Kids in step with Irish heritage at Petaluma park

Sienna Lynch was born in Ireland but it wasn’t until her family moved to Windsor five years ago that she danced her first Irish jig.

The 9-year-old lass, originally from Ennis in County Clare, has proven to be something of a natural.

She showed off her skills Sunday alongside two dozen classmates from Santa Rosa-based Keenan Irish Dance School in a performance at Petaluma’s Lucchesi Park Community Center.

Her father beamed as she twirled across the stage in a bright red dress, her hair in tight curls.

“We’re very proud of our Irish heritage,” Mark Lynch said in a thick brogue. “It’s important to keep in touch with your culture.”

About 150 people turned out for the performance in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day.

They dined on corned-beef ?sliders, sipped a frothy green punch and munched on green ?guacamole and chips as girls ages 7-17 and one boy crisscrossed ?the stage in choreographed numbers.

“It’s a wonderful act,” said Albert Leoni, who came with a group from Sunrise Assisted Living Center. “This is the first time I’ve seen something like this live.”

Fidelma Keenan-Glaser, the school’s founder and dance ?teacher for 30 years, said she ?was glad to perform for locals ?after traveling abroad in dance competitions. She said proceeds from the event would support her school.

“It’s honoring St. Paddy’s Day,” she said. “And this is a way to show our talent.”

Before the performance, the dancers gathered backstage, putting final touches on their costumes, which included traditional, handmade dresses and bouncy wigs.

“I’m feeling a little nervous,” said Catalina Coleman, 9, of Healdsburg as her teacher gave out final instructions.

She said that she likes Irish dance because “you feel like you know cool things other people can’t do.”

Madeline Gamlen, 15, of Petaluma said she did it because she likes to travel. She recently participated in a contest in London and performed at a Sonoma County church on Saturday.

“We’re like one big family,” she said.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com.