me really itching to put my solo dress on...

Last night was my first hardcore practice since my time easing back into dance last month.  Inspired by being cleared by my doctor and by the feis this weekend, I decided to run through all three rounds, including the new slip jig steps I tweaked.  In honor of this practice, I wore a new Pinterest and Feisonista-inspired outfit, which came in especially handy in my lack-of-circulating-air practice area.

I am lucky to have a practice area that I can use at essentially any time.  It's a racquetball court, so the downsides are no mirrors and it's extremely loud, but the floor is nice and it's spacious.  I am very much lacking in stamina and general leg strength due to being out for so long, but I am planning on practicing in my space two or more times a week until the feis.  Have a video montage of last night's practice session, including all my wonderful brain farts:

Goals: Stamina and cross
Days till Os: 163

Blog Challenge: Confidence at my first Oireachtas

This month's blog challenge by The Dance Buzz is a writing prompt: "Dance is both confidence building and humbling.  Write about a time you experienced either."

The last dance practice before my first Oireachtas was one of those rare times in my dance career that everything felt like it had clicked into place.  I remember going through each and every one of my dances and just feeling like I was nailing everything.  I knew I wasn't the best dancer going to compete, but there was this part of me deep down that knew I was good enough to recall.  Even though it was my first Oireachtas.  And I had only been dancing for two years.  At the end of class, I asked my fellow dancers and  my TCRG if there are any tips, what to expect, etc.  I was told that I had put in so much work so I should go enjoy it, have fun, and to do my best.

Putting on my game face before warming up.

The morning of my solo competition, I was completely on time with getting ready.  Equipped with my iPod, I had given myself an hour to find an isolated spot in the venue to warm up and get in the zone.  This was surprisingly easy.  I went into this competition without putting pressure on myself, so it was just me and the dance.  I wasn't worried about recalling.  It would be nice if I did, but I knew it was my first Oireachtas, so I was just there to showcase my best dancing.  As I was warming up, I still felt that super confidence in each stretch and every drill I did.  One of my feis-mates was watching from afar and even complimented my on my improvement.  With one last listen to my inspirational song, I was off to dance my first round, treble jig.

There is one moment of dancing that stands out for me from this competition.  It is the first few seconds of my second round, slip jig: And one two switch, step over down... I experienced this sensation in my first leap of hanging in the air for what seemed like an eternity.  I could see everything happening from my point of view on the stage, but I could also see this perfect leap both from above and from the audience's view.  To this day, I cannot remember a better leap, a better single moment of dancing.

After finishing my two rounds and having lunch, recalls were finally going to be announced.  I was standing by a wall in the hall right next to a younger dancer (my feis sister) from my school and her mom.  The announcer began reading off the numbers of the dancers who have recalled and would dance their set dance in the next and last round.  I couldn't breathe.  1, 2... Had I danced well enough? ...3, 4... Could the judges tell it was my first Oireachtas? ...6, 7... What was my number again? ...9, 10... Oh, 18, it's right here in my hand. ...16, 17, 18.  My knees gave way, I was sitting on the floor crying and being tackled by my feis sister and her mom.  I did it.  I had just recalled at my first Oireachtas.

Goals: Slip jig lead.  Make one.

Days till Os: 165

Summer weekly workout: Ballet Conditioning

My summer TV schedule is always chock full of dance shows, the usual being Fox's So You Think You Can Dance and Lifetime's Dance Moms.  I am addicted to all things about that show, even though it seems rigged for contemporary dancers.  No hate though, because  an Irish dancer was featured last year.

This summer is especially exciting with the premier of Breaking Pointe on the CW and Bunheads on ABC Family.  This basically means I am completely interested in the whole ballet more so than normal.  (Did I mention I almost got serious with ballet after college instead of Irish?)  I'm so interested in ballet that when I saw this workout DVD in my public library the other week I got inordinately excited.  Mostly because ballerinas are known for their exacting technique (read: turnout), so any extra help in that department is welcome, but also partially because maybe I had found a workout DVD that wasn't too cheesy or too easy!

