Spirit of Ireland 2012

Every year, our Irish Dance school puts on a big show/recital. Spirit of Ireland.  Its a great opportunity to let all the dancers showcase their talents (regardless of how budding or advanced they are). This year I was pretty busy helping out with make-up and pre-show prep work, so I didn't get a chance to take pictures. Luckily, there are plenty of camera happy parents snapping pictures for us!

helping with make-up before the show

our a capela number

prizewinner's hornpipes

all ladies Warrior's

my beautiful friends!

Despite the last minute planning and changes, the show went off without a hitch. Another successful year!

A girl can dream, right?

I will most certainly not be as good as these guys, but I like it! And... it gives me hope despite how down I've been feeling about dance lately.

The post St. Pats lull

I feel like after St. Patrick's Day swoops in... and leaves all of us Irish Dancers in its green wake, things become a bit dull.  For me at least.  I always feel a bit ragged and run-down after St. Pats. This year was no different. It was a long, long day... and on top of it, it was the last day at Bennett for my friend and teacher Mary Pearl.  So, not only have I had to struggle with getting back into the swing of things after St. Pats - because no, my body does not want to dance for 12+ hours a day- but I have also had to struggle with the change of routine that comes with new teachers.

As an adult &over... my brain doesn't learn as quickly as the 12-16 year olds in my prizewinner class. My body doesn't want to cooperate when I tell it to push higher, dancer longer, move faster. I am afraid of how the new teachers at Bennett will deal with my "adult" brain in a kid's world.  Luckily, I am not alone in that class and my fellow adult &overs probably feel the same.

To try and keep myself from getting to Debby Downer about the whole situation, I have added something new to my workout routine to spice things up a bit. With the weather getting warmer its back to running, dancing and now... BOOT CAMP! No, not military boot camp. But an all around, full body workout, push yourself to the max, get your butt kicked - boot camp. And its awesome.

Courtesy of Fitness in the city

Heather and I have been going to boot camp at Fitness in the City for a couple weeks now. I am using muscles I never used in dance. And I feel better for it!! I am hoping that this strength gaining, muscle building, full body workout will improve my dance stamina, form and overall performance.

We'll see how it goes - I figure, it can't hurt, right?

Erin Go Bragh! And Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Pictures are worth more than words

Thanks, mom for taking so many great pics!

The Eve of St. Patrick's

Starting on Friday evening, St. Pats shows were in full force. I danced with the Denver and District Pipe Band. We managed to hit up 3 different bars in just under 3 hours. Whew!  Since it was such a whirlwind, I didn't get the opportunity to take a lot of pictures... but I did steal some from a fellow dancer!



I wanted to try piping and dancing...



carried?

After those shows, a bunch of our Irish dance crew descended on Miss Stacey's place to enjoy some food and Irish spirits. I contributed a Chocolate Guinness Cake... none of which came home with me! It was a great celebration on St. Patty's Day Eve... and much needed moment to relax before the "real" craziness began!



getting our Irish on!




Irish mustaches?




Irish Kisses!

Roller Derby Halftime Show

I promised a video of our halftime show. It was finally posted!! Miss Stace had Jay record the whole thing...start to finish. So here is our 15 min halftime show.

You know you're an Irish Dancer when...

St. Pat's shows are not only on St. Patrick's Day.

This year, there was a concentrated effort to branch out and try to secure some new and different show gigs.  First up, performing during the Denver Roller Dolls Roller Derby season opener! The performance group was opened to Champs and upper Prizewinners... I was lucky enough to find myself in that group!! We were given a slot during the intermission... and the wonderful Mary Pearl (new TCRG) came up with some brilliant, fresh choreography!  Video to be posted once I figure out where it is.
We had an early pre-show warm-up and run through.

putting on shoes and stretching

running through pieces of the choreography

There was the inevitable backstage chaos with everyone getting dressed, wigged, made-up...

I was in charge of make-up for everyone!

the prep stage

But... when we finally went out and danced... it was AMAZING! The crowd was hooting and hollering, people clapped, cheered and stood up to watch us. The dances looked good and we all remembered to smile and enjoy ourselves. (Which obviously is important)

us "oldies" in the group

performing!

All in all, it turned out awesome and was a great way to kick off the performance season. 

Bennett Roller Derby performance group courtesy of Morgan Jones Photography

On a special note, it was the first time Stace and I had ever worn full wigs. And... I don't know if thats a look I am ready to go for full time for my feis style. (P.S. thanks to Stace for handing out her camera to get pictures!!)

Wigs!

Also... once again, my boyfriend proved to be amazing and awesome. He trekked along as a "roadie" for the whole experience and was prepped to lay out flooring, run for food, or anything else that might have needed to be done.  Best boyfriend award!

love this guy!

Can't wait for the rest of the St. Pats shows.... my feet, however, are not looking forward to it :)

Ski Weekend 2012

Next up - ski weekend!  Jay and I did this last year, took a 4 day weekend and headed up to the mountains to rent a house with some friends.  This year there were even more people in an even bigger house! But, it was a lot of fun just the same.  We headed up on Friday and got in a great skiing day! The mountains have missed a lot of snow this winter... so it was nice to have some good, fresh snow.

Heather and I taking a break

beautiful day at Copper Mt!

 The next day, we all took a break from skiing and snowboarding to enjoy an afternoon of tubing! Imagine sledding on drugs. Its sledding amplified. Its awesome.

Jay and I are ready for tubing!

taking the magic carpet up the hill!

crazy tubing group

the start of our tube train

We spent the rest of the weekend on the mountain or back at the house. Hot tub, food, beverages and friends all make for a great, great time. It was nice to get away for a bit.  And... I cannot wait until next year!

playing catch-up!

Despite my best intentions to blog more often, and more specifically about dance and all that... I have been slacking. So, to catch-up!
First up - hockey game! With Heather's beau in town, we tried to pack in as much fun Denver/Colorado stuff as possible.  As his time was waning... I decided that we had to make a trip to my alma mater, University of Denver, for a hockey game. In college, I went to every game I possibly could. There are so many good memories associaated with hockey games, I just had to share with Heather and Pontus!

GO DU!!!!

Jay stays focused on the game

Heather entertains us all during a break

aren't they just the cutest!

Hopefully Pontus will be back soon so we can show him Colorado in the summer. I do believe I hear rafting, hiking and camping hollering my name!!!