Kids Rule After School

The pupils at SARAH CALLANAN SCHOOL OF DANCE got to ‘live the dream’ recently as they took part in a workshop at one of Europe’s biggest celebrity dance venues, London’s Pineapple Studios. The excitement was overwhelming as they met some of TV’s most colourful personalities such as Andrew Stone and danced with internationally renowned performers. Sarah organises many exciting events for her students at her throughout Cork, but this particular trip was a once in a lifetime experience, leaving students wide eyed and inspired. Sarah’s focus is on activating self-expression to promote health and happiness in children. When this is combined withcreativity and confidence, children get the wonderful, well rounded start they deserve. The Sarah Callanan School of Dance has a very exciting schedule of events over the coming months. Friendship Week is back by popular demand, theatre trips are planned as well as a Charity Fundraiser for Brú Columbanus. There is never a dull moment at the school, with schools and classes held in Cobh, Kinsale, Bandon and Innishannon. Call 021 4701981 or visit www.schoolofdance.ie Think dance, think Donna’s! From Hip Hop, Ballet and Acrobatics...to Jazz, Tap, Singing and Drama

DONNA’S DANCE STUDIO provides the widest choice of performing arts classes and activities in Cork. The Kinsale Road Cork studio facilities are among the best in the country and an international teaching staff is one of the main reasons Donna’s Dance Studio enjoys such a great reputation. Donna’s provide a unique opportunity for the serious dance student to study dance every day of the week, for the recreational dancers there is choice of over 80 classes per week and for busy mums an on-line schedule and payment system means you book and pay for classes at a time that is convenient for you. Some students have Broadway ambitions –and some don’t. At Donna’s, it’s always about being the best you can be, and so their mission is to enable every student to find their hidden confidence and creativity. By separating classes into recreational and accelerated strands and providing a nurturing environment, personal attention, and lots of opportunities, Donna’s can give all of their students the chance to find out just what they can be… So whether you are an aspiring B-Boy, a classical ballerina or just want to have fun after school, call 021 4963173 and check out www.donnasdancestudio.ie

CORK SCHOOL OF DANCE is based at the Firkin Crane, the home of dance in Cork. Principal, Sinead Murphy ( F.I.S.T.D. Examiner, RADTC, A.L.C.M.), is an international Ballet Examiner and Choreographer with over 20 years of teaching experience. Sinead was also a student of Joan Denise Moriarty, the leading lady in establishing the Firkin Crane as the home of dance in Cork. Cork School of Dance offers a range of classes in Classical Ballet, Modern and Jazz Dance, and National & Character Dance for all ages. RAD and ISTD Syllabi are taught at all levels. Students from the Cork School of Dance also perform in several theatrical productions throughout the year. Look out for ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ this Christmas 2011 at the Firkin Crane Theatre, Shandon Cork. For classes, times and booking information for this term, please call Sinead Murphy on 086 8459252 or email: corkschoolofdance@eircom.net

JOAN DENISE MORIARTY SCHOOL OF DANCE

Learn to dance with Corks oldest ballet school, established in 1945 Children’s ballet classes for over three years of age are available at Mallow, Riverstown, Cobh, Wilton, Ballincollig and their city centre studio. Adult ballet and Musical Theatre classes are also available; and RAD and ISTD taught at all levels. The Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance aims to provide dance training of an excellent standard to help each individual student reach their potential in a creative, stimulating and committed environment – making ballet accessible to all and instilling a lifelong love of dance. Students from the age of three begin by learning ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance programme with ballet, modern dance, role play, music and lots of fun. Every year, students participate in St Patricks Festival, charity events and Dance Displays for family & friends. Children over the age of five years may also take an extra class with the Performance Group, covering Musical Theatre to Modern Dance. The schools Performance Group are dancing in the “Masters of Dance” at The Grain Store in Ballymaloe House on Culture Night - Friday 23rd September. For more information, please contact 021 4504689 or email joandenisemorartydanceschool@gmail.com

ALAN FOLEY’S ACADEMY OF DANCE

Crosshaven native, Alan Foley, was taught by former mentor- the renowned Joan Denise Moriarty, and has risen through the ranks of ballet in Ireland, Russia, London and New York. Alan Foley’s Academy of Dance (AFAD) promotes dance as a vibrant and enjoyable art form through classes, workshops and performances in ballet, jazz and modern dance for three to 18 year olds. AFAD is part of Cork City Ballet (CCB) which embraces a policy of engaging dancers from international companies as well as Ireland's finest classical and contemporary dancers, to perform to audiences all over Ireland. This term’s programme for children and young people takes place in classes at Quality Hotel & Leisure Centre Clonakilty, West Cork Arts Centre Skibbereen, Scout Hall Carrigaline and Boys Club Bantry. There are special pre-school ballet sessions especially for young children to develop key skills in an enjoyable way. For older children sessions are available in modern and jazz exploring choreography and high energy dance, hip-hop and also classical and contemporary ballet for all levels. Students can take part in an end of year production dancing alongside professional dancers and full-time students, taking place in mid June at Cork’s Opera House. For new term class times and information and enquiries, please call Alan Foley’s Academy of Dance on 087 7851225.

