an irish christmas - harris center for the arts · pdf filean irish christmas: conceived,...

An Irish Christmas Friday, November 27, 2015; 7 pmSaturday, November 28, 2015; 2 & 7 pm Sunday, November 29, 2015; 2 pm

AN IRISH CHRISTMAS Conceived, produced and directed by Margaret O’ Carroll.© Kerry Irish Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.

An Irish Christmas tour is sponsored by Tourism Ireland, ireland.com!

A special thank you to the Kerry Irish Productions team of artists and crew members! We also wish to thank Christine Parker and Cathy Dickerson (vocal arrangements and costumes). Thank you all for your hard and detailed work. We would also like to thank the wonderful team at Harris Center. It is a pleasure working with you!

PROGRAM

(Additional songs and dances to be performed are not herein listed)

“Carol of the Bells”

“Ding Dong Dedero” (“Shoemaker’s Song” – traditional work song) We honor the Irish tradition of shoemaking in this rhythmic song that suggests "The airy dancer who wears these shoes is indeed a great dancer!"

“Tá Dhá Ghabhairín Bhuí Agam” (“Children’s Song”)"I have two little yellow goats and one for milking!They break the very heart in me as we go home.All I have to guide them with is a stick.Way down the road they go from me."

“Sí Do Mhaimeo” (Traditional work song from the west of Ireland) It asks the question whether the young Sean Seamais Mor will marry the much-older “rich old woman,” Maire Ní Chathasaigh.

“The Boar’s Head Carol” (Traditional Christmas Carol)

“Little Drummer Boy”

“Silent Night” (Traditional Christmas Carol)

INTERMISSION

“Céad Mile Fáilte Romhat a Iosa” (Traditional Irish Carol) "One Hundred Thousand Welcomes to you ChildGlory, praise and thanks to you ChildGlory, praise and thanks to you."

“The Twelve Days of Christmas”

“The Wren Song”

www.harriscenter.net FALL 2015 PROGRAM GUIDE 41

An Irish Christmas continued

TRADITIONS EXPLAINED:

An Irish Christmas: Conceived, produced and directed by Margaret O' Carroll, owner of Kerry Irish Productions Inc. Central to her work is the forging of the path between the old and the new; incorporating old Irish traditions reflecting various aspects of Irish life into her stage work, creating an unbreakable bond between the old ways and the new — one emerges from the other! "It is extraordinary how closely connected we are to our past. We are a product of so much that came before us and our traditions are part of that inheritance. There is a value to these traditions. We are craftsmen and craftswomen who carry the stories to the next generation through every-day events such as storytelling, song, music, dance and our daily rituals. Folk theatre is the protector, the interpreter, the narrator the pulse, the heartbeat of these traditions." Margaret O' Carroll

The Kerry Dance Troupe: The Kerry Dance Troupe was established by Kerry Irish Productions Inc. with the intention of promoting and celebrating Irish culture and its rich traditions through the medium of dance and introducing these often forgotten Irish traditions to new audiences. These ‘ambassadors’ of Irish dance work with KIPI on various aspects of Irish folk-dance, incorporating old Irish dance styles into modern Irish dance styles, and thus forging the path between the old and the new. Through this process the best of ethnic and modern Ireland is represented, exposing audiences to the beauty, value, passion and uniqueness of our traditional ways that play such an important part in the life of the community.

The Dance Master’s Shoes: A pair of dance shoes become the embodiment of not only all that was lost in Ireland's long and troubled history, but everything that was saved - everything that is still cherished in the Irish folk traditions. The dance master's shoes, in a sense, symbolize the wealth of Irish culture. These are magical shoes, they have a life of their own and they take us on our journey.

Fireworks Dance: The great Irish tradition of the dance-off is expressed in this dance. The male and female dancers display their ‘wares’ and brilliance in the dance and finish with a common step reminding us all that both are equally skilled!

Shoemaking: Every village and town in Ireland had a shoemaker (An Gréasaí Bróg). The shoemaker worked from morning ‘til night protecting the feet of all! He lengthened the life of shoes and boots, made new shoes and boots to order and prided himself on his fine workmanship as would any craftsman. Traditionally in Ireland, leather was the principle material used. We honor their rhythmic craft tonight, and in so doing, remind you too that the airy dancer who wears these shoes is indeed a great dancer!

