Anastasia Akuffo-Afful
ENGL 336.002
Walking onto the grounds of the Appalachian Festival, it was like a mini fair-ground mixed with a little bit of everything that would involve and attract people of all ages to attend and love. As you glance all around, there were different types of stations and forms of activities such as dance workshops, magic shows, basket weaving, wildlife animal showcasing, folklore traditional music and dances, live bands, Appalachian story telling; both personal stories and historic times, and many more exciting activities.
Making your way through the different exhibition of activities and workshops, there seemed to be a certain attraction and strong likeness for something lively across the grounds. Drawing nearer to the main attraction, there were 5-6 beautiful ladies on stage performing a folklore tradition dance, called clogging. The sight was just impeccable to watch as well as viewing and taking in all the energy and excitement from the audience. Nearing the stage, it was impossible for someone not to feel the beat, the rhythm and the energy coming for the performers. They were so into every step that they took, their bright smiles and great body movements to the beat were fantastic. (Above-right picture: A few of the Irish performers and I).
Looking up at the sign bored next to the stage, it had the name of the group and some facts about their company. The group is known as The New Century American Irish Arts Company, and it’s a new performance company of American, Irish traditional musicians and dancers from Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. The New Century provides emerging performers with well-organized, high profile, high-intensity, vocational experience in an effort to help them develop the skills necessary to compete for Irish-arts performance jobs at National and international levels. In so doing, the New Century aims to increase the quality of local artistry, the quantity of active performance and cultural footprint of the Irish tradition in the Mid-Atlantic region. The company was founded in 2011 by button accordionist and traditional singer Peter Brice and step-dancer Kate Bole from the Culkin School Traditional Irish Dance.
After the premier of the wonderful traditional performance, people were in such awe, and appall that it was necessary to hear what a couple people had to say including getting a personal statement from one of the performers. Approaching one of the performers, and introducing myself, she was so excited, and full of energy that it was a delight to talk to her about group. Amongst all the interesting things we talked about, Megan Rinehart, her name was, had told me that, “when I perform with my team, there’s a definite adrenaline surge when you’re in the groove and on the beat, and even though my feet hurts a lil bit, the rhythm gets me going and do it even harder”. We ended our conversation with a hug and exchanged smiles which were lovely. To get the full experience, attendees were also available to talk to so anticipation was definitely present. One of the attendees named, Alba Dalton said, “I really loved this performance. Good traditional music, very good beat”. Another attendee named Faith Ayeni, had stated that, “the performers looked so much into their dance step and their routine was a beautiful sight to see. As everyone gathered around to watch these ladies clog and move in such coordination, it was so entertaining and it made me want to join them ha ha”, ending with a loud laugh. Overall everyone whom had watched this entertaining and amazing performance received a great gift of enthusiasm and joy, and for the people who did not see this performance, missed the highlight of the whole festival.
To get more information on The New Century Company or to contact them, you can view their page on: http://www.newcenturyirisharts.com/welcome.html
Making your way through the different exhibition of activities and workshops, there seemed to be a certain attraction and strong likeness for something lively across the grounds. Drawing nearer to the main attraction, there were 5-6 beautiful ladies on stage performing a folklore tradition dance, called clogging. The sight was just impeccable to watch as well as viewing and taking in all the energy and excitement from the audience. Nearing the stage, it was impossible for someone not to feel the beat, the rhythm and the energy coming for the performers. They were so into every step that they took, their bright smiles and great body movements to the beat were fantastic. (Above-right picture: A few of the Irish performers and I).
Looking up at the sign bored next to the stage, it had the name of the group and some facts about their company. The group is known as The New Century American Irish Arts Company, and it’s a new performance company of American, Irish traditional musicians and dancers from Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. The New Century provides emerging performers with well-organized, high profile, high-intensity, vocational experience in an effort to help them develop the skills necessary to compete for Irish-arts performance jobs at National and international levels. In so doing, the New Century aims to increase the quality of local artistry, the quantity of active performance and cultural footprint of the Irish tradition in the Mid-Atlantic region. The company was founded in 2011 by button accordionist and traditional singer Peter Brice and step-dancer Kate Bole from the Culkin School Traditional Irish Dance.
After the premier of the wonderful traditional performance, people were in such awe, and appall that it was necessary to hear what a couple people had to say including getting a personal statement from one of the performers. Approaching one of the performers, and introducing myself, she was so excited, and full of energy that it was a delight to talk to her about group. Amongst all the interesting things we talked about, Megan Rinehart, her name was, had told me that, “when I perform with my team, there’s a definite adrenaline surge when you’re in the groove and on the beat, and even though my feet hurts a lil bit, the rhythm gets me going and do it even harder”. We ended our conversation with a hug and exchanged smiles which were lovely. To get the full experience, attendees were also available to talk to so anticipation was definitely present. One of the attendees named, Alba Dalton said, “I really loved this performance. Good traditional music, very good beat”. Another attendee named Faith Ayeni, had stated that, “the performers looked so much into their dance step and their routine was a beautiful sight to see. As everyone gathered around to watch these ladies clog and move in such coordination, it was so entertaining and it made me want to join them ha ha”, ending with a loud laugh. Overall everyone whom had watched this entertaining and amazing performance received a great gift of enthusiasm and joy, and for the people who did not see this performance, missed the highlight of the whole festival.
To get more information on The New Century Company or to contact them, you can view their page on: http://www.newcenturyirisharts.com/welcome.html
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