March 20: THE PERFECT END TO ST. PADDY’S WEEK

SPECIAL from the Acoustic Americana Music Guide (http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com)


THE PERFECT END TO ST. PADDY’S WEEK . . .

Sean/Nua: An Irish Dance Drama
Friday, March 20, 2009, 8 pm
Wilshire Ebell Theater, 743 S Lucerne (at Wilshire), L.A. 90005


The new Irish dance drama, SEAN / NUA, with live music and the nine dancers of the Cairde na hÉireann Dance Company, makes its world premiere tonight and runs one night only. It’s at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, as “An examination of cultural tradition and innovation through the art of Irish Dance.”

The show is created and choreographed by ERIN MURPHY, T.C.R.G., and KYLIE EATON, with live music by JERRY McLEAN & BLACKTHORNE AIRE, Celtic harpist JULIE MONDIN (leader of the Irish band, Druid), and accomplished violinist/fiddler LYDIA VEILLEUX.

SEAN / NUA presents the struggle of two women who grow-up in the modern world of Irish Dance. The production explores the personal journey of each of the girls and the different paths they choose to take. Although centered on Irish-Americans through the medium of dance and music, this show reflects the struggle between tradition and innovation for all American cultures.

Erin Murphy says she hopes it will “Open a discussion of cultural tradition, as well as ignite your passion.” She adds it will be, “a night of heart-pounding rhythm, breathtaking choreography, and live Irish music.”

Sean/Nua is the first full-length production by Erin Murphy, T.C.R.G., and Kylie Eaton. (More on those letters in a moment.) The two have created, choreographed, and produced the show with the vision, they say, “of pushing the boundaries of the art of Irish Dance.”

Much like the central theme of the show, the two women are interested in the relationship between tradition and innovation in their passion for Irish dance.

They have credibility for the exploration. Murphy and Eaton are sisters who have danced since age three. Their childhoods were filled with studies and practices of ballet, tap, jazz, and of course, Irish dance since age five.

Sean/Nua is presented by the two sisters’ CNE Dance Company. It’s often abbreviated because those outside the culture have trouble pronouncing the complete name, or even spelling the Cairde na hÉireann Irish Dance Company (yes, the spacing and capitalization is correct). The name is the translation, from Gaelic, of the phrase, "Friends of Ireland."

Formed in Los Angeles in 2007 Under the direction of the two, their professional dance company is registered with the Irish Dance Commission of Dublin, Ireland. Led by Murphy and Eaton, and comprised of their dance students who pass auditions, the company has performed at various cultural events throughout Southern California. More on the school and the dance company is on their site, at www.sites.google.com/site/cneirishdance

Erin Murphy, T.C.R.G., always displays those letters after her name. And well she should. The Irish Dancing Commission, An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), administers the exams for the Scrudu Teastas Mhúinteora dance teacher’s certification, or TCRG. (don’t ask why the initials don’t appear to correspond to anything. It’s a Gaelic thing.) TCRG certification requires high marks in each section of a grueling examination for solo dancing, céilí dancing, céilí teaching, solo teaching, music and Gaeilge. Earning a TCRG certification is the gold standard. Murphy taught Irish dance in Peoria, then in Chicago at Rince na Cara School of Irish Dance before earning her TCRG in 2003 and moving to California.

Eaton likewise taught in Peoria, and moved here in 2004. The two wasted no time opening the school and, after bringing students to a sufficiently high level, founding the dance company.

The hard-working and dedicated sisters both found time for college educations that mixed the arts and academics. Their strong commitment to their students, the art of Irish dance, and each other as sisters is evident when you see them. They’ll tell you, “We strive to provide a positive environment for our students to learn Irish Dance. Our goal is to educate our students not only in proper dance technique, but in the history and culture of Irish Dance.”

The same holds true for their company of professional dancers. They talk of exploring the creative expression through performance, and they tell the company’s members, “Our goal is to present high-quality Irish dance in the theatrical setting to audiences around Southern California, and someday beyond! We take on this large task with sincere dedication and commitment, hoping the same from you.”

They’ll tell anyone who asks, “We hope to bring the joy of Irish dance to our audiences, become a staple in the Irish-American and Los Angeles arts communities, and develop lasting friendships and professional relationships. We are all here because we love Irish dancing. While we are determined to work hard to present the best that we can be, we are adamant that Irish dancing should always be done in an encouraging environment.”

Tonight, with the support of some formidable musicians, they’ll show the world how well their company is achieving those goals.

THE MUSICIANS

Singer-songwriter JERRY McLEAN and his band BLACKTHORNE AIRE are prominent in the revival of Irish and Celtic music. With roots in the "Old Sod," A native of County Mayo, Ireland, who spent teen years in England and Australia, he has been a prolific writer of music, lyrics and poetry all of his adult life. He’s played hundreds of venues throughout the world. More recently, he’s been called "Ireland's own Christy Moore of Los Angeles," and it’s been observed that, “Jerry McLean is not afraid to let go at his live performances.” McLean’s rich baritone voice reflects authenticity. He has two CDs available, with old and new Irish songs and light rock/folkie McLean originals. More at www.jerrymclean.com

JULIE MONDIN began her studies with Celtic harp touring Western Europe, the US and Canada for several years. She was a student of Dominque Piana for classical concert harp, and was principal harpist for Irish Tenor Dennis McNeil from 1995-1997. She has appeared as a harpist in several films and TV shows, including “First Daughter,” “Will & Grace,” “Frasier,” “Gilmore Girls,” and will be seen in upcoming HBO promotional commercials as a mime with harp. She has three CDs available. Julie's Irish folk band, Druid, plays concerts around Southern California. More at www.juliemondin.com

LYDIA VEILLEUX is a versatile violinist who has toured and recorded throughout North America, including the Country Music Association (CMA) “Fan Fest 2008” in Nashville, and the massive “Stagecoach Festival 2007” in Indio, California. Lydia graduated summa cum laude in violin performance from Berklee College of Music, then studied contemporary improvisation in the Masters programs at the New England Conservatory. She performed in string sections at Berklee for Joe Lavano, Darol Anger, Charlie Haden, Michael Brecker, Brian Blade, and Alan Broadbent. Lydia performed at Carnegie Hall, at the “JVC Jazz Fest 2003,” in a string section for Charlie Haden, Michael Brecker, Rodney Green and Kenny Barron. She’s been a violinist for four feature films. Lydia currently teaches and performs in Los Angeles. www.lydiaveilleux.com

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Friday, March 20, 2009:
8 pm “SEAN / NUA: AN IRISH DANCE DRAMA” at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, 743 S Lucerne (at Wilshire), L.A. 90005; www.ebellla.com/operating/index.html.

TICKETS:
Advance (through Paypal) $25 premium seating, $15 gen’l seating.
Door (cash only) $30 premium seating, $20 gen’l seating.
Reservations: 323-823-4764 or CNEIrishDance@gmail.com
Web: http://sites.google.com/site/seannua and www.sites.google.com/site/cneirishdance

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