An experience of dance that goes in hand with music

The Leitrim Dance Festival returns to The Dock and venues across Carrick-on-Shannon from 1 to April 6. It promotes engagement with percussive dance and creates pathways for emerging and professional percussive dancers locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Festival aims to develop a keener understanding of the relationship between dancer and musician, where the dance experience goes hand in hand with the knowledge of the music.

It's a 6-day festival starting at 10am on Monday, April 1, with the Step Share workshop, an hour of free space for dancers to share steps and thoughts and create together. From 11 to 2pm, the Professional Development workshops with Quebecois choreographers Yaelle Azoulay, Jonathan Rousseau & Mayo musician David Munnelly take place at The Dock Arts Centre.

The event continues with the Professional Development dance workshops from 3.30 to 5.30pm. A series of free events follows Monday evening from 6 pm, including the Cryan's Teach Ceoil - Quay of D Session and Cryan's Teach Ceoil Dance Session - Mayo Night with Stephen Doherty, David Doocey, Patrick Doocey, Dave Munnelly, Molly Grady, and Niamh Doherty.

On Tuesday, April 2, the Step Share will open again on the second day of the event from 10am to 11am. It will be followed by the Professional Development workshops with choreographers Yaelle Azoulay, Jonathan and Sea, and musician David Mufromelly from 11am to 5pm.

At 7.30pm, the MINSEACH performance by Sibéal Davitt takes place at The Dock, a sean-nós dancer's journey through time from being a cailín álainn to a full-blown she-goat. Join one-time reality TV star Sibéal Davitt as she dances her unique mix of contemporary and traditional styles to Las Vegas and back again.

A love letter to the Irish language, Minseach is about being seen through success and failure, ageing and injury, and past and present. It's about messing up, dressing up, stepping up – and embracing your inner goat.

Cryan's Teach Ceoil Dance Session—Dublin Night with Paddy Cummins, Ultan O'Brien, and Fionnán Mac Gabhann is a free event that closes the night at 9pm.

Following tradition, the Step Share event opens at 10am on April 3, the third day of the event. At 11am, the Professional Development workshops with choreographers Yaelle Azoulay, Jonathan Rousseau, and musician David Munnelly take place at The Dock Centre.

From 9pm, the West Kerry Night with Cryan's Teach Ceoil Dance Session takes place bringing the Begley family and the West Kerry Set Dancers together. Everyone is invited to come along to this session dressed as the name of a tune or the name of a dance - Get creative!

On Thursday, April 4, Step Share will be from 10 to 11.30am, followed by the Meitheal at the Market with the West Kerry musicians and dancers at 10.30am.

From 11.30 to 2.30pm, Professional Development with choreographers Yaelle Azoulay, Jonathan Rousseau, and musician David Munnelly will take place. From 3.30 to 5.30pm, an Old-Style Irish Dance Workshop with Mary McGuigan will take place.

Dance Dialects Concert takes place at 7.30pm. Featuring new work by Yaelle Azoulay & Jonathann Rousseau & Dave Munnelly: Aneta Dortova & Dave Munnelly; West Kerry set dancers; Áirc Damhsa; Jesse Smith & Seosamh Ó Neachtain; Vincent Woods; Siobhán Butler; Caitlín Nic Gabhann & Edwina Guckian; Mary McGuiggan; and Aidan Vaughan.

Donegal Night Cryan's Teach Ceoil Dance Session with Cathal Ó Curráin, Caitlín Nic Gabhann, Ciarán Ó Maonaigh & Mary McGuiggan takes place from 9pm.

On Friday, April 5, another day with an hour of free space for dancers to share steps, thoughts and create together with Step Share from 10am to 11am, followed by the Cryan's Teach Ceoil Dance Session until 2pm.

The Dancing in the Well at the Irish Traditional Music Archives - Panel discussion free event takes place at 5.30pm at The Dock. Kyle McKauley and Edwina Guckian host a panel discussion with 4 dance artists who were given residencies at the Irish Traditional Music Archives.

Fáilte go Céilí Cráicáilte – St. Mary's Hall free event starts at 8pm until 11pm - A céilí for the community with one mega big band of the best of Irish musicians. Dances will be called on the night and will be open to all, from beginners to advanced dancers. This is a night of celebrating together through dance. At the half-time tea break, the local Country Market women will sell their homemade baking, so bring some change to avail of these treats.

Sligo Night features Cryan's Teach Ceoil Dance Session with Ava Glancy, Sinéad Johnston & Ryan Sheridan at 9pm. The event is free entry.

Community Dance Workshop with Yaelle Azoulay & Jonathan Rousseau St. Mary's Hall takes place on Saturday, April 6, from 2pm to 4pm. Following the workshop, Dress as the name of a tune or dance - Children's session with Áirc Damhsa & Carrick Trad - Cryan's Teach Ceoil takes place at The Dock from 4pm to 6pm. 

Sean Stíl Dance Competition in Cryan's Teach Ceoil will be closing the 6-Day Festival at 8pm in a free event for all - this is expected to be a special competition as there will be no judges. 

The 1st prize is €1000 and is sponsored by Cryan's Teach Ceoil. It's open to all dancers over 18 years of age, and dancers must have experience and be competent in their performance. Many mighty musicians will be on hand, but you are welcome to bring your own. All styles of traditional Irish dance are welcome. 

Everyone who dances will put their name in a hat as they get up to dance. When the final dancer has stepped it out, a name will be drawn from the hat for €1000. 

Leitrim Night is promoting Cryan's Teach Ceoil Dance Session with Mick Mulvey, Matt Mulvey, John Blake & Shane Meehan at 9pm. 

Leitrim Dance Project is managed by a committee consisting of Director of Áirc Damhsa and dancer Edwina Guckian; dancer Michael O'Rourke; dancer and choreographer Liam Scanlon; and Leitrim County Council Arts Officer Phillip Delamere.

The 6-Day Festival tickets are from €230 to €250 concession with access to all events, excluding competitors' entry fee for Sean Stíl Competition on Saturday.