Dancers hope to become world champs
Lords and ladies of the dance in Lincoln are jetting off to the USA to take part in the Irish Dancing World Championships.
The seven girls and two boys, who train at the Devaney School of Irish Dancing based in Hawthorn Road, Lincoln, will make the trip to Philadelphia on Friday.
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The dancers get ready for America
They face stiff competition in the championships, which are being held outside Ireland for the first time.
All of the dancers involved and their parents worked hard to raise £6,000 for the trip.
Coach and owner of the Devaney School of Irish Dancing Caroline Devaney said: "They've all been training really hard six or seven times a week in the run up to this.
"You need the triple factor of a dedicated pupil, coach and parent."
Once in the US, the wannabe river dancers will take part in a week of age group competitions, with about 200 participants in each category.
But the club has high hopes, with two Midlands champions Emily Pavier (13) and Sophie Easton (18) and one Great British champion, Jessica Pavier, (10) in their midst.
One of the dancers overcame injury to qualify for the World Championships.
Harriet Staines (12) broke her foot in the run up to last year's championship and worked hard to bounce back into her wig and dress.
Senior dancer Sophie Easton has been to the US before to compete.
"I'm really nervous," she said.
"But I'm also excited. We did well last year so that has made us all the more confident."
For more on the Irish Dancing World Championships, see Monday's Echo.
3 Comments
by Steve, South Hykeham
Monday, March 30 2009, 11:10AM
“Sorry - Typo
That means presentation and carriage; which is why, when they¿re on a stage that¿s say the size of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, a dancer who isn¿t presented well won¿t stand out and will lose marks”
by Steve, South Hykeham
Monday, March 30 2009, 11:08AM
“POLICYofTRUTH, LINCOLN: I'm the father of one of the girls you see in the background and I'll try to explain a bit more about the costumes and make up situation if it helps. Whilst I whole heartedly agree that some of the makeup is OTT, there¿s reasons for why they dress the way they do.
Irish Dancing is a lot like fashion and new styles of dress come out every year which is why new dresses are purchased every year to keep up with trends and can range from £800 up to £1500, as they¿re all individually measured, fitted and hand crafted; previous years dresses will then be sold on for roughly half price. (Girls & Shopping)
When the girls dance in competition, the emphasis is not only on their ability to dance but also their appearance and their ability to stand out from the other 200 dancers. That means presentation and carriage; which is why, when they¿re on a stage that¿s say the size of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, a dancer who isn¿t presented well will won¿t stand out and will lose marks, and so it¿s not necessarily the parents who are plastering on the make-up, it¿s governed by Irish Dancing around the world as a whole. In fact in the vast majority of cases and definitely at this level, the girls themselves put their make up on.
In terms of the wigs, shoes, etc these rules are governed by the regional Irish Dancing governing bodies who stipulate rules of dress code.
Hope this helps.”
by POLICYofTRUTH, LINCOLN
Monday, March 30 2009, 8:09AM
“I love to see Irish dancing and good luck to the boys and girls on going to the world championships....
But could someone please explain to my why they dress the little girls up in SOOOO much make-up? Hair is one thing but forgive me, I have seen these little girls with more make-up on that Lilly Savage!
I understand little girls like to dress up but cant there mothers see that all thta make-up is all a little OTT?!
Good luck boys and girls!”