Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with the Trinity Irish Dancers

WAUNAKEE, Wis. (WMTV) -Each year people from around the world put on their best green, and indulge in the holiday that honors Irish culture. But what better way is there to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with dancing.

And at Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, suffice it to say, dancers keep St. Patrick’s Day top of mind around the clock. For 40 years, the Trinity Irish Dancers have been an institution in the Madison area, Milwaukee and Chicago.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day March 17, Trinity Irish Dancers ages four to 18 will be dancing throughout Madison! The dancers will begin performances with William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital at 11:30a.m. From there they will be taking their talents to the Thirsty Goat as well as Brix Cider.

Trinity Academy of Irish Dance spokesperson and coach Deirdra Kiely said the teams have been gearing up for the packed March performances since December. “We did the Badgers game here last week, and we’re doing the Bucks game next week so yes it’s all go in March, it’s a crazy month for us but its so much fun.”

In addition to their public performance schedule the Trinity Irish Dancers visit nursing homes, hospitals and a multitude of community-driven locations. “We want to deliver and pass on our culture through the power and grace of Irish dance so that’s our main philosophy so we love giving back to the community,” Kiely added.

Thirteen-year-old Emma Christenson joined the Trinity Irish Dancers in 2020, and is looking forward to the big day Friday. “It’s super fun to be able to go around the area and be able to dance for everybody and being able to see kids smile or the older people smile,” Christenson explained.

Fellow dancer Samantha Hotkiewicz has been Irish dancing since she was four and wanted to follow in her sister’s footsteps. “I love all the performances but the classes are also super fun too,” Hotkiewicz started. “You get to go all over the place just meet tons of new people and have lots of new experiences.”

Thursday, NBC15′s The Morning Show catches up with the dancers, even looking to learn a few moves.

Trinity is always open for new students and currently, the academy has a rolling enrollment in beginner classes for dancers ages 3.5 to 10 years old.

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