Irish Set Dancing in Nova Scotia

10th anniversary poster by Jane Lombard

Our signature event is the Annual Easter Weekend Workshop with Dance Master Pat Murphy. Pat's website, Memories of a Dancer, shares experiences from his last trip to Halifax.

Easter 2009 took place Friday, April 10 to Monday, April 13. See below for details.

Pat Murphy is a world-renowned teacher, collector and historian of dance, who has been teaching at our Easter weekend since 1996. Pat's first exposure to set dancing was right in his own home. His father, Jack, a fine accordion player, hosted and played house parties most of his life. Jack taught Pat to play the accordion, and Pat became a well-known musician on the set dancing scene. In the 1980s he was drawn into the dancing itself, and eventually started to teach classes. He worked with legendary set dancer teacher and collector, the late Connie Ryan, and soon was doing his own workshops. Due to his comprehensive knowledge and gentle instruction, Pat is in demand all over the world. Although he has been as far as Japan, New Zealand and Russia, his first foray outside Ireland was right here--in Halifax.

Where Pat teaches, he also collects. He has strengthened the set dancing revival by collecting and publishing dances from all over Ireland and throughout the Irish diaspora. The fruits of his labour can be found in the two books that are the set dancing standards: Toss the Feathers and The Flowing Tide. The latter includes dances from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Pat published his third book, Apples in Winter, in 2009. Scaip na Cleiti was delighted to host the North American launch of this much-anticipated resource, which is also available at pmurphysetdance@eircom.net.

Pat has moved into the digital age as well, and is producing instructional videos for sets and two-handed dances. He collaborated with ceili band leader Matt Cunningham on a series of videos. See this list from the Set Dancing News website for more details; look under Matt Cunningham as well as Pat Murphy.

Easter Weekshop Workshop 2009

Venues

The Titanic House

989 Young Avenue, Halifax

This historic mansion was bequeathed to the Local Council of Women by George Wright, the only Haligonian to perish on the Titanic. Hence the name. The elegant house has lovely wooden floors and has plenty of room for dancers, musicians and refreshments.

Old Triangle Alehouse

1536 Prince Street, Halifax

Our "local." Nova Scotia Irish Set Dancers have been dancing on Sunday afternoons at The Old Triangle since the doors opened. Note: The Triangle will be closed on Easter Sunday. We will be meeting at The Titanic House.

Photo by  Bill Lynch @  www.setdancingnews.net


Schedule
Friday, April 10

Welcome Ceili, 7-11 pm

The Titanic House

 

Saturday, April 11

Workshops, 9:30 am-noon & 2-4 pm
The Titanic House

Saturday, April 11
Lunch & Trad Music Session, Noon-2pm
The Titanic House

Saturday, April 11

Book Launch & Ceili Mor, 7-11 pm

The Titanic House

 

Sunday, April 12

Dance & Music Session, 2-5 pm

The Titanic House

 

Monday, April 13

Workshop, 7-9 pm

The Titanic House

Monday, April 13

Farewell Session, 9:30 pm to whenever

Old Triangle Alehouse

The Titanic House. Photo by  Bill Lynch @  www.setdancingnews.net

Fees
Weekend package: $50 (excludes lunch)
Included six events: Friday evening ceili, Saturday morning workshop, Saturday afternoon workshop, Saturday evening ceili, Sunday afternoon session and Monday evening class.
Individual events cost $10, except the lunch on Saturday, which was $6.

Water
Bring a bottle, and we'll keep it filled.

Accommodation and Transportation
Please see our Nova Scotia page.

Pat taught these sets in 2009:

        Moycullen
        Inis Oirr Set
        Boyne Set
        Newmarket Messerts     
        East Galway Reel Set (Short Version)