NPIDA - Nora Pickett Irish Dance Academy

Eire Born in Action at the 2010 Olympics!

Nora — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:46:45 +0000

Eire Born is about to finish up nine great shows during the Olympic festivities in Vancouver this month! They impressed audience members from all over the world and set a few stages on fire with a record number of dancers! Congratulations Eire Born for performing so well & enjoy the rest of your shows! On Wednesday, February 24th they will perform at Robson Square in Vancouver at 7:00pm. They will also showcase their talent at the West Vancouver Community Centre this Saturday, February 27th at 2:00pm. Good luck Eire Born!

Ceili 2010

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:37:11 +0000

Nora has recently confirmed that our 11th annual NPIDA Ceili and year-end show will take place on Sunday April 18th 2010. After several consecutive years at the Squamish Nation Recreation Centre in North Vancouver, the Ceili will take place at a new venue in 2010: Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver. Stay tuned for further details from Nora in the new year!

Also to note on your 2010 calendars: The Comerford Seattle school has recently confirmed a new date for their spring feis: it will take place on March 6-7/10 at the Sea-Tac Hilton Hotel.

Photo: Senior Richmond girls at the 2008 Ceili: Margaret, Devon, Alex, Kali, Natalie P, Lisa, Paige, Kelly, Hanna, and Natalie S.
(Photo taken by Michael, I think…)

Heading to Ireland

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:30:34 +0000

Macaela has come a very long way during her few short years of dancing! She and her mom are leaving on Monday for Killarney, where Macaela will be competing at the 2010 All-Ireland Championships on February 13. Congratulations and what an amazing experience you will have!

Good luck to Macaela and enjoy your trip!

Updates: Olympic Shows + 2010 Ceili

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:25:00 +0000

Nora has sent along the following updates:

1. Eire Born has an additional show during the Olympics: it will take place at the Candahar Pub on Granville Island this Friday night, February 12, 8:30pm. Address: PTC Studios, 3rd Floor, 1398 Cartwright St, Granville Island, Vancouver.

2. The 11th Annual Ceili will take place on Sunday April 18th at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver, beginning at 4:00pm. There will be a full day rehearsal on the day of the Ceili (morning and afternoon; exact times to be announced). Food will be provided for the dancers during the rehearsal. More info to follow!

Eire Born at the Olympics

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:18:31 +0000

Did you know that some senior Eire Born dancers have been waiting and hoping for the past 7 years to be part of the 2010 Olympics? Way back in March 2003 when Vancouver was still a “candidate city”, Eire Born was invited to perform at 2 special Olympic Bid events.

The first one (top photo) was the “Rally on Robson“, a huge outdoor street performance in downtown Vancouver in support of Vancouver’s official 2010 Olympic Bid. The second one (bottom photo) was the next evening, at an invitation-only event at Queen Elizabeth Theatre for the IOC (International Olympic Committee) members, who were in Vancouver and Whistler assessing the Vancouver Olympic Bid.

In following years after Vancouver won the 2010 Olympic bid, Eire Born also performed at the official unveiling of the Vancouver Olympic symbol (the Inukshuk) at GM Place, and the official handing-over of the Olympic flag ceremony in Whistler.

Now here it is 7 years later and just weeks away from the opening of the 2010 Olympics ! We are pleased to announce that Eire Born has been invited to perform at 8 special events in conjunction with the 2010 Olympics:

Sat. Feb. 13, 11:00AM: Olympic Celebration at the West Vancouver Community Center.

Sat. Feb. 13, 2:00PM: BC Olympic Pavillion at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.

Sat. Feb. 13, 5:20PM: Irish Olympic Council Pavillion, Doolin’s Pub (Official Irish House during the Olympics), 654 Nelson St. at Granville.

Sun. Feb. 14, 5:20PM: Irish Olympic Council Pavillion, Doolin’s Pub (Official Irish House during the Olympics), 654 Nelson St. at Granville.

Fri. Feb. 19, 8:00PM: Olympic Celebration at the River Rock Casino Theatre in Richmond.

Sat. Feb. 20, 8:00PM: Olympic Celebration at the River Rock Casino Theatre in Richmond.

Wed. Feb. 24, 7:00PM: BC Olympic Pavillion at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.

Sat. Feb. 27, 2:00PM: Olympic Celebration at the West Vancouver Community Center.

Photos:

1. Eire Born at the Rally on Robson, March 2/03. Left to right: Courtney, Natalie P, Lisa, Napiili, Hanna, Kali.

2. Olympic Performance for the IOC at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, March 4/03 (photo by the Vancouver Sun).

Olympic Opening Ceremonies

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:45:05 +0000

Lisa and Michael, NPIDA sibling dancers, have recently added an extra activity to their already-busy lives: they have been attending rehearsals for the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies!

After attending an open audition last summer, they were both selected to be part of a large group of performers at the opening ceremonies. The audition focused on tap dance, which Michael says was challenging; “we had difficulty with arm movements and unturned/uncrossed feet”, but they were also assessed on the basis of their stage presence and how well they learned the new choreography.

Details of the opening ceremonies are completely top-secret; Michael and Lisa are not allowed to divulge any information at all about the event. They have been attending rehearsals once per week since November, which is soon to increase sharply to 2-4 times per week. Their parents John and Suzanne, as well as their grandparents in Singapore, have secured tickets to attend the Opening Ceremonies. This will no doubt be a very memorable event for the whole family !

Congratulations Michael and Lisa, and we’ll be watching for you on February 12!

Photo: Lisa and Michael at the 2008 Oireachtas.