A hotbed of music, culture, literature, traditional arts and pure self-expression, County Kerry’s unique vibrancy will be drawn upon this July as acclaimed choreographer and Kerry County Council Dancer in Residence Catherine Young seeks participants for an intriguing new dance project.

This special project is a follow-up to 2016’s mesmeric "Welcoming The Stranger", a contemporary dance piece which took the stories of Kerry-based migrants and refugees as its timely inspiration. Performed last July on the shores of Kerry’s Banna Strand, it was also invited to the prestigious Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival in Palestine.

Having worked and toured to vast acclaim worldwide, Catherine’s current goal is to bring Kerry’s burgeoning diverse communities together by working with local dancers, amateur and professional and also with new communities such as refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

“The mix of nationalities is one of the underlying goals of the dance project as it allows us all to get to know each other a little better”, says Catherine. This exciting intercultural dance project will use the creative forum of dance and music to bring these communities together, exploring and expressing what Kerry life is today.

Part of County Kerry’s Creative Ireland Culture and Creativity Plan, which is providing enhanced opportunities for artists and communities to engage in creative arts projects and events, a taster workshop for the project takes place at Ireland’s National Folk Theatre Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, on July 12 at 2 pm. All would-be dancers from ages 16+ are invited to put their best foot forward with the dance piece itself set to be showcased at Siamsa Tíre on Culture Night, September 22.

For the shy but curious, prior dance experience is in no way required. All that’s needed is a positive attitude and a commitment to rehearsals which take place at the theatre over August.

Kerry-based and looking to dip a toe into the expressive dance medium? Contact catherineyoungdance@gmail.com.