US visitors dance their way to Mountshannon

UP to 16 US dancers and their families, as well as an additional 10 to 15 dancers from Ireland, will spend the next week in Mountshannon immersed in Irish dance, music and culture as part of a new dance camp.
Dance on the Shannon is the first of this kind and is an intensive Irish dance camp designed to bring American dancers to Ireland.

It was the brainchild of Joni Muggivan in New Orleans, Louisiana, whose father is from Mountshannon and much of her family still live there.

Joni has schools in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Virginia and is an original Riverdance cast member. She always wanted to organise a dance camp in her father’s hometown.

Dance on the Shannon co-ordinator Ann Krannitz said Joni is very proud of her heritage and has been instrumental in promoting awareness of the Irish culture in Louisiana.

“She wants her US dancers to experience Irish dance where its roots are and be exposed to dancers and dance styles from other areas. She is very excited to bring US dancers to Ireland. The US dancers are just as excited to meet dancers from Ireland and hopefully form some friendships. The camp has open status with An Coimisiún, which means it is open to any dancer who dances with a Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha (TCRG) or is not affiliated with another dance organisation. Anne Burke, a TCRG in the area will be helping Joni teach the classes,” she said.

The American visitors will not only receive dance training but will be exposed to local culture, with music and art excursions planned during their stay.

The camp started on Wednesday and runs until July 17.