This Saturday (February 13), professional Irish dancer, choreographer and motivational life coach Ciara Sexton is running a day long workshop called “A Source of Inspiration”.
The 20-hour event is dedicated to connecting and inspiring the global Irish dance community, featuring 20 different speakers and instructors. Speakers will range from professional and competitive dancers, show runners, social media content creators, fitness instructors, choreographers, motivational speakers and more.
Each guest will share their experiences and advice on topics such as: How dance has helped them through the past year, what motivates them, how to stay positive during uncertain times, mistakes they have learnt from, while also answering questions. All fees paid towards the event will go to speakers, many of whom have chosen charities to donate to.
No competitive steps will be shown, instructed, taught or danced, but all practical classes will involve fitness, show steps or TikTok routines.
Speaking to Irish Dance Globe about the event, Ciara said: “I’m so excited for this week’s event! It is something I have been working toward for some time, but didn’t have the courage to ‘go for’ until now. I left fear at the door last week with a little encouragement from Lauren Smyth when I clicked ‘upload’ on the beautiful logo by an amazing woman, Kendal Griffler (mediaplusmovement).
“I’m really lucky that the friends I asked said yes straight away to being involved and I am also lucky that they have been so incredibly encouraging. Each speaker was chosen for so many unique reasons. Over 20 brilliant individuals who contribute, create, inspire, encourage and give back to the world of dance and our art form time and time again. It is scheduled purposely to be on the first day of what would have been the All Ireland Championships in CLRG, however – this event is for all Irish dancers. Regardless of age, country, time zone and organisation. Let us lift each other up as we can only be stronger, together.”
Below is everything you need to know about the event.
Date and time: Saturday 13 February 2021, 8AM GMT – Sunday 14, 3AM GMT
Cost: €20 per participant
Will it be recorded? Yes, details will be available after the event
Do participants have to stay for the whole event? No, the whole day is drop in and drop out as participants please
Where to sign up: https://sourceofinspiration.squarespace.com/
Lineup and schedule:
8am: Move with Meg – (fitness)
9am: Jack Quinn – Musical theatre and Irish Dance
10am: James Greenan – Corporate entertainment (dance session)
11am: Shannon Bradley – The highs and lows of touring during a pandemic
12pm: Caoimhe Ennis – Beyond competition – A career in dress design
1pm: The Irish Dance Coach (fitness)
2pm: Cathal Keaney – The effects of injuries on our mental health
3pm: Lauren Smyth – My journey – from festival to Riverdance
4pm: Lianne Stubbs – Stage presence and theatre etiquette (dance session)
5pm: The Gardiner Bros – Social media and Irish dance (dance session)
6pm: Brogan McCay – Dealing with pressure, harnessing the right mindset
7pm: Olivia Graydon – style and technique (dance session)
8pm: Jason O’Neill – Choreography for camera (dance session)
9pm: Scott Doherty – creating a production from scratch
10pm: David Geaney – Collaboration during quarantine (dance session)
11pm: Mary Papageorge – Going viral! (dance session)
12am: IDM – Intern life and projects at IDM
1am: Morgan Bullock – Addressing online negativity
2am: Jason Oremus – An intro to body beats and beatbox, making rhythms beyond your feet (dance session)
3am: Tyler Schwartz – Hints, tips and tricks (dance session)
Contact Ciara Sexton via Instagram for more information.
