Atlantic Steps’ LIVE
KINGSPORT – The City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts proudly presents Atlantic Steps to the Tri-Cities on Friday March 15th 2013.‚ They will perform at the Wellmont Regional Center for The Performing Arts at Northeast State Community College in Blountville, Tennessee. This is brought to you, in part, by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission. Special guest Fire in the Kitchen will open the show.
Tickets: $15.00 for reserved seating, $12.00 for Student/Senior.
Book tickets online at www.EngageKingsport.com or use this QR code:
A Master Class with Brian Cunningham, Kieran Jordan and the cast of Atlantic Steps is being offered for $10.00 at 4 PM the day of the show. There are only 25 openings for this class. Participants should have some dance experience. Reserve your space online at www.EngageKingsport.com or call the Office of Cultural Arts at (423) 392-8414.
Atlantic Steps is the inspiring epic story of Irelands oldest dance form, portrayed through the music, song, dance and Atlantic-Ocean-inspired energy of the Connemara region. Centered around the joyful sean-nƒ³s (old style) dance of extraordinary Irish dancer Brian Cunningham, the show continues to move festival and theatre audiences to their feet, bringing sean-nƒ³s dance to its rightful place on the world stage.
Having performed alongside Irish greats including Dƒ© Danann, The Chieftains, Sharon Shannon, Altan, Dervish & Tƒ©ada. Brian brought his dancing talents to headline the high profile Volvo Ocean Race spectacular in Galway during 2009. When 20,000 people danced the night away at Galways docklands within striking distance of the Atlantic Ocean, Brian was convinced of the worldwide potential of the sean-nƒ³s (old style) dance, handed down from his grandparents as a tradition from the days of house dances.
Brian leads a formidable cast of dancers and musicians including Kieran Jordan, one of Irish-Americas hottest talents who began dancing at age five, and has been a major figure in the sean-nƒ³s (pronounced shawn-nos) revival in the US. The musicians include some of Irelands top traditional artists including the great Sƒ©amus Begley of County Kerry on accordion and Oisƒn Mac Diarmada of the group Tƒ©ada, one of Irelands 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-nƒ³s dance is an informal and spontaneous art form, traditionally performed solo. Unlike the better known Irish step-dancing (Riverdance), sean-nƒ³s dance is characterized by its low to the ground bartwork, free movement of the arms, and improvisation. Creating a percussive music of its own, sean-nƒ³s can be seen in such American forms as clogging, hoofing, and soft shoe tap dancing.
Brian Cunningham is one of the most exciting sean-nƒ³s 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 Irelands oldest dance forms and transforming it into a wonderful display of dance style, skill and athleticism.
Following a highly successful summer 2012 first-outing for the show at Dublin Irish Festival OH, Irishfest La Crosse WI and Irish Fair of Minnesota, the show is being rolled out for extensive touring throughout the US during 2013 and 2014.‚ Dont miss this special event!
Brian Cunningham, Co-Director
Brian Cunningham is one of the most exciting sean-nƒ³s or ‚¬old-style dancers to have emerged from Ireland in quite some time. At 27 years of age, he has won all the major dance competitions in Ireland, and was honored with an invitation by the President of Ireland to perform during an Official State visit to Japan and South Korea in 2005. Brian has appeared on Irelands most popular television show, ‚¬The Late Late Show and tours frequently with the band Tƒ©ada.
Brian, through his involvement with shows such as ‚¬Fuaim Chonamara and now ‚¬Atlantic Steps, is playing a hugely important role in reviving one of Irelands oldest dance forms and transforming it into a wonderful display of dance style, skill and athleticism.
The Cunningham Familys ‚¬Fuaim Chonamara show was a headline act at the high profile Volvo Ocean Race spectacular in Galway during 2009, when 20,000 people from many countries danced the night away at Galways docklands, within striking distance of the Atlantic Ocean. This special night convinced Brian of the worldwide potential of the old-style ‚¬sean-nƒ³s dance, which began as a pastime for the Cunningham siblings, handed down by their grandparents as a tradition from the days of house dances.
Kieran Jordan , Co-Director/Choreographer
Boston-based dancer Kieran Jordan joins Atlantic Steps as Co-Director/Choreographer. Recognized as a Massachusetts Artist Fellow, Kieran brings an original voice to Irish dance on stage. Born in Philadelphia to an Irish American family, Kieran started Irish step dancing at age five and has been performing as a featured solo dancer for over two decades. She has a particular passion for sean-nƒ³s dance and ‚¬â€ through her innovative workshops, performance collaborations, and DVDs ‚¬â€ she has been a major figure in its revival in the US. The Boston Irish Reporter describes her work as firmly rooted in tradition, yet infused with adventure, confidence, and a mischievous wink, ensuring the long-term survival of this ancient form.
Dancers
Brian Cunningham
Kieran Jordan
Kevin Doyle
Ayan Hall
Jackie ORiley
Musicians
Sĩamus Begley (vocals, accordion)
Oisƒn Mac Diarmada (fiddle)
Sean Gavin (pipes, flute)
Pat Doocey (guitar)
Quotes:
Brians enthusiasm, exuberance and good nature exudes in his refreshing performance which should be enjoyed by all‚ —Matt Malloy, The Chieftains
The Michael Flatley of sean-nƒ³s dance‚ —Tonight with Miriam, RTƒâ€° Television
Awe-inspiring and spine-tingling‚ —About Mayo, Local News from the West of Ireland
Captivating‚ —Irish Music Magazine
Lively and reflective‚¬¦ a powerful evocation of the season.‚ —Folk Wax
A celebration of family and good times at the winter season.‚ —Gather.com
Fire in the Kitchen (opening act):
Playing together since 2002, the trio of Fire in the Kitchen specializes in presenting lively Appalachian and Celtic music to its audiences. Instrumentation of the ensemble includes: hammered dulcimer, Irish flute, Irish whistles, classical flute, Irish bodhran, guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle and more!
Fire in the Kitchen has performed at venues such as: Dollywood-Festival of Nations, Bristol Rhythm ‘N Roots, The Virginia Highlands Festival, The Bristol Paramount Theatre, The Barter Theatre, The Carter Family Fold, Winston-Salem Celtic Festival and many, many more. The group has been featured on Public radio programming as well as the PBS program “Song of the Mountains” that is being aired nation-wide. The group was honored to play for Doc Watsons 80th birthday as well as have their first CD entitled An Appalachian Celtic Journey archived at the Folklife Museum of the Smithsonian Institute in celebration of the Year of Appalachia. For more information about FITK, visit their website: www.fire-in-the-kitchen.com
This production is brought to you by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and your friends at The City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts with great appreciation to Engage Kingsport and the staff at the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts.
About the City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts & Engage Kingsport:
The City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, part of the City of Kingsport, connects, coordinates & engages the public with a creative community.‚ It operates a public art program, concert & theatrical events, the Carousel Project & a broad range of support to the areas arts organizations.‚ They work in tandem with Engage Kingsport, a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization, in order to facilitate their ambitious & broad agenda.
The Carousel Projects dream of having a hand-carved menagerie style carousel is getting closer all the time.‚ Built by a group of nearly 100 volunteers, the Carousel will become a treasure for families of the region for many years to come.
In addition to the Carousel Project, Engage Kingsports goals are to collaborate with a variety of arts organizations as well as non-arts organizations, with the aim of increasing opportunities & outlets for artists of all types. As Kingsport becomes a destination for artists, new markets emerge for the creations of these artists.
The City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts & Engage Kingsport are committed to turning cultural assets into opportunities. Theres always something happening in Kingsport!
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