Dancers from left, Erin Brodnax, Sebastian Alders, Aven Heavner, Sierra Morri and Ginnie Pickett. Photo by Kateri Morris
Ponderosa student, Sebastian Alders, and the other dancers perform a soft shoe dance to a reel. Photo by Kateri Morris
By LINDA HULL
Vice President
Rotary Club of Los Alamos
In anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, when everyone is Irish, members of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos were pleased to welcome students from the Belisama Irish Dance Company March 7.
The dance company is named after Belisama, the Celtic goddess related to fire, who is said to “connect the power of the light of the sun and moon.” The school was founded in Santa Fe in 2006 with the goal of providing “excellent instruction, creative choreography, and the cultivation of community.” Belisama also teaches classes in Santa Fe and White Rock.
The students, who were led by Los Alamos High School senior Ginnie Pickett, performed jigs and reels, alternating between hard-soled and soft-soled shoes, and impressed the audience with fancy footwork accompanied by lively music. In addition to Pickett were dancers Erin Brodnax, Sebastian Alders, Sierra Morris, and Aven Heavner.
According to their website, “Belisama Irish Dance Company provides Irish and creative dance instruction for people of all ages, as well as performance, workshops and more. Their performances are known for their joyful, energetic, and traditional dancing along with some whimsical forays into other styles of dance and music.”
For more information about Belisama Irish Dance Company, please go here.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos, through its 1312 Club Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and one of over 34,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary, which now has 1.5 million members, was founded in 1905; the local Club was chartered in 1966. Rotary areas of focus include promoting peace; fighting disease, particularly polio; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; supporting education; saving and enhancing the lives of mothers and children; growing economies; and protecting the environment.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos meets in person Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m., in the Community Room, Cottonwood on the Greens, at the golf course. A Zoom option is available by contacting Linda Hull, Rotary Club vice president, 505.662.7950. Hull also is happy to provide information about the Club and its humanitarian service. The community is invited to attend meetings and become members.
LAHS Senior Ginnie Pickett performs a solo dance to Planxty Davis. Photo by Kateri Morris
LAMS 7th grader Aven Heavner dances to the King of the Fairies. Photo by Kateri Morris
