of the most entertaining shows you will ever see.”

- THE EVENING HERALD

Riverdance began its journey as the interval act in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, produced for television by Moya Doherty. This electrifying and innovative seven-minute dance piece was then developed into a full-length stage show by Producer Moya Doherty, Composer Bill Whelan and Director

John McColgan. With its fusion of Irish and International music and dance, the show broke all box office records during its world première run in Dublin in early 1995. Since its inception, Riverdance has packed theaters throughout North America, Oceania, Asia, Europe, South Africa and South America.

Pride engulfs Ireland, a land of passions, poems and leprechauns.

Irish dancing provides physical benefits such as increased stamina, core strength, and general overall fitness.

It improves balance, posture and coordination and promotes flexibility and increased muscle strength. Mental benefits include learning to listen, follow directions and build memory.

Local students learn the traditional Irish steps just like the dancers on Riverdance learn and perform. The dance is vigorous,” said Shannon Joyce Cerulli, director of the Joyce School of Dance. “You definitely get a work-out while you dance and practice, but at the same time, if you are trained and instructed properly, those feelings of heart racing and being out of breath are taught to be regulated. When you learn how to do those things the ‘intensity’ of the fun, fast paced dances become enjoyable to do. Still, Irish step dancing is defi nitely a cardio and full body workout. H –Christine Fanning