Third Friday Ceili Dances

The Irish Cultural Center is hosting its Third Friday Ceili in the Great Hall on Friday, October 16, at 7:30 PM. It's part of a monthly series that runs on the third Friday of the month, with the next two dates falling on November 20 and December 18.

If you've never been, a ceili is a traditional Irish social dance. Each session features about six different dances, and the whole thing is family-oriented, so it's as much for kids as it is for adults. The focus is on having a good time rather than getting every step perfect, and no prior experience is necessary—it's open to all comers. If you're nervous about jumping in cold, there's an orientation and beginners session at 6:45 PM, just before the main dancing starts, to get you comfortable with the basics.

The dances are held in the Great Hall of the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library, located at 1106 N Central Ave in Phoenix. The Center's broader mission is to build a link between the people of Arizona and the people of Ireland and other Celtic cultures, and the ceili is one part of a larger program that includes history lessons, music, art, dance, crafts, and language. It's a good way to get a feel for that community if you've been curious about it.

Admission is $8, and the main dancing kicks off at 7:30 PM, with the beginners session starting at 6:45 PM. Since it's a monthly thing, you can catch this one on October 16 and then come back for the November 20 and December 18 sessions if you want to keep it going through the end of the year.