Bringing three unique dance forms — Irish Stepdancing, Ottawa Valley Stepdancing and Modern Tap — along with live Celtic music together will put the crowd into the action.
The StepCrew will give the Kuss Auditorium stage a workout when it dances into the Clark State Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. next Friday, April 7.
The show is presented by the Springfield Arts Council.
Celebrating 10 years, The StepCrew set out to do something unique that set them apart. They decided to celebrate three dance forms, which nobody else was doing at once.
It allows a combination of traditional, familiar and fresh. Tap has been around for years, many were exposed to Irish Stepdancing in the 1990s and Pilatzke and his brother, Nathan, were eager to share Ottawa Stepdancing to those unfamiliar with it.
Raised on Ottawa Stepdancing, he describes it as being more horizontal with bent knees and arms more casual, very strong, aerobic and exuberant. Irish is more vertical with straight arms.
“People go crazy for it,” Pilatzke said of Ottawa Stepdancing. “Some assume this is a wild version of ‘Riverdance,’ which is why we do each form right in the beginning.”
The audience will experience all three forms right in the opening number then get doses of each along with the music and a fusion of the three.
When not dancing, Pilatzke also plays the fiddle. The group features two fiddlers, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, keyboardist and vocalist, all with strong pedigrees including performing with the acclaimed Irish band The Chieftains.
“We had a chance to call upon the best people and our musicians are top notch,” he said. “Many comment on the talent of the entire cast.”
While some people associate Canada with ice hockey, maple syrup, cold weather and people who say “eh” in every sentence, Pilatzke wants to erase such stereotypes.
“Some of the best fiddlers and dancers come from Canada,” he said. “We love the people in Ohio and look forward to bringing our energy to Springfield.”
Contact this contributing writer at bturner004@woh.rr.com.
How to go
What: The StepCrew
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: 8 p.m. next Friday, April 7
Admission: $52, $47, $42, $32
More info: 937-328-3874 or www.springfieldartscouncil.org
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