Event Details: Belisama Irish Dance

Recognized for internationally award-winning Irish dance, Belisama will perform both world premiere works and signature favorites from their repertoire. Styles span traditional Riverdance to contemporary, and the program includes live music. A fast-paced, high-energy show for the whole family, "Rhythm of Fire" will feature compositions by Artistic Director Adrienne Bellis, choreographer Michael Patrick Gallagher - former lead of Riverdance and current lead dancer in "Celtic Women: Believe" on PBS and DVD - and Celia Kessler, Associate Artistic Director for "Rhythm of Fire." Gallagher commented, "I was delighted to be asked to choreograph a number for the the upcoming Belisama show. Belisama is one of the most innovative Irish dance groups currently performing in the western U.S., and the high caliber of the dancers made it a very easy and enjoyable experience." 

Both Belisama's world premiere and student and alumnae works by Elizabeth Barnes, Deena Rice, Natalie Smith, Shannon Kossmann, and Maria Jones are edgy, intense, current presentations of Irish dance. "We take elements of what makes modern dance successful and bring them into Irish dancing. Belisama has a sense of originality drawn from what other forms of dance do so well, but adapted to the high-energy crowd-pleasing Irish style," said Bellis. Each piece of choreography is set to contemporary Celtic and original scores or live music, another special focus for Bellis: "I am always looking for music that the audience will relate to and enjoy. Great dancing has to have great music, and Irish music is fabulous - an instant expression of delight that brings so much cheerfulness to the movements. I love sharing that with people."

Belisama Irish Dance Company features twelve local dancers, including five past and present National and Regional Champions. Company members have performed with artists such as Trinity Irish Dance Company, Lunasa, Natalie MacMaster, Gaelic Storm, and Eileen Ivers. Belisama Irish Dance School is home to fifty-five dancers from Santa Fe, Los Alamos, White Rock, and Rio Rancho ranging in age from five to sixty.

This year Belisama is delighted to host Boston fiddler and singer/songwriter Laura Cortese. Her vibrant and open-hearted approach to contemporary music with Celtic and traditional roots has enchanted national and international audiences and brought acclaim to her Acoustic Project albums featuring Hanneke Cassel, Brittany Haas, Natalie Haas, and Mariel Vandersteel.