Magic of the Dance: A Spectacular Performance
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - The roots of Irish dancing go back centuries - from the music and dancing in the thatched cottages, to dancing at the crossroads and around the bonfires in Ireland. Most people today have become aware of contemporary Irish dancing after a seven minute performance of Riverdance which was performed at the Grand Prix d'Eurovision in Dublin in 1994.
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| JOHN CAREY and Colette Dunne, the male and female lead dancers with Magic of the Dance at the River Rock Theatre. |
Akin to a cultural revolution, this one broadcast saw demand for a phenomenon never seen before rise through the roof. Superstar Irish dancer, Michael Flatley, the son of Irish immigrants who settled in Chicago, will forever be known and associated with this new flamboyant and broadway style of Irish dancing. He brought Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and recently Celtic Tiger to the world stage.
Magic of the Dance, a U.K. based production and fascinating Irish dance show, was recently presented at the brand new River Rock Theatre in Richmond. This spectacular show combined all the beauty and excellence of dancing that we have come to expect of Irish dance productions, except, this one was complete with flaming dance shoes. One caution however, as the reality shows always tell you, don’t try this unless you’re an expert.
The dance show tells a very entertaining story of a young man and woman who fall in love at the last barn dance in Ireland. They are separated during the turmoil of departure and arrive in different parts of America.
Their search for each other takes them to many exciting places, full of dance adventures. Finally, they manage to rid themselves of the evil spirits, a metaphor for their past suffering and hardship.
Magic of the Dance combines the story of Irish famine, emigration and the hope for a new Ireland. An excellent production with music, Irish symbols as backdrops and landscape scenes, along with the lighting and dancing telling the story.
The River Rock Theatre is a wonderful new facility for the Vancouver entertainment scene where some world class entertainers are being presented. The theatre opened its doors on September 10 with a dazzling David Foster special gala event. The theatre is the only one of its kind in the world and was designed by the Cirque de Soleil designers.
The 922-seat state-of-the-art show theatre and convention centre has a gala seating system, which means that the configuration of the theatre can be changed in eight minutes, from concert style to flat floor or cabaret to suit the event.
Commenting on the theatre, Howard Blank, Vice-President of Media and Entertainment for the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation said, “since the opening date of the River Rock Theatre, almost every show has been sold out. We have booked a variety of shows to appeal to everyone’s taste in entertainment.”
The River Rock is a five-star casino resort destination, complete with hotel, casino, theatre, nine dining options, spa and wellness centre, health club and fitness centre, swimming pool, water slide and a 144-berth marina.
The resort is situated on the banks of the Fraser River in Richmond, and is a five-minute drive from Vancouver International Airport and a 20-minute drive from Vancouver and the U.S. border.
Celtic music fans will be excited to hear that the Irish Rovers will be performing their rousing Celtic songs at the River Rock Theatre from December 17-18. For more information about upcoming entertainment at the River Rock Theatre visit: www.riverrock.com, or www.ticketmaster.com.
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