SIDA performs on Hollywood Movie filmed in Vancouver- ‘Edison Force’. Starring LL Cool J, Dillan McDermit, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Spacy, & Morgan Freedman.
SIDA makes their way to the big screen! Although a very small part in the movie, it was definitely three exciting days for 6 lucky SIDA students. The seen in the movie: The dancers performed on stage as a bank robbery gone wrong breaks out into the audience with gunfire. As the dancers scramble to duck and cover, one of them disappears under the stage to hide from the bank robbers. She is taken hostage and then the show down between the villain and Dillan McDermit (from the practice) began. Dillan eventually shoots through the dancer killing the bad guy, injuring her- and destroying one of our SIDA costumes.
The Experience of a Lifetime!
Canadians Travel to Switzerland to Perform Irish dancing at EXPO.02!!
Michelle Bond (TCRG of The Sionnaine Irish Dance Academy) and Nora Pickett (TCRG of The Nora Pickett Irish Dance Academy), combined forces to create The Eire Born Irish Dance Show. Ten Canadian students selected from both schools traveled to Switzerland to team up with 18 Swiss Irish students, and perform along side their teachers to live music by a well-known Swiss Irish Band- The Pint, at Expo.02 in Neuchatel.
Danielle Klassen (17), Colleen Hughes-Games (14) and Chelsea Wedel (14) of Abbottsford BC, Sheena Rowe (13) and Jenelle Ratcliffe (13) of Langley BC, Kelly Dawson (13), Natalie Peters (12), Kali McAndless (14) and Coco Rocha (14) of Richmond BC, and Hanna Smyth (10) of Vancouver BC, were 10 out of the 16 auditioned in Canada chosen to perform in the Expo.02 shows. The 45-min. long performance took place 3 times daily between Oct 7th and 10th, 2002. It consisted of traditional and modern Irish dancing like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, as well as live Irish music and song, and 30 toe tapping, air flying, foot stomping Irish dancers!
The Canadians departed from Vancouver September 26, 2002 to Basel, Switzerland. They rehearsed 6hrs. daily for one week. After a dress rehearsal and interviews from local newspapers and news stations, they boarded a train headed for Expo in Neuchatel to perform. Thousands drew in to watch the performance, many returned for a second and third show. Between shows and behind the scenes, the exhausted dancers took care to their injuries, slept, laughed and cried. But with the 20 minute to show time announcement all jumped to their feet with enthusiasm and excitement to perform once again. At the end of the two weeks, the 10 Canadian dancers who started off jet lagged and homesick, had the experience of a lifetime. They met and made new friends halfway across the world, got to be independent from their parents for the first time, developed strong bonds between each other, and improved all their dancing skills and techniques. They were a huge success and received grand reviews!
Summer workshops for the SIDA take place at the beautiful REO River Rafting Resort in Boston Bar. Only a 2.5 hrs drive away, the dancers enjoy the luxury of cabin tents (including own bed), hot showers/washrooms, private beach, hot tub, sauna, and gourmet food. The weeklong workshop includes dance instruction everyday (all levels), choices between team building events like river rafting, rock rappelling, hiking, kayaking…, and a 1hr performance at the end of the week for parents and guests. The adventure camp has been running for the past three years, and has been extremely successful. Please check out the web site at www.reorafting.com for more information on the next camp. 2010 dates TBA.
Ceili
Our annual Ceili was a huge success. A big thank you goes out to the Kiwanis Club of Abbotsford who helped out and supported the dancers fundraising event for Traditional Irish Costumes. It was a night filled with music, song, dance, food, drinks, fun, & laughter.
THE NOVICE TROUPE PERFORMS YEARLY IN SUCH PLACES AS:
Aldergrove Legion
White Rock Legion
Concorde Retirement Home
Cloverdale Legion
St. Michael’s Care Home
Hallmark Senior’s Home
Sherwood Manor
Langley Legion
St. Matthew’s Church
UBC Hospital
Pleasantview Care Home
THE ADVANCED TROUPE PERFOMS IN SUCH PLACES AS:
Foggy Dew Irish Pub
Rhino's Pub & Grill
Foxes Reach Pub Doolin’s Irish Pub
Finigan's Bar & Grill
Morrissey’s Irish Pub
French Quarter Pub
“The Call to Dance- A Celtic Celebration” is SIDA’s annual year-end production. The 1hr.30min show consists of all levels of Irish dancing (traditional & modern), a feature local band, and vocal performances from SIDA students. Last years show also included a special guest vocal & fiddle player, as well as a fun Irish cowboy and pub number. It was SIDA’s best production yet. Keep your eyes out for next year’s performance in June 2009. Tickets will be sold to the public (more info to come).
