17th South Magazine

Top Menu

  • Home
  • About US
    • Our Mission
    • Meet The Team
  • All Articles
  • Contact Us
  • Past Issues
  • Pick Up A Copy
  • Read The Current Issue Online

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Latest
  • Culture
  • Indulge
  • Happening
  • Living
  • Cover Story
  • Home
  • About US
    • Our Mission
    • Meet The Team
  • All Articles
  • Contact Us
  • Past Issues
  • Pick Up A Copy
  • Read The Current Issue Online

logo

Header Banner

17th South Magazine

  • Home
  • Latest
    • Artistic Acquisition

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • WESTSIDE WARES

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • PCM Premieres

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Burning Up

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Edge of Tomorrow

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • The High Gets Higher

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • COMEBACK KID

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • DYNAMIC DESIGN

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • European Experience

      November 1, 2018
      0
  • Culture
    • The Voice of Atlanta Radio

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Put a Sock on It

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Happy to Be Here

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Coming Up Roses

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Going Green

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • Stompin’ on the Westside

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • PAINTING THE TOWN

      September 27, 2018
      0
    • EAT WITH YOUR EARS FIRST

      September 27, 2018
      0
    • Atlanta-based designer Megan Huntz

      Fashion, Forward

      August 23, 2018
      0
  • Indulge
    • A Modern Classic Menu

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Drinks on Demand

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Family Affairs

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Food News - March / April 2019

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • A SEASONAL BITE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Happening Hood Hangout

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • How Sweet It Is!

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Cozy Up, Drink Up

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Food News - JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • Happening
    • ATLANTA ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • THE GREAT RACE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • FASHION FORWARD

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • LE JARDIN FRANÇAIS WINTER FLORAL DESIGN CLASS

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • 2019 ATLANTA BIENNIAL

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND TOUR OF HOMES

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • YOUR BEST LIFE

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • MOSCOW BALLET’S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER - DOVE OF PEACE TOUR!

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • BOO AT THE ZOO

      September 27, 2018
      0
  • Living
    • Minnesota's Shopping Mecca

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Treasured Acquisition

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Preserving the Past

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Cajun Country Culinary

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Spring Forward

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • West Highlands Retreat

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Highly Addictive Beauty

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • A Dose of the Ocean

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • A Gangbuster Alabama Getaway

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • Cover Story
    • BOOZY BLASTOFFS

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • BRUNCH BUCKET LIST

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • CREAM OF THE CROP

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • GET CRACKING

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • GLOBAL BEGINNINGS

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • LAST THINGS FIRST

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • RISE & SHINE …

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Matt Gryder and Matthew Fishman

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Antonio Brown

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • BOOZY BLASTOFFS

  • BRUNCH BUCKET LIST

  • GET CRACKING

  • CREAM OF THE CROP

  • GLOBAL BEGINNINGS

  • LAST THINGS FIRST

  • RISE & SHINE …

CultureDanceNOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018
Home›Culture›Stompin’ on the Westside

Stompin’ on the Westside

By 17thSouth
November 1, 2018
7565
0
Share:

Irish step enthusiasts bring Emerald Isle culture to Atlanta

STORY: H.M. Cauley
PHOTO: Stephen Payne

In 1995, when Riverdance ignited a mania for Irish dance, Emma Burke and Erin Connolly were part of the craze. Both Burke, born in Dublin, and Connolly, born in Toronto to Irish parents, came to Atlanta as youngsters and became fast friends in dance class.

Together, they worked their way through various levels of serious competition, but eventually life intervened. Burke headed to Mercer law school; Connolly went to the University of Illinois for a master’s in architecture.

After 10 years of being Facebook friends, the two reconnected about seven years ago and found they were still mad about Irish dance.

“Erin said she missed it and asked if I wanted to start teaching together,” says Burke. “I thought of it as a hobby. We started one day a week at a church hall in Virginia-Highland, but it soon grew to two nights. Then we added a westside location.”

That was six years ago. Now, the Atlanta Irish Dance by Burke Connolly studio on 14th Street pulses seven days a week with more than 100 students stomping and pounding to the distinctive dance form, often compared to tap or clogging.