I was expecting some excellent stretches and barre exercises.  Nothing so difficult that a dancer who's currently training couldn't handle.  I had taken ballet classes a year ago in my preparation for worlds and had really noticed a difference in my dancing.  This DVD, however was much more than expected.  It was hard.  The gentle beginning stretched led into difficult plié sequence at the barre that left your thighs burning.  The plié sequence flowed on into tendus that left me questioning why I cannot balance while holding my leg up, a skill I thought I mastered as a child.  It was a wonderful workout that left me with jelloid legs and the resolve to be better the next time.  I decided I will do this 50 minute video once a week this summer until it is easy.

Have you tried a workout DVD that pushed your limits or strength or flexibility?  Would you give into the ballet craze and try this workout?

Goals: Do the weekly workout

Days till Os: 167

Strictly Irish Dancing on TLC

Strictly Irish Dancing premiered on American TV this evening at 10 EST (and now, midnight, if you missed it).  Like Jig (which aired on TLC in Janurary), I had seen this show before.  Shortly after this two-part documentary aired on TV3 in Ireland, some kind soul posted it in seven parts on Youtube so the diaspora of Irish dancers could see what the buzz was about.  Again, like Jig, I wanted to watch it on TLC to see how they edited it to fit in an hour, and what parts of the documentary they chose to focus on, and what was deemed as not important.  And also again, if you're looking for up to the minute account of the show, check out On My Toes!

The good things: 

• TLC chose to focus on the stories of four dancers: Catie Foley and Jessica Hindley, Jack Quinn, and Claire Greaney.  By whittling the show down from it's original length, TLC was able to focus on more of the drama and the back story of the dancers for maximum TLC drama.  The show did leave out explaining all the technical aspects of dance and the historical context which is honestly probably only interesting to those involved in Irish dance.
• The editors did a good job of explaining the way competitions work, as well as quickly explaining things in a vernacular that non-dancer's should understand.

And the not-so-good:

• The show seemed to skip around a lot.  The introduction of the dancers felt rushed.  The amount of skipping around with the editing seemed confusing, and I'm an Irish dancer who has seen the documentary before!  I understand the reasons for doing this (time constraint), but it really devalued the reasons of why I liked this particular documentary over Jig. (see below)
• TLC chose to play up the rivalries between dancers, specifically Catie and Jessica, which in actuality was not present in unedited documentary.  The main reason why I was more partial to this documentary (other than I was there) was simply because it focused more on history of dance and costuming, etc. than Jig did.  Jig chose to focus on dancer rivalries and it worked.  With this show edited to be something similar, it felt bland, but that could have just been the voice over. (see below)
• The male announcer voice-over sounded like a generic go-to guy for any TV show.  I know the "hidden world of Irish dance" needs to be explained to the people who are not familiar, but couldn't we have had an Irish voice-over announcer?  Or maybe tried to explain some Irish dance terms? (I'm looking at you, 'call back'.)

It's great that competitive Irish dancing is still getting spotlight on a popular TV station.  Hopefully this show keeps inspiring young and young-at-heart dancers to love and appreciate this sport.  TLC's interest in Irish dance shows is all set to culminate in their eight-part "Irish Dancing Series"  to premier in 2013.  Is this the Irish Dancing Tweens we all cringed about and hoped would never happen?  Or is TLC going to move more in the direction of Jig and Strictly Irish Dancing?  Only time will tell...

Goals: Sleep...

Days till Os: 169

Irish Dance in the Public School

A major part Virginia fourth grade curriculum is studying the history of my lovely state, from Jamestown to the geography.  The culmination of their studies is usually (depending on the school) a 'colonial fair.'  For these colonial fairs, the students learn a dance (or more!) in music class or PE, the most popular dance being the Virginia Reel.  Upon my arrival at the school, I noticed just how similar this was to a certain ceili I've learned in my Irish dance days...



I knew that jumping in to being a long-term music substitute was going to be awesome if my fourth graders were doing ceilis every day.  And it didn't stop with the Virginia Reel/Haymaker's Jig.  The students were responsible for knowing six other line and square dances.  Armed with my New England Dancing Masters books (Ar Rinci Foirne for elementary music teachers), I learned and taught the other dances.  I was quick to see that square dances are like 8-hands.  They even had some of the same moves with different names!

