Trinity Irish Dance Company will feature three New York premieres and a live band fronted by Killarney-born, New York-based singer-songwriter Brendan O’Shea at the Joyce Theater from March 15-20.
First of all, “An Sorcas" (“The Circus”), choreographed by Artistic Director Mark Howard and led by Associate Artistic Director Chelsea Hoy, examines, TIDC said in statement, “the battle between substance and spectacle. In a progression from idolatry to empathy, with original lyrics, music, and layers of symbolism, ‘An Sorcas' points a mirror to the over-saturation of glitzy, formulaic productions in their medium.”
While “American Traffic,” choreographed by New York-based tap dancer and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Michelle Dorrance and tap dancer and choreographer Melinda Sullivan, is a “hybrid of Irish step and American tap that plays at the intersection of rhythmic sensibilities and rebellious histories. Celebrating the nuanced differences between the two forms, it presents a new percussive language.”
And “Sparks,” choreographed by Howard and Artistic Associate and dancer Ali Doughty, “brings together the technical prowess and virtuosic skill of Doughty, who won a solo world championship title during her competitive career, and New York-born, All-Ireland champion fiddle player Jake James.”
The program will also include the works “Soles,” “Push,” “Communion” and “A New Dawn,” It will be rounded out by “Black Rose” and “Johnny,” one of “Howard’s signature works from 1991, was created for and premiered on NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ and ultimately altered the landscape of Irish dance.”
The company said, “Through a blend of percussive power and aerial grace that consistently presents males and females on equal footing, TIDC sends a clear message of female empowerment.”
Tickets at joyce.org
