By Aaron Wright
The Norman Transcript
Norman —
“Set dancing is meant to be social,” said Jean Williams, an Edmond resident who makes the trek to Norman once a month for Third Friday Celtic Nights at Sonder Dance, Music and Art, 225 E. Gray St.
“Nobody around here does set dancing,” said Williams. “This is it.”
Lauren Sonder, owner of Sonder Dance, began the celebration of Celtic culture about a year ago. At first, she said, it started out as just a dance class. Soon, musicians were added and a jam session ensued. Now, there’s even a potluck dinner to go along with the festivities.
“We decided to kind of combine those and make a celebration of Celtic culture,” said Sonder.
She said she got interested in the dance style in the 1990s while in Boston, where she was immersed in Boston’s large Irish population.
“That’s where I learned the Irish set dancing, which is really an Irish form of square dancing,” said Sonder.
Every third Friday, Sonder leads dance classes at 6:30 p.m. Average attendance is between four to eight dancers, at a variety of levels. Beginners are welcome and there are more experienced dancers to guide those new to the craft. There is no set charge, admission being donation only.
About 7:30 p.m., between 10 to 15 musicians arrive and fill the studio with sounds of banjos, fiddles, mandolins, accordions, harmonicas, bodhrans and more. While there are a set of regular musicians, Sonder said anybody is welcome to show up and play.
The jam session usually lasts two hours, with a variety of Celtic tunes played and dances performed.
“Sometimes people come just to listen and hang out,” said Sonder.
Williams said the set dancing is really aimed at adults because it is easier on joints. She pointed out one of her best experiences with the style of dance that occurred in Ireland. She took a trip to the country responsible for set dancing to take a class in the art. Seeing several hundred adults come together to perform was a really neat memory.
To learn about other cultural dances offered at Sonders, visit sondermusic.com.
Aaron Wright 366-3533 pop@normantranscript.com
