Irish dance basic steps (3): the side step

In previous posts we saw how to dance the skip and the rising step. The first allows us to move forward and backward, while the second step is made on the spot.
Now we will see how to go rightward and leftward, and with that we’ll have seen all the steps we need to dance the Siege of Ennis.

The starting position is always the same: the right foot is in front of the left, while the right heel touches the left foot, and the points are slightly spread.
Moving to right: bend the right leg rising the foot (= hop), move the right foot rightwards (= two), move the left foot behind the right foot (= three), still move the right foot to right (= four) and the left behind the right (= five), and repeat once again for a total of seven steps (= six, seven).

Moving to the left: bend the left leg backward (= hop), and move forward the left foot to the left (= two), move the right foot behind the left, closing (= three), move again the left foot to the left (= four) and the right foot behind the left (= five), left foot again moves laterally (= six), and the right follows, behind (= seven).

Irish dance basic steps: rising step

In the previous post we saw how to execute a skip, or promenade step, which we use to move forward and backward in the Siege of Ennis and Jig.
Now let's give a look at the step known as Rising Step or Rise and Grind Step.

The weight is on the left foot. The right foot is stretched forward, with the tip resting on the floor.
1) We jump on the left foot, holding the place (= Hop), while the right leg is bent and moves upwards crossing the left one.
2) We jump again on the left foot, and at the same time we bring the right leg behind us (= hop back). The right foot is now on the floor and we move the weight on it. While doing this movement in the knees remain close to each other.
3) We repeat the movement 2), this time jumping on the right foot and bringing back the left leg and foot (="one").
4) We move the weight on the right foot (= "two").
5) Then the weight is on the left foot (= "three").
6) And we finish moving the weight on the right foot (= "four").

Now we are ready to begin again from 1), jumping on the right foot and lifting the left leg.
Do you find it difficult? I agree...

Irish dance basic step: skip or promenade step

Having brought the movie of a "Siege of Ennis" I thought it would be interesting to explain how to dance it.
But first you need to know the steps that are used in this dance: skip (or promenade step), side step (or 7 step), rising step. Well, I'll have to test my analytical-descriptive skills...

One of the main features of Irish dance is that arms are generally still along the body. Steps are performed on point, bringing one foot always in front of the other one (or behind, depending on the direction!), in a straight line.

Let's start with the skip.
Position: right foot in front of the left foot, right heel touches the left foot keeping the tips slightly open).
1) having the right leg close to the left knee, bend the right leg, bringing the foot upwards, with the peak tension (= hop, on the weak time of the music or take off): This movement is a kind of intersection, then you point the right foot forward and you load the weight on it (= one, on the beat or time)
2) move the weight on left foot, which remains behind (= two)
3) bring back the weight on the right foot (= three): in this way the left leg is free to move and bend backward (= hop) preparing the next step.

At this point you start over again (1) with the left foot. However, since the left leg is behind you do not do the "cut", but just bend backwards your leg, bringing then the foot forward: hop, one, two, three, hop, one, two, three ... up to exhaustion.
If you want to move back, the movement is similar, only the 1) is made bringing the right foot behind the left.

(PhotoCredits: ronnie44052 on Flickr)

Good 2009!

January has gone and there is still no trace of the author of this blog. Where she is? Well, she has relaxed a lot and has much thought during her Christmas holidays, nourishing herself by good books and being in a pleasant company. She slept a lot and enjoyed the luxury of living without schedules, except those of meals:)
Then she dived into the work. At first I thought about saying "have been sucked from work”, but I realized that it is not true: the choice was well weighted, although this will entail a long pause on other fronts.
The wind orchestra is well aware of that: I am systematically skipping the rehearses... But sometimes it is worth making a small sacrifice.
However I’m going on dancing. Give a look to the Siege of Ennis (I can’t remember all the steps, so I’ll have to watch this video a lot of time):

Past, present, future

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift and that's why it's called present.

I'm quoting by heart from Kung Fu Panda. Thanks, Oogway.

An dro

An Dro is a french dance, from Morbihan. The name An dro means circle. The An dro is dance in a circle, as a chain or in couples.
Generally the dancers make an open circle, holding by little fingers. The palm of the right hand of each dancer is turned up, while the palm of the left hand is turned down. The structure of the step is:
1. left, close, left (right foot up);
2. right, close, right (left foot up), holding the place.
In this way, the circle moves slowly and constantly leftward. While doing the step leftward the dancers move their arms upward, making a sort of loop. While standing on the place the arms move downward in the same manner.





There are many version of this dance
Kas a barh is danced two by two



In the An Dro retourné o chench'tu, the dancers dance the first part (16 beats) as a basic An Dro normale, then 4 beats moving their arms up and down. In the second part the dancers go towards the centre of the circle, clap their hands, turn and go outwards, clap their hands again, turn and repeat three times.



Hanter Dro (half a circle): the step 1 is the same of the basic An dro, while rightward the dancers make just a step and close. The arms don’t move: each dancer ciascun ballerino appoggia lean the right forearm on the left forearm of his meighbour, making a chain.
Danse Trikot is a mix of An dro and Hanter dro. Dancers hold each other by the little fingers, also when the arms don’t move.

Spelt with pumpkin and gorgonzola cheese

In the last few months I've been so tired that I never wanted to cook. But last Sunday I gave a look to a recipe in a magazine and I decided it was time to start again my experiments. I have to say that this is a good way to take care of myself and of my family. So I want to share with you some of my ideas. The first I propose to you is ispired by something seen in a restaurant, with some differences.

For 2 people:
spelt 100 g
pumpkin 100 g (or a little more)
a little onion
olive oil
salt pepper
vegetable broth
gorgonzola cheese

Chop up the onion and let it brown in the oil. Add the pumpkin in little bits and some water. Cook for ten minutes. Add the spelt and cook it for a couple of minutes, then add the broth gradually. Add salt and pepper as you prefer. When te spelt is well done (it will take 20 minutes, more or less), put some slices of gorgonzola cheese in the plates and then put the spelt over it.
It's wonderful with beer.