2017 Mixed Figure Choreography World Champions

"Samhain" - Dublin 2017
Choreography by: Amanda Carpenter Gilleland TCRG, Catie Foley TCRG, and Peter Gardner
Music by: Peter Gardner
Story:
Tonight, the great fire at Tlachtga is ignited. The festival of Samhain is here. Caught between the two halves of the year, Samhain is suspended in time.
Circle the fire in celebration and see the bonfire’s flames rise higher. On this eve of Samhain, the earthly world of the living is hopelessly entangled with the world of the dead. The sun has set and the gates between the mortal and spirit worlds swing open. Donn, the Lord of the Dead, now walks the earth with spirits both peaceful and sinister in nature.
Like a wall of protection, the bonfires flames ward off most, but evil easily finds a way to break free. Into the world wicked spirits emerge, swirling around like the icy breath of a banshee, wreaking havoc on this Samhain eve. Force these malicious spirits away before they drag you back to the abyss.
Samhain, while an eve of uncertainty, is also a time to be reunited with those dearly departed. For a brief moment even lost love can enjoy one last dance that is both enchanting and harrowing to behold.
The great fire dwindles to embers and the souls circle back as Samhain comes to a somber close. The flames are doused, and the spirits take one last breath of life before returning to the land of their own.
Gather around the flames at Tlachtga for protection, for on this night the veil between the living and the dead is to be lifted.

[@heathernewbold406]

This is so beautiful and strong!

[@kaneirishdance]

Amazing!

[@harpirishdance]

Well done! What school is this?

[@amandatelling134]

This is amazing, but can someone explain to me- how was this team not disqualified for using solo steps? ive read the ceili book several times, and I dont remember seeing a back click in it...

[@tiarnan97]

Because this isn't a traditional ceili dance it's a figure,completely different

[@amandatelling134]

@@tiarnan97 I know what a figure is, I've been in several, the rules say that you can only use steps from ceili dances, no solo steps, I wondered how they got around this, or maybe the rules are more lax overseas? I live in Australia.

[@jaelsenn9041]

you are right. it says only traditional footwork

[@savvy2358]

@@amandatelling134 They may have asked the teacher to defend it. Or sometimes embellishments that are based in tradition are overlooked if the figure follows 99.9% of Ar Rince Ceili footwork. I think CLRG knows a bit of progress is important in storytelling. (without going overboard). Currently there’s a school who is winning while solely using 7’s. (literally no 3’s) in their figures. Clearly it is easier for stamina, but I think it takes away from the art a little bit. I’d rather see a quick click than flat, monotonous footwork for 4 minutes. (stunning team, tho) Different strokes, I suppose. 😊

[@amandatelling134]

@@savvy2358 Thank you so much for this reply. Yep I agree that a little variation in the name of progress is probably good, and surely better than the team you're describing

[@nancymaguire1697]

The music is awful