Imagine fully extending your feet and toes and going “en pointe” in ballet or doing the jumps and kicks and tricks of tap dancing. Now imagine doing it while keeping your upper body – torso, neck, head – almost completely still. Ok, now add in a heavy, bejeweled costume and a tall wig. What do you get? Why, the magic of Irish dance, of course.
Abby Swearingen, 14, and Natalie Booker, 16, know all about this centuries-old form of dance. They represented Ashburn and Kristin Butke Irish Dance, a local school, at the World Irish Dancing Championships this spring in Chicago.
Abby earned fifth place for her solo competition, and Natalie’s eight-person team took 10th place in its category.
To read more about this unique form of dance, the local school and dancers, and the hard work that goes into a performance – click here and check out the full story on the Ashburn Magazine website.