Dancing through Cork

international | arts and media | press release Thursday July 21, 2005 15:03 by Daithí Kearney - Cork International Folk Dance Festival info at corkfolkdancefest dot com Rosebank, Churchill, Carrigaline, Co. Cork 0876419081

Siamsa Tíre returns to International Stage

From August 14th to 21st the county of Cork plays host to more than 700 performers from more than a dozen countries. Ireland will be represented by top Cork groups Ceolta Sí, the Imokilly Dancers and many local branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, as well as Siamsa Tíre, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland.
Events include a two spectacular, multi-cultural dance extravaganzas in Cork'c City Hall on August 19th and 20th featuring groups from Sicily, Sardinia, Brittany, Scotland, Cornwall, Lithuania, Croatia, Germany, Poland, Denmark and the Philipines.

Ten lucky Kerry dancers are busily preparing to step onto the International stage, representing Ireland at a major upcoming festival. The girls, members of the cast of Siamsa Tíre, will perform amongst the elite folk dance troupes from throughout Europe this August as part of the Cork International Folk Dance Festival.

The performance by the Siamsa Tíre dancers is particularly linked to Kerry as they combine two popular routines from the repertoire of the National Folk Theatre Company. The first, a tribute to the late Jack Lyons, was developed from archival video footage of many of North Kerry’s most prominent dancers of yesteryear. Many of the dancers, recorded in the latter part of their lives, required the support of a chair to demonstrate their wonderful steps.

‘A Step Further’ is a complimentary yet contrasting piece that explores the contemporary development of these old steps and the North Kerry style of dance. It looks to the future while paying homage to the dancers of the past as the dancers combine elements of intricate footwork and upbeat rhythms.

The Cork International Folk Dance Festival is one of Cork2005’s largest events with over 700 performers from more than a dozen countries taking part. The festival offers fifteen top class concerts in eight venues, as well as many free outdoor performances in towns throughout the county.

For more information on events relating to the Cork International Folk Dance Festival, which takes place from the 14th to 21st of August, contact Daithí Kearney, Tel: (087) 641 9081or visit our website at www.corkfolkdancefest.com.