The step dancers of the National Dance Company of Ireland performed a well-received holiday show entitled ‘Rhythm of the Dance’ at the Ellen Eccles Theatre on Nov. 30 (Image courtesy of Facebook).
LOGAN — The Christmas season officially opened on Nov. 30 here at the Ellen Eccles Theatre.
A capacity audience of Cache Valley residents turned out to see the National Dance Company of Ireland perform a Christmas special entitled Rhythm of the Dance.
The rousing show was the Cache Valley Center for the Arts’ first Celtic dance offering in a long time, according to Wendi Hassan, the executive director of CacheARTs.
The valley crowd was also privileged to be the only Utah audience to see the Irish company during this holiday season.
Rhythm of the Dance was actually just a series of Irish dance numbers with several traditional Christmas songs thrown in courtesy of the Irish music duo the Ennis Brothers. But that was more than enough to thrill the local audience who responded with sustained applause and cheers throughout the performance.
Featuring the characteristic sounds of Celtic music and the furious drumbeat of tap shoes, Rhythm of the Dance captivating its audience with pulsating choreography performed at lightning speed by recognized world champions of traditional Irish step dancing.
The company’s principal dancers were Sean Downes of Glasgow, Scotland and Dublin native Adrianna Lynch. Downes has won the title of world champion seven times. Ms. Lynch also holds world titles and is a veteran of the show that introduced step dancing to America, Riverdance.
The show’s lively Celtic music was provided by Niall Mcllroy playing flute, Naoise Carty on fiddle, Laura Doherty playing guitar, Seamus Tiernan on the accordion and Ethan Kesby playing bodhran, a traditional Irish drum.
A taste of American style Christmas cheer was delivered by twin tenors Matthew and Owen Ennis when they performed “O Holy Night,” the upbeat George Michael tune “Last Christmas” and a medley of more traditional hymns and carols.
In addition to its complex dance sequences, Rhythm of the Dance also featured elaborate lighting effects, big screen projections and imaginative costuming.
The continuing holiday events at the Ellen Eccles Theatre will include the Johnson Files Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 2; a Nathan Pacheco Christmas on Monday, Dec. 4; a Gentri Christmas on Dec. 7 to 9; a Christmas Concert by violin virtuoso Jenny Oaks Baker and Family on Monday, Dec. 11; a Shaw Family Christmas on Friday, Dec. 15; and the Pickleville on Tour production of “I Believe in Christmas” on Dec. 21 to 23.
Tickets for these and other upcoming events can be purchased online at www.cachearts.org.
The Ellen Eccles Theatre is located at 43 South Main Street in downtown Logan.