The Irish influence

Young Chang

Look closely at the distinct movements of Irish dancing, and you’ll

learn something about the history of the Irish.

Though St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone, the Irish influence will

be on display today and next week as the Orange County Performing Arts

Center and Orange Coast College look at the Emerald Isle’s culture

through dance.

“It’s a fascinating story about the Irish coming to America and how

they fit in and how they helped create American culture,” said Lorraine

Rennie, producer and creator of “Dancing on Common Ground,” to be staged

at OCC’s Robert B. Moore Theatre today.

Rennie and Michael Patrick Gallagher, male principal dancer for the

Center’s “Riverdance -- The Show,” agree that the dances are symbolic of

not only the Irish in their homeland, but the Irish immigrant story.

The name of the show “Riverdance,” which runs at Segerstrom Hall from

Tuesday through March 31, refers to the last number of the first act,

which tells the story of a tributary in Ireland leading to the sea. The

name of the troupe coming to Costa Mesa -- The Lagan -- refers to the

major river that courses through Belfast. The company that travels in

Europe and Asia is called The Liffey, which is the river that runs

through Dublin.

The rest of the two-hour-plus musical doesn’t tell a detailed story,

but offers instead thematic ties to the Irish culture.

The first act of “Riverdance” deals with the country’s legends. The

second act addresses departure and discovery, referring to how the Irish

left their homeland and came to America. The rest of the show introduces

dances from other cultures, including Russian folk dancing, flamenco

dancing and African tap dancing.

“These dances also come from people who had to travel and leave the

country of their birth,” said Gallagher, who has been with the show for

more than five years.

These dances also meld, historically, with Irish step dancing. When

the traditional style of dancing arrived in North America, the moves

mixed with African rhythms to birth tap dancing. In the countryside, step

dancing mixed with Polish and German styles to produce clogging.

“Dancing on Common Ground” will feature all three styles of dance --

Irish stepping, American tapping and Appalachian clogging. The different

forms vary in how rigid the body is during the dance.

“Riverdance” shows how the Irish traditionally danced -- rigidly, with

the body perfectly straight and with the arms at the sides. It’s a twist

from the original style though as most Irish grooving was done solo,

while “Riverdance” is a group of 35 people dancing in a line, Gallagher

said.

“Common Ground” will show how the dances loosened up.

“Just as the European way of life was very rigid,” Rennie said. “You

were born into the upper classes and you were born into the lower

classes. You didn’t mix.”

After the dance arrived in America and as the Irish got to know the

American way, which Rennie describes as “free, youthful and vibrant,” the

moves followed suit.

Tapping let the arms go wild. Clogging let you use the whole foot

instead of just the heel.

“They’re not as rigidly adhering to existing rules, and heck -- that’s

American,” Rennie said.

“Riverdance” will also feature tap dancing in a segment that will

emphasize “the differences and similarities between Irish step and tap

dance,” Gallagher said.

Rennie added that though Irish dances are a good lesson in history,

the entertainment form can also just be used for fun.

“The message is there, but it’s designed just to be a show you can

really sit and enjoy,” Rennie said.

FYI

* What: “Riverdance -- The Show”

* When: Tuesday through March 31; 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and

8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

* Where: The Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center

Drive, Costa Mesa

* Cost: $29.50-$64.50

* Call: (714) 556-2787

* What: “Dancing on Common Ground”

* When: 8 p.m. today

* Where: Orange Coast College’s Robert B. Moore Theatre, 2701 Fairview

Road, Costa Mesa

* Cost: $27-$33

* Call: (714) 432-5880