Irish Dance Draws Crowds at The Hooley

Join the crowd of Irish dance enthusiasts gathered around the Family Stage at the 7th annual The Hooley on Kamm’s Corners™, which will be held on Saturday, May 14, from noon to 8 p.m. on Lorain Avenue in Kamm’s Corners. “Hooley” is Irish slang for party or celebration, and this one will have guests tapping their toes to entertainment from two stages, one at each end of the avenue. Irish dance plays a major role in this annual festive day presented by Kamm’s Corners Development Corporation.

From junior jiggers to teen leapers, Irish dancers appear on the Family Stage at West 165th Street sponsored by Dollar Bank. Four schools of Irish dance will each showcase its distinctive style, some wearing colorful costumes and ringlet wigs. At noon The Burke School of Irish Dance opens with prize-winning dancers from the Irish step dancing tradition. Founder Theresa Burke was recently honored in the Irish Dance Hall of Fame, celebrating more than 50 years of success teaching Irish dance.

Then Brady Campbell Irish Dance School jumps on stage at 3:30 p.m. Under the tutelage of two veteran performers of Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance,” these student dancers (some as young as four years old) excel in a wide range of styles. Some have gone on to win numerous regional, national, and world medals.

“Our instruction includes the modern form of traditional Irish dance, jazzed up with a flamboyant burst of Riverdance,” said Patrick Campbell, who founded the school. He teaches with his wife, fellow Flatley alumna Rebecca Brady-Campbell.

At 4:30 p.m., the Leneghan Academy of Irish Dance fills the stage with high-energy performances by students who compete worldwide. Following an interlude of pipes and drums performed by the West Side Irish American Club Pipe Band, Cannon Irish Dance showcases the traditional dances of its Irish heritage. The graceful and energetic movement brings a thrill to the audience!

In addition to Irish dancing, the Family Stage features performances by Newton D. Baker School of the Arts, Our Lady of Angels School, Tower City Chorus, and many others. A magic show at 6 p.m. will be followed by a DJ spinning tunes till 8 p.m.

Admission is free! Please join us for a great day of music, food, and family friendly fun. Visit kammscorners.com for additional details.  A thank you to our generous sponsors.