Irish Arts Center’s Tenth Annual NYC Irish Dance Festival Highlights “Summer on the Hudson”

New York, NY, April 27, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The color, excitement, variety and fun of live Irish dance and music will be on display at a one-of-a-kind New York venue when the annual Irish Arts Center NYC Irish Dance Festival returns to Pier 1, Riverside Park South on Sunday, May 1, 2011. The free, family-friendly event runs from 1:00 to 8:00 pm.

This all-ages festival kicks off the acclaimed “Summer on the Hudson” series and features performances by stars of the Irish dance world and dance schools from the New York area, open workshops for all skill levels in many styles of traditional Irish dance, music seisiúns, face-painting, Irish language conversation circle, a panel discussion with the performers, an Irish song workshop, Irish crafts, a rousing, evening-ending set and céilí dance with live music, and food & drink available on site. The festival showcases some of the best local and international traditional Irish musicians.

Confirmed participants for 2011 include: Darrah Carr Dance; Donny Golden Dancers; Niall O'Leary Irish Dance Troupe and School of Irish Dance; Peter Smith School of Irish Dance; the Keltic Dreams Irish Dance Troupe from PS 59 in the Bronx; Riverdancers Jason Oremus, Garrett Coleman and Chris Naish who will provide a sneak peak preview of Hammerstep, their new dance show that fuses Irish step with tap and hip-hop.

This year’s IAC NYC Irish Dance Festival introduces a kids photography competition with three age categories and themes: 6 years and under: "Happy Feet"; 7–12 years: "A Spring in Your Step"; and 13–18 years "Fancy Footwork" (submit event photos to photos@irishartscenter.org). One winner will be selected from each category and one overall winner will be chosen by the public through online voting at www.irishartscenter.org.

Festival goers can enter Riverside Park at 72nd Street to stroll down to Pier 1 at 70th Street. And if rain threatens to dampen the festivities, the event will move to nearby covered basketball courts.

“Summer on The Hudson” is a free annual Arts and Cultural Festival in Riverside Park and West Harlem Piers Park presented by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. “Summer on the Hudson” is this summer’s largest free festival in New York City, providing outdoor recreation for all ages from 59th to 135th Street.

For more information about the Irish Arts Center NYC Irish Dance Festival, including performance schedule, please go to http://www.irishartscenter.org/dance.htm.

Media Contacts:
Nik Quaife, Zoetrope Arts PR | nik@zoetrope.ie

Rachael Gilkey, Irish Arts Center | rachael@irishartscenter.org

###