Irish Step-dance : St Patricks Day 2011 Flashmob. Central Station, Sydney, Australia.

Awesome Irish Dancing including members of Riverdance and school children in spectacular Central Station Sydney. Over 100 dancers spread St Patricks Day cheer in Sydney. Organised and coordinated by Tourism Ireland & Jason Oremus, Chris Naish and the Sneaky Steppers crew

Hey, this is Irish step dance. I remembered I was introduced to the Irish step dance by my friend in UK while I was staying with him, Father Paddy from Walsale, near Birmingham. Father Paddy is Scottish, his wife is Irish. Pastor Paddy and his wife Betty has a granddaughter who can dance very nice Irish step dance. She personally danced for us, and it was beautiful. Thanks for the introduction, Pastor Paddy; and now I can really enjoy viewing the dance.

I remember Father Paddy and Betty.....and step-dance....and Riverdance. And I love it.

Irish step-dance is a type of performance dance originating in Ireland from traditional Irish dance. Irish step-dancing has been recently popularized by the world-famous show "Riverdance" and its followers. Irish step dance is performed in most places with large Irish populations, though most step-dancers are not of Irish ancestry. Aside from public dance performances, there are also step-dance competitions all over the world. Most competitive step-dances are solo dances, though many step-dancers also perform and compete using traditional set and céilí dances. When performed as a solo dance, it is generally characterized by a stiff upper body and the quick and precise movements of the feet.



Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. It originated as an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, a moment that is still considered a significant watershed in Irish culture. Riverdance is, in essential, the story of the Irish culture and of the Irish immigration to America.

Riverdance was first performed during the 7-minute interval of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Point Theatre, Dublin on 30 April 1994. It received a standing ovation. At Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest it was voted the most popular interval act in the history of the contest.This first performance featured Irish Dancing Champions Jean Butler and Michael Flatley, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Celtic choral group Anuna with a score written by Bill Whelan. Whelan had also composed "Timedance" – an early version of "Riverdance" – for the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Planxty. Most of the show's choreography was done by Flatley.

An audio recording of "Riverdance" entered the Irish singles charts at #1 on 5 May 1994, and remained there throughout the summer (keeping Wet Wet Wet's phenomenally successful "Love Is All Around" off the top), eventually totalling a record 18 weeks at #1.

Riverdance is produced and directed by husband and wife team John McColgan and Moya Doherty, controlled through their production company Abhann Productions, based in Dublin

After successful runs in other cities in Europe, Riverdance travelled to New York City to perform at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in March 1996. This was the first time the show had been performed in America. To the relief of the producers, the show was a success. Anuna left the show in September of that year.

In 2000 the show moved to Broadway for a year at the Gershwin Theatre with an all-new show, featuring dance leads Pat Roddy and Eileen Martin and singers Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka. Michael Flatley left the show reportedly over creative differences with the producers before the show's second run in London. Irish dancer Colin Dunne stepped into the role of lead dancer and went on to perform in subsequent productions before leaving the show in 1998.

In June 1998, the show's executive producer created further controversy by revealing that in some of the synchronized group dances, the footstep sounds were pre-recorded to enhance the impression of unified choreography.[4]

Riverdance began a farewell tour after fifteen years of performing and touring the world.[5] During the tour the show played in Bradford, Ipswich, Southend-on-Sea, Blackpool, Bristol, Manchester, Oxford, London, Southampton, Nottingham and Derry[6] as well as other venues in Europe and the Far East and as of 2011 continues in Australia.
(source: wikipedia)