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Jun32016 by Megan MNo Comments

Supporting your community Irish dance school in Lexington

Starting up a Irish dance school in Lexington from the ground up is a lot of work. But we're thrilled to have a running start as we build our community-based program. We've already kicked things off with a series of free Irish dance classes in downtown Lexington at McCarthy's Irish Bar in the Spiders Well. Our first class was such fun that we're doing it again next week. Check out our Facebook event for the details, but consider joining us on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Bluegrass Ceili Academy: Your community-based Irish dance school in Lexington Our next big venture is coming up in the next few weeks as we introduce students from Kiddie Kapers & Company Dance Program to Irish dance. Students attending the summer camp offered by Lexington Parks…

May182016 by Megan MNo Comments

Donate your shoes to Lexington Irish dance community-based program

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When Bluegrass Ceili Academy classes begin this fall at Artworks at the Carver School, it will be the first time our community-based Lexington Irish dance program welcomes students. It will also be the first time in a number of years that Irish dance has been offered through Lexington Parks and Recreation. We're excited to get started, but we need your help to do so! Since we're new to the Lexington irish dance community, with no previous dancers around, there's no "used shoe bin" for our students. To get our new students dancing, Bluegrass Ceili Academy is seeking donations of all sizes of lightly used and outgrown Irish dance shoes. Currently, none of the dance supply stores in Lexington stock ghillies or hard shoes, and local competitions where vendors may be…

May132016 by Megan MNo Comments

Learning traditional Irish dance in Lexington

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[caption id="attachment_351" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Dancers perform a slip jig choreography. Photo by K. Wilson.[/caption] The beauty, rhythm, grace and tradition of Irish dance are some of the reasons so many dancers are drawn to it. If you're interested in learning traditional Irish Dance in Lexington, Kentucky, Bluegrass Ceili Academy will be starting new classes this fall with an emphasis on team dance, performance and competition. Exploring the traditional roots of Irish dance is something Academy director Megan Moloney has done before by reviving nearly century old dances and giving new interpretations to them. You can watch videos of traditional Irish ceili dancing in action on our website. Another beautiful example of one style of traditional Irish dance not typically seen in most dance schools was shared this week by current Riverdance cast…

Apr252016 by Megan MNo Comments

Central Kentucky Irish dancers celebrate a centennial

Ceili Dancing, Instruction

It was a day when Central Kentucky Irish dancers came together to celebrate a centennial, 100 years since the 1916 Easter Rising put Ireland on the path to independence. Dancers from four schools joined together for an afternoon of music and dancing. Watch our video! We had a great turnout! From all around Kentucky Irish dancers, friends, family and our local Irish community joined in, including folks from the Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers, Inc., the Lexington Irish Dancers and the Louisville Irish Dancers. [caption id="attachment_342" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Bluegrass Ceili Academy family turned out for our Centennial Ceili. Check out more photos from the event on Tops in Lexington.[/caption] A big thank you to the band's Liam Fancy and to our sponsors, the Bluegrass Irish Society, Lexington Celtic Association,…

Apr242016 by Megan MNo Comments

New Irish dance classes in Lexington beginning Fall 2016

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We're excited to announce some big news! Beginning this fall, Bluegrass Ceili Academy will be offering Irish dance classes in Lexington through Artworks at the Carver School. Artworks at the Carver School is a community cultural arts facility operated by Lexington Parks & Recreation. Through the program, Bluegrass Ceili Academy will offer group Irish dance classes in Lexington for both children and adults. Classes will focus on group choreography -- known as ceili dancing -- for fun, for performance and for competition. Whether you're a beginner, have some dance experience or are coming back to Irish dance after a break, check out our new classes this fall! [caption id="attachment_331" align="alignright" width="232"] Download this flyer to help us spread the news about Irish dance classes in Lexington with Artworks at…

Apr142016 by Megan MNo Comments

Learning Irish dance in a bar. It’s better than you think!

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When you're learning Irish dance, finding the right class environment is important. If you're new to it, maybe you'd like an environment that's laid back, not stressful and just a little bit fun. That's certainly the environment some first time Irish dance students found in downtown Lexington at the Spiders Well at McCarthy's Irish bar. [caption id="attachment_302" align="alignleft" width="450"] The Spiders Well at McCarthy's Irish Bar in Lexington, Kentucky.[/caption] The Spiders Well is a side bar that isn't used on some weeknights. It has great wood floors for dancing and, when the table and chairs are moved to the side, plenty of room to learn and dance a few steps. Three weeks ago, Bluegrass Ceili Academy approached the owner of McCarthy's about using the Spiders Well to teach a…

Mar312016 by Megan MNo Comments

Irish dance classes at the Spiders Well

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Show up for the steps, then stay for a pint! Join Bluegrass Ceili Academy for a FREE Irish dance class* at the Spiders Well at McCarthy's Irish Bar. Never danced before? New to Irish dance? Not a problem! We'll start with the basics. Irish ceili (pronounced kay-lee) dancing is the traditional group dancing native to Ireland. The dances we teach -- and the dances you'll learn -- are those generations-old dances handed down through the years. Our first monthly Irish dance class at the Spiders Well is Wednesday, April 13 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. McCarthy's is located downtown at 171 South Upper Street, Lexington. The Spiders Well is through the door along the right wall towards the back of the bar. Be sure to sign up for our emails to…

Mar22016 by Megan MNo Comments

Learn to Irish dance!

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Bluegrass Ceili Academy is now offering Irish dance instruction for individuals, small groups and current dance students wanting to give it a try. If you've thought about trying something new to you, now is the time to do so. Book a workshop now! If you’re interested in booking a workshop or individual or small group Irish dance lessons in the Lexington or Central Kentucky area, please click here to complete our workshop registration form online. (Opens a Google Form in a new window.)