Four things to do at the 2011 North American Irish Dance Championships

BY ERIN BAILEY, Feis America Magazine contributor

Nationals was always a time for my family to take a summer vacation. OK, it was essentially forced on all of them, but they packed up the car and drove to that year’s lucky locale, eager to explore a new city without hesitation.

If you’re heading to Nashville for the 2011 North American Irish Dance Championships this weekend, (good luck!) and maybe take a look around Tennessee's capital with these ideas.

- When you think Nashville, country music pops to mind--no surprise. If you’re a music lover and would like to fully immerse yourself into the country theme, the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must-see.

- Don’t forget, there is also loads of history down in the southern region of our country. The Belle Meade Plantation is home to a Civil War battle. With a low price, it'll keep the younger kids entertained and get their brains churning over summer break.

- Wanna make history? Then join in what will (hopefully) be the longest line of Irish dancers at 12 p.m. in the Tennessee Ballroom of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel Sunday, July 3. CLICK HERE to register. A portion of all fees will go to the IDTANA scholarship fund.

- Whenever we hit up Nashville for the NANs, my dad loves walking through the downtown area. Be sure to hit up Riverfront Park for some 4th of July fireworks a day early on Sunday, July 3.

Tell us, what’s a favorite Nashville hotspot you’ve discovered while at the NANs?

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Irish dance documentary 'Jig' - meet the star Shane McAvinchey TCRG - VIDEO

Feis America caught up with our friend Shane McAvinchey, TCRG - a star of Jig! The Film - to get the behind-the-scenes scoop and find out what's next for this internationally-renowned performer, Irish dancing teacher and entrepreneur.

Feis America: What was your first reaction when Sue Bourne contacted you about including your ceili team in Jig?

Shane: I was absolutely delighted! When I first went to Russia to teach I was amazed by how dedicated these people were to Irish dance. There have been so many times when I have been teaching a class in the suburbs of Moscow and been amazed by the hard work and dedication of these dancers and just wished that other people could see it too. When Sue Bourne told me that she wanted to feature them in the film I was excited that finally they would be introduced to the world and show what passionate and dedicated dancers they are.

Feis America: How long have you been working with this particular team?

Shane: The teaching team of Tir na nOg is made up [of] three TCRGs - Mary Sweeney ADCRG and myself based in Germany and Anna Demchecko TCRG based in Moscow (Anna is also the first fully-qualified TCRG in Russia!). We have all been working on the team for a number of years with Anna having regular classes up to four times a week with the team and Mary and/or myself flying into Moscow for weekend workshops on a monthly basis. The team has been to the Worlds and All Irelands a number of times and each year they are coming closer and closer to being recalled to the final rounds. They are a pleasure to work with and after the amount of time spent together we all understand each other, even when there are language barriers!

Feis America: Describe the actual circumstance which kept some of your team members from getting to Glasgow for the 2010 World Irish Dancing Championships? How did you overcome the obstacle?

Shane: Unfortunately, two members of our Ladies' Ceili team were refused a visa for the United Kingdom at the very last minute. The Russian people usually have to get a visa to travel just about anywhere outside their country, even if it is just for a visit, and it is notoriously difficult for them to get them. In this case, we had invitation letters from An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG), letters from ourselves (the directors of Tir na nOg) and all the proof that was needed to show that these girls were taking part in an international competition and still there were problems. There is usually no real certainty when the team is applying for a visa so we really have to rely on luck. We are hoping that the popularity of the Jig! movie will make things easier in the future.

Feis America: What are your thoughts as a TCRG on the film itself? What were the team members reactions to seeing themselves on film?

Shane: I absolutely loved the film. I was lucky enough to be in Ireland when it was released there and I think it is an absolute boost for Irish dance and will really show people what our world is all about. I was so proud of Sue Bourne's work in portraying the Irish dance world and how she found the true spirit of it and didn't just take the easy route and focus in on 'the wigs, the make-up and the false tan' as many news and TV agencies seem to always do. I remember when I met Sue first I was amazed at the types of questions she was asking which were so unlike the ones I was used to ("Why the fake tan?" "Why the makeup?" "Why do Irish dancers hold their hands by their sides", etc. etc.). Sue's questions had heart and I knew the film waas going to have heart too. Unfortunately, our team have not yet really had the opportunity to see themselves on film! I know that they really want to so let's hope that Jig! becomes so big that it is show in Russia!


Feis America: What's next for Shane McAvinchey?

Shane: Right now I am keeping myself busy doing the things I love - teaching and co-directing the Tir na nOg school which has locations across Germany, Poland and of course Russia; I have recently launched the new Irish dance instructional website, Diddly Learn with my brother which I am really excited about; [I am] completing a post-graduate business degree here in Munich, organising events, summer camps and workshops around Europe and of course, my main passion: performing from time to time too! I have loads and loads of ideas and plans in the works so I am just trying to take it one step at a time! I cannot wait to see what's next for me but all I hope is that I can continue on my mission to life life to the fullest, keep developing new ideas and projects and of course carry on dancing and being happy! What more could I want?

