Beyond Irish Dance

Join us in speaking with Mary Slowey, former Irish Dancer and current Irish Dance photographer, about the grief dancers experience as they retirement from Irish Dance. The conversation navigates the complex landscape of identity loss and the mental health implications often unaddressed in such major life changes. We also discuss ways in which dancers can capture moments of their Irish Dance journey through photography, and how visual representations of our Irish Dance journey can help us in coping with the grief of transition. You can find Mary on Instagram @sloweyphotography [https://www.instagram.com/sloweyphotography/], online at http://www.sloweysnaps.com/irishdance/ [http://www.sloweysnaps.com/irishdance/ ]or through email at SloweyPhotography@gmail.com [SloweyPhotography@gmail.com]. Follow us on Instagram @BeyondIrishDancePod [https://www.instagram.com/beyondirishdancepod/] and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Irish Dancers have strong opinions on their shoes. But our socks are an equally important, but under discussed, aspect of our footwear! In this episode, we talk about the history of socks in Irish Dance, how we got to the beloved Poodle Sock, and review Irish Dance specific socks. Links to our favorite socks: * Apolla Performace Socks: Amazing compression, support, and energy distribution! We tried the Performance Shock, the Joule, and the Infinite. Find them at www.apollaperformance.com [https://www.apollaperformance.com/] and @apollaperformace * Ahearne Shamrock Grips: We love the amazing support provided by the cutest shamrock grips on the bottom. They keep your feet from sliding around in your shoes; or allow you to dance shoesless without slipping. Find them at shamrockgrips.com [https://shamrockgrips.com/] and @ahearneshamrockgrips [https://www.instagram.com/ahearneshamrockgrips] * Turnout Socks: The perfect tool for providing visual cues on turnout! Comfortable, adorable, and helpful? Yes please! And they can be customized to include your school logo! Find them at www.turnoutsocks.com [https://www.turnoutsocks.com/] and @turnoursocks. [https://www.instagram.com/turnoutsocks/] Follow us on Instagram @BeyondIrishDancePod [https://www.instagram.com/beyondirishdancepod/] and on Apple Podcasts [podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-irish-dance/id1732735172], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0V5oJSjNnsHNT3wK5SIgdc], or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

In this episode, we chat with Meghan Lucey-Brelsford, TCRG; Owner and Director of The Brennan-Lucey Irish Dance Academy; and Inventor of Turn Out Socks! Meghan shares behind-the-scenes logistics of life on tour, her joy in teaching, and her inspiration for Turn Out Socks! Meghan has earned awarded numerous titles including National Champion, All-Scotland Champion, NAFC Senior Belt Champion and 6-time New England Regional Champion. She has also placed in the top 5 at every major competition within An Coimisiún, including an incredible 2nd place and silver medal at the World Championships in 2009. Meghan toured for 9 years with Riverdance,  and has also toured with Cherish the Ladies, Celtic Fire, and Women of Ireland and performed with Busch Gardens show Celtic Fyre, among others. You can find Meghan at The Brennan-Lucey Irish Dance Academy [https://www.brennanlucey.com/], and purchase her turnout socks at turnoutsocks.com [https://www.turnoutsocks.com/]. Follow us on Instagram @BeyondIrishDancePod [https://www.instagram.com/beyondirishdancepod/] and on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-irish-dance/id1732735172], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0V5oJSjNnsHNT3wK5SIgdc], or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Over the past decade adult Irish dancers have had a growing presence, and have gained more attention and recognition. In part 2 of this two-part interview, we rejoin dancers Dominika (Domi) Cedro-Culver [https://www.instagram.com/domi_the_juggernaut/], Holly Olitan [https://www.instagram.com/hollyfiona/], and Lyla Medeiros [https://www.instagram.com/meowcatwowcat/] - three adult dancers with diverse dance background and experiences - to discuss the joys and challenges of being an adult Irish Dancer. The discussion covers their mindset as adult dancers, the healing that has come from dance, and the joys of being an Irish Dancers. Be sure to listen to Part 1 of this episode! Follow us on Instagram @BeyondIrishDancePod [https://www.instagram.com/beyondirishdancepod/] and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Over the past decade, adult Irish dancers have had a growing presence, and have gained more attention and recognition. In part one of this two-part interview, we meet with dancers Dominika (Domi) Cedro-Culver [https://www.instagram.com/domi_the_juggernaut/], Holly Olitan [https://www.instagram.com/hollyfiona/], and Lyla Medeiros [https://www.instagram.com/meowcatwowcat/] - three adult dancers with diverse dance background and experiences - to discuss the joys and challenges of being an adult Irish Dancer. The discussion covers their dance journeys, the challenges of competing as adults, and the social dynamics of being an adult in classes and feisanna. Be sure to join us next week for part 2! Follow us on Instagram @BeyondIrishDancePod [https://www.instagram.com/beyondirishdancepod/] and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.