8TH SUMMER SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING

in Prague, the Czech republic, is over for this year. I hope everybody enjoyed, as it looked like it was good fun. It happened we reached another record, concretely the amount of participants was 211. People came from different parts of Europe, countries such as: Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Denmark, UK, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech republic of course. Some of them attended just step dancing classes (all levels were available), some of them just music classes (fiddle, bodhran, guitar or flute/whistle), some of them combine it together, plus attended Irish language,sean nós dancing (old style of ID) or set dancing classes. Along with this official programme, whole week brought up some sessions in local pub or at school, which mostly turned up as a very amusing evening/night.
Final evening in Ponec theatre was very pleasant conclusion of whole week event. Several dancing groups showed off some of their repertoire. Interesting was duo Michel Sikiotakis and Ronan Regan (two teachers) who put together first whistle and fiddle and then Ronan showed off bit of sean nos dancing while Michel kept playing the tune. Music classes prepared few tunes, which they played together, bodhran class actually prepared current topic to show – which was olympic games (very funny), same as Irish language class part was just as hilarious. The end belonged to teachers and their mini show off-music teachers accompained dance teachers with their music. Was very short step about though. Everyone was then call for last dance and big crowd appeared on the dance floor.
After party continued in very pleasant restaurant not far from the theatre (bigger and nicer from last years). With the night, crowd was shrinking, some continued till late morning hours though, absorbing all the experciences from past week…

For those who enjoyed this year summer school and for those who think, they missed something special as this week defo was, make sure you note to your next year calendar the date of the 9th Summer School of Irish Dancing which is set for the 15th-21st of August 2009.

We will all look forward to you! More info will be displayed with the time here on Diddlyi or www.bernards.cz (English version will be completed soon)