Photo by Darlene O'Sullivan, Co. Kerry, Ireland

See the trailer for Jig here:


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Irish dance documentary 'Jig' opens - feedback is terrific - VIDEO

Ryan Academy (NY) girls at 'Jig' Credit:Heather Kontonis

Check out what Feis America's FaceBook fans had to say about seeing "Jig" in theaters this weekend:

"We really enjoyed it. We laughed, cried and the girls I took came away motivated and inspired!"
-Kelly Fitzgerald Atzbach

"Great film. NYC yesterday afternoon."
- Denise Doonan

"Brilliant!"
- Fidelma McGroary

"It was amazing and the perfect inspiration for my feis today. Everybody I went with felt really happy and wanting to dance in the middle of West Hollywood!"
- Kati Byrne

"Wonderful film. Saw it with my two girls here in Toronto ages 10 and 6..."
- Melanie May

"It was a great look into Irish dance. It really showed how hard these kids work and the sacrifices made [by] these kids and their parents. You really fell in love with these kids and wish them all continued success. Congrats to Sue Bourne!"
- Sue, Feis411

Here's a trailer of the documentary:

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READ MORE:
Exclusive interview: Irish dance documentary 'Jig' opening today - meet the star John Whitehurst

Meet the stars of new documentary "Jig" - Joe Bitter - VIDEO

Meet the stars of new documentary "Jig" - producer Sue Bourne - VIDEO
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Meet the stars of new documentary "Jig" - producer Sue Bourne - VIDEO

Creative Scotland's award-winning filmmaker Sue Bourne stepped out of the world as she knew it when she decided to pitch creating a documentary of the World Irish Dancing Championships. Her first obstacle was presenting to 100 members of An Comisiun le Rinci Gaelacha in Dublin, whose protective hold on competitive Irish dancing world-wide is a well-known deterrent to all publicity. Bourne was delighted to get full permission to produce the film and set about on a two- year journey to study, select and then chronicle the journeys of 8 solo competitors from New York, Northern Ireland, The Netherlands, and United Kingdom and a team from Moscow to the World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow, Scotland in 2010.

Bourne, whose award-winning works include "Mum and Me" which won the Best Documentary Award at the Celtic Media Film Festival and "My Street" which won the Best Documentary at Broadcast Awards, is used to delving deep inside human nature and knocking on doors to get answers to questions nobody else is asking. It's no surprise then that her success is based on trust and an ability to distance herself professionally, resulting in creations that move, inspire and make us think.


In Jig!, the audience meets dancers who are already qualified to compete at Worlds, the effective 'Olympics' of Irish dancing, and we watch them train, grow and ultimately experience their own definition of success or defeat. With great camera shots that slow down the action (remember these dancers train all year for what amounts to six minutes on stage), it is easy to follow and thrilling to watch. Whether you are familiar with Irish dance or not, be prepared to be moved and inspired by the courage, commitment and determination of these athletes and their families and teachers.

Jig! opens in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto this weekend! Get your tickets or put in your request for a showing in a city near you at http://www.jig-the-film.com/ now!



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Meet the stars of new documentary "Jig" - Joe Bitter - VIDEO

Five-time World Irish Dancing Champion and a star of Jig! The Film

Coming soon to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto!

Joe Bitter is the real thing. Comfortable with cameras and strangers, wearing a smile that just didn't quit during hours of interviews, Joe exudes that stellar presence that helped him claim FIVE World Championship titles. Remarkably, Joe displays none of the inflated ego expected of a 17 year-old, particularly one with his amazing Irish dancing record and international fame.

Born and raised in California, Joe was smitten with American football long before he was introduced to Irish dancing. "I could throw twice as far and run faster than everybody, but I was too small," admits Joe. Watching his older sister dance and a Riverdance DVD peaked his interest, and Joe took to step dancing immediately.

In Jig!, Joe's father recalls that Joe won the first seventeen competitions he entered and often would roll up the carpet and dance for as many as seven hours at a time. Eventually, Dr. Bitter gave up his successful practice and moved the family to England so Joe could train with John Carey, TCRG, an EIGHT-time World Irish Dancing Champion. It is this kind of intimate look at the whole family's commitment that makes Jig! such a fantastic documentary about the world of competitive Irish dancing.

In New York for the opening of Jig!, Joe was excited to talk about the film and when prodded, about his own dancing and creative partnership with his mentor and teacher John Carey. Joe is preparing now for the North American National Irish Dancing Championships and finishing up at school at the same time. He does get to miss some school - and unfortunately some social events with his friends - because of dance, but he sees it more as dedication than sacrifice. He crosstrains with Pilates and at the gym. He looks up to the professionals who perform in Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, and hopes to join a tour when he's done with school.

In the film, a memorable moment is when young John Whitehurst talks about looking up to Joe in dance class; in another, Joe talks about wanting to be remembered for his set dance. Neither scene is one you will soon forget!

Jig! is scheduled to open this weekend in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto. See http://www.jig-the-film.com/ for a list of theaters and cities, and put your request in for a showing in your area today!

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