It may be a month before St. Patrick’s Day, but that’s not stopping an Irish celebration from thundering its way to Vernon this week.
Those who love the fiery step dancing of Irish musicals such as Lord of the Dance will want to check out a new high-octane production from the Irish Dance Institute called Claddagh, An Explosion of Celtic Dance and Music.
The show, which comes to the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Thursday, features the rich dance and sizzling musical heritage of the Emerald Isle in this world premier tour.
An Irish design (as on a ring) of two hands holding a crowned heart that symbolizes friendship, loyalty, and love, Claddagh (pronounced “klah-duh”) is a modern day Irish fairytale.
“(It) quickly immerses the audience in an unbridled energetic fusion of music and dance, complete with a rich universe of love, life, tears and laughter,” reads a press release from the producers.
“Claddagh is an artistic feast of talented musicians and dancers that will ignite the stage with the contemporary luster of shows like Barrage and Stomp while weaving in elements of the great Irish productions’ romantic finesse.”
The multi-media production features a boy-meets-girl storyline from the streets of Galway and beaches of the Irish coast, where a street performance by a band of musicians, portrayed by the acclaimed McLean Avenue Band, attracts the attention of a boy who just happens to be a stellar dancer.
The band also attracts the attention of a young woman who also happens to be a phenomenal dancer — both are portrayed by real-life world champion dancers in the step dance genre.
Between the jigs and ballads, including such favourites as Rattlin’ Bog and Danny Boy, love ensues but is nearly lost when a “bad boy” American dancer arrives on the scene.
Throughout the romantic intrigue, the Claddagh cast bounds effortlessly through a repertoire that spans the generations as well as the globe.
Top musical performers in the Irish genre join the percussive whirlwind of dancing feet to create a euphoric explosion of breathlessly romantic Irish bliss.
Tickets for Thursday’s Claddagh, An Explosion of Celtic Dance and Music, which starts at 8 p.m., are $39 available at the Ticket Seller box office in the Vernon Performing Arts Centre. Call 250-549-7469 or order online at ticketseller.ca.
