New Manx dance lessons online

New Manx dance lessons online

Fri, 27 Sep 2024

Learning Manx dancing is now even easier, with the release of new video lessons.

Whether you’re discovering Manx dancing for the first time or wish to add to your repertoire, Culture Vannin can help you ‘step-by-step’ with their collection of Manx dance instruction videos, and two more have just been added!

The wedding dance “Car y Phoosee” is simple to learn and can be adapted to work with various group sizes – from a small quartet of dancers to a hall full of ceili goers, it is good fun to join in with, and will literally have everyone clapping along!

“Gorse Sticks” is a solo dance which requires the performer to ‘clack’ two wooden sticks together whilst performing a bit of fancy footwork. Composed by Philip Leighton Stowell, one of the founders of the Manx Folk Dance Society, this dance is very popular with experienced dancers, and always raises a big cheer at the end.

Introduced by Gráinne Joughin, both dances are demonstrated by members of the Peel-based dance group, Skeddan Jiarg. These latest films add to a growing collection of dance instruction films produced over the past few years. With a range of solo and group dances for various abilities, the collection of 10 videos include Eunyssagh Vona, Dance for Three, Hop tu Naa, Flitter Dance, Chyndaa yn Bwoailley (‘Return the Blow’), Cur Shaghey yn Geurey and two versions of the Manx Girls Jig. Written instructions, sheet music, audio and other videos of performances can be found with each dance profile on manxmusic.com.

As well as being a valuable resource for Isle of Man schools, and particularly useful for preparing for the annual DESC Manx Folk Awards, and Manx Music Festival (Guild), these tutorials are already being used by dancers around the world. There are dance groups as far as the USA, Brazil and Australia who love including Manx dance in their performances.

Dr. Chloë Woolley, Manx Music Development Officer at Culture Vannin, says:

"Dancing plays a vital role in the vibrant culture of the Isle of Man. We're thrilled that these films will encourage even more people—whether they’re part of dance groups, are educators, or simply enthusiasts—to engage in this joyful and social aspect of our living culture."

The resources are freely available from manxmusic.com in a steadily growing collection of Manx songs, tunes and dances. This is a part of Culture Vannin’s work to open up access to, and enjoyment of, Manx culture for everyone, regardless of age, ability or location.

All films are available on the Culture Vannin, Manx Music and YouTube sites:

Manx Music (full resources): https://manxmusic.com/learn/dances/
Culture Vannin site (videos only): https://culturevannin.im/watchlisten/videos/manx-dance-lessons-579863/
YouTube (videos only): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB95FuN2S6jPsmg65_TRlVHV3CcpZBD38