Editor’s note: Addison Foreman, the interviewee in this article, is general assignment editor for The Kent Stater. She was included in this story because of her relevance to the subject.
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, Irish culture will take the spotlight — and the university’s Irish Dance Club will bring their talent to the dance floor.
While the celebrations are limited due to the short holiday season including the party-filled Fake Patty’s Day March 9, the club is active year-round.
Sure, their biggest performances are St. Patrick’s Day weekend, but co-president Addison Foreman said the group enjoys getting together and Irish dancing any time of the year.
“We usually have about four to six members at a time, so it’s pretty small, but we have a lot of fun,” she said.
Foreman said the club is for students who have a passion for Irish dancing.
With St. Patrick’s Day being on a Sunday this year, the dance team expects to see big audiences across downtown Kent.
They do not have their full schedule yet, but Foreman said they have been collaborating with Main Street Kent to book performances downtown.
“We usually go to about six to seven bars in the evening on St. Patrick’s Day to do some dances that we’ve been working on choreographing,” Foreman said.
Last year, the troupe performed at Barflyy, North Water Brewing Co., The Loft, Water Street Tavern, The Venice Cafe, Ray’s Place and The Pub in downtown Kent.
The group does not do fundraisers or get paid for their performances, Foreman said.
The club is available to new members of all levels no matter their experience, and Foreman said the group makes sure the student body knows they exist by placing posters across campus.
The troupe also performs at the homecoming parade, student group Barefeet Dance Tribe’s Halloween showcase and Flashathon. They also record performances to post on their Instagram account occasionally.
Foreman said the club is simply a group of people with a common interest in Irish dance.
“On a weekend that has become less about the actual holiday and more about dangerously high BAC levels, it is good to see Irish culture on display and taking the stage across downtown,” Foreman said.
Demetri Manousos is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
