PADRAIC MOYLES Riverdance Associate Director, Brand Manager and Summer School Course Director. [10] With Colin Dunne and George Hook she is a judge on the Raidió Teilifís Éireann reality series Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels. [2] Jean and her sister Cara won numerous national titles and regional titles, and placed well in international competitions. on April 12, 2007, at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin. Riverdance lead dancers demonstrate the signature Riverdance steps in Syracuse. LIMA — The global phenomenon “Riverdance” will once again return to Veterans Memorial Civic Center this weekend, this time celebrating its 25th anniversary. See more ideas about riverdance, irish step dancers, irish dance. Cancellation of Gaiety Theatre 2020 shows. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. "They made me stand with my arms at my sides for two hours. 1,707 were here. The piece was co-choreographed by Butler with Michael Flatley. She started ballet and tap classes at the age of four. [5], In 1999, she was also presented with the Irish Post Award for "outstanding contribution to Irish Dance". Jean Butler was born in Mineola, New York. Jean Butler is an American stepdancer, a master of Irish Dance, choreographer, and actress. Oct 26, 2015 - Riverdance 20th Anniversary Tour. She debuted with The Chieftains at Carnegie Hall at the age of seventeen, and toured with them on three continents. The documentary takes viewers into the rehearsal studio for a unique insight into the preparations for this world-class dance show, as dancers are pushed to their limits day after day by associate director Padraic Moyles, who, as a former lead dancer for 18 years, knows the choreography of the show better than anyone. In England, Butler met Irish dancer Colin Dunne and they performed together in Mayo 5000 in 1993. You might say Anna Mai Fitzpatrick’s role as a lead dancer in the U.S. touring company of Riverdance was preordained. She began Irish dance lessons at the age of six, which she quit promptly. On 9th February 2020 AmyMae and male lead Bobby Hodges danced to a sold out 3 Arena in Dublin exactly 25 years on from the first performance of Riverdance. Dancer Anna Mai Fitzpatrick The recording is supplemented, in performance, by seven onstage musicians. Butler has appeared in several films: The Brylcreem Boys, Goldfish Memory, The Revengers Tragedy and Old Friends. Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show (2020) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. She has a sister, Cara. Jean Butler (born March 14, 1971) is an American stepdancer, a master of Irish Dance, choreographer, and actress. "I hated it," she says. She appears in five of the anniversary tour’s 18 scenes. The show toured throughout 1995. Ireland The response was so explosive that it was extended into a full show, starring Butler and Flatley. She tried Irish dance again at age nine, this time with a different dance teacher, Donald Golden, whom she considers to be one of the most influential people in her life. She is best known for originating the principal female role in the Irish dance theatrical production Riverdance. For each of the three female leads – Natasia Petracic from Australia, Meadhbh Kennedy from Ireland and Amy-Mae – being chosen to be the principal dancer on this special night would mean everything. In 2005 she released an instructional DVD, Irish Dance Masterclass With Jean Butler,[8] which her sister also participated in,[9] and completed a master's degree in Contemporary Dance Performance from the University of Limerick. She eventually quit both. So, I left. tour continues through 2020 for dates and cities, visit Riverdance Amy Mae Dolan, Riverdance Lead Dancer and Summer School Student 2016 “The Riverdance School is really tough work and they are seriously disciplined. march / april 2020. Have you booked your tickets yet? Copyright: Abhann Productions Photographer: Jack Hartin Padraic Moyles is putting the dancers through their paces ahead of a big night for the show that turned Irish dancing into a world-wide hit. Riverdance is returning to Southampton from 14 – 18 September 2021. Butler attended Hofstra University and earned an Honours Degree in Theatre and Drama from the University of Birmingham. Learning from and spending time with the principle dancers who I have always looked up to is just amazing! With Brandon Asazawa, Ellen Bonner, Belle Brenton, Kieran Bryant. In January 2020 it was announced she is a member of the Irish America Hall of Fame, an honor presented by Irish America magazine.[1]. Mar 10, 2019 - Riverdance as they best women Irish step dancers!!!!!. “The Original...The Best” Riverdance is a celebration of Irish dance, music and culture' 'Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show' begins touring January 2020. Amy-Mae Dolan from County Tyrone is one of three female leads in contention for the coveted starring role on the gala night, which will be filmed for international cinema release. Directed by Chris Hunt. After a long and extremely successful run with the show, Butler eventually left Riverdance in January 1997. Nov 12, 2015 - The latest Tweets from Riverdance (@Riverdance). The pair were the lead dancers at the famous Radio City Music Hall in New York City that was filmed and put on DVD. Flatley's shows have played to more than 60 million people in 60 countries and have grossed more than $1 billion. Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, a lead dancer with "Riverdance," says that it was the joy of watching the production's performances on television as a young child that led her to a life of dance. He became internationally known for Irish dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger Live. We talked with lead dancer Patrick O'Mahony from the 25th aniversary production of the iconic Riverdance. Featuring a new story and new music by Whelan, it follows an Irish boy named Keegan and a Spanish girl named Moya on a journey into a mythical world where they learn to appreciate Riverdance as a celebration of life. [3], In 1994, under the invitation of producer Moya Doherty, she performed in a seven-minute intermission piece at the Eurovision Song Contest 1994 entitled Riverdance. Ireland Given the athletic nature of the dancing, many cast … The decision lies with Riverdance co-founder John McColgan – who will he choose to step into the spotlight and be part of the show’s legacy? Billed as one of the biggest nights in Irish dance in living memory, audience expectations have never been higher, and nothing can be left to chance. Marking 25 years since its first production, the film Riverdance: The Animated Adventure was announced for late 2020. Romance is blossoming for Riverdance’s principal dancers, Natasia Petracic and Bobby Hodges. RIVERDANCE OFFICIAL PAGE www.riverdance.com [5] In 2009, she received the "Outstanding Contribution to Arts & Culture Alumni Award" from the University of Limerick.