On the first Wednesday of the month, Mer and I and members of the CVCA Ceili Club went to Akron’s branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The AOoH is a group in the U.S. that promotes Irish culture, and yes, this means that there is usually a pub or bar in the building. In the case of the Akron branch, there is a small bar in one room and a large general room next to it. We headed to the large general room, although most of the kids (who came in their own cars) had to be buzzed in through a locked door in the bar, like in Prohibition days. Since the club is supposed to be members-only, all the doors are locked. They let us come since we were going to dance.
That is why we were there, and hope to be there on the first Wednesday of each month. It turns out that the Akron Hibernians have an informal but very excellent ceili band. I have been wanting the kids to dance to live music for some time now, and it turns out we had a band just 15 miles away. The band has been very much wanting to play for dancers, but could not find any. I found them on the internet, and we got in touch. Mer and I checked the place out in February, and I got clearance from the president of CVCA, so I sent information home with the ceili students, which included an invitation to the parents. So, on this Wednesday, we had nine dancers and about eight parents, and various spectators kept drifting in from the bar from time to time.
It was tremendous fun. The band was probably 18 strong and included whistles, fiddles, guitars, an upright bass, mandolins, a ukulele banjo (a new instrument to me), accordions and Irish drums. They had a really great sound. The would play for us while we would dance, and then we would rest and they would play while we took a breather. The kids (and Mer and I) had a wonderful time. There is something different about dancing to live music, and it had been almost 14 years since I had last danced at a live session myself. Everyone was very friendly and hospitable, and we are looking forward to going back. Next time we have even arranged with the band to allow anyone to join us, especially on the easier dances, so maybe we can spread the joy of Irish dancing.
There were a few funny moments from the event – I had a man from the bar wander in and ask me if he could stay and watch. I told him he was most welcome, and he said, “Good! The music in here is much better than the crap they’re playing in the bar!” (They were playing 80s rock in the bar.)
Some of the kids updated their Facebook statuses:
“Mary just went ceili clubbin’.”
“Sarah just talked to a stranger in a bar.” (This occurred when Sarah went for some water in the bar and a lady complimented her on her dancing.)
It was a fun time. If you are in the NE Ohio region and want to dance, come and join us – the first Wednesday of each month (at least during the school year).