News 3. 6. 2009

Tapeire

One of TAPEIRE’s first stand-out numbers involved kitchen pots and pans, and Devine, who battled drummer Jennings in a percussive showdown. Jennings successfully turned kitchenware into a makeshift drum kit in a matter of seconds, coordinating each piece according to size and density. As Jennings battered out rhythms, Devine mimicked each beat meticulously. Later in the show, Devine revealed his fascination with his mother’s old typewriter and the sharp clicking sounds that his mum melodically produced while typing. Again, Jennings turned a simple rickety typewriter into a music machine. Devine tapped and Jennings typed simultaneously, reminding every tap and step dancer in the audience of the natural cadences that move our feet and spawn innovative dance moves and combinations.
The show was organized by scenes that explained an element of Irish dance and history. “Sean-nos” (or “old-style”), “ceili,” and “feis” were described by a narrator whose voice accompanied mini-documentaries comprising bits of old video footage and photo montages depicting Irish cultural events and images of the homeland. Scene two explored the role of the “Dancing Master,” who traveled regionally teaching students the basics in Irish step dance. As the introductory video explained, the best dance masters preached the “economy of space,” and that a truly talented step dancer should be able to perform any step on top of a dinner plate. Following this video, Devine entered the stage holding a small box, both the width and height approximately the size of a large serving plate. Without hesitation, Devine dazzled the audience with intricate and daring trebles and taps—all while balancing on the box.
Crowd involvement was key for TAPEIRE. Devine instructed the audience to synchronize their hand-clapping. Once the beat was to his liking, Devine introduced his fancy tapping. The audience roared with laughter upon realizing that the clapping and tapping combination had culminated in an accepella version of Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust.
Devine’s dancing has earned him World, US, British, Munster and All-Ireland championship titles, and he’s starred in popular Irish dance shows Lord of the Dance and GaelForce. His musical team is no less impressive. MacIsaac has released a number of albums since the 1990s, has toured internationally on many occasion, and appeared on a slew of popular television shows such as Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Live with Regis and Kelly Ripa Percussionist Paul Jennings toured with Scottish band Old Blind Dogs, and continues producing alongside Celtic music’s most widely recognized musicians. Phamie Gow not only excels as a harpist; this multi-talented musician plays piano and accordion. She’s entertained such audiences as the British royal family and the Dalai Lama.

For more information visit www.tapeire.com.

By Sarah Velasquez from Hornpipe Magazine

Václav Bernard