PLAINS – According to Neuman Ryan, the art of dance has been lost in America and he is hard at work trying to bring it back.

Ryan has been working with a group of Plains’ kids, helping them perfect the Gothic Reel, an Irish jig that they will be performing on Plains Day.

The group of about 25 kids have been working tirelessly since February, nailing down the specifics of the dance.

Ryan said the kids picked up the dance rather quickly and is looking forward to their performance on June 1st.

“Hopefully we have a good turn out (on Plains Day). People will be talking about it for a while,” said Ryan referring to the dance.

Ryan has been involved in dance since the age of six when he was drug into an Irish festival in Leavenworth, WA. After excelling in the dance he stuck with it becoming a master of the craft.

“It’s a passion, it’s a love and it’s always fun working with the kids,” said Ryan.

His efforts will be bringing a little bit of Irish culture into Plains.

“It’s really sad to see that across the board and all over the nation, they are cutting theaters right and left. There are no longer theater programs in the school. It’s sad,” said Ryan, doing his part to keep theater vibrant in the lives and hearts of many.

The kids will be performing in the EL Johnson Memorial Pool Park around 6:30 p.m. A potluck will kick off the event at 5 p.m. and will be followed by the dance performance.