In the heart of East Lansing, as the green spirit begins to lure over campus, not just because of spring and Spartans roaming all over campus, but also because of the Irish luck. In light of the Saint Patrick charm, I want to bring attention to the MSU Irish Dance Club.
In 2016, an Irish Dance Club was founded on Michigan State University’s campus to create a safe environment for fellow aspiring Irish dancers, experienced or not. The sole purpose of the club’s foundation is to bring awareness of their Irish culture to the community. They have done past events around the East Lansing area, such as the public library or rehabilitation centers, and have even performed at halftime performances for the MSU Women’s Basketball team in the past. The senior president, Kira Hegdal, has shared that these community outreach events are easy to plan and do, especially around this time, because it is the “most tangible cultural thing people can watch and feel connected to without the extra costume and celebration.”
Fiona Flynn, treasurer of the club, once described Irish dancing as “not just a work out, but also a performing art.” The members of the women’s wellness club, CHAARG, and friends of the Irish dancers could agree, as the club has hosted “bring a friend to practice” days and prepped a workout/learning experience for CHAARG on March 13th. Lindsay Stanza, a peer of Hegdal, shared about her experience as an outsider coming in to watch or learn and shared that it “made [her] appreciate the amount of work that goes into it because it does not look easy.”
For many members, this was their first time experiencing Irish dance culture or Irish dance competitions. While it was still nerve wrecking, the thought of the community coming together and sharing the same experience and culture collectively with a touch of friendly competition soothed the mind of all members. Especially in times of difficulty, the Irish community coming together is what helped many. Last year, the Dayton competition was the first time MSU club members had seen each other after a break of coping, and all the schools recognized the MSU team for their hardships after the tragedy that occurred on campus on Feb. 13, 2023.
While the school year is approaching the end, returning underclassmen, such as sophomore Erin Berch and junior Bre Taylor, are hoping the club continues to grow in size and dance material in future years. Some specific examples include learning more traditional dances like the céilí or more varieties of a 4-hand, and getting to showcase these new dances in more competitions.
As the club prepared for the festivities of March 17th, their message remained clear: Saint Patrick’s day is not just about shamrocks and green beer, but it’s about coming together as a community to celebrate a rich and vibrant culture. For the members of the MSU Irish Dance Club, there is no better way to share that culture than through the power of dance.
If you are interested in learning more about Irish Dance or witnessing it live, the last showcase of the school year will be presented on April 27th in the McDonel Hall Kiva at 2:00 pm. For more up to date information and events, you can find more on their Instagram page at @msuirishdance.