Butter making: In times gone by, butter making was a cottage industry in Ireland and an important task for

many farming families. It played an important role in the household economy. During the churning, everybody, young and old who entered the farmhouse, had to take a turn at the churn, which lightened the labor of churning. There were many customs associated with the production of the butter: salt or a drop of holy water was added to ensure that the butter was protected from those that would like to ‘steal the butter’ for their own use, work songs were an essential part of the magic of the ritual performed to ensure the success of the butter making (to get more butter, of course), and dances were danced around the churn in a joyful expression of that success! Of note: Ireland was the leading exporter of butter to the known world in the 18th century.

Straw Boys: This ancient tradition of acting out old stories and songs had the men dressing in disguise and using stylized straw hats to hide their faces. They would randomly appear at celebrations to perform their songs and dances and they usually requested and received food, money, or some token of gratitude in return. In former times when house weddings were the norm, it was common for Straw Boys to appear. They were always welcomed and the captain of the Straw Boys might well "kidnap" the bride, demanding a ransom of porter!

Bodhrán/Dance: This dance is a two-way display of rhythm. The intense bodhrán rhythms challenge the intricate rhythms of the dancer’s feet. Both bodhrán player and dancer enter a joyful competition where ‘fun’ is central to this friendly but intense competition. Again, in the great Irish tradition, more dancers enter the moment and it now becomes a ‘dance-off’ between male and female! In the final analysis, all are deemed to be equal and a common dance brings peace and equality reigns supreme!

42 FALL 2015 PROGRAM GUIDE www.harriscenter.net


Sean Nós Dance: The term sean nós means "old style." It is impromptu, rhythmic, and low key with arms loose, feet low to the ground, and a focus on percussive beats battered out by the feet.

Dancing on the Half Door: The ‘half door’ was an important part of Irish social life. Placed in front of the front door it possessed no latch. It would swing back and forth in free movement! It admitted light and kept animals out. It was a wonderful center of ‘gossip’ and was no doubt, the bearer of many secrets. It became the ‘stage’ when an evening of fun or competition was called in the community. The half door would be removed from its position and dropped to the floor whereupon the dance challenge was delivered! Sometimes the half door was soaped to make the competition more challenging! It is said - ‘a good dancer could dance on a tray, and an excellent dancer could dance on a half-penny.’ The best dancers danced as it were, underneath themselves, trapping each note of music on the floor, and as each dancer attempted to outdo the other with more intricate steps, the fun knew no end. The dancers always gathered at the end of the dance in one friendly step, much to the joy of the observer!

Lá an Dreoilín: “The Day of the Wren” celebrates the old custom of ‘The Wrenboys’ − groups of boys, girls and adults who, on the feast of St. Stephen (26th December), went about from house to house dressed in various disguises, playing music and performing dances. They carried with them a wren tied to a holly bush. The hunt for the wren sparked much fun and excitement leading up to “The Day of the Wren” when the celebrations began before dawn and continued until late into the night. All houses in the district were visited and all welcomed the Wrenboys, who would dance, sing, and make merry in exchange for a “penny to bury the wren.”

The North Kerry Blackbird: The wren begins this dance and is joined by the Kerry Dance Troupe. 'The Blackbird' is the oldest known solo set dance. The dance steps you will see in the 'Blackbird' dance are the original Jerry Molineaux steps. From North Kerry, he was a well-known dance master in the sean nós tradition. These steps were gathered from Fr. Pat Ahern, founder of The Irish National Folk Theatre, who learned the steps directly from Jerry Molineaux. These steps are close to one hundred years old!

Bodhrán: The bodhrán takes its name from the Irish word bodhar which means deafening. It is a frame drum which stretches back to the 14th century. The bodhran was used as a work implement for many years and it was used particularly in the mumming traditions of Kerry and Cork, to chase out the wren on the 26th of December (Lá an Dreoilín). The bodhrán has changed in the last century from a primitive frame drum played with the hand, to a very complicated tonal and rhythmic percussive instrument. It was first popularized by the group Ceoltóirí Chualann, under the leadership of Seán Ó Riada.

Uilleann Pipes: The uilleann pipes are a cousin of the more common Scottish great highland bagpipes. They took on their current form during the second half of the 18th century and sparked a golden age of pipe making and playing which lasted in Ireland until the Great Famine. After nearly being completely forgotten, the uilleann pipes are now enjoying a revival which has been sparked by the great efforts of hundreds of folk musicians since the early 1960s. Uilleann pipes differ from most other forms of bagpipes in that they have a range of two fully chromatic octaves, are able to achieve both staccato and legato phrasing, as well as providing chordal and rhythmic accompaniment to itself via the regulators.

