New dance venue can be ‘the start of something great for Sligo’
COUNTRY music star David James has welcomed the foundation of a new dancing venue in Sligo.
David is bringing his Big Band Dance to the Sligo Park Hotel on Sunday, May 26.
This event has been organised by well-known local man Shane Crossan, who David said deserves great praise for taking the initiative to bring big dance events to Sligo town.
“Preparations are going mighty. We are on the road all the time and we are excited to have a new venue to come to. Shane Crossan is a great guy, anyone who is getting a new dancing venue up and running in their community is to be commended and I know he is so well thought of in Sligo so I hope people will come out and support the effort he is making to give musicians a new platform.”
David explained how Sligo has often been the town separating dances in counties like Donegal and Mayo, but he is excited to now have a purpose to add Sligo to his list of venues.
“I have performed before in Sligo but for the most part it is a place we have always driven through instead of stopping in because of a lack of venues to put on the kind of night that we do, so to now have a dedicated venue in Sligo is a gamechanger and a place like Sligo has been long overdue something like this.”
The big dance scene has undoubtedly come back with a bang since the pandemic and has especially found a new audience with younger generations who enjoy the high energy performances and social aspect.
“There has been a serious resurgance the last few years, especially among young people, it just seems to have really taken off again. The recent All-Ireland Jiving Championship is a great example of that, the turnout was tremendous.
“I think a lot of it is down to the energy of the shows and the performers feed off the energy as much as the crowd feeds off us so I think its only natural there has been a renewed interest with a younger audience. There is also a great social aspect to the dances as well that can't be understimated.
“We are well used to travelling on the night, we rarely stay over in the same place. It can be a tiring experience being on the road all the time, but no matter how tired you are, once you step on stage, it all just seems to go away. You are just completely re-energised by the crowd in the room.”
The sense of musical tradition in Sligo isn’t lost on a performer like David. You can sense it by spending any amount of time in the town and county and is hopeful that this venue can be a new start for celebrating the big dance scene in Sligo.
“When you are in Sligo you do get that great sense of tradition. Not just for country and western music, but just music as a whole, you know you are in a place where the tradition is strong and that is why I really hope this new venue allows Sligo's dancing scene to thrive, it really could be the start of something great.”
The Big Band Dance with David James takes place in the Sligo Park Hotel on Sunday, May 26.
Admission is €15 and is paid on the door only.
Doors open at 8pm and the dance begins at 9pm.