Riverdance Taps into Tennessee Performing Arts Center for Last Tour

2009 Last Chance to See Riverdance

Kathryn E. Darden
The farewell tour of Riverdance is stopping at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) February 24 through March 1. TPAC claims Riverdance is one of the most popular shows ever in the history of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center

In 2005, I attended my first performance of Riverdance at TPAC, and I was exhilarated by the stunning blend of Irish dancing mixed with other dance styles, the haunting Celtic music combined with other musical forms, the beautiful sets, and the lovely singing. Riverdance is an experience like no other. I was on a natural high for about a month after that first performance as I continued to envision graceful dancers moving effortlessly across the stage as the talented musicians played.

So, of course, when I heard the last tour of Riverdance was coming to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, I began to make plans right away. I asked off from my second job a month ahead of time to make SURE there would be no problem, and I invited some friends. We met at TPAC last night and had the time of our lives. It was fun to watch the expressions and hear the whispered comments from my friends, but I barely paid them any attention. My eyes were riveted on stage as I was once again swept away into the magic that is Riverdance.

Riverdance began as a seven-minute dance segment on the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest (televised to over 300 million people in Europe) and then quickly turned into a magnificent full-scale production that has become an international theatrical success. I was never a fan of tap dancing or clogging growing up, so if you think that is what Riverdance is all about, you are sadly mistaken. Riverdance combines the best of all dance forms - sure, there is some tapping, but there graceful ballet leaps and spins as well. Sound too girly for you? Then you will like the military precision combined with cool percussion of some of the other dances. Ah, but you're a fan of contemporary dance? You'll love Riverdance. In fact, if you like ballet, military marches, urban dance, modern dance, square dance, tap dance, moon walking, clogging, Russian dance, Flamenco dance... or just about any other dance forms, you will enjoy the spectacle of music and dance that is Riverdance. And, by the way, if you don't like dance at all you will STILL like Riverdance!

This is the last chance for Tennessee residents to see Riverdance as the tour is currently playing its farewell tour, returning to UK, Europe and the Far East before finishing in 2010, fifteen years after Riverdance opened at The Point Theatre in Dublin.

Tickets to Riverdance in Nashville range from $27-$70, based on seat location and performance date. For tickets, visit the TPAC Box Office (Downtown or at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in The Mall at Green Hills), online at www.tpac.org/riverdance, or any Ticketmaster outlet, including area Kroger stores and Macy's. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 615/255-ARTS (2787). For more details on the last tour of Riverdance in Nashville, Tennessee, read the article Last Chance to See Riverdance!

SOURCES

2009 Last Chance to See Riverdance!

2005 Riverdance Tour Sparkles in Nashville

Riverdance Returns to Nashville in 2005

Riverdance - The 2001 Show

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Published by Kathryn E. Darden

An author, poet, publisher, publicist & skincare consultant, I have written for publications including CCM Magazine, The Tennessean, Barbie Bazaar Magazine, Christian Activities & several local newspapers....   View profile

  • 2009 marks the final tour for Riverdance
  • Tour ends fifteen years after first performance
Kathryn E. Darden is an author, journalist, and photographer who writes articles, reviews, devotionals and poems, some of which are available for reprint. To read more content from this writer, please click on her name at the top of this article.

7 Comments

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  • Sally 12/6/2010

    I was so sad to learn Riverdance won't be touring anymore.

  • Sheryl Young 3/3/2009

    Sad that they are breaking up. Great entertainment.

  • 3lilangels 3/3/2009

    Would like to go sounds great!

  • jobythebay 2/26/2009

    :~~}

  • Kim 2/26/2009

    I wanna go!

  • Kay Whittenhauer 2/25/2009

    Sounds like a great show!

  • Barbara Raskauskas 2/25/2009

    I saw this advertised years ago in our area. It was interesting to see how synchronized the dancers are.

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