Dancers promote awareness of Irish heritage through performances

  • Published
  • By Renée Nelson
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Shamrocks, leprechauns, and emerald green decorations reach across the world in March. For the 18th year, presidential proclamation marks this month as Irish-American Heritage Month, celebrating the contributions of Americans who trace their ancestry back to Ireland's shores. 

Continuing one of the traditions of Ireland, the Northern Lights Celtic Dancers is an organization whose mission is to promote Irish dancing and culture. Beth Foss, an executive board member of the group, works with founders Pat Hall, a certified Irish Dance Commission certified adjudicator, and Miriam Dean, dance director and Irish Dance Commission certified figure teacher. 

"We have a wonderful group of dancers, who range in age from 5 to 18 years old," said Mrs. Foss.  "They really help one another and seem to get along well. The older girls will look after the younger ones and help them with the steps. They also help the younger ones putting on their 'hair,' headbands, shoes and whatever it takes to put on a show." 

Téa Lafferty, 9, joined the dancers after her father, Marine Master Sgt. Jeffrey Lafferty, was assigned to Elmendorf AFB as part of the Company D Antiterrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Division. 

"It's all about the shoes," said Lena Lafferty, Téa's mother, referring to "ghillies," distinctive soft shoes worn by the dancers. "She saw the commercial - all you see are their legs moving - and she fell in love." 

Téa explained that what she likes most about Irish dancing is the people she dances with and the challenge that comes from the dancers often having different parts to perform at the same time. 

"You have to try to learn something really quickly," she said, "and you can't tell from the other dancers whether you're doing it right." 

Sisters Kenzie Abbott, 11, and Mikaela Becker, 8, joined the Northern Lights Celtic Dancers in September after attending a two-week summer workshop. Although the girls have experience in ballet, jazz and tap dancing, Kenzie said she prefers Irish dance. 

"I like it because it's different," said Kenzie. "I've told all my friends about it, but you don't usually see Irish dancing." 

Her sister Mikaela agreed and added her reasons for her fondness of Irish dance. 

"It's fun and the teachers are nice. I wanted to get stronger, and it's a really good workout," she said. "Ballet (seemed like it) was more for girls, but Irish dancing is for anyone who wants to dance and move around and have fun." 

Their mother, Jill Becker, said their family arrived here about a year ago. She and her husband, Tech. Sgt. Bradley Becker, NCO in charge of the outpatient pharmacy for the 3rd Medical Group, have taken the girls to several Scottish Highland games. These festivals featured Irish and Scottish-style dancing, representing the family's heritage. She estimated that the girls now practice at least 15 hours a week. 

"They dance during the weekly practice and any chance they have at home," Mrs. Becker. "We'll be in the store, and you'll be able to spot us because they'll be doing a jig." 

The Northern Lights Celtic Dancers performed at the 20th Annual Event of the Irish Club of Alaska, An Evening in Ireland, Saturday at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel. Their next performance is for the St. Patrick's Day Dance Celebration, Sunday at 4 p.m., at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage. 

Also featured at the Irish Club event was The Irish Dance Academy of Alaska. Margaret Wallace, a student of the academy, will provide a demonstration Monday, 4:30 p.m. at the Fort Richardson Library, Building 7 on Chilkoot Avenue. Margaret, daughter of Christa Wallace, Fort Richardson Learning Resource Center lead librarian, will perform in honor of St. Patrick's Day for the third straight year. 

About 34.5 million U.S. residents claim Irish ancestry, 10.8 percent of the total population, a percentage mirrored in Alaska's population. Still people of all backgrounds are invited to learn Irish dancing or attend performances, calling to mind the familiar phrase: "Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day."