In 2004, LaRae Thackeray, owner/operator of Layton's Dance Unlimited, found something missing in the Ogden area -- a St. Patrick's Day celebration.
"We had the big parade in Salt Lake City, but nothing here," she said.
So, at the request of Chris Sorensen, then operations manager of Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden, she put together a show.
Celtic Celebration is still an annual tradition at the theater, marking its seventh year this Saturday. Thackeray's youth Irish dance group, Celtic Beat, has always been a part of the festivities. Various regional Irish groups, such as Callanish, Shanahy and Craicmore, have supplied the music for the steps.
This year, Salt Lake City-based group Idlewild -- fronted by husband and wife team Dave and Carol Sharp -- and the Roy-born group Galloway Highland Pipes and Drums are participating.
"It's always fun to come back to LaRae again," said Dave Sharp of Idlewild. "We participated for a couple of years straight, and sold out. But it's been a while. It is an honor to work with a dedicated professional like she is."
Live music
One of the biggest challenges to pulling off such a performance is having the dancers dance to live music, with only a brief run-through with the live musicians before the show, said Thackeray.
"The dancers are used to the sound that comes out of recordings," she said. "It's hard to put into words, but the acoustics are very different when you are performing to live music."
Although Thackeray can't duplicate the mechanics of live-versus-recorded in rehearsal, nor get much rehearsal in with the bands themselves, she can make sure her hoofers are well-rehearsed to recorded versions of the songs.
"And they must have a good musical background and be able to adapt fast," she said. "So we practice and practice."
Said Sharp: "It is absolutely thrilling to have the exhibition dancers live with us, and to bring that all together with the pipers and music. ... In Ireland, those things belong together -- the music, dance and storytelling. It is a great time."
Fun of the Irish
Sharp believes there are several reason why this show, and other Celtic events, are popular in our area. One is that the people from that region kept their traditions alive in the West, whereas many such groups were assimilated more quickly into the general population in larger Eastern cities.
"In this area here, Welsh, Scotch and Irish are probably the largest ethnic groups in the state," said Sharp. "That might change one day, but for now, it seems to be so. And these families with these immigrant ancestors seem to still love the music and the storytelling."
Also, the emphasis on this show is fun, said Thackeray -- for the dancers, who range from ages 8 to 18, as well as for the audience.
"I really try to emphasize the fun for my dancers -- or else why are we doing it?" she said. "Especially with the challenge of dancing to live music, I tell them that there is an understanding that comes from an audience for mistakes, but only if they see you are having fun. They just want to be entertained. They don't want to be nervous that a child is going to break down and cry, or run offstage."
Keeping things fun is the reason Thackeray keeps her troupes away from dance competitions.
"I think performances teach them in a fast and healthy way about show business -- how to get a job, maintain a job," she said. "And oftentimes they are working as what we call amateur professionals. They often get paid something for dancing with bands, and understand what is expected.
"Dance is not just about dancing. It is a life lesson, a discipline that helps them no matter what they do."
PREVIEW
l WHAT: Celtic Celebration, with Celtic Beat Dance Company, Idlewild and Galloway Highlanders Pipes and Drums
l WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
l WHERE: Peery's Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden
l TICKETS: $12, $10/students and seniors, available from Smith's Tix, (800) 888-TIXX
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