BILLY Elliot himself would have been proud to have been part of the Féile Fáilte dance spectacular staged on Banna Strand from early afternoon until close to midnight on Saturday.
The day-long celebration of dance attracted enthusiasts from all over Kerry and beyond and it featured dance performances, an evening ceilí, a sundown beach disco, musical guests and a midnight spectacle of light.
Dancer performances included Croí Glan Integrated Dance Company, performing Fearghus Ó Conchúir’s The Rhythm of Fierce and John Scott’s Irish Modern Dance Theatre.
Siamsa Tíre brought its beautiful singing and dancing to the beach in an extract from the acclaimed show, Oileán while Fearghus Ó Conchúir and his exciting company of dancers presented a special unplugged performance of Butterflies and Bones: The Casement Project, fresh from its world premiere in London and ahead of its official Irish premiere in Dublin.
Dance enthusiasts from Kerry also performed in a specially commissioned piece by long-time Kerry Dance-Artist-in-Residence, Catherine Young.
As well as dancing, there was a wide variety of music to hear and dance along to, including local legend Paddy Hanafin as céilí-master, Alma Kelliher of The Evertides)and Limerick-based musical trio Rusangano Family.
Curated by choreographer Fearghus Ó Conchúir, Féilte Fáilte was part of The Casement Project, a year-long choreography of bodies and ideas taking place across national boundaries and including events on stage, on screen, in the academy and, as of yesterday, on a beach.
* Pictures: Clare Keogh. Click on individual images to enlarge and for information
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