Irish Dance

These are heady times for performer Joe Duffey, who spent his formative years at Columbia's Teelin School of Irish Dance getting ready for a career that materialized right on cue. As a dancer, choreographer and assistant director of the Teelin Dance Company, the 20-year-old reigns supreme in the world of hoofing or what he calls, "Irish dance flavored with a lot more percussion and a bit of edginess. " Last month Duffey joined Teelin's founding director Maureen Gately on stage for the world premiere of "Stepdance" at the Weinberg Theater in Frederick.

The classical music calendar is covered with notes in Howard County this weekend. That's because there are several local concerts scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18. Much as music lovers might like to be in two places at the same time, they'll have to make some tough choices when it comes to choosing between overlapping events. Columbia Orchestra It's not just any busy weekend, of course, because many people will be celebratingSt. Patrick's Dayon Saturday.

As the thunderous sound of Irish hard shoes dancing filled the room, Teresa Eade sat on a stool in the corner, watching intently. The 15-year-old sophomore at South Carroll High School was recovering from a concussion she received over the weekend playing dodge ball, but that didn't prevent her from participating in the first half of the rehearsal at Teelin School for Irish Dancing. And it also wasn't going to keep her from performing with Teelin on Sunday, March 11, when the Columbia-based studio - and several of its Carroll County members - were scheduled to perform in Baltimore's annualSt.

Some 700 miles away from home, Center Stage intern Meghan O'Rourke still got to celebrate her Irish heritage in Baltimore. She missed out on a family tradition Sunday — Chicago's South Side Irish Parade — but Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day Parade meant she didn't have to miss out on St. Paddy's festivities. She and others lined up Sunday along Charles Street to take in dance troupes, marching bands, flag corps, bagpipe brigades, antique fire trucks and classic cars.

LOOKING FORWARD to St. Patrick's Day? "Dancin' to Dublin," a celebration of Irish dance and music, will give you a preview of the holiday's festivities. Dancers from the Broesler School of Dance will take the stage Saturday at Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts to perform a series of Irish step dances. Step dances, which originated in Ireland in the late 18th century, emphasize set movements and foot percussion. The footwork and movements tell a story, such as a courtship or annual celebration.

PHILADELPHIA -- A man who builds a show around himself and calls it "Lord of the Dance" is not shy.But what's surprising about Michael Flatley, who comes off as arrogant and obnoxious in even the most sycophantic magazine profiles, is how self-effacing he manages to be in the midst of all the hype.On the best-selling video of "Lord of the Dance" and in the show itself, which will play Aug. 30-31 at the Baltimore Arena, Flatley is larger than life: erupting onstage in a firestorm of steps, strutting off to thunderous applause, returning with an unfeigned smile of joy to bask in the applause.

The way Libby Green sees it, the recent history of Irish dancing can be divided into two distinct eras: pre-Riverdance and post-Riverdance. "Shortly after Riverdance premiered, the Baltimore area had two Irish dance schools. Now, there are about 10," said Green, a Harford resident and former administrator for the Ryan School of Irish Dance in Bel Air. Not only has the interest in Irish dancing surged in the decade since the popular theatrical show debuted 10 years ago, but demand for practitioners near St. Patrick's Day has shot up as well, say local dancers and instructors.

For some home-schoolers, it's gym time at dance school With erect backs, stoic faces and arms tight at their sides, the 11 figures look like string puppets as they glide across the floor, completing a series of intricate dance steps. Ponytails fly and beads of sweat begin to form on their brows. Through a doorway, a group of doting parents look on with approval. From noon to 2 p.m. on any given Wednesday - at a time when most public school students are in class - these 30 home-schoolers perfect their steps at the Teelin Irish Dance School in Columbia, a social and entertaining way to meet the state-mandated physical education that can be elusive for home-school families.

The Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Longaberger basket bingo at 7 p.m. Saturday at the fire hall, 6275 Old Washington Boulevard, Elkridge. A fund-raiser for the Oakland Mills Nursery School, the event will offer baskets filled with prizes. Refreshments will be available to purchase. Tickets are $15 in advance; $18 at the door. Information: Vicky Chiei, 410-465-4144. Elkridge 5th-graders win trivia competition Five fifth-graders from St. Augustine School in Elkridge recently won first place in the Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl, an online statewide trivia competition.

The student: Michelle McGrain, 11 School: Harper's Choice Middle School The achievement: One of six Howard County students named Carson Scholars this year. The Carson Scholars Fund - which was co-founded by Dr. Benjamin Carson, best-selling author and director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions - recognized Michelle for her academic excellence and extracurricular endeavors. Michelle reports that she received all A's on her report cards this past year. She has been studying and performing Irish dance for the past six years.

