St Patrick's Day may have been March 17, but for many Newtown residents the celebration continued into the weekend with a special performance by faculty and students from Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance on March 18.To learn more about Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance, visit ashurstirishdance.com or call 203-928-0689.

The award-winning group visited C.H. Booth Library and danced for a packed crowd inside the library's meeting room Saturday afternoon.

There was so much interest in the performance that not only did guests fill the rows of audience chairs, but there were people standing all the way into the hallway to catch a glimpse of the demonstration. Children sat in the aisles and on parent's laps to get a close-up view of the Irish dancing, all with awestruck wide eyes gazing at the dancers.

Husband and wife team Craig Ashurst and Christina Dolzall-Ashurst are certified instructors who co-direct the Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance.

Riverdance.

During the performance, Ms Dolzall-Ashurst told the group about their extensive background in the competitive world of performing Irish dance, including how the couple both met as cast members of

"Just about every title there is, he's won it," Ms Dolzall-Ashurst said fondly about her husband.

The duo both expressed their lifelong passion for Irish dancing, and how they hope this performance can inspire a new generation of dancers.

One of the first groups to perform was the younger class with Sophia Mahoney, Madden Curran, Raeanne Yeomans, Emma Cate Early, and sisters Abby and Lauren Onorato.

Ms Dolzall-Ashurst explained the dancers are currently learning the traditional style of Irish dancing that calls for their arms to be placed straight down against their sides. She added that this group breaks the misconception that Irish dancers do not smile.

"They are all talented and smiley, the full package," she said.

The older class of girls who performed were dancers Colleen Mallon, Britta Petersen, Deirdre Smith, Katie Sheehan, Caroline Pickett, Tess Brantl, and Regina Hayes.

"Their smile brightens up a room," said Ms Dolzall-Ashurst before their jig.

Award-winning dancers Sarah Mallon and Olivia Ruggiero performed together. They both recently medaled at the New England Championship and have qualified for the national championships - all while balancing schoolwork, fitness, and jobs.

Between student dance routines, Mr Ashurst and Ms Dolzall-Ashurst did partner dances that showed off both their levels of expertise. At one point, Mr Ashurst brought out a wooden board to dance atop of while the audience clapped a beat for him to move to.

Following the Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance demonstration, children in the audience were invited to learn basic instructions on Irish dance.