Fancy footwork, toe-tapping music and intricate costumes will accompany the Trinity Irish Dance Company as they jump, twirl and tap into Ames this Friday.

“I think this performance will be full of energy and explosive athleticism,” said Sara Barr, director of marketing for the Iowa State Center.

The Trinity Irish Dance Company will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stephens Auditorium.

“The authentic Irish costumes and toe-tapping music will be magnificent,” Barr added. “I have seen other Irish dance troupes, but I feel Trinity will be a fantastic show because of the rich traditions they maintain.”

The troupe was founded by Mark Howard in the mid-1980s. The Trinity Irish Dance Company is a precursor to Riverdance, according to the Trinity Irish Dance Company Web site, www.trinitydancers.com.

“The group takes traditional Irish dance and infuses it with ballet, tap, modern, and world dance, all while maintaining Irish dance’s traditions. You will see spectacular, thundering footwork from these talented young dancers,” Barr said.

Patricia Cotter, Performing Arts Programming manager for the Iowa State Center, is excited about the dance company coming to Ames.

“I think it will be a great show,” she said. “It’s the last show of the 2001-2002 season. We worked hard to get them booked for the season. When they finally get here you see that it is worth the hard work.”

Cotter said she enjoys comparing the pictures and videos she receives in press kits to the actual live performances.

“The pictures have detailed costumes. The dancers look beautiful in the pictures,” she said.

In addition to the evening performance, the troupe will participate in a preview presentation at 12:15 p.m. Friday in Room 196 in the Forker Building.

“When we book a company, we ask them if they’ll do an outreach event,” Cotter explained. “We try to do it whenever possible. It adds to the experience and people learn about what goes on behind the scenes. It’s interesting to learn how all that work comes together.”

During the presentation, the troupe will demonstrate dance steps and talk about its experience with the dance company.

“The preview presentation will sample the types of dances Trinity Irish Dance will perform at the evening show,” Barr said.

The dancers, which range in age from 18 to 25, will talk about Irish dance, their training at the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance in Chicago, and about the types of dances they perform, Barr said.

“The goal of this event is to give the community a closer look at the performance, the artists and the world,” Barr said.

The Trinity Irish Dance Company has performed in several venues over the years. They have appeared on television shows such as “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and at the World Championships, winning the gold in 1987.

Tickets for the evening performance will cost $10, $13 or $16 for ISU students and patrons 18 and under, and $19, $25, or $31 for others.