Irish Dance Celebrating the Roots, Rhythms, and Rituals of the San Francisco Irish

The United Irish Cultural Center’s Keepers of the Steps program is delighted to announce an inaugural collaboration with San Francisco Historical Society just in time for Irish American Heritage Month in March as they present Irish Dance—Celebrating the Roots, Rhythms, and Rituals of the San Francisco Irish. This special exhibit explores how Irish dancing has fostered community and celebrated culture since the city’s inception.

During the bustling days of the Gold Rush, dance halls and entertainment enlivened the community and allowed Irish immigrants to hold on to and share their heritage. The San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade hails from this era and is the oldest St. Patrick’s Day west of the Mississippi. Cultural preservation was further enhanced and fostered by the Gaelic League was formed near the turn of the 20th century and incorporated Irish dance activities and competitions into prominent cultural events. Dance schools began to grow in…