ARTIST BIOS

KORAL AAKRE (Female Vocalist) Koral, from Coos Bay, located on the beautiful southern Oregon coast, comes from a family of singers and began voice lessons with her father at the age of seven. She studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and received her degree in vocal performance from Southern Oregon

University where she studied Opera. She has performed with the Rogue Opera and the Southern Oregon Reparatory Singers. She was a dancer and singer at Oregon’s own Little Opry on the Bay. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Koral was a legislative assistant for Senator Arnie Roblan in Salem, Oregon. She is the great great-granddaughter of Bridgette Conlan, who emigrated from Ireland as a mail order bride. Koral’s grandmother would burst with pride to hear her sing here today! This is Koral’s third season with An Irish Christmas.

SHEELAGH CULLEN (Narrator/Storyteller). Sheelagh came to Los Angeles from Hong Kong where she ran a theater company for 10 years and was involved as either actor or director in each of its 40 productions. Previously she had worked in both England and her native Ireland in theater and

TV. In Los Angeles she has worked with Stages Theater, Shakespeare Festival/LA, Theatricum Botanicum, Working Stage Theater, LA Theatre Works, and the Odyssey Theater where she recently appeared in Theater in the Dark. Sheelagh loves to get back to her Irish roots both in ‘The Heart of an Irishwoman,’ and performing as narrator and storyteller in a series of Irish Concerts with Kerry Irish Productions. She has just completed a new spoken arts recording: The Magic of Christmas (Poems and Readings for the Holiday Season), which is on sale in the foyer.


EMILY DICKERSON (Kerry Dance Troupe). Emily Dickerson, from Covina, California, found her passion for Irish dancing at a very young age. She started Irish dancing when she was 11 at the Painter-Larson Academy of Irish Dance. Her love for Irish dance and culture has never since faltered. Emily became an Open

Champion dancer in less than two years and has competed at the regional, national, and world levels. Emily is thrilled to be dancing in An Irish Christmas 2015!

SCOTT DOHERTY (Principal Dancer). Scott Doherty is the 2009 men's world champion of Irish dance. Scott made his professional debut in 2005 with the North American tour of Riverdance. Since then he has toured the world with both Riverdance and Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. Scott was invited to perform the lead

role in Gaelforce Dance for their 2012/2013 tours of Europe and Asia. Since 2007 Scott has been performing in the Irish dance shows at Busch Gardens, serving as Celtic Fyre's dance captain and principal dancer since 2012. Scott has also been a guest performer with many acclaimed Irish acts, including the Irish Tenors, Cherish the Ladies, Michael Londra, and Andy Cooney. Recently, Scott co-created, choreographed, and starred in the production, Rockin' Road to Dublin. This is Scott's second season with An Irish Christmas.

FÉLIM EGAN (Button Accordion). Félim was born in 1972 in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway and raised in Cloghan, Co. Offaly (west Offaly). His father has a passion for music and encouraged him to play. He began lessons at the age of four with his father and then with a local Offaly fiddler, Dan Cleary. He comes from a family

of five children, all well-accomplished musicians. He has many musical influences, which include Matt Molley, Tommy Peoples, Charlie Lennon, and Frankie Gavin, to mention a few. In 1993 he moved to Portland, OR, where he played his first gigs with Robert Soper and Aidan Brennan, and was a regular at Mikey Beglan's East Avenue Tavern session. He started composing tunes in the early 1990's. Félim is a regular fixture in Irish traditional music in Portland.

KIMBERLY GERARD (Dance Captain, Kerry Dance Troupe). Kimberly has been involved in Irish dancing for twelve years. She competed for The Sean Gavin Academy as well as Aniar Academy of Irish Dance in Orange County. She advanced quickly especially in 'soft shoe,' which is her favorite form of Irish dance, and

competed in local, regional, and national competitions.


Kimberly joined the Kerry Dance Troupe as a professional dancer in 2011 and after a year, she became the troupe's Dance Captain, a position she has held for the past four years. She is very excited to continue as dance captain for An Irish Christmas 2015.

CHLOE GRAY (Kerry Dance Troupe). At the age of six Chloe began studying various forms of dance technique such as Irish, Ballet, Modern, and African dance. She received her BFA in Dance and Choreography from the University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she expanded her knowledge of the body with studies in Alexander

Technique. In 2013, she moved to Los Angeles to continue her pursuit of dance and began Irish dancing again with Power Academy. Chloe is excited to be a part of the Kerry Dance Troupe.

