By Bernie English
ANYONE who did the Hucklebuck or said “spit on me, Dickie,” will enjoy reliving the Limerick dance hall scene over the next two weeks.
‘Are You Dancing? Limerick Dance Halls Project’ will begin this November with a series of evenings people will be invited to share their memories of the lively dance hall scene that existed in Limerick from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Organised by Creative Communities, a network of local artists, activists and community workers from across the city, the Dance Hall Conversations will offer an informal setting for local people to share their memories of the dance hall scene.
From the ballrooms and showbands to dance styles and fashion trends; from bike rides out to The Oyster in Dromkeen to the Jetland Ballroom on the Ennis Road, the scene brought together young people from Limerick city and county during a unique period in Irish history.
Karen O’Donnell O’Connor, Chair of Creative Communities said: “This is a project Creative Communities have been interested in for some time. So many people have rich memories of the dance hall scene in Limerick and we’re very excited to share and capture some of those over the next few weeks”.
These project is one of the first in the lead-up to the City of Culture 2014.