It was wonderful and exciting to see so many dancers at the event and to experience Michelle and Paula’s personal recognition of each dancer’s individual talent and outstanding accomplishment in 2007/2008. Fun was had by all, where both parents and dancers could relax and get to know each other better in this informal setting. Thank you to all the parents that helped plan this enjoyable event.
HERE ARE THE RESULTS:
Most Dedicated
This award goes out to dancers that Michelle/Paula have become extremely proud of. It takes a lot of discipline to stick with something that is not always easy to achieve. These dancers are extremely hard working. They may have had trouble achieving certain dances, or had numerous injuries bogging them down. They may have started behind everyone and had to catch up, or had special circumstances that made it hard for them to get dancing. But they always came and they always worked hard. These dancers show a true devotion to Irish Dancing. There is a love for Irish Dance deep in their hearts and nothing will keep them from enjoying it.
MOST DEDICATED 2007: MackenzieN. Sheridan Talia Danae CaitieM AngelaO. Katya Cassy.
Most Improved
This is one of Michelle/Paula’s favorite awards because it goes to dancers who have just shocked them and improved greatly over the dance year. These dancers always have a positive attitude, never complain, and are trying there very hardest to improve on their Irish Dancing. They have shown an enormous improvement on technique, timing, rhythm, confidence, skill and ability. These dancers look like completely different dancers compared to the start of the year.
MOST IMPROVED 2007: Taylyn Karina MeganC Marie-Therese Clara Tori Raachel Sheridan MariahSe MelissaG Corey EmilyS Danae EmilyA Amber MeganH Sierra Annika HeatherT KaitlynL Jesse Alyssa AngelaO Rebekah SydneyK MariahF KaitlynM Carly Catherine Ian BridgetBi Evalena Zoe Serena Karis
Special trophies went to the following who stood out as being the most improved in their level: Rachelle HeatherM Christopher JenniferM MariahSt Rachel Sofie Danica Cameryn MeganB JuliaS
Most Promising
Michelle/Paula believe this award is a great honor to receive. These dancers were recognized for having a lot of natural Irish Dancing ability, style and technique. They are receiving this award as an incentive to practice harder – they already have what sometimes takes years for others to master, and with extra practice and determination they could become some of the best Irish Dancers in the world. They all have world champion talent that they’ve just started to scratch the surface of.
MOST PROMISING 2007: Anna ElaraAnezka Danielle SydneyM Ellen Kyla Hayley Celeigha Rebecca Abi Taylor Genevieve MelissaPD Eilidh MorganB Cassidy Caitie Marina Bethany Nikole Erin HeatherJ Isa Anna BrooklynH MeganM Maren Lauren Lucy JuliaC
Special trophies went to the following who stood out as being the most promising in their level: Sophie Brianna Sabrina Jacqlyn MorganM MariyaB Kelsie Manya Kaylie Brooke Renee
Most Determined
No matter how frustrated these dancers got, whether from injuries, personal mental blocks, or just plain not getting it.... they kept working until that step or dance was like second nature to them. They set their own personal long and short term goals, and don't stop trying until they achieve them. They never give up. They are very inspiring to watch for the teachers, students, and even parents. This award is well deserved in recognition for all of the hard work & accomplishments this year. Without their sheer dertermination, they would not be the beautiful dancers they are now.
MOST DETERMINED 2007: Dora Emma Cassie Silke AngelaG Tassie Claire Kara Amelia JenD Christine EmilyS Talia Casey KatrinaH Natalie Lachlan ErinH EmilyH Marissa Maddy Alex
Perpetual Annual Trophy Winners
SIDA and FVIDA have awarded one dancer in each level, an annual trophy for being the Best All Around Irish Dancer. These dancers have surpassed all the other dancers in the above 4 categories: Most Dedicated, Most Improved, Most Promising, & Most Determined. These dancers have been chosen according to there dancing ability, steady improvement, commitment in and out of class, dedication, attitude, team spirit, best performer & attendance.
The 2007 Perpetual trophies went to:
Abbotsford: Beginner –Naomi Adv.Beginner –Jacqueline Nov/Prize –Hannah Advanced –Chelsey
Maple Ridge: Tegan
Vancouver: Katie
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE DANCERS!!
Questions? Want to sign yourself or your child up for lessons?
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