April 2013

To promote Irish culture and tradition through Irish dancing and to assist all dancers and families of the O’Hare School of Irish Dance in Ohio with the related costs.

Cathy McKee – President

Dave Cardy- 2nd VP, Grants

Lisa Barry– 2nd VP, Advertising

Jennifer Dunn– 2nd VP, Advertising

Joanne Hughes– Secretary

Maureen Vastagh – Treasurer

Julie Salomone – Membership

Pauline Tomechko– Newsletter Editor

O’Hare School of Irish Dance began instruction in 1984 by opening a school in Ohio To date, we have four locations: Akron, Cleveland,

Medina and Canton

Teachers include Tim O’Hare, TCRG

Eileen O’Kennedy-Dunlap, TCRG

Michael Holland

Amanda White

The Booster Club…

Arranges fundraisers for the dancers

Supports regional dance competitions

Organizes seminars on dance-related topics

Participates in community service

Advises on general issues relating to Irish dancing and the O’Hare School

Provides school costumes for rent

Rhythm of Ireland Evening event consisting of dinner, silent auction, Irish

Dancing and music Promotes Irish culture Collaboration with other local Irish performing art

talents

5K Run – New in 2013 Will engage our dancers to help with supporting those

that wish to participate Encourages healthy activity

World Qualifiers Benefits Danced at local restaurants (Akron Barley House) to

raise money for dancers attending Worlds Competition

Feis - a traditional Gaelic arts and culture festival. The plural form is feisanna. The term "feis" is commonly used referring to Irish dance competitions.

As a collaboration between Northeast Ohio dance schools, our Booster Club supports the North Coast Feis by sponsoring and managing a stage at the competition Assists with maintaining schedule

Provided healthy eating and exercise seminar to dancers and their parents

Invited a Physical Therapist to visit with dancers Instructed on appropriate stretching and muscle

building

Team building camps

Dancers perform at community locations and functions Nursing homes, schools, local festivals

Dancers provide interactive sessions with audience

Booster club staffs a booth at festivals, providing fun activities and Irish food

Community based performances in the Akron/Summit county area First Night in Akron Festival of Nations at Civic Center Inaugural 2012 Global Village Festival at Lock 3 Cuyahoga Falls Irish Festival

Assisted Living and Nursing Homes Performances Mulberry Gardens, Munroe Falls Chambrel, Montrose Pleasant Point, Barberton Cardinal Retirement Village, Cuyahoga Falls Summit Villa Care Nursing Home, Tallmadge

Other Performances or Appearances FunFest - Queen of Heaven Church, Green Revere High school Student Art Show (upcoming in May) Akron Aeros games City of Akron St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Performed with Tuscarawas Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Danced in collaboration with Apollo's Fire performance

Booster Club holds informational meetings each year for new members Introduction to Irish dancing

Provides guidance on topics

Assists with the production of a parent handbook

School Dresses The Booster Club provides

families with a

rental option for school dresses This affords families less

overall cost to participate in the art

Solo Dresses

Individual costume required for competition

Advanced dancers purchase at their own cost (~$1000-$2500)

Not washable

Current Costumes Black leotards with sashes, tights and skirts

White shamrock t-shirts and green skirts

New Costumes Seven style variances

Created with different “stretch” materials and enhancements such as crystals, sequins, etc.

Will be created to fit as many dancers as possible Will be made as “small”, “medium” and “large” - rather

than fitted specifically to a dancer

Requesting funds for materials to create approximately 170 costumes Our volunteers have designed and can produce new show

costumes that will promote our Irish culture

Saves dancers costs

Adds visual appeal; more colorful appearance for various venues and backgrounds

Costumes can be used by many and for years to come

Washable, sustainable