I wish I knew where to begin I arrived in Edinburgh feeling absolutely awful.... But being ill hasn’t put a damper on this Scotland experience. The country is beautiful.
After we arrived in Edinburgh, we took a bus to the center of town and then took another to Glasgow. We dropped our things off at the hotel and made our way straight to the Royal Concert Hall. The 13-14 mixed and girls’ ceili competitions were going on when we arrived. I’ve seen world ceili competitions on video before, but seeing them in person is so much more exciting. The precision, the control, the attention to detail. It’s astounding. I wish that I had been a member of a ceili team when I was growing up in Irish dance.
Later in the evening we watched the 13-14 figure competitions. I’ve included just a few clips of those performances on my photo album. Every single team made my jaw drop. I’ve heard of Sean Eireann McMahon—they always win figure and ceilis at the Worlds. Their performance was breathtaking. Then Trinity took the stage. Trinity brought 16 thirteen year olds—all blondes. The costumes were black with sequins and glitter all over them. Their wigs had glitter, their socks had glitter. The whole team sparkled. The routine they performed was called “The Celts”, and no description I can give will capture how outstanding it was. After they performed, I had tears in my eyes and couldn’t speak. I had no idea that Irish dance could be so intricate, so beautiful, and so artistic. Trinity’s performance made me so proud to be a dancer. It was far better than any figure choreography in Riverdance or Lord of the Dance—and I adore Riverdance. Just......wow. Irish dancing has to be one of the most difficult, most intricate sports/forms of dance in the world.
That evening dad and I went to a Cantonese restaurant for dinner. I loved the food; Dad complained about it. The coolest part of the evening, though, was that just a few tables away was Olive Hurley—the woman who makes all the set dancing and ceili videos. I didn’t go up and talk to her, though I should have. Seeing these important Irish dancers and teachers is better than seeing celebrities. They are celebrities.
Today I watched Jenna Pace and Allie Pisula, two McTeggarts from Houston, perform their solos. It was their first Worlds, and they did great. Jenna didn’t recall, though, and while I write this we’re waiting on Allie’s results. Just to make some mouths water (for those who know these names), I saw Kevinah Dargan, Maisie Bishop, and Aine Coleman dance. They were incredible. My favorite dancer from the Girls 12-13 was Gabrielle Corrigan from the Penk-O’Donnell school in Washington State. Brilliant. She’ll be doing great things over her years in this sport.
It was inspirational to see my dance steps performed on the world stage. Jenna danced my slip jig and Allie danced one of my reel steps. Mrs. Hall keeps reminding me: “Allison, you’re a good dancer. All you need to do is practice.”
Tonight we’ll get to watch more figure dancing—I hope to get some video footage of it. It is the most incredible stuff you’ll ever see.
I sat with Mrs. Hall, Ann and Jennifer Hale (TCRG in Houston) today to watch Allie Pisula’s competition. Mrs. Hall is wearing hot pink—something I never thought I’d see.
Tomorrow Jason Hays–reigning World Champion McTeggart from Dallas, Annelise Rubbo–reigning Southern Region Oireachtas champ and World recaller from McTeggart Houston, and Jillian Gordon from McTeggart Houston will be dancing. It will be awesome.
I’m sitting in a restaurant across from the Royal Concert Hall right now... And let me just comment... It’s the funniest thing to see Indian, Chinese, and Japanese teenagers speaking English with thick Scottish accents. I guess that’s what happens when you’re brought up in Scotland—but I just never thought I’d see it
That’s all for now. Sorry for the unpoetic style, and the lack of intimate details. Not feeling too hot, and want to get back to the competition Love you and miss you all.
(Hope dance class went well yesterday—I was going to sleep when beginner softshoe was starting )
1 comment:
Hey I just wanted to say that you have inspired me, maby not to dance or travel the world, but to do more with my life than just to sit on my bum. you know how much you mean to me and my mom. I've known you for almost exactly five years and of those five years you were probably the most influential person in my life, espically when you were teaching my 'sunday school' class. I'm not getting what i need from class any more. It was fun for a while,but not any more. I can't wait for you to get back. luv always!
Hi Beautiful! This is Laura now. How I wish I had you here right now. I need your advice! I'm teaching the confirmation class (you should be doing that!) and I have just had to have a conversation with a parent about her kids' behavior and lack of commitment. What a hard thing!
Otherwise, I could sure use your cheerful face around the Bazaar which begins tomorrow. We're having it at the Hughes House (no heat!) and at the Parish Hall. Goal is $10,000!! Church just isn't the same without you. do you feel guilty enough yet?! Seriously, I am so glad you are having such a grand time. I know you will have the best stories to tell. We have enjoyed reading excerpts from your blog that have been printed in Eagle Wings. Anne-Claire is really envious! See you when you return - we love you!
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