Lead around  -----> Promenade
Chain            -----> Grand right and left

Once the students knew their square danced, and to encourage them to be serious about their own dancing, I told them I was an Irish dancer and showed them two Youtube videos: one of Haymaker's Jig and one of the Three Tunes.  The students were all impressed with how precise their handwork and lines were, and how well they danced without 'calls' with the music.  Of course, after introducing myself as an Irish dancer, brought on quite a few questions, so I decided to dedicate a day in the last few weeks of talk about solo Irish dancing, costuming, and yes, teach a jig.

Teaching a simple light jig step is attainable for fourth and fifth grade classes.  Most students were just happy to be jumping around and didn't care if they were doing it right or wrong.  A lot of the girls enjoyed it and told me how they practice at recess.  I was also surprised with the natural ability of some of the boys!  They're at an age where most think dancing is "for girls only," but if they knew how many competitions they would win as a naturally talented boy, I bet they would think again.

To culminate this activity, we watched my Lord of the Dance DVD. (skipping the "boring" singing and fiddle parts.  Also Breakout.)  Watching that DVD inspired my dancing career, so who knows, there may be some new Irish dancing students!

Goals: Re-figure SJ lead so there are no jumps off of bad foot
Days till Os: 170

Irish Dance How-to: Poodle sock hot/ice pack

This month's first Irish dance how-to is still going along the theme of upcyclying old poodle socks.  This tutorial is a little harder than April's, and the tutorial being released at the end of the month is the hardest of the three poodle sock tutorials.

Tips:

• Use older and slightly stretched out poodle socks.  Your hot/ice pack will be bigger.
• Don't start sewing in the corner like I did.  It makes it harder to sew up after you flip the hot/ice pack right-side out.  It is easier if you start in the middle of one of the longer sides
• Leave more room than you think open so you don't have to struggle to flip the hot/ice pack right-side out after machine sewing!
• A funnel would be helpful for putting the rice into your hot/ice pack
• For a cold pack: leave it in the freezer overnight
• For a heat pack: microwave in 30 second intervals until warm

Stay tuned for the last of the poodle sock upcycles, being released June 27th!

Mini update

Injury recovery

• May 16th was a big day for me.  After 98 days of injury recovery, I went to dance class, put on my hard shoes, and danced.  I can only do hard shoe dances at the moment due to not being able to jump/land on my bad foot without it hurting, but at least I can dance!
• I am still going to physical therapy, and am halfway through my second round of six weeks.  I will go back to the podiatrist at the end of June and hopefully he will graduate me from PT!

CCE Feis

• I kicked off the summer feising season by going to cheer on and watch my fellow 18&O champ dancers.  Congrats to them, and good luck as they continue preparing for nationals!
• In honor of being able to dance again, I also purchased some killer red ghillies to match my dress for award ceremonies and other fun things.

Old Dominion Feis

• This is my dance school's feis, so you can guarantee I will be there helping in one way or another.  (When I know what I'll be doing, I'll post it here so you can come say hi!)
• Old Dominion Feis also marks the start of my fifth year of feising!

Irish Dance How-tos:

• I did not do one for May.  I confess, my schedule is uber busy teaching full time.  Do not despair because there will be two in the month of June!  I am planning to have the first up on my blog and ready for you on June 6th.

Other things

• Curious as to what is my dance bag? (Come on, I know you secretly are.)  Check out Moira's blog, On My Toes to see a little collaboration post I did there!  Also, check out her latest post on joining the 'Mad Abs June' challenge!
• I'm going to go see Riverdance at Wolftrap on June 17th!
• If you're a regular reader, you may have noticed I changed the banner at the top of my blog just for fun.  What do you think?
• My school year is done June 15th.  Bear with me for minimal posts two more weeks as I finish teaching.  I'm already getting geared up with blog post ideas for this summer!
• On May 18th, I attended my own graduation ceremony since my college doesn't hold one in December.  Despite receiving my diploma in the mail in February, my graduation is officially official now!

Goals: PT exercises and stamina
Days till Os: 181