Clients of the Bethlehem YWCA’s Adult Day Services Center enjoyed a lively St Patrick’s Day party thanks to a guest performance by dancers from the O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance. The festivities occurred a day early to accommodate the Center’s schedule.

Fifteen performers -- one of them very experienced, another new to the art -- danced a tribute to the work of Michael Flatley, the Irish-American who choreographed ”Riverdance,” “Lord of the Dance,” and “Celtic Tiger,” among other popular works. (Several of these have been shown on PBS 39.) A solo turn by one of the youngest dancers, who has not yet begun to wear the distinctive shoes of an Irish dancer, was very well received. The athleticism of the more experienced members brought applause from the audience.

It is a busy time for Irish dancers. The dance group that appeared at the Adult Day Center was scheduled to make eight stops around the Valley over the course of the day. Approximately 90 dancers from the O’Grady Quinlan Academy are appearing at approximately 70 venues over the course of the St Patrick’s Day season.

The YWCA Adult Day Services Center is a licensed, therapeutic program that has served older adults for over 30 years. It provides engaging activities for its clients, with special emphasis on socialization. The program is open to adults with disabilities such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and dementia.