The ethos of Lasta Dance is about building community through Irish music and Dance.
The word ‘Lasta’ means ‘alight’ or ‘aglow’ in Irish and sums up our passion for keeping the flame of Irish music and dance alight. The word also connects to the ‘glow’ in people’s faces that music and dance can bring.
Louise runs Set Dancing Classes in The Cobblestone Pub, Dublin (backroom) on Monday nights at 7.15pm for Beginners and 8.15 for Improvers. The next five week course starts on February 26th. Dropins are also welcome
Louise will also run an Online Lunchtime Sean Nós Dancing Course starting February 28th 1-1.40pm. Learn the basics of this old Irish percussive dance. Class recordings and videos of steps will be available after each class.
Louise also teaches Sean Nós and Céilí Dancing in Schools and does so in the Irish Language. Get in touch with Louise at info@louise.ie to enquire about school bookings and private events.
Céilí Club
A Lasta Céilí is a highly engaging and immersive live music and céilí dance event which has been described by Culture Ireland as ‘innovative’ and one of the highlights of emerging Irish voices appearing at London Irish Centre in 2019.
A Lasta Céilí event can be tailored for weddings, hen parties and tour groups and involves
– Top class live music with some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians
– Dance performances of Sean Nós or old-style Irish dances
– Simple group Céilí dances that get everyone involved.
– Inclusive Céilí Events can cater for individuals with varying additional needs including intellectual and physical disabilities, autism, mobility issues and visual impairments. Contact info@louise.ie to discuss such an event.
PJoin us for an evening of guaranteed fun, laughter and participation, celebrating the best of traditional Irish culture.
– Céilí band and curator of ‘Are ya Dancin’? An Irish College throwback night in Lost Lane, Dublin
– Céilí band for Laura Whitmore’s successful ‘Taste of Home’ fundraising night for London Irish Centre
– Céilí group in residence at the iconic Cobblestone Pub, Smithfield, Dublin. Summer 2019
Music
Louise plays traditional Irish and contemporary fiddle and performs at social functions, corporate events and weddings.
She also performs as part of Lasta, a five piece traditional Irish band who perform for live dance events at festivals as well as at private functions.
Contact regarding bookings for duo, trio and five piece musical performances for private and public events at info@louise.ie
She shares photos of her musical adventures on her Instagram account; www.instagram.com/louiseoconnor.ie
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Céilí?
A Céilí is a gathering for Irish traditional music, dance and storytelling. It derives from the Irish word ‘le chéile’ meaning ‘together’. A typical céilí can involve two hand dances, dances in circle or line formations, or in a four partner square as in set dancing.
What is Set Dancing?
Set dancing is a form of social dancng which has been danced in Ireland for about 150 years. Set dances are derived from French Quadrilles and involve four couples dancing in a square. Each ‘set’ has usually between three and six ‘figures’ within it and are often danced to a live céilí band. Famous céilí bands which play for set dancers include the Tulla, Kilfenora or the Shandrum Céilí Band.
What is Sean Nós Dancing?
Sean Nós means ‘old style.’ It is a percussive, improvisational form of Irish dance, also simply called ‘battering’ which has its origins in Connemara in the West of Ireland. It is more ‘relaxed’ than Irish dance as is in seen on Riverdance. It is danced with feet close to the ground generally and the dancers shoes are used as an instrument to respond to the tune being played. It is suitable for a wide variety of ages.
