News 21. 3. 2013
Brian Cunningham Says “No One is Too Old To Learn the Sean-nós Dance” (Interview)
An observer of Sean Nos dancing who is new to this art would notice similarity to American tap dance. But remember that American music and dance are both influenced by the Irish culture. Brian Cunningham answered these question between sessions. He was prompt friendly in getting back to my questions. The thing about real artists is that they are both eager to perform the art tell the world about it.
Here is a brief info about Sean Nos dance from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean-nos_dance: Sean-nós dance is an older style of traditional solo Irish dance. It is a casual dance form (as opposed to the more formal competition-oriented form) of Irish Stepdancing. “Sean Nós” in the Irish language means “old style” and refers to various activities, including sean-nós song and sean-nós dance. These less common forms of Irish dance and traditional Irish singing have been documented by folklorists and song collectors (AKA ethnomusicologists), but still often form part of the traditional dance scene in Ireland.
There is a huge resurgence of Sean Nos dancing not just from Ireland but also from the whole Irish diaspora. How to you feel being in the middle of it all?
It’s great to be in the middle of this huge revival of an ancient dance form sean nos dance. It’s a well minded and respected art form, so it’s important that it’s revived in a special way.
So tell us more about Atlantic Steps. You are in the midst of a tour I believe? How’s it going so far?
We just finished our USA tour with Atlantic Steps, and it’s flying high thank God! More info about the tour available here: www.atlanticsteps.com
How did you develop the love for traditional dancing?
I developed my love for sean nos dance at the age of five. I love the freeness and excitement it brings to me and the people I perform to.
Can you cite the dancers who influenced your desire to follow this path?
I learned how to dance from my father, and he learned from his grandfather. I was also influenced be the great Mairtin Beg O Griofa and Seamus Devan. It all comes from the heart and our culture in Connemara.
If someone who is new to Sean Nos dancing asks you ‘what is sean nos dancing,’ what’s your answer?
If someone asks me what sean nos dancing is, I would say it’s not just ‘steps of a dance.’ Sean nos is a story, and the oldest dance story we have in Ireland. It’s the feeling you get and the passion you feel. When you do sean nos dancing, the rhythm is coming from inside.
What will happen this year in terms of Atlantic Steps and side projects?
My plans for the next year is to keep working on atlantic steps and most of all to keep trying to take part in the revival of sean nos dance. My biggest goal is to tell the story and as it was not just dance.
Points to remember when someone as old as 38 gets into Irish dancing?
When someone is getting into Irish dancing, the thing to keep in mind is, there are no rules or regulations with sean nos. People of 60 years and up, werethe best dancers. They had the style mastered even back in the day when it was danced in country kitchens around the open fire.
By Baxter Labatos from Celtic Music Fan (http://celticmusicfan.com)
Václav Bernard
