By Mabel Pais

Spend St. Paddy’s Day at NJPAC?

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) welcomes the Trinity Irish Dance Company to perform on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 7 p.m. on the Prudential Hall stage.

There’s no better way to spend St. Patrick’s Day than with the Trinity Irish Dance Company at NJPAC. It is Irish step dancing with a rebellious spirit—featuring a troupe of high-energy performers with incredible athletic prowess and precision footwork. Trinity is a modern take on the traditional art form, set to music ranging from Irish fiddle to electric guitar. Founded in Chicago in 1990, this uniquely Irish-American company was the birthplace of progressive Irish dance, opening new avenues of artistic freedom that led directly to commercial productions such as “Riverdance.”

This Saint Patrick’s Day celebration showcases breathtaking displays of athleticism through high-energy performances and modern takes on a timeless, traditional art form.

Under the lead of Mark Howard, founding artistic director/choreographer – and recent inductee into the 2023 Irish American Hall of Fame –the internationally-renowned Trinity Irish Dance Company brings world premiere work to NJPAC!

“Sophisticated and commanding” (Los Angeles Times), the Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) is the birthplace of progressive Irish dance, an innovative movement genre that “ushered in a new era for Irish step dance” (Chicago Tribune).

FUSION DANCE

The Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) creates a thrilling fusion of customs and innovation. Imagine Irish fiddle meets electric guitar, with explosive choreography that ignites the stage and sends your heart racing. It is a breath of artistic fresh air, but still guaranteed to leave you breathless.

The Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) prides itself in its mission to preserve the integrity and ancestral roots of Irish dancing. Trinity Irish Dance Company stands apart in a world saturated with showy, cliche Irish dance productions. They prioritize artistic exploration and push the boundaries of the form in its natural state. Michelle Dorrance, the renowned choreographer of their show ‘American Traffic,’ defines them as “the cutting edge of Irish dance,” achieving a “powerful combination of cultural depth, innovation, and artistry.”

FEMALE EMPOWERMENT

From its inception over 30 years ago, TIDC has been more than just a dance troupe; it has been a beacon for female empowerment and inclusivity. Their stage serves as a platform for powerful women to bring the thunder and shatter stereotypes, redefining the landscape of Irish dance. With every step and captivating performance, TIDC continues to carve a path for equality and artistic freedom. They are unapologetically feminist, unafraid to break down barriers and challenge the status quo.

With a unique blend of uncompromising power and grace, Trinity sends a consistent message of female empowerment with a repertory that is elevating and evolving the art form for nearly three decades.

PROGRAM

Ushering in St. Patrick’s Day with their unique vision to fuse vibrant Irish traditions with ever-evolving American innovation, their mixed repertory program will include two world premiere works:

‘TAKING THE MICK,’ choreographed by Mark Howard and Associate Artistic Director Chelsea Hoy, takes the versatility of these artists to a new level through multi-genre vignettes of rapid-fire footwork, theatrics, and twisted traditions. Drawing upon the American Vaudeville era and its place in Irish step dance history, ‘Taking the Mick’ blends commentary and innovation through a movement that is at once whimsical and fierce.

‘P.O.V.’ is a new work by elusive, renowned choreographer Harrison McEldowney, who has come out of retirement specifically for Trinity Irish Dance Company with a concept that brings a unique “point of view” to audiences who constantly ask, “What is it like to be a Trinity Irish dancer?” A collaboration between two Chicago dance community stalwarts, ‘P.O.V.’ provides the audience with a unique “lens” into TIDC’s fast-paced movement genre. Each performance is unique to its audience and venue – you must be there to believe what you see!

TICKETS

For tickets to see the performance, visit NJPAC.org or the box office or call 888. GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722).

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

Visit NJPAC.org or call 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) for more information.

Follow NJPAC Online:

Website:     njpac.org

Twitter:      @NJPAC

Instagram:    @NJPAC

Hashtag:     #NJPAC

Facebook:     facebook.com/NJPAC

YouTube:     NJPACtv

Follow NJPAC’s Standing in Solidarity Series Online:

Website:     njpac.org/takeastand

Hashtag:       #NJPACTakeAStand

Youtube:       Standing in Solidarity playlist

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NJYC PRESENTS TIMELESS SONGS, FAVORITE MOVIE THEMES, INSPIRING MUSIC

By Mabel Pais

Three ensembles from the New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC) presents ‘Songs from Our Childhood’’ on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the JCC MetroWest located at 760 Northfield Avenue in West Orange.

NJYC’s Primo Coro led by Trish Joyce, Coro Vivo led by Dan Malloy, and Sola Voce led by Joanna Scarangello, will weave a story that includes timeless songs, favorite movie themes, and inspiring music. Choral selections include ‘This Old Man,’ ‘There Was an Old Woman’ ‘Who Swallowed a Fly,’ ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me,’ ‘The Fox,’ ‘Red Light,’ ‘Green Light,’ and ‘Touch the Sky,’ among others.

“Our NJYC choristers are excited to present this program, which will not only feature several selections from each chorus ensemble, but also hand clapping songs, favorite Disney and Wizard of Oz songs, and traditional camp songs. The audience is invited to raise their voices with the choir in this trip down memory lane. It will truly be a program that all ages can enjoy!” said NJYC Founder and Director Trish Joyce.

Wharton Arts, The New Jersey Youth Chorus

Learn more at WhartonArts.org.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)