Bluegrass Ceili Academy

Sep202017 by Megan MNo Comments

Irish dance in Lexington: Traditions, history give growth to new community

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

When I talk about what I want Bluegrass Ceili Academy's role in Irish dance in Lexington to be, you'll hear me describe our goal of being a community-based cultural arts resource for Central Kentucky. It's that perspective that we want to share with our dancers, families and supporters. We're just days away from the start of our second full year of classes at Artworks at the Carver School and we couldn't be more excited to welcome both our new and returning students. But before the new year begins, I wanted to share with you more about what Bluegrass Ceili Academy is, where we came from and our mission in being a vital part of the community. The legacy of Peggy O'Neill [caption id="attachment_945" align="alignright" width="234"] Peggy O'Neill. Photo courtesy of…

Aug292017 by Megan MNo Comments

Last chance: Support scholarships for cultural arts classes in Lexington

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Community

Perspective. Experience. Community. Mission. Not only is that what matters, but it’s why our Irish dance school has stepped up to support scholarships for cultural arts classes in Lexington. In July, we partnered with the 2017 Kentucky Rose of Tralee to host a fundraiser for Artworks at the Carver School. All funds raised are being to provide need- and merit-based scholarships for children and adults who take cultural arts classes through Lexington Parks and Recreation’s programs at Artworks. Before our school year begins in September, you have one last chance to support our scholarships for these cultural arts classes in Lexington. Why are we doing this? Because, for us, it’s about community. Our Lexington Irish dance school was welcomed into the Artworks program last year, along with other cultural arts classes such as karate…

Aug232017 by Megan MNo Comments

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

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

You've always wanted to try something new and different -- for yourself or your child. Maybe you danced as a child and now you miss the music and the fun...either way, NOW is the time to sign up for Irish dance classes in Lexington with Bluegrass Ceili Academy! Click here to register through Lexington Parks & Rec now! Our Irish dance classes for both children and adults focus on few things: fun, friendship, art and sport. Here are 7 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…

May52017 by Megan MNo Comments

A year of firsts for our community-based Lexington Irish dance school

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

With our Spring Recital in the books, we have wrapped up the first year since we've opened our doors as a Lexington Irish dance school and joined a thriving local community. And what a year it's been! We thought it might be fun to take a look back at some of our major milestones! April 2016 [caption id="attachment_451" align="alignleft" width="300"] A small but enthusiastic group at our very first free class![/caption] On April 13, we taught our first class in Lexington...in a bar. That's right! Thanks to our friends at McCarthy's Irish bar downtown, we've offered a number of free Irish dance classes to the community at the Spiders Well. You can read more about that here or here. On April 24, dancers from four schools joined together for an afternoon…

Apr162017 by Megan MNo Comments

Marking milestones with Irish dance in Lexington, KY

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Community, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

This week, as we wrap up our first class season for Irish dance in Lexington, KY, we take a look at some of the milestones we've reached. Our 2016-2017 class year comes to a close on Monday, but we've already got big plans for the summer and for our next class year! This past weekend, our dancers took the stage at Kite Fest, sponsored by Lexington Parks and Recreation. We are proud partners of Parks and Rec -- you can find our classes for Irish dance in Lexington, KY at Artworks at the Carver School, Lexington's cultural arts center. On Mondays from late September through December and January through April, we've welcomed children and adults into our studio. Starting a new school has been an adventure. When I started Irish…

Apr72017 by Megan MNo Comments

Save the dates: Summer Irish dance classes in Lexington for adults, children

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Ceili Dancing, Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

Get your calendars out now and save the dates for free summer Irish dance classes in Lexington for adults and children with Bluegrass Ceili Academy and Artworks at the Carver School! In partnership with Lexington Parks and Recreation, we're hosting four workshops this summer to give you a chance to try Irish dance for FREE to see if you like it. All ages - adults and children - are welcome at each of our four workshops -- each one will focus on something new! And yes, they are FREE! Summer Irish dance classes in Lexington for adults and children Here's what you'll learn at these Irish dance classes in Lexington for adults and children: Monday, June 19 - Introduction to Irish Ceili Dancing - On Monday, June 19, we'll introduce ceili (pronounced kay-lee) dancing…

Apr62017 by Megan MNo Comments

Irish dance March madness gives way to a busy April!

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Community

It's hard to believe that Bluegrass Ceili Academy's Irish dance March madness has come and gone and we're already into the month of April! This past March was our first St. Patrick's season as the newest dance school in Central Kentucky. Our dancers stepped onstage for the first time for a number of local performances and we had a BLAST all month long! Take a look at some of the highlights: (And yes, that's your Academy director dancing *with* a fractured heel...The show must go on!) What's next after Irish dance March Madness? While we love our month of Irish dance March madness, we're looking forward just as much to this April as we celebrate spring at Lexington's Kite Fest and our dancers take the stage again for the Kiddie Kapers &…

Feb52017 by Megan MNo Comments

Take a free Irish dance class in Lexington with your family!

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington, Local Events

We're trying something new this month with our friends at Failte Irish Shop -- joining together to offer a free Irish dance class in Lexington for you and your family! You don’t need dancing shoes, you just need yourself! 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. Try a free Irish dance class in Lexington Join us on Friday, February 10 from 5 - 7 p.m. in downtown Lexington. You can make it even more fun by inviting your friends and family, too! Click here to visit our Facebook event page and send out your invites!

Feb52017 by Megan MNo Comments

Bluegrass Ceili Academy brings “Something Irish” to the stage

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Community, Local Events

When I left Lexington in 1995 to head to Washington, D.C., I left behind friends and my work in the local theatre community here. In D.C., I stopped acting and started dancing. On St. Patrick's Day this year, I get to go back to my theatre roots and I couldn't be more excited. Bluegrass Ceili Academy will be joining Woodford Theatre this March 17 and we are inviting our community to celebrate the day with "Something Irish." Explore Irish dance, music and language and meet the folks behind Translations, by Irish playwright Brian Friel, which opens March 24. [caption id="attachment_694" align="alignleft" width="291"] Click on the image to see a larger version.[/caption] It's an evening full of Irish arts and culture! 6 p.m. - Social Irish dancing with Bluegrass Ceili Academy…

Jan252017 by Megan MNo Comments

Why join our Lexington Irish dance community

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Community, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

Perspective. Experience. Community. Mission. It's what matters. It's also why you should join our Lexington Irish dance community. The area's newest community-based Irish dance school, the Bluegrass Ceili Academy brings more than two decades of Irish dance experience and ceili expertise to Central Kentucky. We're invested in our students and our community. Perspective matters. The love of dance and music knows no age limit. That's why we offer Lexington Irish dance classes for children and adults. Experience matters. While Bluegrass Ceili Academy is new, Academy director Megan Moloney has been dancing and teaching for more than 20 years. Megan studied Irish dance for in the Washington, D.C. area beginning in 1996; began teaching adult students and teams more than a decade ago; and achieved certification with the Irish dancing commission…