Irish Céilí celebrates culture, dance

Known best because of modern, national dance productions like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, the tradition of Irish dancing is carried on in Eastern Iowa through Champagne Academy of Irish Dance.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, dancers from Champagne Academy of Irish Dance will perform an Irish Christmas Céilí in full traditional garb from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Old Brick Church in Iowa City.

The holiday céilí - a group performance with at least two people dancing together in formations - is open to the public and will have live music, social dancing, a performance from the academy's dancers and a silent auction featuring local artists and businesses. Proceeds from the auction will cover the cost of the event.

According to the Celtic and Irish Dance Association, the first Irish Céilí was introduced by the Gaelic League in 1697 to allow dancing indoors despite the condemning of Celtic traditions at that time.

There isn't a single universally accepted Irish dance origin story, but there was a period in Ireland where traditional Irish music and dance weren't allowed in public, said Trea Champagne, owner of Champagne Academy of Irish Dance.

The culture continued in secrecy until the 1700s. In order to mask their dancing, Irish dancers would hold their arms at their sides and keep their footwork tight. The unique style - arms at the side, tight and centered footwork and harmonized hopping - still characterizes Irish dancing today.

'It's pretty demanding,” said Champagne. 'A lot of hopping and cardio ... it looks like we're dancing on high heels because we're always on the balls of our feet.”

Whether it's soft-shoe of hard-shoe - heavy clog-like 'grandfather of tap” shoes, as Champagne put it - the dancers create a rhythm with the stomping of their feet.

'There's so much to Irish Dance,” said Champagne. 'It's not just dance, it's music.”