Irish Dancing in Volcano on St. Patrick’s Day

Irish step dancing performance group the Whirlijigs will perform at the Lava Lounge at Kilauea Military Camp in Volcano this Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This is the fifth year that the Whirlijigs will perform at the lounge, located within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

There is no fee for the show, however, since the Lava Lounge is within the boundaries of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, national park entrance fees may apply.

Led by instructor Sarah Nash, who has 20 years experience performing and teaching Irish dance, the Whirlijigs will perform several traditional Irish dances in their softshoes and percussive hard shoes dance routines.

In fact, both the hard and soft shoes worn by the dancers are custom made in Ireland by the same company that outfits well-known dancers such as the Riverdance dance troupe.

Providing a truly authentic Irish dance experience, the jigs and reels performed by the Whirlijigs are the same ones performed in pubs throughout Ireland.

Keiki dancers from Volcano School of Arts and Sciences will also perform a traditional ceili (kay-lee) dance called the Waves of Tory.

During the performance, the Crater Rim Café located next to the Lava Lounge will offer a corn beef and cabbage buffet dinner for $17.50 per person.

Adults and teens interested in learning Irish step dance can join Sarah Nash and her dancers on Thursday nights from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at the YWCA on Ululani Street in Hilo.

Classes are ongoing, and drop-ins are welcome for $10/class (sessions are reduced in price). Contact Sarah Nash for additional information at 333-6713.

Keiki Irish dance classes are held in Volcano at the Volcano School of Arts and Science on Mondays.

The classes are grades K through 2, from 2:40 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. and grades 3 through 8 from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

For more information on the keiki classes call the Afterschool Enrichment Coordinator at 985–9800.