Neighborhood News: Chicago’s World- Famous Trinity Irish Dance Troupe thrills with precision, history
In a state where a Census Bureau’s survey estimates 1,078,354 people with Irish ancestry (reported by the Conde Nast Traveler), is it any wonder that the largest, best known, and most decorated Irish Dance company was founded here?
Over the next few days, the Trinity Irish Dancers will be everywhere all at once, gracing St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations from the South Side Irish to Aurora. Their precise step dance, set off with colorful costumes and tightly curled hair, sets the stage for a a weekend of celebrating all things Irish!
But the Trinity Irish Dancers are so much more than a local phenomenon. They are an international force, setting the standard for decades to come.
History
“The essence of what Trinity is and has always been stands on the shoulders of our balanced program.
Our unique combination of performance, core, and team programming, the tools we provide, and the critical life lessons our dancers learn here put them in a great position to become increasingly balanced individuals.”
Mark Howard, Founding Artistic Director
TheTrinity Academy of Irish Dance was founded in 1982 by Mark Howard, an ambitious, Emmy-winning choreographer. Howard trained at the Dennehy School of Irish Dance, where Michael Flatley, Riverdance star and creator of Lord of the Dance, also studied. The English-born, Rogers Park native began teaching when he was only 17 years old, according to Broadway World, and by age 20 he had launched the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, leading them to unprecedented World Championship team titles for the United States—the first when he was only 25.
By 1990, these formative years led to the creation of the nonprofit Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC), to celebrate and further his work. This uniquely Irish-American company was the birthplace of progressive Irish dance, an innovative movement genre which “ushered in a new era for Irish step dance” (Chicago Tribune), according to their website, opening new avenues of artistic freedom that led directly to commercial productions such as “Riverdance.”
As a competitive coach and choreographer, Howard would go on to redefine what was possible for American teams becoming the first to win gold in all categories, leading them to unprecedented World Championship team titles for the United States.
Most importantly, according to their website, by using Irish dance as an instrument and a metaphor, TIDC redefines the medium with passion, flair, and precision. And…with a unique blend of uncompromising power and grace, TIDC sends a consistent message of female empowerment with a repertory that has elevated the art form for 35 years.
Worldwide Tours and Performances
Considered an American treasure by critics and enthusiasts worldwide, as their website notes, TIDC has performed sold-out tours in Europe, Asia, and North America, appearing in distinguished venues, such as New York’s The Joyce Theater, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, UCLA’s Royce Hall, Princeton’s McCarter Theater, Ottawa’s National Arts Center of Canada, Tokyo’s Orchard Hall, and Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, among many others. The Company has travelled to entertain dignitaries as varied as Monaco’s royal family, Irish and American presidents, Japanese royalty, and Indian meditation masters.
Upcoming Events
Trinity Irish Dance Academy is training the next generation of Irish Dancers by hosting a 10-Week Spring Camp at Lakeview’s Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture 2936 N. Southport Avenue. The classes start on March 25, meeting on Tuesdays from 4:30pm-5:15pm through June 3. They also host weekly classes for 3 ½ – 5-year-olds (River Class) geared towards learning to move their bodies, count music, take turns and perform on stage with older buddies.
For 6 – 12-year-olds (Cork/Derry Class) the Academy has Beginner level classes, where students learn the Light Jig and Reel, as their website says, to be ready for St. Patrick’s Day performances!
For more information, click here.
35th Anniversary Celebration
Trinity Irish Dance Company will launch its 35th Anniversary season at the Museum of Contemporary Art in May 2025. Their milestone season will include other special local events and performances across the country to be announced.
Continuing TIDC’s longstanding history of pushing the boundaries of a cultural form, the Museum of Contemporary Art performances will include the world premiere of “The Sash,” choreographed by Trinity Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard, Associate Artistic Director and dancer Chelsea Hoy and guest contemporary choreographer Stephanie Martinez, founder and Artistic Director of Chicago’s PARA.MAR Dance Theatre. Completing the program will be a selection of TIDC’s diverse repertoire, featuring original music performed live by TIDC’s band, fronted by Killarney-born Brendan O’Shea.
The four-performance series at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., May 16-18 will include:
- Friday, May 16: 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Opening night performance and 35th Anniversary gala celebration, featuring special guests: local Trinity Academy students that won the 2024 world championship gold medal for the United States
- Saturday, May 17: 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. performance
- Sunday, May 18: 1 p.m. matinee
For tickets and more information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
