An Evening Of Irish Music And Dancing To Benefit Family Pantry

Want to feel as though you are celebrating the holidays in Ireland?

Lovers of Irish fiddle music and step dancing are in for a treat on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Chatham Drama Guild. That's when Chatham resident and nationally known fiddler Rose Clancy teams up with dozens of young Irish step dance students to benefit two local organizations. Proceeds from "Ireland in America: an Evening of Song and Dance" will go to The Family Pantry of Cape Cod in Harwich and the Kanaley School of Irish Dance in Buzzards Bay.

 "Traditional Irish music was created for dancing," Clancy said. "Music was very social in Ireland and Irish step dancing has now experienced a great rebirth in America." The evening will include songs, tunes and dancing "combining the traditions," she said. "So in addition to some of the classics like ‘The Galway Shawl’ and some contemporary Irish fiddle music, we will be doing reels, jigs and hornpipes." 

 Event organizer Kim Rodriques was inspired to set up an event to support the Pantry when she realized how much of the holiday season revolves around food. 

"That made me think of the Family Pantry of Cape Cod in Harwich," she recalled recently. "When people have reliable access to food, they can focus on everything else that's important, like education and employment."

 Pulling together an event to benefit a worthy cause like the pantry is a mission of love for Roderiques, and she quickly decided that an evening of Irish music and dancing would be a lively fit. Roderiques was delighted to have Clancy lead the event. 

"Rose is an exceptional fiddle player," Roderiques said. "Her exuberance and passion for her music is extraordinary." Clancy will be accompanied by guitarist Max Cohen.

 And to accompany Irish music, what could be better than showcasing Irish step dancers along with the fiddling? "I decided this would be so perfect...to combine the beauty of Irish step dance with the energetic and spirited sound of the fiddle for a lively evening!" Roderiques said.

 Reaching out to the Kanaely School of Irish Dance, Roderiques worked with school founder and award-winning Irish step dancer Colleen Kanaley Dow. Thirty-one dancers, ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old, and from beginners to championship dancers, will participate in the evening event. They include Annabelle Chown of Orleans, who has recently qualified for her fourth World Irish Dance Competition Championships.

 Requiring significant strength, endurance and agility, Irish dancing is a traditional dance style in which the upper body is kept straight and the arms down by the side, while the feet do complicated steps. “Riverdance” and “Lord of the Dance” are two well-known groups performing the style. The dancers will perform reels, jigs and light jigs as well as hornpipes, treble jogs and contemporary sets, using both soft shoes and hard. 

 Clancy expects the evening to include weaving together conversation and stories with dance and music. 

"We will be exploring traditions as they are now in Ireland," she said. "It will be dancing, music and lots of fun! And you don't need Irish roots to hear it and be moved."

 "Ireland in America: An Evening of Song and Dance" is being sponsored by Bon Matin in Chatham. It will be performed at the Chatham Drama Guild at 134 Crowell Rd. Tickets are $25 and are available at chatdramaguild.org or by calling 508 945 0510.