Riverdance- The Irish Dancing Phenomenon

    After having won the Eurovision Competition in 1993, it was Ireland's time to organize the next years contest. Producer Moya Doherty was given the hard task of producing the show and of preparing an act for the 20-minute interval while the national juries voted. Doherty came up with an idea of putting together Irish traditional dancers with the choir Anuna to make a traditional Irish dance number. This number, called Riverdance, was composed by Bill Whelan and  was so successful that it was decided to expand into a full stage show. Riverdance changed from being only a brief interval entertainment for being a world wide known dancing phenomenon.

                                            The Eurovision Competition 1994, Riverdance

What is Riverdance?

    "Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdance known for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. Riverdance is, in summary form, the story of the Irish culture and of the Irish immigration to America."

Why is the show called Riverdance?

    The show is called Riverdance because it is based on the life of a river. Beginning quietly with the cloudsong it grows flowing as a stream represented by the soft shoe dance of the Riverwoman, meeting and awakening the land represented  by the hard shoe solo of Earthrise and finally growing and growing until throwing it self into the sea.

Riverdance song and dance numbers

Riverdance: The Show (1995)	Riverdance: Live From New York (1996)	Riverdance: Live From Geneva (2002)
Reel Around The Sun The Heart’s Cry Countess Cathleen – Women of Ireland Caoineadh Chú Chulainn Distant Thunder Firedance Riverdance Lift The Wings Freedom Harlem to Hollywood * Andalucia * Macedonia Morning * Marta's Dance – The Russian Dervish Hope to the Suffering * Michael Flatley Flute Solo – Whispering Winds * Home And The Heartland * Heartland Riverdance International	Reel Around The Sun The Heart's Cry Countess Cathleen – Women of the Sidhe Caoineadh Chú Chulainn Thunderstorm Firedance Slip Into Spring – The Harvest Cloudsong Riverdance American Wake (The Nova Scotia Set) Lift The Wings Heal Their Hearts – Freedom Trading Taps Marta's Dance – The Russian Dervish Oscail An Doras Heartbeat Of The world Homecoming Home And The Heartland Heartland Riverdance International	Reel Around the Sun The Heart's Cry Countess Cathleen – Women of the Sidhe Caoineadh Chú Chulainn Thunderstorm Shivna Firedance Slip into Spring – The Harvest Cloudsong Riverdance American Wake (The Nova Scotia Set) Lift the Wings Harbor of the New World Slow Air / The Tunes Home and the Heartland Heartland Finale / Riverdance International

Sources:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverdance
 http://www.amazon.com/Riverdance-Music-From-The-Show/dp/B000005B2O
 http://www.celticcafe.com/archive/Shows/riverdance/Rdfaq.htm