Hail and Farewell

Hail and Farewell
(Jan 30) 07:00 PST – Newsflash - Thompson School of Irish Dance Closes

For 10 years, I have been among the grand, lucky and few to participate in a noble and traditional sport--Irish Dance. In this ancient activity I have competed, participated and taught the inspired how to do it and how to do it well. I have been to hundreds of competitions and events for my students and me and my family. It is something I wanted for a long time, something I owe to my heritage, my past… And now my calendar is clear and free, but with a tear and remembrance for the traditional.

A "Hail and Farewell" ceremony normally signals change for people and organizations as we move from place to place, and today is no different. Our dance studio closes a door on students and teachers, as we move to new schools, new pursuits, and new dreams. A small ceremony tonight sparks the end of a tradition in Orange County that will be remembered, but a happily-ever-after message is not to be. Thompson School of Irish Dance will not continue the eighteenth century tradition of flamboyant costumes, colored socks, boys' reel shoes, solo dancing with high-feet kicking and young exuberance. Jigs, reels, hornpipes, sets, polkas and step dances will be taught elsewhere as students and teachers alike are informed of the unexpected and unhappy change. As in earlier times, dance masters appeared in Ireland. A wandering dancing teacher who traveled from village to village, teaching dance to peasants will come, teaching young pupils the difference between their right and their left feet. So it will be again that the dance master will use his or her staff to direct young and inspired students to pick up the craft and dance along in a circle of fun and excitement.

Today there are still many opportunities to watch and enjoy Irish dancing. I tell myself this as I write and ponder the good times I have had dancing on the stage. It is still a regular part of social functions and my life. There are still many organizations promoting Irish dance with the Feis being an important part of rural cultural life. Children, teenagers and adults compete in separate competitions for Feis titles and prizes. There are group and solo competitions where dancers are graded by age into the senior categories. With the world-wide success of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, Irish dance continues to be popular on the international stage. But the dreams of our students will have to prosper elsewhere as our little studio locks the doors of imagination.

It is hard to see the faces of the students I have taught right now. Some cry as they take their trophies and pictures down from the wall. Others have hope as new teachers and new opportunities await them at other local schools. Some are on a boat in a fogbank, wondering where to go next, what activities to pursue, and if dance is in their future. The boat must come to the Shannon Harbor and dock. Fog must not be a hindrance of the imagination. The hand-embroidered Celtic designs and the cape which fall over the back, and the kilt and jacket draped from the shoulder must be donned again. The youthful faces must be alight again with the spotlights and fast-paced Irish music must flow again. Tears continue as I remember the good times. I cannot see through the fog right now. The jig is silent and the fiddle missing from the scene.

I see myself finding new activities and new dreams as I graduate from dance to the world of being downsized. I am sad to see the place where I grew so much as a dancer close. I cry a little, but stay strong for the children and the students I have groomed and have taken to competition. I can stay strong because I know there is more for them out there, more for their little feet to pursue, more for me to ponder as to my next goal.

What to do next, have cake and celebrate? Today was the last day of Irish Dance School at Thompson's. I will remember putting in the floor with my dad, my brother Patrick, our director and her husband. I will remember when one of my students broke her wrist on that floor; I will remember where we danced ceilis and had recitals for the parents, and watching James grow up in the school. I will not remember the day the door closed and the tears on the kid's faces. Instead I will remember going to their competitions, seeing their happy faces when they got their medals, seeing them grow and stumble along the way. I will go to future feisanna. I will encourage. I will not remember the day when the lights were turned off for the last time. I will remember and continue to pursue my favorite sport and pastime—somewhere.

Hail and farewell to the school is in order and a new dance master is coming. Competition is in February, so we better get started right away preparing. Is your costume ready? Do my shoes still fit and where is that duct tape? Is that fiddle ready yet? However tempting, it is not time for Jameson's, it is time to lace up those shoes. Now, what school are you going to and how can I be of help? Did I tell you I have Lord of the Dance tickets? Wait, Trinity is coming to town also. Can we go? Remember the time when Anna…? :)

L