BULGARIAN LANGUAGE & CULTURAL CLASSES

The Bulgarian school in Cork ‘Luboznanie’ holds social events and the celebration of typical Bulgarian celebrations, as well as Christmas and Easter. Children’s classes take place every weekend in three different age groups, from 3 years of age. For more information, call Mira on 085 835 1293, email mira@im-x.com visit www.luboznanie.com and find them on Facebook.

CRAFTY HANDS POTTERY & CLAYWORK

Susan Herlihy’s Crafty Hands Pottery Studio in Midleton, Co Cork runs after school clubs and Saturday classes for all ages. Classes focus on pottery and clay work, with workshops taught personally by Susan, an experienced clay work and ceramics teacher and practising artist. Susan also runs Crafty Hands Halloween camps, birthday parties, and classes for adults (relaxed or formal). Call Susan on 087 9028186 or email: craftyhands@eircom.net

GARDENING AT THE SLUG CLUB

Ireland's coolest gardening club for kids continues autumn season classes 3pm every Saturday at Griffins Garden Centre, Agharinagh, Dripsey, Co Cork. Junior gardeners will be doing a host of fun things, from growing their own fruit and veg to nature trails and more - all the while learning the value of the great outdoors! Suitable for five to eight year olds, and eight to 12 year olds, The Slug Club takes place on Saturdays at 3pm. Dress to get messy on Saturdays 10th & 24th September, 8th & 22nd October, and 5th November 2011.

All the family will enjoy discovering the 13 inspirational display gardens and beautiful tree house at Griffins Garden Centre, as opened this summer by Dermot O'Neill of RTE's Mooney Goes Wild. From the serenity of the Japanese Garden, the rugged beauty of the rock and water garden to the sensory indulgence of the river garden! For more details of how your little green fingered gardeners can join The Slug Club, call 021 7334286 or email: info@griffinsgardencentre.ie

ECLIPSE EQUESTRIAN & ACTIVITY CENTRE

Take one determined Greek Cypriot named Athos, add the beautiful Kerry countryside, throw in some horses with a sprinkling of adventure activities and what do you get? The answer is the best attraction in South Kerry - the Eclipse Equestrian and Activity Centre - a place where families can enjoy activities together. The centre has self catering holiday homes, equestrian centre with riding lessons, off road trekking, lessons in jumping, dressage and vaulting (you can even bring your own horse on holiday and take advantage of the centre’s superb stable facilities) and an abundance of activity such as archery, mountain and touring bikes, assault course, mud surfing, fishing, orienteering, raft challenges, team building...all in keeping with the ethos and philosophy at the Centre‘To nurture confidence and proclivity to bond’. Children’s and adults riding classes are available, birthday parties and Halloween camps. Bring your own pony or borrow one of their beauties! 064 6682965 www.eclipseireland.com

THE FRAGOLINI SCHOOL OF DANCE

Life today is hectic and schedule driven. It’s even more important to provide children with a healthy diet, exercise and a creative outlet. Ballet and other creative art forms such as jazz, tap and modern release little minds into a wonderful calm zone of contentment and provide the necessary outlet for fun and self-expression. The Fragolini School of Dance based in Douglas and Midleton has been providing dance classes for girls and boys from three to 18 years in ballet, modern jazz, hip hop and musical theatre in Cork for the last 19 years. Within the school, the fully qualified and experienced teachers create an engaging, creative-fun learning environment for all students to experience and develop their knowledge, ability and creativity through the medium of dance. Students have also performed on stage, TV and film. Optional examinations with RAD and ISTD are available, and opportunities to perform in school shows, charity dance events and exhibitions. Students have also performed on TV and film. Annual school tours are organised to see leading dance companies and musicals in Dublin, London and Paris, with older students taking classes in London’s famous Pineapple Dance Studios. Special offer: 10% discount off fees will apply to new students who quote ‘PRIMARY TIMES’. For further information contact Marisa at the Fragolini School of Dance on 087 365 8466 or visit www.fragolinischoolofdance.ie