By: Amelia Ekstein Irish Step Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Who: Everyone dances. Men, Women, Children. Learn as children and grow up to dance solo and socially. What: Solo dances The Jig The Hornpipe The Reel Solo Set Dances Ceilis The Dancers: Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Collectively Originally the types of dancing would have been group jigs such as:  Tree Worship Dances  Animal Dances  Work Dances  War Dances  Courtship Dances  Recreational Dances Religious Origins are unclear but its stated that the very first roots were in Pre-Christian Ireland No Sexual or sensual connotations. Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Significance Why is step dance important in culture?  Expression  Rights  Use steps in tap dancing and other modern dances Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Costumes: Male Costumes: o Knee Breeches o The Kilt o Aran Sweaters (50’s & 60’s) o Jacket (variety of colors) o Match socks, ties, and kilts o River dances influenced o Black trousers o Blouse type shirts Female Costumes o Special dresses (originally)  Often a white “bawneen” with green ribbons o Pleated dress  Coatee worn over dress and a shawl that is the same color of the dress attached to one shoulder. Can either hang down or be attached to the opposite hip. Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Why the Irish Dance the Way They Do: Stories told of why they dance with straight arms and tight torso. Queen of England Behind the counter at the Pub Dance Masters Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Music Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

The Jig Solo Dance Can be performed in different forms Slip or Hop Jig (today only danced by women but used to be danced by men and couples in competitions) Graceful dance Soft shoes River Dance Single Jig, Double Jig, or Heavy Jig Single= Light dancing Double= light or heavy Heavy=hard shoes to put emphasis on sound and rythm Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Solo Set Dance Heavy (Hard) Shoes Specific music and dance Dates back to the 19 th century Set dance differs form the ordinary jig Two parts: The step The set: prescribed tune so that the foot work and rhythm of the dance are expected to interpret the tune Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

The Ceilis Group Dances Competitions and Social Dances Structured on a few basic steps:  Side Step  Threes  Promenade Step  Rising Step  Rise and Grind Round dances, long line dances and column dances Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Oppression or Privilege? British occupation of Ireland during the 18th century The stiff upper body is in honor of the oppression of the Irish culture, in language, dance and song. America today Competitions are held and Irish dance is now privileged Found no oppression today Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Evolution of Cultural Expressions Most recent world championship in Irish Dance was held in America for the first time in Philadelphia in 2009 Acculturated: Cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture: a meaning of cultures as a result of prolonged contact. Irish dance before the advent of An Coimisun, was more subdued form of dancing; the emphasis being on Poise, grace and musicality of the steps rather than on speed and complexity of steps and footwork. Movement of the arms is now sometimes incorporated into modern Irish step dance, although this is generally seen as a hybrid and non- traditional addition. Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Thank You! For: Unique style History Privilege to learn the Dance Most Irish step dancers are not from Irish decent Contributions: Dance Master Letting us borrow steps to modernize dance Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project

Works Cited “History of Irish Step Dancing.” Historical Origins Of Irish Step Dancing. Kwintessential. 20 April “Irish Dance.” The History of Irish Dance. 20 April Jonas, Gerald. Dancing: The Pleasure, Power, and Art of Movement. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, “Social Irish Dance.” 20 April Whelan, Frank. “The Complete Guide to Irish Dance.” Belfast, Ireland; Appletontree, Amelia Ekstein CIS 1020 Final Project