Harney Stands Out in ‘World’ Program

In a six-part “Rhythms of the World” program ranging from Appalachia to Spain on Saturday at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, one artist in particular brought world-class status to the final Dance Kaleidoscope program.

Liam Harney easily, joyfully showed why he was twice declared a world champion Irish step dancer, bounding in effortless flight, tapping out speedy and intricate rhythms, accenting beats with clicks of his heels in the air as well as on the floor.

Best of all, Harney embodied the generosity of spirit that rightfully, inevitably beguiles an audience. No star-powered egomania here. He was backed by his youthful San Diego-based company.

As a group choreographer, unfortunately, Harney shares the current trend of theatricalizing this spirited art form. Here, he introduced some black-dressed modern dance figures to represent mythic or historical forces or who knows what. The meaning never became clear.

Spirits lifted immediately when the focus returned to pure step dancing.

Flamenco artist Laila del Monte offered some star power of her own, in an intense and moody fusion tango sequence, although the outdoor venue dissipated some of the drama. She was accompanied by her guitarist husband and composer, Adam del Monte, as well as vocalist Marisol Fuentes, violinist Yale Strom and percussionist Patrick Halago.

Generosity was also the characteristic of the dancing by Ramaa Bharadvaj and the Angahara Ensemble in an episode from an Indian myth illustrating the indomitable power and righteousness of Lord Krishna as he protects his worshipers from the fury of the god Indra.

Returning to the human dimension, eight women of Anthony Shay’s AVAZ International Dance Theatre wove and twisted their arms and hands in graceful, mesmerizing patterns in a suite of Iranian dances.

Ballet Folklorico del Pacifico offered the colorful historical pageant “Tamoanchan.” The Country Knight Cloggers showed that dance belongs to the people as well as to the virtuosos.