Yard Duets is an interactive dance performance specially designed for residents in care settings.
It’s a Dance Limerick/DL.BRIDGE project, funded by Creative Ireland and Limerick City and County Council in 2021.
As part of Kerry County Council’s dancer in residency co-funded by the Arts Council and Creative Ireland, Catherine Young was delighted to be able to bring the show to care homes in Kerry last week.
Yard Duets was devised and performed by top class dance duos Kristyn Fontanella and Laura Lundy and Rachel Sheil and Sarah Fennell.
A Medley of Classic Music
Each performance came with bags of energy and plenty of pzazz and was a colourful affair of joyful dances and characterful routines set to a medley of classic music.
“It’s really important that everyone have an opportunity to experience live performance by dance artists. This show brings great joy and fun with it,” said Ms. Young.
On its tour Yard Duets visited Our Lady of Fatima, Tralee; Castleisland Day Care Centre, Coill na Darach, Killarney; Our Lady of Lourdes, Kilcummin; Ard Chúram, Listowel; Aperee Living, Tralee; Kenmare Nursing Home; Taobh Linn, Kenmare; Áras Mhuire, Listowel and Aperee Ocean View, Camp.
Interacting with the Dancers
“Staff and residents at Our Lady of Lourdes care facility in Kilcummin really enjoyed the dance last Wednesday,” commented Anna Marie Daly of the Well-Being Team.
“They thought it was very entertaining and enjoyed being able to interact with dancers,” she said.
“Yard Duets was great fun,” said John Herlihy, Scheme Manager with Clúid. “It was a great way to head into the bank holiday weekend. It’s a great fun social event for our residents,” he said.
Relaxed Performance for Older People
“We were delighted to have Yard Duets with us under the dancer in residence programme – this was a great opportunity for older people to access free dance performance in a relaxed and fun-filled way,” said Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer with Kerry County Council.
Kerry County Council has a number of artists residencies covering art forms such as dance, writing, and film funded by Kerry County Council and the Arts Council and supported by Creative Ireland Kerry.
To find out more about events and opportunities with the residencies contact the Arts Office at: arts@kerrycoco.ie or visit https://arts.kerrycoco.ie/
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