When You're Dead, You'll Wish You Had Danced
Our communities do a disservice to our citizens by not supporting community dances. What a wonderful way for all generations to get together and cement those bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime.
Growing up in the Nebraska Sandhills, Square Dances were held at our local one-room country schools. Driving by those schools today, its hard to see how all of the neighbors fit in them to form multiple squares for the dance, with all of us kids running around. Maybe the tight spaces added to the sense of community. I don't remember how often they happened, but a lot of scenes from these good times really stick in my mind.
Obviously our ancestors who settled Nebraska brought their traditions with them from their old countries, and this community dance must have been one of them. I say this because last week we had the opportunity to experience a tradition from Ireland - the Ceili.
Susan Ritta and Cassandra Evans of The Thunder On The Plains Project came to North Platte and called a Ceili at the Espresso Shoppe in downtown. It was a wonderful time. There were about 75 people there, which was crowded but not uncomfortable. The ages range of the dancers was about seven to seventy, with the spectators about the same.
The evening started with North Platte's up-and-coming Irish Band the Flatrock Irregulars getting everyone in the mood, and the Espresso Shoppe's traditional Irish Potato Soup completing the authenticity of the atmosphere.
It was a night of fun we'll all remember for a long time, and one that we hope to do again soon.
This is the Blarney Rebel Band from upstate NY. Thanks for the mention!
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome! Absolutely love your music. If you're ever doing a western swing, be sure to think about a performance here in western Nebraska! Thank you for all of the great music.
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