Step It Up

It might seem a wee bit early to start celebrating St. Patrick's Day, but there's a good reason that the Spirit of Ireland music and dance program is taking place tonight, says Sarah Landry, president of the Foundation for Celtic Arts and Studies. "A lot of things go on St. Patrick's Day weekend," Landry notes. "Those dancers will probably, between March 1 and St. Patrick's Day, do seventy to eighty dance performances. So if we can catch them at the beginning of the month, they're much more ready to go."

The Bennett School of Irish Dance will provide the sixty dancers, who range between the ages of seven and 62. "They will do a variety of Irish dance: jigs and hard reels — which is what you think of as Riverdance," explains Landry. "It won't be a choreographed play like Riverdance, but instead it's in about twelve different segments, some to live music and some to taped music." The Celtic band Last Night's Fun will play traditional Irish music for the live portions, and "they are spectacular," enthuses Landry.

The Spirit of Ireland starts at 7 p.m. at Grandview High School, 20500 East Arapahoe Road in Aurora. Tickets are $10 for kids ten and younger and $15 for adults; call 303-750-3510 or visit www.bennett-school.com for information.
Sat., March 1, 7 p.m., 2008