Chinese strains in river of Irish music
Riverdance will wrap up its 2010 China tour with seven shows in the capital next month. The week-long performances coincide with China's Spring Festival holiday and also celebrate the 15th anniversary of the acclaimed production that premiered at the Point Theater in Dublin in February 1995. For the first time, the Irish dance show will include two pieces of Chinese music.
On April 30, 1994, Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, two Irish dance champions, performed a 7-minute tap dance at the Eurovision Song Contest, a TV talent show similar to American Idol. Their performance brought to the stage an energy and sensuality never before seen in Irish dance.
A year later, on Feb 9, the full-length Riverdance went on stage at the Point Theater, Dublin, for a sell-out 5-week run. Ever since, the show featuring traditional Irish tap dancing, folk music, ancient Celtic mythology and Irish history has been staged across theaters and arenas all over the world.
