Riversidedance: The New York City Irish Dance Festival – A Day of Dance on the Hudson!

Courtesy of the Irish Arts Center

How it’s Irish: The festival features virtuosic displays of one of Ireland’s most recognizable cultural exports – Irish step dance!

Dancer Darrah Carr of Mod-Erin encourages us to check out RIVERSIDEDANCE, a festival of Irish Dance in New York City on Sunday, May 6!

Long before Riverdancegave Irish dance the global spotlight, competitive Irish dance had evolved into an astonishing art/sport.  The NewYork City Irish Dance Festival on Sunday, May 6th, provides a rare opportunity for step dancers to gather in a non-competitive environment for a day of performances, workshops, and dance jams. The brainchild of veteran Irish dancer Niall O’Leary, the festival is presented by the Irish Arts Center and is currently in its eleventh year.  O’Leary, who serves as the festival’s Artistic Director, says,

“The festival was envisioned as a celebration of Irish Dance in New York City, featuring high-intensity performances by some of the great Irish dancers of our time from New York City and beyond. Celebrating purity, tradition, diversity, rhythm, syncopation and a myriad of styles, the festival continues to showcase and juxtapose the best of the older dances with the latest Irish dance trends, and it succeeds in getting people out on the dance floor to enjoy themselves.”

FULL SCHEDULE AND MORE DETAILS AFTER THE JUMP!

This year’s stellar lineup features high-energy performances by a mixture of professional companies and top local dance schools including:  Donny Golden Dancers, Niall O’Leary Dance Troupe, Darrah Carr Dance, Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance, Hagen School of Irish Dance, and Keltic Dreams. 

The dancers will be accompanied by well-known Irish traditional musicians Conor McGuirk, Martin O’Connell and special guest Liz Hanley.  There will be lively dance classes for children and adults, as well as informal dance jams.  Everyone is invited to learn a few fun steps in order to join in the day’s closing ceili!  Additional highlights include: Irish language classes, a singing circle, children’s face painting, and Irish craft vendors. 

Don’t miss the chance to kick-off the Summer with some truly high stepping!

New York City Irish Dance Festival

Sunday, May 6^th from 1-8pm

Free and open to all

Riverside Park South, Pier I at W 68th Street 

1:00pm	Niall O’Leary School	Performance
1:30pm	Learn a few traditional steps! Everyone out on the dance floor All ages, group dancing	Participation
2:00pm	Keltic Dreams	Performance
2:30pm	Niall O’Leary Fun Dance Everyone out on the dance floor All ages, group dancing	Participation
3:15pm	Darrah Carr Dance	Performance
3:45pm	Donny Golden Dancers	Performance
4:15pm	Donny Golden Fun Dance  Everyone out on the dance floor All ages, group dancing	Participation
5:00pm	Hagen School of Irish Dance	Performance
5:30pm	Panel Discussion: “Keeping The Tradition Alive”
6:00pm	Niall O’Leary Irish Dance Troupe	Performance
6:30-8:00pm	Evening End Céilí for All! Live Music from Martin O’Connell and Friends	Participation