Dancing stars thrill Iberia!

The Dominic Graham School represented Northern Ireland at one of the world’s largest folk dance events - Folk Faro in Portugal.
Zuzzana Geriki and Emma Chestnutt.Zuzzana Geriki and Emma Chestnutt.
Zuzzana Geriki and Emma Chestnutt.

In a non competitive celebration of folk dance, groups from Spain, Bosnia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Portugal and Bolivia took centre stage.

During a ten day tour 16 members of DGS performed in beautiful locations throughout the Algarve, dancing with other countries in the opening and closing ceremonies and at the main event in the beautiful setting of Faro Cathedral Square. School founder, and director, Dominic Graham said: “It was certainly a wonderful experience not just performing to such large audiences in such beautiful settings, but also the friendships and connections made with other countries.

“I was proud of how the children and young people from all over the north coast area did.”

Dominic Graham dancers pictured at the closing ceremony.Dominic Graham dancers pictured at the closing ceremony.
Dominic Graham dancers pictured at the closing ceremony.

Due to the success of DGS at Folk Faro they have now been invited to represent Northern Ireland at similar events next year in the USA and Mexico.”

In July 37 DGS dancers and six musicians performed a 70-minute show called The Atlantic Swell which Dominic was commissioned to write for Gijon Council in Northern Spain as part of their annual Festival of the Atlantic.

“Of all the shows I have produced over the years this one has given me so much to remember - the dancers, the musicians, the setting, and the subject of the show which was inspired by one of the school’s most famous dances, called The Atlantic Swell.

“Also, two of the dancers suffered the sad passing of their mothers just weeks and days before the tour which added so much emotion and poignancy to the piece.”

Aoife Bowerman and Orla Stanton.Aoife Bowerman and Orla Stanton.
Aoife Bowerman and Orla Stanton.

The Dominic Graham School now look forward to performing their 16th show, Anthems, at the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine from September 17-19.

Seats can be booked online at www.riversidetheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 028 70123123. Don’t miss it!

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