At the Faire, you have opportunities to participate in the cultural activities that you’re watching. Try that Irish Step Dance or give an authentic Scottish musical instrument a try. The events below are what will be available for you to experience for yourself!
Family Midday Event
Ross Sutter, Laura MacKenzie and Danielle Enblom will present a program of Irish and Scottish songs, tunes and dances for the whole family. Children will have a chance to play instruments, sing along and get up and dance during this delightful program. Ross & Laura have many years of experience performing and teaching in schools and Danielle is a leading teacher of Irish dancing in the Twin Cities. This program will be presented during the midday on Saturday September 17th.
Danielle Enblom
Danielle’s interests as a dancer span many genres. From modern dance to salsa, hip hop to ballet, contact improvisation to Appalachian clogging and her latest endeavor and love, the American vernacular, Lindy Hop (swing dancing), her interests continue to expand and morph. Throughout the years and various studies, though, Irish dance has been her central focus. Dancing competitively for many years, Danielle honed the precision and technique that is the foundation of modern Irish step dancing; and, having spent much of her childhood at ceilis and sessions, she was given a strong sense of the tradition, community and soul behind the culture. Stepping away from the competitive world in her teenage years, Danielle went on to spend a year studying Irish music at University College Cork, in Ireland, where she earned a Diploma in Traditional Irish Music and studied under musicians including Connie O’Connell, Bobby Gardner and Matt Cranitch. It was during this year that she was reintroduced to Irish dancing, but this time in the form of old style step dancing, set dancing and sean nós (old style) dancing. In Cork Danielle had the pleasure of learning to dance the polka and slide sets of Sliabh Luachra from the legendary Peggy McTeggert as well as the old step dancing from Peggy’s childhood. An interest was sparked, and Danielle’s focus moved away from the modern step dancing and towards set dancing and sean nós dancing, and then on to other percussive forms of dance such as Cape Breton step dancing, American tap, Appalachian clogging and Quebecois step dancing.
In addition to her performances, Danielle will be teaching several workshops, on Saturday she’ll be doing Sean Nos Dance, and on Sunday “House Dances of Donegal”. Please take a look at the schedule for times and locations of these demonstrations/workshops.
Laura MacKenzie
“Celtic Music Wizard” – Minneapolis Star Tribune
….Music from Ireland, Scotland, England, Nova Scotia, Central France and Galicia on a dazzling array of wind-powered instruments, including flutes, whistles, concertina, voice, and many bagpipes – Scottish, French and English, bellows and blown.
….Performing in concert, and for community programs, theatrical productions and studio projects.
….Teaching traditional music, through lessons and workshops.
~ Laura has learned from many tradition bearers on both sides of the Atlantic, and has herself been recognized as a Master Folk Artist (Minnesota State Arts Board). She has been lauded as a “Celtic music wizard” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and a “High priestess of Celtic music” by Minnesota Public Radio.
In addition to her performances, Laura will also be teaching an intro to the tin whistle on our workshop stage during the weekend. Please take a look at the schedule for times and places.
Soda Bread Contest Announced!
New for this year, we’re proud to announce the inclusion of a Traditional Irish Soda Bread Baking Contest. Prizes will be awarded in each of three bread categories. Try out a true part of Irish history and give the Soda Bread Contest a try. Check out the link under our Entertainment section for complete contest information. You can also click here for more info