Portland Irish Music and Dance Meetup

The Seisiún is held every 4th Friday of the month, all are welcome! There is called set dancing as well as an open session. Bring along a tune, poem, dance or story! Please also bring a drink or dish to share if possible.

IRISH CÉILÍ BAND with Eric Killops & Maldon Meehan 6 weeks, every other week In this class we will learn tunes and create sets for playing for Irish Céilí Dances. This class will cover set lists for several popular set dances. This class is suited for intermediate melody players. Participants in the class will have the opportunity to play for the called dances at the Annual Butterball on Friday Nov. 22nd. 6 weeks (9/16, 9/30, 10/14, 10/28, 11/11, 11/25) (no drop in for this class) About Erik: Erik Killops: a Portland native, began playing fiddle at the age of 6. Starting initially with the Suzuki method and when he was in the 4th grade he began Irish fiddle lessons with Dan Compton. Growing up he was influenced by the playing of local musicians such as Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham, and Johnny Connolly, and bands such as Patrick Street and the Bothy Band. In 2006 Erik began studying Irish music at the University of Limerick. There he had weekly lessons with Siobhan Peoples and master classes with top notch fiddlers such as Tommy Peoples and Frankie Gavin. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in 2010 and moved back to Portland. Since then he has been performing regularly in pubs and bars around town. About Maldon: Maldon Meehan is a performer, teacher and choreographer of Irish sean-nós and set dance. Maldon holds a BA in Irish Studies/Theater Arts from The Evergreen State College and a MA in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick, Ireland. She has been teaching since 1994. As a sean-nós dancer Maldon has appeared on the nationally televised 2005 Oireachtas at the Cork Opera House in Cork City (TG4) as well as on Connemara Community Radio and Raidió na Gaeltachta (RTÉ). Maldon placed 3rd in the 2005 Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach, a sean-nós jig competition held annually in Connemara. In 2005 Maldon and Ronan Regan released an instructional DVD of sean-nós dance.

PERFORMANCE CLASS: PERCUSSIVE CHOREOGRAPHY This class will focus on improvisation, rhythmic footwork and performance techniques. It can draw from Cape Breton dance, Québécois, American Clogging, Sean-nós Dance, Irish Old Style Step dance, Waltz Clog and more. Please bring smooth leather soled shoes. Student in this class will be expected to perform. We will have a winter and spring performance and several smaller performances throughout the year. We will have video aids and material to help learn choreography. For this class students must be willing to work on material outside of class. We will meet every 2 weeks, giving everyone 2 weeks to practice material. This class is best suited for intermediate to advanced student, however if a beginner student would like to take the class and they are willing to practice outside of class they are welcome to join. 6 weeks (9/9, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18) (no drop in for this class) Confirmed Performances: Monday Dec. 19th Student Recital Monday December 30th Wednesday May 13th

IRISH CÉILÍ BAND with Eric Killops & Maldon Meehan 6 weeks, every other week In this class we will learn tunes and create sets for playing for Irish Céilí Dances. This class will cover set lists for several popular set dances. This class is suited for intermediate melody players. Participants in the class will have the opportunity to play for the called dances at the Annual Butterball on Friday Nov. 22nd. 6 weeks (9/16, 9/30, 10/14, 10/28, 11/11, 11/25) (no drop in for this class) About Erik: Erik Killops: a Portland native, began playing fiddle at the age of 6. Starting initially with the Suzuki method and when he was in the 4th grade he began Irish fiddle lessons with Dan Compton. Growing up he was influenced by the playing of local musicians such as Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham, and Johnny Connolly, and bands such as Patrick Street and the Bothy Band. In 2006 Erik began studying Irish music at the University of Limerick. There he had weekly lessons with Siobhan Peoples and master classes with top notch fiddlers such as Tommy Peoples and Frankie Gavin. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in 2010 and moved back to Portland. Since then he has been performing regularly in pubs and bars around town. About Maldon: Maldon Meehan is a performer, teacher and choreographer of Irish sean-nós and set dance. Maldon holds a BA in Irish Studies/Theater Arts from The Evergreen State College and a MA in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick, Ireland. She has been teaching since 1994. As a sean-nós dancer Maldon has appeared on the nationally televised 2005 Oireachtas at the Cork Opera House in Cork City (TG4) as well as on Connemara Community Radio and Raidió na Gaeltachta (RTÉ). Maldon placed 3rd in the 2005 Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach, a sean-nós jig competition held annually in Connemara. In 2005 Maldon and Ronan Regan released an instructional DVD of sean-nós dance.