Purdue News
Purdue NewsTrinity Irish Dance Company, based in Chicago, is a mostly female troupe of dancers ranging in age from 16 to 28. The troupe -- formerly the Trinity Dance Academy, the first American team to win the World Championships of Irish Dancing -- honors the traditional forms of Irish dance by featuring rapid-fire hoof and step styles. The performers also incorporate the dance forms of other cultures in their performances.
According to the Chicago Reader, Trinity Irish Dance Company displays "elegance and harmony [that] almost take your breath away . . . these women can dance -- their feet move with mind-boggling speed and precision, and their leaps are thrilling."
Mark Howard is founder and artistic director of Trinity Irish Dance Company. A former world champion dancer himself, he has coached United States teams to an unprecedented 12 world titles. Howard has showcased his work on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee" and in the film "Backdraft."
Howard will lead an informance -- a discussion of the afternoon's performance -- that is free and open to the public at 1:30 p.m. in Room 15 of Elliott Hall of Music. Irish folk group Toss the Feathers will perform after Howard's talk.
Tickets are $18 for the public and $12 for students at campus box offices. Charge
by phone at (765) 494-3933 or 1-800-914-SHOW.
CONTACT: Jeff Langford, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-9712; e-mail, jilangford@convos.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
