The title of this video just about sums it up. While the lightning-quick footwork of traditional Irish dancing could never really be called easy to learn, this straightforward instructional tape does its best to be clear and simple. The instructor is Seamus Kerrigan, who runs the Kerrigan School of Traditional Irish Dance in Ireland. A trim, no-nonsense man, Kerrigan couldn't be called a sparkling camera presence, but in this case, his unaffected style works for the beginner; none of that Riverdance-type flash. Kerrigan, accompanied by a couple of his dancers in a very modest-looking studio, slowly walks you through the basic steps of the light jig, the reel, and other steps. And he does it the only way most of us two-left-footed types can learn: by slowly repeating the pattern as he does it, counting each and every step, and doing it over and over, like you would in a class. You may find yourself walking with a little hop and hearing Kerrigan's soft brogue counting 1, 2, 3 in your head--and if you do, that's a great sign you're on your way to high-stepping with the best of them. --Anne Hurley
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Great beginning to Irish Dance Comment: I'm a homeschooling mother of seven and my children and I use this video for our "gym" class. We absolutely love it and highly recommend it for people new to Irish dance. We tried other videos but they went way too fast. Seamus Kerrigan teaches it relatively simple to where I even have my 3 and 5 year old dancing with us. And I agree with the other reviewer, in time you too will be saying 1,2,3, in front, behind, down 1,2,3. Enjoy! :~) Customer Rating: Summary: Great and easy dance steps Comment: The video was easy to follow and the steps well executed. A must for anyone who wishes to obtain more or different steps for their solos. I would strongly encourage anyone who purchases this video to take an Irish dance class to learn the technique, posture, turnout, etc. and have an instructor in person help you learn what you need to work on. Customer Rating: Summary: Wish there was another one like it! Comment: I'm up in my years but loved the thought of Irish dancing. This tape was great--even if he did go a lttle too fast on the third step of the treble jig. I've searched for others but most of them go too fast and don't take each step separately. This one shows each step slowly at first and then repeats it--gradually building up speed. I also can't believe how many other instructional videos zoom-in on faces---I want to see the feet! This one went through each step, kept the cameras on the dancers' feet and was fun to dance to. I just wish there was another tape like this one! Customer Rating: Summary: Slow enough for beginners, easy enough for anyone. Comment: Irish dancing is, to most, intimidating. All that fancy footwork is enough to make even the quickest and most agile among us shake our heads and say, "huh?" But, fortunately, Seamus Kerrigan made this film. Slowly and repetitively he takes the dancer through the steps so that anybody can pick it up. There is one flaw, however, and that is that there is very little warming up before the dancing begins, which could lead to torn muscles and very, very sore legs. Customer Rating: Summary: Very easy to follow and fun Comment: Very easy to follow without being too easy. A joy when you finally are dancing the celie dances along with the dancers on the video. A must for any one who is studying Irish Dancing solo.
