On Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m., Velocity Irish Dance will travel from Ireland to perform at Popejoy Hall for the first time, according to a Popejoy press release.
“Velocity Irish Dance is renowned for its innovative fusion of tap dance and multimedia design, incorporating projections, spoken word, and immersive soundscapes to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience,” the press release reads.
Velocity is led and choreographed by James Devine, Guinness World Record holder for “The Fastest Feet in the World,” and David Geaney, five-time world champion Irish dancer, according to Velocity’s website.
Geaney said the dance group has not traveled on tour in about two years.
“We're just delighted to get back out on the road and start the tour into Popejoy,” Geaney told the Daily Lobo.
Velocity is different from other Irish dance groups, Geany said, in that every dancer gets to showcase what they do best rather than all dancers performing to be in sync with each other, he said.
“It starts back in the old era of Ireland when there were no instruments, and people had to make instruments and have fun with household instruments such as pots and pans,” he said. “Sometimes, when you go to an Irish music and dance show, it's all about the spectacular with the lights and the shiny outfits and the performance on stage. For us, I suppose — it was once described as an intimate history lesson.”
Geaney said Irish dancing is his identity.
“It's everything about me,” he said. “It's a way for me to express myself. When I get out on stage and I get to perform, that's where you get to see the true personality in me.”
Geaney has never been to New Mexico, but said he is excited to visit with open arms.
“I don't know what to expect. Tickets seem to be going very well at Popejoy, and I hope to get to meet the local people,” he said. “Sometimes you go to these places and you can do all the touristy stuff you want, but until you meet the people, you don't actually see the real place.”
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
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Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
