Dancing like no one is watching is not only permitted - it is encouraged at Galway Funk's upcoming Midsummer event, in the Rowing Club, Woodquay on Saturday, June 24.
Galway Funk is an inclusive dance event that seeks to fill the 'huge gap' left in the city's dancing scene following the closure of a significant number of nightclubs in recent years. It premiered with huge success last December in the Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay, with party goers from all age groups taking over the dance floor to some of the most famous funk, soul, disco and reggae music in history. A hugely successful follow-up event last Easter in Club Áras na nGael proved that there was an voracious appetite for Galway Funk's inclusive and ageless dance parties.
We love to Boogie
It was the success of these first events that have pushed organiser, Ciarán Folan, to continue with Galway Funk's aims of creating an environment that unites people who love nothing more than cutting loose in their kitchen.
"There was such a positive response to the first night in The Rowing Club last Christmas, and again to the night in Club Áras na nGael last Easter. We had no idea before the first gig who would turn up, but we were quietly confident that there was a demand for the kind of dance night we were doing."
That quiet confidence paid off, with some 250 people booking tickets for that first night, of which a significant number made the trek to The Rowing Club last December, spending time queuing on a cold and frosty night in Woodquay in exchange for the chance to make shapes to Donna Summer. Much like any Irish party, it began with a trickle, the first couple of brave souls drawing on either liquid courage or a love of life being the lure to drag everyone else out of their comfort zones.
"There was a real buzz on the night and lots of people of all ages came and were dancing all night. We had been nervously watching the empty dance floor from nine, but as soon as we played 'Here Comes the Hotstepper', at 9:50 the dance floor was never empty after that point," said Folan, adding, "At the end of the night people were asking when we would do the next one."
The long awaited follow up in Club Áras was made possible by Seán Seoighe, who gave Galway Funk their second iconic city venue. Though the venues had changed, the dancing frenzy remained consistent if not reaching new heights, so much so that a banner made for the event was comandeered by an over eager party goer, with Folan saying, "We would be grateful though, if whoever took the FUNKTION banner we had made specifically for the Easter gig brought back to The Rowing Club on Saturday, June 24. It was a bit of a compliment that it was taken, but still, we would be happy to get it back."
Return to The Rowing Club
The upcoming Galway Funk event returns to The Rowing Club for the Midsummer gig on Saturday, June 24. Previous events had been free to attend, but there will be a €5 ticket fee to help cover costs. With the two prior events being free entry, planning a Galway Funk gig is an immense job, finding a free venue and publicity takes time and energy, but it is something Folan says, has paid off.
"To see people dancing and enjoying themselves is what it is all about, it is just a pity that the night seems to go by so quickly.
"It would be great to see some, or all, of the crowd who attended either or both of the previous nights come to join us at the Midsummer event."
Galway Funk's Midsummer party takes place at The Rowing Club, Woodquay on Saturday, June 24 from 9pm. Tickets are €5 and can be purchased on Eventbrite by searching 'FUNKTION @ Midsummer' or by clicking here
