The Montana Gaelic Cultural Society is spreading the word that the Trinity II Irish Dancers are headed to Butte next Saturday for a performance at the Mother Lode that will benefit this year’s An Rí Rá and the Tiernan Irish Dancers in Butte and Helena.

If you have enjoyed the An Rí Rá outdoor performances by the Trinity Irish Dancers, you will be astonished at the stage production the company will bring to Butte’s Mother Lode Theatre on Saturday, May 6. This presentation, entitled “Celtic Thunder,” brings world-class Irish Dance to Western Montana in a theatre setting.

The World Champion Trinity II Irish Dancers are students under the direction of founder and artistic director, Mark Howard. His company has performed all over the world, and created the style that was later seen in such productions as “Riverdance,” and “Lord of the Dance.” The audience is transported as the company appears in stunning costumes, with mesmerizing energy and talent. Their brilliant execution and remarkable strength, agility, grace and showmanship make it hard to believe these performers are only in their late teens. This company has achieved the World Title in Irish dance – not just once, but 22 times and counting.

In describing the revolutionary style set by Trinity, Howard says, “There is an ocean of difference from Irish step dancing in competitions to what Trinity does. But if you think about America as the melting pot, it makes sense. Without Irish step dancing, there wouldn’t be hoofing. Without Irish music, there wouldn’t be bluegrass. Years from now, we’ll look back and realize we were at a crossroads for Irish dance.”

Howard describes Trinity’s mission as follows: To have the integrity to matter, to push dance by expanding its vocabulary, to make it accessible and cerebral. We did not create the genre, but we are elevating the form.

Trinity II dancers have performed on Good Morning America, the Tonight Show, Late night with Conan O’Brien and Live with Regis. They have appeared in numerous feature films and before many foreign dignitaries. Trinity dancers continue to win the highest level dance championships, and have performed at the An Rí Rá Montana Irish Festival for three years. The company agreed to present this single Montana performance, sponsored by the Montana Gaelic Cultural Society. Proceeds from this event benefit An Rí Rá and the Tiernan Irish Dancers in Butte and Helena. It will be the only performance in Montana, and is not to be missed..

“Celtic Thunder will be presented at 2 p.m. on Saturday May 6 at the Mother Lode Theatre in Butte. Reservations can be made by calling (406) 723-3602.

This is going to be the only show in Montana so this is your only chance to get a spring dose of Irish culture!

-Delaney & Marx