manx celtic music and dance

More news from Perree Bane

16 Sep 2013

And Sometimes Y at Cregneash
And Sometimes Y at Cregneash

This summer has been a busy time for Perree Bane. During Manx National week we welcomed ‘And Sometimes Why’ dance group from Massachusetts. They are a lively group of young dancers who have taken an interest in the Isle of Man and have been learning Manx dances.  Through a tremendous effort they raised the funds to enable them visit the Island and perform at several venues including Tynwald, Mooragh Park, Cregneash and at the Villa Marina Arcade. We ran workshops for the group so that they could add to their repertoire of Manx dances. They also performed some of their own dances for us – danced with much gusto and energy. At the end of their stay ‘And Sometimes Why’ invited us all to join in with some contra dancing at Sulby Community Hall and a good time was had by all! Hopefully they will return to the Island to dance with us again in the future.

Soon after that Perree Bane left for Llangollen International Eisteddfod. It was our third visit to the festival but this time we performed on the outdoor stages rather than in the competitive pavilion. The weather was wonderful if not a little too hot in our costumes! This however made it perfect for audiences and there were many appreciative spectators and also participants in the Manx dance workshops.

We stayed in the nearby village of Carrog where we were warmly welcomed and generously looked after. The Breton dance group were also staying in Carrog so the inter-celtic evening sessions at The Grouse were particularly agreeable.

We spent a lovely morning in Carrog Primary School where we danced for the students and staff before holding an enthusiastic dance session with all the children on the school field.

A packed three days of dancing with a little sightseeing before travelling home made this a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile trip.
Perree Bane would like to thank the Isle of Man Arts Council for their support.

by Carol Hayes

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