Tickets still available for Celtic-inspired music and dance show at SFA

Champion step dancers of The StepCrew will fuse three distinct dance forms-Irish step, traditional tap and Ottawa Valley step in an energetic, Celtic-inspired performance of music and dance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. The show is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts' University Series.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - "If you haven't yet purchased your tickets to The StepCrew's upcoming performance, there's still time!" exclaimed Diane J. Flynn, box office manager for the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts.

The champion dancers and musicians who make up the company will present their unique fusion of Irish step, traditional tap and Ottawa Valley (Canada) step dancing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in W.M. Turner Auditorium as part of the College of Fine Arts' University Series.

"Billed as 'unbelievable' and 'exhilarating,' the show promises to engage multiple senses," Flynn said. "Audience members will hear and feel the metal-plated shoes tapping; see the intricate dance steps of clogs, jigs and reels; and hear the world-class fiddling and Celtic-inspired vocals."

Included in the cast are three dancers who regularly tour with The Chieftains: Cara Butler, winner of five regional and six national Irish dance championships who has also performed with Cherish the Ladies; Jon Pilatzke, three-time winner of the Canadian Open Stepdancing Championship and an award-winning fiddler; and Nathan Pilatzke, hailed as "one of the most dynamic and energetic stepdancers to ever hit the stage," and who, like his brother, Jon, is an accomplished fiddler.

Dan Stacey, who is also a champion stepdancer and fiddler, is a founding member of The StepCrew and has toured with American acts such as Seven Nations and Cherish the Ladies and with traditional Irish bands such as Dervish.

Rounding out the dancers is Sarah Uddin, winner of several top awards in dance and choreography. She is trained in Ottawa Valley stepdance, tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop.

Also appearing in stage is a five-piece band and vocalist Alyth McCormack who was raised off the northwest coast of Scotland, has appeared on 19 albums to date and toured with The Chieftains.

Prior to the performance, Elizabeth Rhodes, SFA professor of kinesiology and co-director of the SFA dance program, will give an informative talk at 7 p.m, in Griffith Gallery, across the hall from Turner Auditorium. The audience is invited back to the gallery for a post-performance reception to meet the cast and honor the event's corporate sponsor, BancorpSouth of Nacogdoches.

Turner Auditorium and Griffith Gallery are located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.

Tickets range from $17.50 to $35, with discounts available for seniors, students and youth. For tickets or more information, please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.