I survived my last St.Patrick’s day as an Irish Dancer

I have been with the Trinity Irish Dancers for eight years now, and on this past Friday and Saturday, I danced for the last time.

Since the beginning, at nine years old, Irish dance captured me and interested me. This sport is based upon discipline and perfection, respect and dedication. As I finish my career as an Irish dancer, I look back at the amazing teachers I have had. So many of them are strong, commanding women who capture me with their ability to control a situation and group of people with the blink of an eye. These women have taught me how to stand strong and proud, to smile and be congenial, but also how to be a strong leader with a sense of confidence like no other.

With Irish dance, you work in a team; you are not just letting yourself down when you don’t succeed, but you are letting  down every other person you are dancing with. Personal accountability and responsibility does not just affect one person. So I want to thank my teachers, parents and especially my teammates for elevating me as a young adult. This is my goodbye: I got to be an Irish dancer on St.Patrick’s Day, breathing in the final smell of wigs in a crowded pub. I will hold the memories of being onstage  lose for every St.Patrick’s Day to come.

The schedule for Friday, March 16th, 2018

5:20 a.m.

Wake up and eat breakfast, put on wig, makeup, and clothes for the day ahead. Then hit the road with dresses and shoes, water and food.

6:30 a.m.

Board the Partridge family party bus (AKA: the Dark Night) at a park and ride.

7:45 a.m.

Meet time for first school show in Kenosha ( I do not know what school this was!).

10 a.m.

Arrive at second school show in Racine.

12 p.m.

Lunch in Franklin

1 p.m.

Third school show (Willow Glen Elementary School), in St.Francis.

2:25 p.m.

Perform at St.Alphonsus in Greendale.

4:45 p.m.

Arrive at home, rip wig off, and then take a nap.

6 p.m.

First pub show at AJ O’Brady’s in Menomonee Falls.

8 p.m.

Second pub show at Mo’s Irish Pub in Wauwatosa.

9:30 p.m.

Arrive back at home and set everything out for the next day’s shows. Proceed to sleep like a rock!

The schedule for Saturday March 17 -St.Patricks Day 🙂

8:20 a.m.

Wake up and eat breakfast, put on wig, makeup, and clothes for the day ahead. Then hit the road with dresses and shoes, water and food.

10:30 am

First pub show of the day at Mo’s Irish Pub in Milwaukee.

1 p.m.

Show and free lesson in front of the butterfly display at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

3 p.m.

Second pub show at Trinity Three Irish Pubs in Milwaukee.  

4:30 p.m.

Return home, take a power nap, and grab some dinner before the next few shows.

6:45 p.m.

Third pub show at County Clare pub in Milwaukee.

7:45 p.m.

Final pub show at St.Francis Brewery in St.Francis.

8:50 p.m.

Take a long shower to get rid of the beer I stink of, and then put my dresses, shoes, and wig away.

10 p.m.

End my final day as an irish dancer on St.Patrick’s Day and go to sleep.