Bluegrass Ceili Academy

Sep112016 by Megan MNo Comments

Things I learned during my Irish dance teacher’s exam

Instruction

While this year is the 15th anniversary of Sept. 11, it's also the sixth anniversary of the day I completed my Irish dance teacher's certification exam. As we're just a few weeks away from getting our new classes started, I thought I'd share with you some of the things I wrote down that weekend six years ago. I'm writing this note as I'm sitting in my room at the Boston airport hotel where I'm taking my Irish dance teacher certification exam. Thirteen years ago I started dancing as a nearly 30-year-old adult. Now, I'm here with some the best Irish dancers in the country taking a test to become a teacher. It's been a wild ride. When you know your stuff, there's no reason to get nervous. I figured that…

Aug252016 by Megan MNo Comments

Meet our community-based Irish dance school in Lexington

Community

Even though we're a brand new Irish dance school in Lexington, Bluegrass Ceili Academy has deep roots in the community. Through our partnership with Artworks at the Carver School and Lexington Parks and Recreation, Bluegrass Ceili Academy is investing in our community and its residents. We invite you to join us! What does it mean to be a community-based program? Here are a few things we think you should know. The Carver School Built in the 1930s through funds from the Works Progress Administration, the George Washington Carver Elementary school served students and families in the local community from 1934 until 1972. In 1976, the Carver Community Center opened on the site. Today, the Carver School is the home to Artworks. As an arts and cultural center, Artworks at the…

Aug232016 by Megan MNo Comments

9 reasons to take Bluegrass Ceili’s adult Irish dance classes in Lexington

Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

You've always wanted to try something new and different... or you danced as a child and now you miss the music and the fun...either way, NOW is the time to sign up for adult Irish dance classes in Lexington with Bluegrass Ceili Academy! Our Irish dance classes for adults focus on few things: fun, friendship, art and sport. Here are 9 reasons you'll want to join us! 1. Irish dance gets you moving! Our classes are a great way to get some exercise every week. We'll warm up with stretches and then work on dance basics -- foot placement, turnout, movement -- and work our way up to choreography. Don't worry if you haven't danced before -- if you can skip (think back to elementary school gym class!) you already have…

Aug222016 by Megan MNo Comments

7 things to get your child ready for Irish dance classes in Lexington

Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

School is back in session in Central Kentucky and in the next few weeks, we'll be opening the doors at Bluegrass Ceili Academy and welcoming new students for our Irish dance classes in Lexington. We're excited to be partnering with Artworks at the Carver School, the cultural arts program run by Lexington Parks and Recreation. To get you and your child ready for classes, we put together a few things for you to know about Irish dance and Bluegrass Ceili Academy. 1. If you can skip, you can Irish dance! When you start taking our Irish dance classes in Lexington, we'll start at the very beginning -- with pointing your toes, crossing your feet and skipping. From there, our student will learn basic moves that -- once put together --…

Aug162016 by Megan MNo Comments

Irish dance classes in Lexington: Register beginning August 24

Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

Bluegrass Ceili Academy will begin offering Irish dance classes in Lexington this fall through Artworks, a community cultural arts program. Registration for classes begins online Wednesday, August 24 at noon through the Lexington Parks and Recreation website. Join us on Monday nights for classes at the Carver School in downtown Lexington. Our children's Irish dance class is from 6 - 7 p.m. and has a fall and spring session. The fall session runs September 26 - December 5 and costs $60. The spring session is January 30 - April 17 and is $70. Students ages 6 to 15 are welcome to join our children's class -- no previous dance experience is necessary, but we certainly welcome those with other dance or previous Irish dance experience. We're also excited to offer a new…

Aug92016 by Megan MNo Comments

Try a free Irish dance class in Lexington… then sign up for more!

Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

This week is your last chance to try a free Irish dance class in Lexington before registration for our fall classes opens on August 24. Every month, we offer a night of dancing -- and fun -- at the Spiders Well at McCarthy's Irish Bar. You can join us downtown this month on Wednesday, August 10 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Our free class is all about getting students up and dancing. We'll teach you the basics, but want you to enjoy the music and a dance or two. Here's what we did last month: Doesn't that look like fun? Spread the word about our free Irish dance class in Lexington You can help us spread the word about our free Irish dance class in Lexington and there are…

Jul302016 by Megan MNo Comments

We’ve got shoes! Community supports our Lexington Irish dance school

Community, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

Ghillies, pumps, softshoes...jig shoes, hardshoes: no matter what you call them our friends in the Irish dance community have stepped up to support our Lexington Irish dance school with donations of gently used shoes. Our response: thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! [caption id="attachment_460" align="alignleft" width="302"] Donations from friends throughout the Irish dance community are making our "Used Shoe Box" possible.[/caption] Earlier this month, Bluegrass Ceili Academy spent a weekend in Washington, D.C. We had the chance to meet up with some of our best Irish dance friends and thankfully, they came bearing gifts of lightly worn dance shoes. You see, our Lexington Irish dance school will be starting classes for children and adults this fall through Lexington Parks and Recreation. For classes, you need shoes. Right now, you can't…

Jul152016 by Megan MNo Comments

Free Irish dance classes in Lexington ~ Join us for the fun!

Community, Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

[gallery type="slideshow" link="file" size="large" ids="450,404,451"] Once a month, we pack up our dance shoes and "boom box" and head downtown to teach free Irish dance classes in Lexington. It's a low stress, fun-filled night of giving something new a try! We're offering these our free classes because Bluegrass Ceili Academy is committed to our communities here in Lexington -- the downtown community, the Irish community and our Irish dance community. As a new school, we've been welcomed in by so many and we're committed to giving back to those who are supporting us. Taking our monthly dance class is just one thing you can do to show support for our -- and YOUR -- community. We're grateful to our friends at McCarthy's Irish Bar for giving us space to teach our…

Jul122016 by Megan MNo Comments

Get your jig on! Join us for Irish dancing in Lexington!

Ceili Dancing, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

It's "hump day" in the middle of summer and you're looking for something fun to do, right? Why not try a free night of Irish dancing in Lexington with Bluegrass Ceili Academy! We're hosting a night out at the Spiders Well in downtown Lexington -- dinner, shopping, a pint and your chance to "get jiggy" with it. Join us on Wednesday, July 13, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Our friends along Upper Street are making a night of it -- we'll have a special dinner item from NAT's Thai restaurant available (last month it was an awesome curry). Failte Irish Shop is extending their hours to give you a chance to pick up some yummy Irish treats or classic Irish gifts. And since we're right next door to McCarthy's, you'll be…

Jun292016 by Megan MNo Comments

Dance as if EVERYONE is watching: 2016 Irish Dance National Championships

Ceili Dancing

This week in Orlando, Florida, the 2016 Irish dance national championships are taking place, bringing together some of the best Irish dancers from across North America and the world. With so many talented dancers -- soloists and teams -- under one roof there's a lot of energy and inspiration. One of the inspiring quotes you'll often see about dance is this one: Sing like no one is listening. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching, and live like it’s heaven on earth. While dancing as if no one is watching gives you a sense of throwing caution to the wind, moving with the music and freedom, I think it's just as important to remind dancers to step out there on stage and dance as if EVERYONE is…