Irish-Newfoundland Step Dancing and Cultural Identity in Newfoundland‪.‬

Le step dancing a Terre-Neuve et au Labrador a subi un important changement contextuel afin de conserver sa pertinence en tant qu'objet culturel et genre performatif ; et le contexte dans lequel il se developpe, ainsi que sa fonction, continuent d'evoluer a l'heure actuelle tout en collant a l'identite collective de Terre-Neuve. Au travers de l'etude des danseurs de St Pat, un groupe de jeunes ' step danseurs ' de St John's, cet article aborde des questions philosophiques plus larges concernant l'authenticite, le patrimoine et le renouveau dans la danse vernaculaire. L'exemple des danseurs de St Pat associe les notions de mise en valeur et de conservation du patrimoine a la marchandisation de la culture au travers du sentiment identitaire irlandais qui prevaut a Terre-Neuve. Step dancing in Newfoundland and Labrador has endured a significant contextual shift in order to remain relevant as both cultural piece and performance genre and it continues to evolve in context and function today, while adhering to Newfoundland's collective identity. Through its examination of the St. Pat's Dancers, a St. John's-based children's step dancing group, this article addresses the larger philosophical questions of authenticity, heritage and revival in vernacular dance. As a case study in Newfoundland vernacular dance, the St. Pat's Dancers links together notions of heritage promotion and preservation, and the commodification of culture through the lens of Irishness that is prevalent in Newfoundland culture.