Trinity Irish Dance Company graces the stage at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

Trinity Irish Dance Company graces the stage at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

Trinity Irish Dance Company brings its unique blend of intricate patterns, lightning-quick stepping and miraculous unison to the stage of Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m. The world famous Irish-American troupe's appearance will be followed by a post-show St. Patrick's Day Party for the whole family.

Founded in 1991, this seminal Irish-American performing arts company is considered by many the birthplace of the progressive Irish dance movement that led to more commercial international hits as "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance." Trained in traditional step dancing, the troupe understands the blend of aerial grace and percussive dancing that makes the Irish art form endure. But it transcends the traditional, crossing both cultural and disciplinary boundaries by looking at step dancing's modern possibilities.

"Trinity is not only the most interesting Irish dance company, it is one of the most interesting dance companies of any kind," wrote a reviewer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Trinity is often praised for its amazing unison, a hallmark of a truly exceptional step dancing company. The majority of the company's dancers came through the ranks of the prestigious Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, a school based in Chicago and Milwaukee that has garnered an unprecedented number of world titles for the United States at the annual World Championships of Irish Dance. Many of them have danced together since they were children, building an instinctual bond that's evident in their thrilling performances.

Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mark Howard is Trinity's artistic director and the main force behind the company's ever-expanding range and repertoire. With his cast ranging from children to adults, Howard is known for combining the two styles of Irish dancing - on soft shoes and hard heels - and both live and taped musical accompaniment to create a world all his own.

New York Times critic Jack Anderson praised Howard's ability to combine "lack of pretension with technical confidence and precision."

"For sheer good cheer, there's nothing quite like the Trinity Irish Dance Company," he wrote.

Trinity has met with similar acclaim around the globe, with sold-out tours of Europe and Asia and appearances at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center, the Joyce and New Victory theaters in New York City and Chicago's Auditorium Theatre. The company has appeared in feature films and on several television programs, including "Good Morning America," "The Conan O'Brien Show" and "The Tonight Show."

Tickets for the Quick Center appearance are $40, $35 and $30. For tickets, call the box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit www.quickcenter.com.

Posted On: 02-09-2005 10:02 AM

Volume: 37 Number: 159