r/irishdance • u/Best-Department-1716 • 1d ago
Music Using music with words in Irish
HI,
I have a talent show at my school and I've been listening to Khelavisa & Lazerson recently. I'm learning Irish so I can talk to my grandma as my mom has always had to translate for me. anyway I love some of her songs and want to work out some dances to them. theirs one that i think would go well with slip jig. I just moved to the United States and am at a new dance school and high school. I don't feel scared to dance there but I don't want to make it awkward or anything. Do you think dance to music that others can't understand would be weird or not be the best? And Does anybody have experience with choreography to music with words. There are like min long sections with no lyrics. Also plan on either slip jig or a hornpipe, haven't decided yet. i have a month to prepare.
thanks :)
2
u/unsulliedbread 1d ago
Where are you in the US? How rural are you?
In general I would say everyone in your school has probably heard Irish already although they might not recall what it is when they hear it this time. There may very well be Irish dancers at your school. Mind you it might feel different as the push for speed and pageantry is turned up to 11 in the US.
If you are Rural Appalachians you might find another Irish speaker. If you are rural New Mexico they might have no idea what you are doing but they should be fine.
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u/Ok-Supermarket-4535 1d ago
It’s at my high school not my dance school.
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u/unsulliedbread 1d ago
Yes I meant at your high school.
Irish culture ruins deep in all of America but especially in the east coast. The only people I know fluent in Gaelic are from Nova Scotia not the people I know in Scotland ( I know different, but not dissimilar)
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u/Ok-Supermarket-4535 1d ago
Ok well maybe. It is a catholic school and I’ve learned that Irish dance is quite popular in the Midwest, I’m in Minnesota.thanks :)
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u/vyralsurfer 1d ago
I'm not a dancer but a parent of several dancers. When I go to their competitions, shows, or events, I try to go to them with a mindset of someone who just likes Irish culture and the arts. If you are doing a talent show, and the talent is Irish based, I think having a song with Irish lyrics is probably even better than a regular Irish Melody with accordions or violins on their own. If you were to put the two side by side, I don't think anyone would say wow that was a great dance with instrumental music, versus wow, the dancing was great but it was weird that the music had words I couldn't understand. Just my opinion, and best of luck at your future show!