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Sat 03 Mar 2007Irish dancing without the jigsJerry Pearson's work 23 years ago made a lasting impression on Irish dance, writes Michael SeaverAfter last weekend's avalanche of tourists you'd probably be cynical hearing yet another American boast a "special connection to Ireland", but Minnesotan Jerry Pearson has good reason for the claim and it's not just the fact that he was born on St Patrick's Day or married his Irish wife on Bloomsday. Twenty-three years ago, as a young choreographer, he came to Dublin and made Lunar Parables, arguably the quintessential Irish contemporary dance. This week he has returned to Ireland with his Santa Barbara Dance Company, unaware of the work's lasting influence on Irish dance practices.