[7]. For each of the three female leads – Natasia Petracic from Australia, Meadhbh Kennedy from Ireland and Amy-Mae – being chosen to be the principal dancer on this special night would mean everything. Her mother, Josephine, is from County Mayo in Ireland. Butler has performed with Green Fields of America and Cherish the Ladies. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. For the dancers, many of whom weren’t even born when Riverdance was created, being part of this special night is a dream come true. In January 2020 it was announced she is a member of the Irish America Hall of Fame, an honor presented by Irish America magazine. American dancer, choreographer and actress, Riverdance and Dancing on Dangerous Ground, Irish Central, "2020 Irish America Hall of Fame inductees announced" January 26, 2020, "Dangerous Dancing An Interview with Jean Butler", "Riverprancer; Jean Butler lifts the lid on life with Riverdance co-star Michael Flatley", "Dancing on Dangerous Ground, Irish Dancer Jean Butler", "Ms Jean Butler 2009 Recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Arts & Culture Alumni Award", "Irish Dance Masterclass DVD with Jean Butler", "Jean Butler's Masterclass DVD, Jean Butler at the Celtic Cafe", 'Riverdance' star Jean Butler hangs up her Irish dancing shoes for soft pumps, Riverprancer; Jean Butler lifts the lid on life with Riverdance co-star Michael Flatley, An Comhdháil na Múinteoirí le Rincí Gaelacha, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jean_Butler&oldid=997431737, Articles with dead external links from January 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Wikipedia articles with BIBSYS identifiers, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 31 December 2020, at 13:38. She received a commission from the Irish Arts Council to create a solo work in 2004. Riverdance national tour ends at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre on February 9, 2020 for tickets, call 800.775.2000 or visit Broadway In Chicago. A powerful and stirring reinvention of the show, celebrated the world over for its Grammy Award-winning music and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. From a young age, she competed in regional, national and international championships. It opened in London in 1999 to critical acclaim, and then in New York. [6], She retired from active dancing in 2010.[11]. A few years back, the Irish dancing community was dealt a series of devastating losses. Animated film. Padraic has been with Riverdance for 23 years. Michael Ryan Flatley (born July 16, 1958) is an Irish-American dancer, choreographer, and musician. In January 2011, it was announced that she had designed and released her own jewellery line. IrishCentral Staff Writers On 21 July 2013, a record was set when a line of 1,693 dancers from 44 countries danced to Riverdance on a bridge overlooking the River Liffey, led by Jean Butler and Padraic Moyles. Need something to perk you up on such a grey day? This documentary follows her intense physical and mental preparations both at her family home outside Castlederg and in Dublin, where the cast come together for two weeks of gruelling rehearsals before the show opens. In February 2020, an animated feature film inspired by Riverdance was … FLAME-HAIRED Jean Butler was Michael Flatley's co-star when the Irish hit musical first conquered the world 20 years ago but she dropped out of the limelight. [12][13] About a year into Irish dance, she became very serious with it and quit the soccer and baseball teams. “The Original...The Best” Riverdance is a celebration of Irish dance, music and culture' 'Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show' begins touring January 2020. The collection was launched at Showcase Ireland at the RDS later that month. As a lead dancer, Fitzpatrick is one of three performers given special attention during the show. Watch this special message from Amy-Mae Dolan, the lead female dancer for the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Tour. This amazing world champion dancer (who's currently single!) Meet Siobhán Manson, lead dancer with "Riverdance" (VIDEO) Siobhán Manson began dancing at the age of 4 in her hometown of Galway with the world-renowned Hession School. AmyMae became Riverdance's youngest ever lead dancer in 2017 when she first performed the lead role aged 19. Patrick joined Riverdance in 2012, was a principal dancer in Heartbeat of Home in 2015 and has since become a Dance Captain and Lead Dancer with Riverdance Patrick is also a qualified personal trainer. When Anna Mai was 3, her mother Sharon saw Riverdance on television in one of the show’s earlier incarnations and signed her up for Irish dance lessons in her local primary school. And when the big night finally arrives, will Amy-Mae fulfil her ambition of being the female lead in a performance the world of Irish dance will never forget. And the two dancers who step into the male and female lead roles will be immortalised in Irish dancing history, sharing a moment that will change their lives forever. A dancer stage left coughs during the final run through of the show, but nobody around him bats an eyelash. She has also auditioned for large-budget Hollywood films such as, Meet Joe Black with Brad Pitt, and The Postman with Kevin Costner. In 2001 she married Irish designer Cuan Hanly. [6] From 2003 to 2005, Butler was Artist In Residence at the University of Limerick's Irish World Music Centre. She is best known for originating the principal female role in the Irish dance theatrical production Riverdance. Nov 12, 2015 - The latest Tweets from Riverdance (@Riverdance). Spinning into a new week with Lead Dancer Kieran Hardiman # MondayMotivation # MondayMove. I was too young." After Flatley abruptly left the show over creative control disputes in October 1995, Butler was joined by long-time friend Colin Dunne. [4], In 1998, following Dunne's departure from Riverdance, Butler once again collaborated with Dunne to create the show Dancing on Dangerous Ground, which was based on the ancient Irish legend of Diarmuid and Gráinne. She premiered "Does She Take Sugar?" As Riverdance prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special gala performance at Dublin’s 3Arena, its cast of Irish dancers from all over the world are locked in intense rehearsals. With Green Fields of America and Cherish the Ladies as they best women Irish dancers. 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