Riverdance: Celebrating 20 years of remarkable rhythmic dance
From stage to television screen, Riverdance is a cultural icon. The 20th anniversary Riverdance tour is as remarkable today as it was in the beginning.
The rhythmic sound echoes throughout the concert hall. What starts as one sound builds into a roaring cacophony. Even without looking at the stage, the sound can be quite memorizing. The unity of the rhythmic dancing is a song itself. Riverdance‘s 20th anniversary tour has begun.
What started as a celebration of a particular dance style grew into a worldwide phenomena. The power, grace and precision continue to impress audiences.
Currently playing at Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, this dance performance was well received. With the City Beautiful playing host to so many athletes during the NFL Pro Bowl Week, these talented performers showcased both athletic prowess and artistic aptitude. If anyone doesn’t consider a dancer an athlete, that person needs to see this show.
People often associate this show with Irish dancing. The specialized Irish dance features quick feet movements, powerful stopping and high stepping. Watching the dancers move both quickly and in unison is extremely impressive.
While the original Lord of the Dance is no longer with the troupe, the dancers in the 20th anniversary tour are quite skilled. The lead male dancer effortlessly balances the power of the Irish step with a lightless across the stage. From the height he gets on jumps to the impeccable posture while dancing, the audience is enraptured.
Although everyone associates Irish dance with this performance, the show isn’t two hours of Irish dance. Woven into the performance are other dance styles. The most audience engaging performance was the dueling tap number.
Riverdance, 20th anniversary tour, photo provided by Dr. Phillips Center
The dueling tap number was exciting to watch. In contrast to the regimented Irish dance, the tap dancing shows the creative element of tap. Although it’s not an impromptu dance off, the dancers play off each other. At the opening night performance in Orlando, one of the dancers even danced a tap shoe completely off (picking up the piece of metal mid-performance).
The different dance number gave the audience a chance to become more invested in the performance. From clapping to cheering, this number brought the audience into the performance. While the Irish dance is impressive, the tap number is more audience inclusive.
The other dance genres, Russian and flamenco, receive big reactions from the audience. These pieces showcase the common threads among dance styles. While Irish dancing may be highly rhythmic, so is flamenco, in its own way. Flamenco has expressive hand movements and smaller feet movements in contrast to Irish dance’s rigid upper body and flamboyant feet.
Lastly, the song musical interludes have an ethereal quality. The company’s soprano sets a tone with her voice. The audience almost becomes entranced and beckoned into a different world. With strategic lighting and projections, the music works to create that illusion.
Riverdance, 20th anniversary tour, photo provided by Dr. Phillips Center
This anniversary show is an enjoyable performance. With many unexpected dramatic moments, people need to see beyond just the Irish dance aspect. The exploration of dance and rhythm is intriguing. Even the non-dance fans can find this performance quite entertaining.
Riverdance, the 20th anniversary tour, is performing throughout the nation. After its stop in Orlando at Dr. Phillips Center, the tour stops in North Carolina and Virginia. The website offers a complete list of tour dates.
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Even if you’ve seen it before, take the opportunity to be captivated again. Riverdance is still, and will continue to be, remarkable rhythmic dance.