Irish dance group keeps things moving in the Flathead Valley

One Kalispell group is looking to keep the tradition of Irish dancing alive in the Flathead Valley, one jump, step and ceili at a time.

For more than decade, the Kalispell Irish Dancers have been sharing their love of Irish and Highland dancing with area residents, performing at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, area Celtic festivals and even nursing homes, making lots of new friends along the way.

“I just moved to town two years ago and I didn’t know anybody. I loved Highland dancing, but there wasn’t any around here at the time so I decided to take up Irish dancing. The two are not at all the same, but I got to meet some new people and make some great friends,” said Crystal MacInnes, who teaches Irish hard shoe and Scottish dance.

For Claire Gutschenritter, the Kalispell Irish Dancers group is a way to keep alive the love of dancing that she developed at an early age in her hometown of Chicago. When she was in second grade, Gutschenritter’s grandparents took her to see Riverdance. It was then that she knew that she wanted to become a dancer. Gutschenritter studied dance in Chicago and brought her knowledge with her when she moved to the Flathead.

“It’s just something I can’t quite let go of. I love the music and I love to dance. I have been known to just break out into dance in public places,” she admitted. “I love having something creative in my life, whether it is choreographing a step or learning a ceili (Irish social dance). The energy behind this kind of dance is really fun and I love the casual atmosphere we have here. You can really enjoy yourself and not worry about how good of a dancer you are.”

The Kalispell Irish Dancers were started by Sally Conrad more than a decade ago when she ran the Celtic Cross School of Irish Dance out of her home. When Conrad abruptly closed the school seven years ago, a pair of high school students kept the group alive until their graduation, after which the leadership role was taken over by Lori Bainter.

Despite suffering a number of injuries from dancing over the years, Bainter is still hooked.

“I get addicted to the music and the aerobic exercise is really good for you as well. It’s much more fun than going to the gym,” she said. “It’s all about the camaraderie and meeting new people.”

These days, the Kalispell Irish Dancers offer several classes for dancers of all ages and abilities, including Irish dancing, Irish hard shoe and Scottish dancing. The number of students varies by season (with fall being the most popular), but the group currently teaches 15 children and six adults. Students range in age from as young as 3 to one recent student who was in her 70s.

“Anyone can do it. You just have to gauge how aerobic you want it to be,” MacInnes said with a laugh.

“It’s really not that difficult at all to learn a ceili. If you have done square or line dancing, it will not be hard for you at all. Pretty much anyone can do it,” Gutschenritter added. “It’s not hard and I guarantee everyone who comes out will have fun.”

For more information on the Kalispell Irish Dancers, see their Facebook page.

Reporter Jeremy Weber may be reached at 758-4446 or jweber@dailyinterlake.com.