The phenomenally successful touring adaption of Atlantic Steps comes to the Berklee Performance Center in Boston this week. Featuring Brian Cunningham and Kieran Jordan, it tells the inspiring story of Ireland’s oldest dance form ‘sean-nós’, portrayed through the music, song, dance and energy of the Connemara region.

Brian leads a formidable cast of dancers and musicians including Kieran Jordan, one of Irish-America’s hottest talents who began dancing at age five, and has been a major figure in the sean-nós (pronounced shan-nos) revival in the US. The musicians for the tour include some of Ireland’s top traditional artists including the great Séamus Begley of County Kerry on accordion and Oisín Mac Diarmada of the group Téada, one of Ireland’s premiere fiddlers today, all playing the robust, rhythmic, and highly-melodic tunes of Connemara and the West of Ireland.

One of many forms of Irish dance, sean-nós dance is an informal and spontaneous art form, traditionally performed solo. Unlike the better known Irish step-dancing (Riverdance), sean-nós dance is characterized by its “low to the ground” footwork, free movement of the arms, and improvisation. Creating a percussive music of its own, sean-nós can be seen in such American forms as clogging, hoofing, and soft shoe tap dancing.

Brian Cunningham is one of the most exciting sean-nós dancers to have emerged from Ireland in years, and has won all the major dance competitions in Ireland. What began as a pastime for him and his siblings was handed down by their grandparents as a tradition from the days of house dances. Through his involvement with shows such as Fuaim Chonamara and now Atlantic Steps, he is playing a hugely important role in reviving one of Ireland’s oldest dance forms and transforming it into a wonderful display of dance style, skill and athleticism.

There will be two performances of Atlantic Steps at 3pm and 7pm on March 23 at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass Ave, Boston, MA. Tickets start at $20, with each ticket purchased entering you in a competition to win a free trip to Ireland for 2 from Tenon tours.

Bus Transportation will be provided to the event from Dorchester and Milton. Call Patrick to reserve – 781-534-3919
www.atlanticsteps.com

For tickets call box office: 617-747-2261