It was four years ago that Shannon Campion had her first taste of Irish dancing. Just 4 years old at the time, the little girl was fascinated by the fancy footwork and the beautiful costumes worn by the dancers who performed at Racine's Irish Night for Literacy back then, according to her mother, Sharon Erwin.

"I would go every year and stand by the stage, staring at their feet, trying to figure out what they were doing," said Shannon, who will turn 9 on Sunday. "And then I'd make up my own dances."

Shannon's experiences at Racine's annual Celtic night inspired her to take her interest in Irish dance to the next level, studying with the Glencastle Irish Dancers for more than two years. On Saturday, instead of standing at the foot of the stage, she will be on stage, performing at the 14th annual Celtic Night for Literacy with the West Allis-based Glencastle troupe.

It is an evening Shannon has been looking forward to for some time.

"I am really excited to be able to perform there," she said. "Lots of people I know will be there."

While she has danced for hundreds of people at events such as Milwaukee's Irish Fest, Racine's Celtic Night for Literacy (formerly known as Irish Night for Literacy) is the source of many special memories for Shannon, who admits to being "obsessed with anything Irish." And she is happy that she and the rest of the Glencastle Irish Dancers are able to perform at the event where she first learned the joys of Irish dancing.

Beyond the dance

The Glencastle dancers are but one part of the fun scheduled for Saturday's Celtic Night for Literacy, which serves as a benefit for the Racine Literacy Council Adult Tutoring Program. Plenty of music, food, drink and more dancing - all of it with a Celtic theme - will also be on tap. And folks of all ages are invited to join the celebration.

The night's headliner will be the Atlantic Wave, a Milwaukee-based musical group that specializes in a range of Celtic music (from high-energy jigs to classical pieces), with touches of other World music influences thrown in.

"We wanted a group that would represent, in the best way, music of all Celtic nations," said Kay Gregor, executive director of the Racine Literacy Council. "Atlantic Wave plays a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary Celtic music. They are all great musicians."

Such a broad range of music fits well with the new name given to this annual fundraiser late last year, Gregor said. The switch from Irish Night to Celtic Night is simply an effort to expand and broaden the event - from its entertainment to its food, she explained.

"You can be certain that the thing that has made this such a wonderful community event - Irish culture - will continue to be an important part of the concert."

The evening's expanded vision will also be celebrated in a parade of flags from the world's Celtic countries, which will open the show. The parade, which will be led by the Celtic Nations Pipes and Drums, will be followed by a Celtic Nations stage show, which will also feature a group of Scottish Highland dancers.

Meanwhile, in the Pugh Welsh Kitchen, cooks will be serving a variety of Celtic foods from Shepherd's Pie (donated by Shillings Irish Pub) to Reuben Wraps and Guinness Irish Stew. And, for the beer lovers out there, the Belle City Brewers and Vintners Club will be offering a special beer tasting opportunity throughout the evening.

For a fee of $7, you can sample a number of home-brewed stouts, meads and other Celtic beers, as well as homemade sodas, according to Mark Flynn of the Belle City Brewers. Tasting glasses will hold seven ounces, Flynn said, and once you pay your $7 you can drink until the beer runs out. Profits from the beer tasting will go to the Racine Literacy Council, he said.

Clubbing

Celtic-style

Those wanting to make an even bigger donation to the Literacy Council might want to consider taking part in the Celtic Club, a special pre-concert reception that includes food, beverages, live entertainment (in addition to the main stage show) and preferential concert seating. Those attending the Celtic Club reception (which begins at 5:30) will also have free access to the Belle City Brewers and Vintners beer tasting. Tickets for the Celtic Club are $75 each, $50 of which is tax deductible. They can be reserved by calling (262) 632-9495.

No matter what price you pay to attend the Celtic Night for Literacy, the money you spend will support the Racine Literacy Council, a volunteer-based organization whose mission is to provide adult literacy programs in Racine County and to educate the community about the importance and impact of literacy. The annual Celtic variety night is the organization's biggest fund-raising effort of each year, bringing in between $17.000 and $20,000 annually,

Gregor said.

And, if you are interested in helping promote literacy in Racine throughout the year, you might want to look into becoming a tutor for the Literacy Council.

"There is always a need for tutors to help adults who want to learn English," Gregor said.

Training for tutors is provided by the Literacy Council and the next training session will take place sometime in April, she said. Check the council's web site, http:www.racineliteracy.com for announcements of exact dates.

If You Go

WHAT: Celtic Night for Literacy

WHEN: Saturday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 6:45 p.m.

WHERE: Memorial Hall, 72 Seventh St.

COST: Advance purchase tickets for auditorium seating are $18 ($15 seniors; $10 children ages 6-12). Table seating is $20 per person or $150 for a table of eight. All tickets will cost $3 more at the door. No charge for children ages 5 and under. Tickets can be purchased at all three Educators Credit Union locations, as well as at the Racine Literacy Council office, 734 Lake Ave. RLC office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 to noon on Fridays.

INFO: Go to http://www.racineliteracy.com or call (262) 632-9495.

Raffle offers trip to Nova Scotia

Celtic Night for Literacy is also offering a raffle, the grand prize of which includes two tickets to the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, plus $1,000 cash for travel expenses to the July event in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The International Tattoo is a premiere cultural and entertainment spectacular featuring more than 2,000 first-class Canadian and international, military and civilian performers, including pipes and drums, massed bands, historic re-enactments, dancers, acrobats, comedians, choirs, military displays and competitions.

Second prize is a weekend stay at the County Clare bed and breakfast in Milwaukee; third prize is six tickets to the April 8 Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics game at the Bradley Center; and fourth prize is a Celtic gift basket valued at $300.

Raffle tickets, which are available now at the Racine Literacy Council office, as well as at Saturday's event - cost $5 each or $10 for three. The grand prize winner will be announced immediately following intermission at Saturday's concert. Proceeds from the raffle will support the Racine Literacy Council Adult Literacy programs.