PRESTON HOWARD (Uilleann Pipes/Flutes). Preston grew up in Northern California where he first heard Irish traditional music in the form of a Finbar Furey recording belonging to his father. This recording sparked Preston's deep interest in the uilleann pipes. After several years playing whistle, flute and Scottish

bagpipes as a child, Preston began learning the uilleann pipes at age 17 with the help of many kind traveling pipers. as well as the Pub Scouts, the local Irish music collective in Chico, CA. Preston now resides in Portland, Oregon where he frequently plays at regional ceilis, Sean-nós, Northwest workshops and events, local sessions, and performances. Preston joined the Kerry Irish Productions Orchestra in 2011 and is delighted to return for An Irish Christmas Tour 2015.

BELLA ISSAKOVA (Musicians Coordinator, Fiddle). Bella began playing the violin at the age of 5 at the National Music School of Sofia, Bulgaria. Growing up in the rich Bulgarian musical culture, Ms. Issakova had the privilege of working and touring throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the US with various

orchestras and chamber orchestras. After permanently relocating to Southern California in 1993, Ms. Issakova developed a well-established career in both performance and teaching. In 2000 she discovered and fell in love with Irish Traditional music. She became a Kerry Irish Productions artist in 2005 and has toured with the group since. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia where in addition to teaching and performing, she has become a member of the critically-acclaimed Irish Traditional group, The Red Wellies.


ZAC LÉGER (Guitar, Bouzouki, Flute, Bodhrán). Zac has been playing music professionally for over 15 years. His work can be heard on over two dozen albums, and he has played, recorded and performed with The Border Collies, John Doyle, Mike Dugger, Liz Carroll, John Whelan, Oisre (of which he was a

founding member), Jamie Laval, Qristina & Quinn Bachand, Colleen Raney, and guitarist Al Petteway, to name a few. He was a member of the critically acclaimed Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul as well as the Irish-based show Celtic Crossroads, and he has served as musical director for Ireland: the Show. He has toured throughout the U.S, Canada, and Ireland, and currently resides in Los Angeles where he teaches music and performs with the trad/jazz fusion band The Brilliant Gypsies. Zac makes a welcome return to An Irish Christmas 2015.

EMILY MACCONNELL (Kerry Dance Troupe). Emily MacConnell hails from Lancaster, California. She has danced for 18 years and has placed as high as 8th in the world, 3rd at the All-Scotland championships, 3rd in the nation, and 1st in her own (Western US) and Southern England regions, (having competed

there when she studied abroad in London, England) under the direction of the Butler-Fearon O’Conner School of Irish Dance. In 2014, she toured nationally with An Irish Christmas and in 2015, toured with Rockin’ Road to Dublin, followed by a residency with Celtic Fyre at Busch Gardens. Having graduated in 2014, Emily holds a theatre degree from the University of Southern California. She cannot wait to tour with An Irish Christmas 2015 and is thankful and happy to be a part of it. “To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful! This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking.” - Agnes de Mille.

JACKIE MORAN (Drums, Percussion, Banjo and Vocals). Jackie Moran has been playing music professionally his entire life. He was a founding member of many notable performance groups including The Drovers, Comas, and The Trinity Irish Dance Company. Best known for the Bodhrán, he has been featured

playing Irish music in four Hollywood movies: Backdraft, Blink, Traveller, and Road to Perdition. His driving beat and unique percussive style can also be heard on many of the top Irish music recordings. Jackie has collaborated with musicians all around the world, and is always looking for new and challenging musical projects.


KEARA OSBORNE (Kerry Dance Troupe). Keara has been an Irish dancer for 25 years. She has competed numerous times at the local, regional, and national levels. Now retired from competitive dance, she enjoys performing regularly with world touring bands such as The Young Dubliners and The Fenians.

In 2012, she was delighted to be a part of the Irish dance ensemble in Battle of the Dance in Anaheim, California. Keara has made several television appearances as an Irish dancer, including the Disney XD show Crash and Bernstein in 2013 and the DJ Tommy Trash Lord of the Trance music video in 2014. In May, 2013 Keara completed her Masters of Social Work at the University of Southern California. Kerry Irish Productions is thrilled to welcome Keara as a returning member of The Kerry Dance Troupe.

JASON PURCELL (Kerry Dance Troupe). Jason began Irish dancing at the age of eleven. Shortly after taking his first class, he watched the world-renowned production, Riverdance, with Colin Dunne and Jean Butler, and it became his dream to perform Irish dance on the "big stage." He started competing later that year, and after

three more years, entered the Open Championship level as well as competing regionally, nationally, and at the CLRG world championships. Eight years after being immersed in the world of Irish dance, he placed 5th at the North American Championships, 10th at the World Championships, and won the Southern Regional Oireachtas title twice. He has also performed in the show, Celtic Fyre at Busch Gardens and is thrilled to join An Irish Christmas for his second tour with the production. Jason loves being part of a cohesive group of dancers, and putting on an amazing show that inspires! He plans to become TCRG certified one day so that he can teach prospective champions and help them reach their goals, as his teachers have.

