Coney Island is once again the site for the 10th anniversary Cincinnati Folk Life festival, Sept. 29-30. It's the one time a year the various Celtic dance factions come together in one frenzied weekend of performing and open dancing.

        Two dance stages will handle the McGing Irish Dancers, the Horne Family Dancers, Welsh Country Dancers, Royal Sottish Country Dance Society, Erickson School of Irish Dance, Cincinnati Highland Dancers and the Mill Creek Morris Dancers.

        New this year is a Breton dance workshop. For more information, call 533-4822 or go to home.fuse.net/cfl on the Internet.

        New at SCPA: Patricia Rozow, former principal with Cincinnati Ballet, has been named department chair at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. She will replace the retiring Sheila Cohen.

        New to the faculty is Cynthia Riesterer, who will teach modern (Horton) technique, and Meridith Benson, another former Cincinnati Ballet principal, who will teach ballet.

        Quite a kick: The Rockettes are offering seminars at SCPA Sept. 29-30. The classes, available to the public, include jazz, tap, kick line and a mock audition. Cost for each three-hour class is $50; times: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 3:30-6:30 p.m. Call Patricia Rozow at SCPA; 632-5947.

        Summer to remember: In June's dance notes we mentioned SCPA students who, with financial help from Tristate donors, were able to attend summer dance workshops around the country. Ms. Rozow says the students have been changed by the experience.

        “They've come back with new confidence and a better perspective of where they stand in the dance world. They've matured,” she says.

        Precious Gilbert, a 13-year-old eighth-grader, was able to spend her summer studying at Briansky's in Saratoga, N.Y. Hardest, Precious says, were the never-ending rehearsals.

        “One after another, until 9 every night. Then straight to bed, no down time, no shower. It was tough,” she says.

        But she'd do it all again.

        “It helped me. My goals when I left were to get better at turning and improve my extensions. I did both.”

        Fourteen-year old Gerald Haynes spent six weeks in New York at the Dance Theatre of Harlem (as did classmate Cira Robinson). The former football and baseball fanatic has given up both sports to dance.

        “New York was great. I wandered around a lot and got lost some, but found my way to class,” Gerald says.

        Even though he had to study modern, jazz, tap and character, ballet remains his favorite. He says he's stronger than ever after lifting girls in partnering class every day.

        “I'm doing the same things I did before, only better.”

        Ms. Rozow says she and the other teachers are grateful to those who helped send students for summer study.

        “I want to really thank the people who made this possible. There are so many kids who have talent . . . the benefits go way beyond the money.”
       Contact Carol Norris by fax, (812) 537-5693; e-mail webers@one.net.
       

Orchestrating a Cincinnati sound
New dancers give Cincinnati Ballet international air
DAUGHERTY: Everyday
DEMALINE: The arts
KIESEWETTER: Television
KENDRICK: Alive and well
Built to Spill pulls up the covers at Bogarts
'Fuddy Meers' wild ride through off-kilter world
Strong supporting cast lifts 'Lear'
Cook doesn't like TV's heat, but she'll stay in the kitchen
Motivational singers
Prize possessions
Ask the critic
Waffles rise to Grandma's standards
Wannabe chefs head back to school
Are you just wild about all things Harry?
Celtic dancers invade Coney Island
Get to it