If you skipped desert and took in the Grand Rapids Symphony last night, your after-dinner selection was still a sweet one.

The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, in town for a weekend series of concerts, sang and danced to the audience’s heart’s content.

With solid accompaniment from the orchestra, the threesome took center stage for a full post-intermission hour of top-notch performing, and the almost full house seemed to love it.

You want non-stop songs from the 1920s, ‘30’s and ‘40’s, sparkling tap dancing and musical action packaged with guitar and string bass playing?  The Rhythm Kings had it covered.

Rightfully heavy on the masters George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, the polished Rhythm Kings’ set flowed with energy and enthusiasm.  Featuring 11 programmed songs before the flashy encore complete with parade hats and a tuba, the well-oiled Rhythm Kings have a special stage presence personality.

Hal Shane (“Mr. Cool” to his band mates) and University of Michigan graduate Marc Kessler teamed up for several tap dancing duo passages.  The two were impressive in “Shanghi Lil” toward the end of the evening as their unison steps crossed the stage with precision.  Close harmony on “Nevertheless” was smooth and soothing, while principal pops conductor Richard Hayman played harmonica for a graceful interlude and poised finish.

The novel “I’m My Own Grandpa” featured funny lyrics about mixed-up relatives.  Sung by string bass player Brian Nalepka, the number got the audience and orchestra members laughing out loud.

“The Afterbeat” had the Rhythm Kings sporting sunglasses and working under bold, orange lighting.  A heavy beat pervaded the piece, with Nalepka on the clever lyrics and Kessler and Shane pleasing the crowd with their dance steps, showing their zesty red socks along the way.

The group introduced the medley from “Crazy for You” as the smash hit musical’s “Cliff’s Notes.”  The longish piece had loads of variety, with spoons and pots and pans for rhythm, excellent dancing, string bass slapping, and the catchy finale “I Got Rhythm.”  The orchestra made “Embraceable You” sound swoony.  And “I’m Bidin’ My Time,” with the three singers’ country bumpkin twang, was a good pace-changer.

The Grand Rapids Symphony opened the evening with a New York City and Irish-themed repertoire.  Besides the hugely gaudy turquoise blazer and checkered pants Hayman showed off and looked good in, several of the pieces themselves were memorable.  “Harlem Nocturne” followed some cute joke by showman extraordinaire Hayman.  It was swinging and moody.  Four mellow trumpets and three trombones brashly took up the melody after Hayman’s turn on harmonica, and the piece had pleasant texture.

“Danny boy” was straightforward but had a delicate ending.  Featuring concertmaster James Crawford, the piece seemed to complete the full-bodied program.

The first half wound up on a prominent note with “Lord of the Dance,” or as the conductor called it, a salute to Michael Flatley.  Embedded with folk sounds and hard-charging violins, intensity rose gradually as if emerging from mist.  The number finished in spectacular and surprising fashion: two sets of six adorable Irish dancers from the Donahue School of Irish Dance danced out in Irish costumes.

Chalk up this lighthearted concert as another successful outing by the city’s orchestra and talented guests.