BRITTANY RAMSEY (Kerry Dance Troupe). From Manhattan Beach, CA, Brittany Ramsey has been dancing and competing in one form or another since she was 2 years old. Her specialties have included dance styles as diverse as jazz, ballet, tap and hula. When she was 7 she was captivated by Riverdance,

and soon Irish dance became her main focus and passion. She began training with the Kelly School of Irish Dance in Los Angeles and was soon competing at Feisianna all across the US. Brittany soon began winning awards and medals in numerous regional and national Irish dance competitions, dancing for the Kelly, Claddagh, and McCartan schools. She has appeared as a guest artist with Grammy-award winning Irish superstars The Chieftains, Celtic Rain and the legendary Trinity Irish Dance Company, and she has been a featured



performer in the LA-based show Battle of the Dance, and the national touring company of An Irish Christmas. A dynamic and elegant performer, Brittany uses her knowledge of multiple dance forms to craft a unique style all her own, defined by powerful technical abilities, deep respect ,and understanding of her craft.

CONNOR T. REIDER (Kerry Dance Troupe). For 14 years Connor danced under the direction of the late Ann Richens and John Timm, competing at local, regional, national and world levels. In his final year of competition, he placed in the top 5 in Mid-America, top 10 in North America, and top 20 in the World Championships. Connor

attended University of Notre Dame where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Pre-Professional Studies. While at Notre Dame he was the coach of the 2012 and 2013 All-Ireland Club Ceili Champions, as well as a choreographer and performer for the Notre Dame & Saint Mary’s Irish dance team. Connor has performed with the Chieftains and earlier this year with Celtic Fyre at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. “Performing brings me such joy because I get to share my passion with others both on stage and with those in the audience. I am very honored and excited for this opportunity to be a part of An Irish Christmas 2015.”

TYLER SCHWARTZ (Kerry Dance Troupe). Tyler began competitive Irish step dancing in Chicago, when he was 8 years old. Since then, he has gone on to win many illustrious titles, including the Midwest regional championship, the All-Ireland Championship, All-Scotland Championship, North American

Championship, and Great-Britain Championship! A World Champion, he capped off his competitive career winning the Senior Men's World Championship in 2013. Tyler has also performed all over the world, most notably in Japan, Spain, and mainland Europe. He has been principal lead dancer for the Magic of the Dance, Trinity Irish Dance Company, and most recently for Busch Gardens Celtic Fyre.

IZZY TAULLI (Kerry Dance Troupe). Izzy is thirteen years old and has been dancing competitively for eight years at the Kelly School of Traditional Irish Dance. She placed in the top ten at Regionals for six years in a row, and competed at the World Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Outside of dance, Izzy enjoys school and eating

food. She is very excited to perform in her fifth year with Kerry Irish Productions.

KATHERINE TRIMBLE (Female Vocalist). Katherine is a 27 year old mezzo soprano from Burbank, CA. She recently completed her Masters Degree in Vocal Performance at San Jose State and is a student of acclaimed mezzo soprano Layna Chianakas. She has recently played Ormindo in the SJSU production of

L'Ormindo by Francesco Cavalli and Public Opinion in their spring production of Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach. She also won first place in the San Jose Women's Club (2014) and San Jose Study Club music competitions (2015). Alto vocalist for The New Choir and recent member of The Mistletoe Singers, Katherine is excited to return to An Irish Christmas after two years off to pursue her degree.

LUCY ANN WILLS (Kerry Dance Troupe). Lucy Ann Wills has been dancing since the tender age of four with the O'Faolain Academy of Irish Dance in St. Louis, MO. After five years of instruction, she has risen through the highest levels of competition, and is one of the youngest Open Champions in Mid-America, as well as

one of the highest-ranking dancers in North America in her age group. Lucy Ann has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Ireland and will be in Scotland in 2016. At the age of ten, Lucy Ann has already competed in the World Championships of Irish Dance, ranking in the top percentage of dancers. Irish Dance is truly her passion and she is thrilled to return to her role as the Wren and to be a part of An Irish Christmas cast!


an irish christmas - harris center for the arts · pdf filean irish christmas: conceived,...

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