Dublin Irish Dance Comes Stepping Out To Folsom For Two Shows

Through favorite Irish melodies, traditional steps and Celtic instrumentals, Dublin Irish Dance's production of Stepping Out tells a story of the Irish Immigration to America after the Great Famine of the mid-1800's. Greeted by diverse cultures and rich traditions from around the globe - from Ireland, America and Africa - the new Irish emigrants congregate in dance gatherings where ancient Irish melodies fuse, creating American tap dance and early roots music. Stepping Out celebrates the evolution of Irish traditional dance and music.

A dance troupe of world champion Irish step dancers together with an eight-member traditional Irish band and vocalist, Dublin Irish Dance includes members have performed throughout the world with Riverdance, Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, and Celtic Woman. With original choreography by Anthony Fallon, the all-star cast brings to life the epic tale of Celtic culture, carrying its traditional melodies and steps to the New World with a Gala celebration of Irish music and dance.

Dublin Irish Dance performs Stepping Out on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. $23-$48; Premium $53. Students with ID $18; 10% discount on matinee single tickets. Tickets are available online at www.harriscenter.net or from the Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from noon to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking permits are issued at the time of ticket purchase. The Harris Center is located on the west side of the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.

A tale of love and loss, trepidation and triumph. Dublin Irish Dance tells the story, through Irish music, song, dance, of the immigrant Irish as they left their homes in Ireland for the shores of America.

On New Year's Day 1892, 17-year-old Irish Colleen Annie Moore was the first foreigner to pass through Ellis Island. Today the U.S. census states that more than 40 million people claim to be of Irish descent.

The journey begins in rural Ireland, prior to the Famine, in kitchens, barns, and fields. As the Great Hunger closes in, the people look West, across the Ocean, to New York City. Mingling with immigrants from around the globe, the Irish congregate in dance gatherings, some bound for the Appalachian Mountains; the journey leads us to the present moment, celebrating the incredible evolution of Irish traditional dance and music, and showcasing the new pioneers who will define the new standard of Traditional Irish music and dance.

With moving themes of immigration, love, loss, and triumph over adversity, in good times and bad, Ireland's traditions of music, song and dance have been the soundtrack to the lives of millions of people. Stepping Out tells the story of the Irish who traveled to America in search of a new life, utilizing dazzling dance performances, the incredible emotion of the pure Celtic voice and the sensational multi-instrumentalists on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes, accordion, banjo, mandolin, whistle, bodhra?n, guitar, piano, drums and bass.

CIARAN CONNOLLY, Principal Choreographer & Movement Director, is originally from Dublin and has worked successfully in London for the last 14 years as a commercial dancer and choreographer, working on shows such as The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and Strictly Come Dancing. He's worked alongside and toured the world with names such as Take That, Robbie Williams, One Direction, Girls Aloud, Michael Buble and many more. Last year Ciaran choreographed Season 5 of The Voice of Ireland for Ireland's national broadcaster (RTE). He was Creative Director and Choreographer of The June Rodgers Show and SummerTours 2010-2014, as well as for Women of Ireland World Tour 2014-2015.

This Year Marks Seven Seasons of Great Shows. Up Close. In Folsom!

The Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College brings the community together to share in cultural experiences featuring the work of artists from throughout the region and around the world. Built and operated by the Los Rios Community College District, the $50 million, state-of-the-art regional performing arts center boasts three intimate venues with outstanding acoustics, an art gallery, a recording studio, elegant teaching spaces, plenty of safe parking and all the other amenities of a world-class performing arts venue. Each year the Center hosts approximately 400 events attracting upwards of 150,000 annually.

Tickets are available online at www.HarrisCenter.net or from the Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from noon to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time.