The StepCrew performed tonight at the Center for the Arts. The StepCrew is the new international dance production featuring some of the world's top talents in Irish Step, Ottawa Valley and Modern tap dancing as well as fiddling. Featuring a cast of seven outstanding dancers, The StepCrew seamlessly transitions through traditional classic steps, modern interpretations of Celtic dances and electrifying new compositions.
The company gave a pre-performance talk in the mainstage theatre, introducing what would be seen in the show and talking a little more about Ottawa Valley dance.
Three types of dance styles were performed in this one show, and the dancers told the audiences a bit of what to look for. Each style has a distinct shoe:
Irish step shoes have fiberglass taps, dancing in a more traditional irish step style, and produce a sharper clack. Modern tap shoes have metal taps on heel & toe, and the choreography reflects a more modern influence. Ottawa valley shoes 2-piece tap that makes a noise in the air when the dancer flicks a foot, and the choreographic style is influenced by a blend of Irish step, older Irish step traditions, and French Canadian culture that all converged in the valley formed by the Ottawa river, just south of Ottawa, Canada.
Each style has similar beats, but melodies unique to its origin.
The StepCrew features and was founded by Jon Pilatzke (Chieftains/Bowfire), Stephanie Cadman (Bowfire), Cara Butler (The Chieftains), Nathan Pilatzke (The Chieftains) and Dan Stacey (Seven Nations). The 12 member troupe also includes a female vocalist and a four-piece band featuring some of the leading musicians on the scene today, as well as choreographer/dancer Sarah Uddin and Joe Dwyer (Riverdance). In existence for about 3 years, though they tour mainly in the fall & spring.
Most members of the group hail from Canada, though at least one is from the US. The group mainly tours in the US, and they all have side projects and other engagements in addition to collaborating on The StepCrew.