A month-long Olympic-inspired festival of dance will be held in July.
Dance in Motion is part of Crawley in Motion, the name for sporting, cultural and community projects taking place in the town in the next 18 months, all inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The events, co-ordinated by Crawley Borough Council, K2 Crawley and Crawley Schools Sports Partnership, will include demonstrations and lessons of all types of dance, from ballet to street and Bollywood to Zumba.
The council would also like to encourage any dance schools or acts in the area who are interested in taking part in Dance in Motion to come forward and contact Marie Ovenden at Crawley Borough Council on 01293 438328.
The highlights are:
• Saturday July 2, 11am-5pm – Join Crawley Festival Mainstage for Bollywood, Portuguese, Irish, contemporary and street dancing demonstrations in Memorial Gardens. Free
• Sunday July 3, 2-4pm – Learn basic salsa moves at Maidenbower Community Centre. £2 per person
• Saturday July 9, 2-3pm – Zumba for you! at the Bewbush Centre. £2 per person
• Sunday July 10, 12 noon-2pm – Le Roc (modern jive), lesson from 12 noon-1pm, practice from 1-2pm at Ifield Community Centre. £2 per person
• Friday July 15, 7.30-9.30pm – Beginners’ ballet at Northgate Community Centre. £2 per person
• Sunday July 17, 10am-12 noon – Tap for beginners at Langley Green Community Centre. £2 per person
• Sunday July 24, 12 noon-4.30pm – Finale Day at K2 Crawley including beginners’ ballroom, Michael Jackson workshop, street class, children’s dance party and a grand ball. A free crèche and free climbing wall sessions will also be available from 12 noon-2pm. Places are limited so please book in advance with K2 Crawley.
The full line-up of events will be published in May. For more information or to reserve a place at any of these classes please call 01293 438328.
On the 11th March the Irish festivities started as it meant to go on…….in style. It was followed by St Patrick’s Day on the 17th March, closely followed by the Irish Parade on the 20th March.
The Ceili:
Craic or crack is a term for fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation, particularly prominent in Ireland. It is often used with the definite article – the craic. The word has an unusual history; the form craic was borrowed into Irish from the English crack in the mid-20th century, and the Irish spelling was then reborrowed into English. Under either spelling, the crack/craic has great cultural currency and significance in Ireland. <source: wikipedia>
St Patrick’s day & the Irish Parades:
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by the Irish and Irish at Heart in big cities and small towns alike with parades, “wearing of the green,” music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Its a time for fun. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green! <source>
We took plenty of footage and pictures for you to enjoy. They tell the story for us
We would like to thank John Nolan and the CICS committee for all their hard work in organising these events. We would also like to thank everyone who came to enjoy these events and for the support shown.Special thanks goes to Carrie Anne Campbell for taking some amazing pictures and letting us use them on our site
On Sunday 29th August the 15th annual Irish Festival kicked off in style.
Attended by many including the Mayor Lee Burke and Mayoress Ali Burke, the event was well organised and continued without a hitch…..oh except the downpour! Ok, so it rained for about an hour, but let us tell you, this did not stop the party. In fact, the ‘after rain’ show was probably more eventful than the morning when the skies were dark. The sun shone and blue skies covered us like a warm blanket. The wet dried up and the air filled with the smell of a summers day. We had our tent (until the wind blew it away of course) where the CHT cam was well received. You can view all the videos on CHT.TV
Crawley Happy Times was privileged to be a part of this great event including the launch night at the Emerald Club. We took some pictures which we hope will tell the story on our behalf, and of course video of some of the performers.
We would like to say a big well done to all involved and to all who performed and danced, and of course to those who attended.
The Irish Festival is this Sunday. The weather is going to be good (fingers crossed) and everything is being put in place. There will be lots on offer including music, stalls, fun fair rides, Irish dancing by various dancing schools, childrens corner and of course the beer tent.
The CICS (Celtic and Irish Cultural Society) have worked tirelesessly all year to make this, the 15th annual Irish Festival as good, maybe even bettr than the fourteen before.
The last meeting was held last night at the Emerald Club who will be open for tea, coffes, cakes and other lovely nibbles.
Here are some of the great offers available on the day.
The Gatwick Diamond Rotary Club – “Vinnie needs a new home”
This Year’s Irish Festival is being held on Sunday 29th Aug 2010 between 11:30 and 7:00pm at Southgate Playing Fields, Southgate Avenue, Crawley,
Don’t miss this chance to win Vinnie
Vinnie has become too hot to handle and needs a new home.
Raffle Tickets will be on sale at £1 each and the Raffle will probably take place at about 5pm depending on demand.
All Money raised by us with our various activities that day will go to the following very worthy Local causes :-
Crawley Open House, Down’s Syndrome and Home-Start Crawley & Horsham (Home-Start is also the Mayor’s chosen Charity for this Year)
The music line up:
Crawley Happy Times will be present so please come and say hello and see what surprises we have in store for you!
On Saturday 31st July, the official launch of the Irish & Celtic Cultural Society festivities was kicked off with good food, excellent dancing, fine music and great company.