As the thunderous sound of Irish hard shoes dancing filled the room, Teresa Eade sat on a stool in the corner, watching intently. The 15-year-old sophomore at South Carroll High School was recovering from a concussion she received over the weekend playing dodge ball, but that didn't prevent her from participating in the first half of the rehearsal at Teelin School for Irish Dancing. And it also wasn't going to keep her from performing with Teelin on Sunday, March 11, when the Columbia-based studio - and several of its Carroll County members - were scheduled to perform in Baltimore's annualSt.

These are heady times for performer Joe Duffey, who spent his formative years at Columbia's Teelin School of Irish Dance getting ready for a career that materialized right on cue. As a dancer, choreographer and assistant director of the Teelin Dance Company, the 20-year-old reigns supreme in the world of hoofing or what he calls, "Irish dance flavored with a lot more percussion and a bit of edginess. " Last month Duffey joined Teelin's founding director Maureen Gately on stage for the world premiere of "Stepdance" at the Weinberg Theater in Frederick.

When Madison and Lucy Laudeman first started Irish dancing six years ago, the sisters went to a branch of Teelin School of Irish Dance that was located in Timonium. With its fun music and challenging routines, Irish dancing reeled them in and has remained a favorite activity for the whole family - younger sister Piper is now dancing - despite the fact that the school is now based in Columbia. "There was no getting out of it," said Mary Laudeman, their mother. "We were hooked.

Never mind the advancing years and that pesky wheelchair - Agnes May was not about to miss the party. "I made my children bring me," May, who will be 87 next month, said Sunday as the annual parade in honor of St. Patrick rolled by her sidewalk perch a couple of blocks south of Baltimore's Washington Monument. "It makes me feel good to hear this music. I feel I'm part of the parade." A few feet away, a rambunctious succession of pipe-and-drum bands, dancers and cheerleaders bounded by, followed by the usual assortment of elected officials and representatives of august Celtic organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Emerald Isle Club and the Potomac Valley Irish Wolfhounds - the latter making use of all four legs, of course.

T hunderous and rhythmic pounding of many pairs of synchronized feet is what characterizes Irish step dancing, yet its dual personality might be what sets it apart. While dancers stomped loudly and kicked swiftly to traditional music blaring in a studio in Columbia last week, their upper bodies remained rigid and arms hung motionless. The highly choreographed dance is a contradiction in body language that collides at the hips. "Sometimes I really feel it when you're moving the floor," Maureen Gately said to her troupe at Wednesday's rehearsal as she thumped a fist to her chest.

Historic Oakland will offer three free presentations as part of its Master Gardener Series. "Basics of Landscape Design" by Melanie McKibbin at 7 p.m. March 18. "Gardening in Small Spaces" by Dana Rogers and team at 7 p.m. March 25. "Posies in a Pot" by Pat Greenwald at 7 p.m. April 1. All events will be held at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road. Information and registration: 410-730-4744. Event features tea, jewelry show Town Center Community Association offers Sunday afternoon tea from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 16 at the ballroom of Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia.

Historic Oakland will offer three free presentations as part of its Master Gardener Series. "Basics of Landscape Design" by Melanie McKibbin at 7 p.m. March 18. "Gardening in Small Spaces" by Dana Rogers and team at 7 p.m. March 25. "Posies in a Pot" by Pat Greenwald at 7 p.m. April 1. All events will be held at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road. Information and registration: 410-730-4744. Event features tea, jewelry show Town Center Community Association offers Sunday afternoon tea from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 16 at the ballroom of Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia.

T hunderous and rhythmic pounding of many pairs of synchronized feet is what characterizes Irish step dancing, yet its dual personality might be what sets it apart. While dancers stomped loudly and kicked swiftly to traditional music blaring in a studio in Columbia last week, their upper bodies remained rigid and arms hung motionless. The highly choreographed dance is a contradiction in body language that collides at the hips. "Sometimes I really feel it when you're moving the floor," Maureen Gately said to her troupe at Wednesday's rehearsal as she thumped a fist to her chest.

FESTIVAL THE LUCK OF THE IRISH Experience Irish culture to the fullest this weekend at the 31st annual Maryland Irish Festival. See live performances from nationally recognized Celtic musical groups, including James Gallagher and Off the Boat, Seven Nations, Barleyjuice and Eileen Ivers; watch Irish dance performances from local Irish dance schools and take Irish step-dancing lessons; or get a taste of Ireland with traditional Irish dishes, including Irish stew, fish and chips, and corned beef.

Jigging kids and adults will be as common as garish green sweaters this St. Patrick's Day, but while the bright Irish garb may go deep into the drawer when the day is done, the stepping doesn't have to stop. Irish dancing classes have become more popular in recent years, surging with the popularity of the Riverdance shows. And although more children have gotten into the act than adults, the instruction is flexible often to accommodate a range of ages and skill levels. "If you can walk, you can do Irish dancing," says Maureen Berry, an Irish dance instructor in Columbia and Timonium.