“In Irish dance, we don’t use our arms, only feet,” says Connolly. “There’s a heavy rhythm, and it’s about the different types of tap you do with your feet. It’s very athletic.”

In fact, Irish dance is considered more of a sport than a cultural art form, says Burke. “It’s treated like that all over the world. There are schools in China, Germany, Eastern Europe, New Zealand. It requires a high level of athleticism to get this fast-paced, very rhythmic style down.”

The partners have found no shortage of Atlantans from 4 years old through adulthood who want to master the intricate and demanding moves. And being Irish has nothing to do with it.

“One of our top dancers is of Jamaican descent,” says Burke. “The vast majority of kids have seen a performance live or online, and when they tell their parents, ‘I want to do this,’ a lot of parents don’t even know what it is. Many kids tired of ballet, or found it boring, but develop a love and passion for the artistry and athleticism Irish dance combines.”

Neither Burke nor Connolly compete anymore. Burke, a new mom who lives in Buckhead, recently gave up her law practice, and Connolly, who lives in Ormewood Park, is the mother of three younger than 5. But both have left their professional careers to focus on the dance studio. In that capacity, they travel to competitions around the world as coaches of budding talent.

“We’re both certified with the governing body of Irish dance that permits us to teach and compete,” says Burke. “Our passion is with the kids.”

On November 6 and 13, the partners are giving shoppers at the Ponce City Market farmers market a display of the talent they’re coaching. And they’re offering mini-lessons to give kids and adults alike an idea of what it takes to be an Irish dancer.

“As yet, we haven’t not been able to teach anyone to Irish dance,” says Burke. “It’s all about coming with an open mind.”

Atlanta Irish Dance by Burke Connolly
349 14th St., 30318
770.500.0301
atlantairishdance.com

TagsAtlanta Irish Dance by Burke ConnollyEmerald Isle cultureEmma Burke and Erin ConnollyIrish dance lessons atlantaIrish step dancePHOTO: Stephen PayneRiverdanceStompin’ on the WestsideSTORY: H.M. Cauley
Previous Article

European Experience

Next Article

Going Green

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • LivingMARCH / APRIL 2019People

    Preserving the Past

    February 21, 2019
    By 17thSouth
  • CreatorsCultureSeptember 2017

    Designing Backward and Forward

    August 24, 2017
    By 17thSouth
  • Mason Poe and Kendra Rainey, co-founders of the Edgar Allan agency
    LivingPeopleSEPTEMBER 2018

    Smaller Learnings

    August 23, 2018
    By 17thSouth
  • LivingMARCH / APRIL 2018Style To Go

    Tailor Made

    February 22, 2018
    By 17thSouth
  • In Town EscapesJune 2017Living

    HEAD FOR THE HILL!

    June 8, 2017
    By 17thSouth
  • General Assembly offers on-site and online workshops in a range of creative and technical fields.
    Cover StoryLearning PowerSEPTEMBER 2018

    FULFILL YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

    August 23, 2018
    By 17thSouth

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You may also be interested in...

  • In Town EscapesJuly 2017Living

    A Calming Kayak Tour

  • LivingNOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018Shelter

    VaHi Revamp

  • HappeningSeptember 2017What's Going On Around Town

    SAY CHEESE!

Visit Our Sister Publication

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

Follow us

Instagram @17thSouth

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Find us on Facebook

logo

17th South:
In the heart of Atlanta,17th South magazine reaches active, exploration-minded residents ages 24-65 who want to experience the best the area has to offer, through stories and features on individuals and businesses they can relate to in their direct communities. We feature of-the-moment and hidden gem restaurants, beautiful private homes, philanthropy, arts and cultural offerings, and the trendsetters and tastemakers who are making it happen!
Valuestream Media Group
simply-buckhead-magazine
17th-south-magazine

Contact Us

  • P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355
  • 404.538.9895
  • advertising@17thsouth.com

Find us on Facebook

Follow us

17th South Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Pick Up A Copy
© Copyright 17th South. All rights reserved.