Attended by Councillors Bob and Brenda Burgess, Bob Lanzer, His Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Lee Burke and Mayoress Councillor Ali Burke, and many more. The guinness flowed, the band played and the food went down a treat.
2010 sees the 15th Annual Irish Festival on the 29th August. Last year was a huge success, even though the weather was not too bright. This year, we are hoping the sun will smile down on this brilliant event hosting music, stands, dancing and of course the beer tent.
The Launch Party was hosted by the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society in the presence of the Mayor of Crawley Cllr Lee Burke together and Mr Michael Keavney of the Irish Embassy and some invited guests including the sponsors, supporters, volunteers and helpers that made last years festival the success it has become.
A light buffet was served to a backdrop of live music – by one of the bands ‘Dun the Vail’ who will be playing at the Festival. A special dance display was also a treat of the evening. We were also treated to a performance from ‘Just Kelly’ who just happened to be passing by. Thank you Kelly!
The centre piece of the night was the ‘toasting’ to the success of the festival including the cutting of the 15th Anniversary cake with the Mayor saying a few words about the festival and the CICS and asking all in attendance to drink to the festival’s success and the cutting of the 15th Anniversary cake.
The Festival attracts up to seven thousand visitors to the town from throughout Crawley, Sussex and the Southeast of England and has built a reputation as a great family day out over the August weekend. The event showcases some of the best musical talent from Britain and Ireland on three live entertainment stages, showing modern, traditional Irish music and open dance competitions. This year it featuring heavily on the younger element of the community with a special children’s entertainment marquee involving games, song and story with particular emphasis on Irish traditions and folklore. In addition, sport and cultural identity are each featured prominently with Ceili and Set dancing, GAA sports, tug-o-war, a funfair, various food and craft stalls and displays with the added attraction of a licensed beer tent.
The event is run by The Celtic and Irish Cultural Society, which was formed to promote a greater understanding of Celtic and Irish traditions to Crawley and the surrounding areas. With support from Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council it is featured heavily in regional printed and radio media as well as the local weekly and Irish themed publications. Further details about the society and previous events can be found online at www.celtic-irish.co.uk
Crawley Happy Times were invited down to experience the evening. We took some pictures and video for you to enjoy.
Over the past years, Crawley has been deprived of so many events involving the community, so when the Celtic & Irish Cultural Society put on the St. Patrick’s Parade in the town centre, the community donned vibrant outfits, the dancers jigged, making it a wonderful day!
John Nolan and the committee members worked tirelessly to put this amazing parade together, which was no mean feat. But they made it look easy. It all went very smoothly and everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The parade was lead by the Mayor of Crawley, Cllr Brenda Burgess with representative from the Irish embassy together with invited guests local dignitaries and personalities.
The parade was the last event in a string of well organised events. On the 6th March we had the launch of the Fleadh with a celebratory evening at The Emerald Club in Southgate. On Saturday 20th March we were entertained at The Hawth Theatre by an Irish Variety Concert. Compared by Gerry Molumby with Jimmy Cricket heading the bill and made up of music, song, dance, seanachi and a few special surprises. A Piece of Irish Theatre and some poetry is also included together with a special performance of the Emerald Pipe and Drum band which is made up of the Irish guys and girls serving in the Metropolitan Police as well as some excellent dancing by the Andromeda Edmunds School of Dance and O’Briens Irish School of Dance.
Before the weekend kicked off John Nolan told us “The CICS want to make the whole day a success and give the people of Crawley and the surrounding areas a parade to remember. It’s not just an Irish only St Patrick’s Parade, it’s a parade for the community. One for everyone to enjoy, for the residents and the business fraternity to come on board and work on together. There is also a special section called the ‘nations of the world’ where the participants can walk in the parade carrying the flag of their country or geographical region. The more banners the merrier. This always adds fantastic colour to the event. Check out http://www.celtic-irish.co.uk/stpats for more info” We think you will agree, they certainly managed to pull this off in style. If you want to be part of this next year, email us editor@crawleyhappytimes.co.uk and we will pass your details on.
A special thanks goes to Currys and especially Jay Nai, who without their help the bandstand would not have had a sound system. Another special thanks goes to Tracey Herald of Herald Photography for donating some amazing pictures of the parade to Crawley Happy Times xx
Thank you to Jay Nai from Currys for the sound system they supplied on Sunday
We took some pictures and video for you to experience the day! We would also like to thank the good people from The Cloth Store who made us a giant CHT finger puppet but we were unable to use this on the day. We will be speaking more about Victoria and the ladies from The Cloth Store in the near future.
On the 25th February Crawley Happy Times attended the AGM meeting for the Irish Cultural Society.
Invited by John Nolan, Chairman of the committee, Shelley went along to see what events they have in store for Crawley in March. Last year Crawley was treated for the 14th annual Irish Festival, the finale of the festivities organised by the committee. And this year is going to bigger and better!
