Irish dancing is an interesting phenomenon. Like many of the more mainstream athletic dances, such as swing dancing and break dancing, it grew as a street dance, a folk dance of the working class. As it became more and more popular, it began to morph, relying on precision and technique to perform ever-increasingly difficult feats. Today, visions of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance spring to mind.

But Irish step dancing has a long and storied history. Once a form of popular entertainment, step dancing, along with most other forms of Irish cultural tradition, was banned by England during the 400-year period under the Penal Laws. Undocumented, the dancing evolved behind closed doors, eventually resurfacing when the Penal Laws were lifted in the late 19th century.

When the Irish began to immigrate to the United States, many were forced into the entertainment industry. On vaudeville stages, the influence of Irish dancers helped evolve tap dancing, while in Appalachia it helped create Ceili figure dancing. As Irish dancers began to move around the country during the Great Depression, it helped move the dance to every corner of the country.

When the traditional “feis,” or competitions, began again, the dance slowly returned to its competitive roots. The Irish Dance World Championships began in Dublin in 1969, Ireland. Among the few American dancers who attended in the ’70s was Mark Howard, Trinity’s Artistic Director.

Under his direction, Trinity Irish Dance Company has won an unprecedented number of World titles. Made up of dancers between the ages of 18 and 28, the company has performed throughout Europe and Asia, as well as all over the United States.

Howard was a regular guest on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” through much of the late ’80s and has been choreographer on numerous films. He helped make possible productions such as “Riverdance” and “Lord of the Dance.”

With Trinity Irish Dance Company, Howard continues to push the boundaries of Irish step dancing in spectacular ways. In recent years, they have incorporated a variety of contemporary choreography to create an interesting mode of storytelling through dance.

Trinity Irish Dance Company brings their blend of rigorous, precise dancing and uniquely expressive bodywork and stage show to the Overture Center this Friday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $19-$29.