THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1993
Page 31
Irish School of Dance Finds a New Home
IRISH DANCERS DISPLAY THEIR TALENT IN NORTHERN COMMUNITY
By HELEN O'CONNOR FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — "The Watt School of Irish Dance" under Jo Watt (formally of Donegal) has found a home in the new North Peace Cultural Centre. The dance school has been in existence for about six years and has been involved in the feisanna (competitions) for the past two and a half years.
The school has close to 60 dancers and Jo said that special
thanks goes to Sean McGuinness of Edmonton, Violet Moore of Vancouver and Fionnualla Irwin of Calgary for their help and support over the past few years.
The centre, which was long overdue, opened last summer. The Watt School with guest dancer, Nora Pickett of the Moore School Vancouver "brought the house down" at the opening ceremonies with a lovely display of dance. It was an eye opener for
this northern town, as many had never seen traditional Irish dancing before.
The new building consists of a beautiful modern theatre which seats 470 persons and a dance studio, art gallery library, and ticket offices.
The centre is a focal point for cultural activities and the Irish are very much a part of the community and its culture.
Gala Social and Sports Events
By KEVIN MOLLOY
VANCOUVER — The Lower Mainland's two Irish sports teams, Vancouver's Irish Sports and Social Club and Richmond's Club Ireland, are combining their energies to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This year the clubs will host three events over the holiday period.
The celebrations kick off on Saturday, March 13, at Minoru Pavilion in Richmond. The 250-capacity facility will be the venue for the St. Patrick's Dance. This event starts at 8 PM.
The Tiocfaidh Ar La Band will get things going with a selection of Irish traditional tunes and ballads. Hot Wax will provide the musical entertainment, with occasional breaks to admire the Vie Moore Irish Dancers and guest musical artists. The $12.50 charge covers the entrance fee, food andspot prizes.
Minoru Pavilion is also the venue for the Annual Sports Open Day on Sunday, March 14, from 1 PM to 7 PM — an opportunity to watch the best hurlers and Gaelic footballers Vancouver has to offer.
ST. PATRICK'S
This event has proved popular and should be more so this year with the inclusion of a new feature on the program. For the first time, Club Ireland have succeeded in having their Metro Premier League game scheduled at Minoru at 3 PM. The day will also feature a variety of traditional Irish dancing, music and food. Free admittance.
The gala event of the Irish Sport and Social Club and Club Ireland's St. Patrick's Day celebrations will be held on the day itself, Wednesday, March 17. The St. Patrick's Day Open House in the Cambrian Hall at 17th and Main Street, Vancouver runs from noon till midnight.
The event will provide entertainment for all—dancing demonstrations with anopportunity for everyone to have a go (instruction provided), traditional Irish foods, Gaelic football and hurling and the Irish soccer team videos plus a wide selection of music and crafts. The day's ac-
tivities will be punctuated with spot prizes, talent competitions and features for our younger Gaels. The $5 fee covers multiple entry, allowing people to check out the other celebrations around town and to return.
The Irish Sport and Social Club join Club Ireland in wishing all our members, supporters and friends a very Happy St. Patrick's Day, and we hope you can join us in our celebrations.
Call Paul at (604) 874-7300, Danny (604) 272-4036 or Kevin (604) 944-3812 for information
and tickets for any event. •
ISSC and Club Ireland thinks all those who made our Annual Open Darts Nights and the Dublin vs The Rest soccer challenge, held in February, such successful and enjoyable events.
Keep your ear to the ground to find out when the rubber match will be played. The Boxing pay match went 4-3 in Dublin s favour while The Rest of Ireland scored a 4-3 victory on February 15. Call Paul (604) 874-7300 or Liam at (604) 984-9540 for more details.
March is Morrison Visa Month
WASHINGTON —For the third year of the Morrison Visa program, the U.S. State Department has indicated that the deadline for application will be March 2 until March 31.
The third and final year of the Morrison program is almost identical to the second, except for a new mailing address.
According to figures provided by the Irish government, only 8,500 of the 25,000 Irish notified as Year Two visa winners have responded.
The report indicates that 50 percent or the Year Two applicants were living in Ireland and 50 percent in the United States , most of these being illegal.
It is reported that if any visas are not used by the Irish in Morrison Year Three, they will be lost.
The new address for applications in Year Three is:
AA-1, Program Box 1994,
Dulles, Va. 20199-1994, USA
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