(L-R) Bob Lanzer, Shelley Fagence-Traynor, John Nolan & Mayor Brenda Burgess
The Crawley Fleadh – pronounced flah – is a festival of varied traditional and modern events in celebration of Irish culture through a variety of different art forms and activities.
The 2010 Crawley Fleadh features varied activities including music, comedy, dance, film, sport, story telling and cookery. The 2010 event is the sixth such event. The event moved to March back in 2009 and now forms an annual Irish celebration as part of Crawley’s cultural calendar together with the Saint Patrick’s Celebrations.
The activities organised range from Irish Language Classes to Tin Whistle Classes as well as the concerts and the parade. During March there are four major events.
6th March – Crawley Fleadh Launch
17th March – Saint Patrick’s Day 2010
20th March – Irish Variety Concert
21st March – 7th Annual St Patricks Parade
With exception of the Irish Variety Concert, which is held at The Hawth, all events are free and for everyone. With marching bands, irish dancing, traditional irish music and a fancy dress competition, it is a wonderful time for the whole family to get involved and to enjoy. To see more information please visit here.
Crawley has been deprived of so many great events for the community. It is really refreshing to have the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society bringing such vibrant community events to our doorstep, so don’t miss out.
If, like *Murphy, you are a company and wish to support any of the events, please contact us on 01293 572182 where we will be happy to pass on your details. If you wish to volunteer your services as an organistaion or idividual, then please also call the number above.
*The Murphy Group is a lean and agile organisation with a family ethos. We recognise the need to be adaptable to customers` needs in a complex world. We respond by investing in a total in-house solution to ensure flexibility, control and above all quality and safety. Our UK and wider global activities are supported by a structured management approach that performs with seamless efficiency. We operate with integrity and transparency to deliver multi-disciplined projects on time and to the highest standards.
Crawley Happy Times at The Annual Crawley Irish Festival
On Sunday, 30th August 2009, flags came out, outfits were donned, jigs were performed and music was played.
Where did this all happen? At the 14th annual Crawley Irish Festival, held on Southgate playing fields. This festival was supported by the Irish Government, through the Dion fund, Crawley Borough Council, West Sussex County Council and the Crawley Town Centre Partnership with additional sponsorship from the Murphy Group and O’Connor Utilites Limited.
The weather was slightly breezy on the day but this did not deter the hundreds of people who attended! Crawley Happy Times had the honour of a stand at the event. We set up and proudly awaited any interest in our posters and pens.
The Lions Club Mascot
The day was full of entertainment and Irish dancers, showing off their talents, from 3 different stages strategically set about the field. There were various other stands, all raising money for the next Irish Festival in 2010. There were some of the usual faces; you know, the ones who always help out and raise money for great causes, and, of course some new fundraisers too. We had the pleasure of seeing the Worshipful the Mayor Brenda Burgess, her lovely husband and we also met John Nolan, Chairman of the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society, who will be speaking to Crawley Happy Times in the near future to update us on the money raised. As soon as he has recovered from arranging this amazing event, that is!
On the Dome Stage the entertainment was relentless: The Olive Stones opened the musical interlude and were swiftly followed by Martin Ruddy, Kathy Durkin, Reelstrings and last, but not least, Shawn Cuddy. On the Trad stage we were treated to a great array of Irish music by Brogue, Flying Toads, Dun The Veil, Siansa and Crannog. The last stage; the Irish Dancing Stage, was the venue for the Irish dance competition. The beautiful children vying for the top prize were either part of the O’Brien School of Dancing or the Andromeda Edmonds School of Dancing. The dancers were immaculately presented and moved like angels. Pictures to follow.
Gordon Skeggs looked after the main stage, including the sound and lighting. Gordon now has a big, red coach which tours on roadshows, promotions, festivals and various other events. The name of Gordon’s company, Just Unique is very apt as so is Gordon!
Gordon Skeggs with his bus
Obviously, at an Irish Festival, there had to be a beer tent. Drinkers weren’t disappointed: Guinness and various other lagers were on tap. After all, a festival is not a festival without a beer tent!
People brought picnics and blankets (some even brought their own chairs) and sat on the field enjoying the music. There were plenty of activities to keep the children happy, including two bouncy castles and a mini fun fair. The local constabulary were on hand, keeping a watchful eye on the day, although, thankfully, their arresting presence was deterrance enough.
The St. John Ambulance crew were also on hand to help with any injuries, which were, thankfully, minimal.
Volunteers for the day
If you have never been to the Crawley Irish Festival in the past 14 years then, we recommend you put this date in your diary for next year.
It occurs on the same August Bank Holiday Sunday, every year. Not only is it a wonderful day for the whole family, it is also a chance to meet up with friends for nibbles and a drink or two.
We very much look forward to attending next year and hope John enjoyed it enough to want to do it all over again.
Our thanks go to John Nolan for the stand, Linda Silence of Visions Photography for taking some great pictures on our behalf and to all those who came to our stand in support of Crawley Happy Times. Oh and a special thank you to Madeleine Mills representing The Lions Club, who let us borrow some ballons for our stand.
