The Annapolis Ceili Club revitalizes the local ceili dance community by providing a fun, safe, and culturally enriching activity for local kids and adults.

Learn ceili dancing with the Annapolis Ceili Club! Ceili dancing is a form of social dancing from Ireland that is similar to an American square or contra dance. During club meetings, the members will learn how to dance progressive dances and sets (squares of 8 dancers). The focus of our club is on the social aspect of social dancing (learning how to spin, house, ladies chain, etc).

The club is organized by Catherine Marafino Brice, who also teaches old-style step dancing at Pendenny Studio in Annapolis. Students of the Annapolis Ceili Club will attend four ceilithe (the plural of ceili) per year. The Annapolis Ceili Club will host two of these ceilithe and we will attend two other dances in Baltimore or Washington, D.C.

You might be asking yourself, “Why ceili dancing?” The answer is that ceili dancing is FUN! Imagine yourself swinging, spinning, and skidding across the dance floor with your friends to music that is fun and fast! Expect many collisions, mistakes, and laughter in the beginning, which is all a part of the joy of ceili dancing. But what makes it truly beautiful is dancing in unison with your friends, anticipating what comes next in a dance, and finding yourself gliding through a sea of people in time with the music!

The club is open to all, aged six to adult. We welcome individuals of all skill levels, from no experience at all to expert dancers. IMPORTANT: You do not need to be an Irish step dancer to join this club! If you like swinging around in circles and having fun with your friends, then this club is for you!

Club meetings are one Saturday a month from 12:00-1:00 pm. Meetings are held in the fellowship hall at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. The club fee is $25 per monthly meeting ($300/year).

Winter Schedule 2024: Saturdays: January 27th, February 10th, March 23rd from 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Spring Schedule 2024: Saturdays, April 20th, May 18th, June 15th from 12:00 pm to 1:00pm.

Summer Schedule 2024: TBD

Fall Schedule 2024: TBD

Participants may register as a drop-in or for three months at a time. Ceili dancing should be an affordable family activity, so we will allow families to pay $50 for two or more direct family members (“family:” parents and their children). Drop-ins are welcome, so bring along that out-of-state cousin that has never heard of ceili dancing before! For any questions regarding club activities, scheduling, and registration, please email cmarafino@newcenturyirisharts.com.