Green beer, hot tempers and red hair are typical Irish stereotypes, but Friday and Saturday a committee of men and women have put forth every effort to eliminate any myths and provide an entertaining showcase of Irish-American culture.

While celebrating the Southern Illinois Festival of Irish Music and Dance at McLeod Theater, students and residents can gain knowledge and new abilities in expressing themselves through Irish music, words and dance.

The cultural extravaganza will include several workshops and concerts Friday and Saturday in McLeod Theater. Connie Shanahan, a member of the coordinating committee, said she loves Irish music and would like to educate people in the Midwest on the phenomenal experiences that Irish music and dance reflect.

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A goal is to acquaint more people with the vibrancy and excitement of Irish music and dance, Shanahan said. I want people to leave feeling as if they want more and to be very excited.

Two performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. Featured artists include Brendan Mulvihill, a master fiddler, accordion great Billy McComiskey, accompanist and arranger of Irish music Zan McLeod, Irish vocalist Connie Dover, bouzouki and cittern player Roger Landes, 1993 Senior Men’s World Champion of Irish Dancing John Timm and his Irish dance troupe The Celtic Foot Force, and Southern Illinois Irish group The Dorians. Each featured artist will perform both evenings, but each set will be different.

John Timm, a world champion Irish dancer, is being showcased in the performance with his newly formed troupe, Celtic Foot Force. Timm said his love for Irish dance stems from his early exposure and personal backgrounds.

I started dancing when I was about three and a half. I stuck with it and have been dancing ever since, he said. My mother got my sister and I involved because she was looking for a way to express our Irish heritage.

Timm will instruct two workshops specializing in Irish dance from 9 to 4 p.m. Saturday in Pulliam Hall. He said anyone can learn to manipulate their talents and everyone is welcome.

Anyone can try it. I can’t guarantee everyone will be good at, Timm said, but at least anyone can try it.

The first workshop Timm will conduct is designed to teach its audience basic and routine dance steps and combinations. During the second workshop, Timm will incorporate the previously learned dance movements with a musical combination.

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The festival’s committee has high expectations for the event. The success of last year’s production brought forward a new found interest in the Irish culture. Plans are being made to continue the festival in the future and uphold it as an annual event.

The reason we are having a second one is because the responses to last year’s event were so overwhelming and everyone kept asking if there was to be another one, Shanahan said. That is why we decided to put together a committee and collaborate.

We already have it scheduled for next year and we are planning on an even bigger and better festival.

Timm said that to explain the meaning and diversity of the Irish dance is a difficult task because of the unique scheme it instills, but he admits once one has heard and seen the showcase they will be pleased with the results.

It is a see-for-yourself and hear-for-yourself type of thing. It is somewhat similar to tap dancing and clogging, he said. It is far less freestyle though than either of these forms of dance. It is more rhythmic dance.

Entertaining and excitement is the only way to explain it.

Factoid:Ticket prices are $15 for the general public and $12 for students.

Music and dance workshops are scheduled Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Pulliam Hall. Admission is $20 per workshop. Two free workshop discussions are also scheduled for the evening.

For information, call 453-3478.