For 10 days in July, the New York Public Library (N.Y.P.L.) partnered with choreographer and original Riverdance star dancer Jean Butler to lead a workshop celebrating the history and variety of Irish dance. Titled “Our Steps, Our Story: An Irish Dance Legacy,” the program took the form of live discussion and performance, and was filmed in what will be the first of four … [Read more...] about Our Steps, Our Story: An Irish Dance Legacy
Jean Butler
Dancing to a Degree
Jean Butler Goes Back to School. Jean Butler, the tall red-haired Irish-American from Long Island, New York who starred with Michael Flatley in the original Riverdance, plans to dance again. In the meantime, she is pursuing a master's degree in dance at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Butler, who now lives in Ireland and is married to Irish designer Cuan Hanley, stayed … [Read more...] about Dancing to a Degree
Irish American of the Year: Michael Flatley
For what he has done for the world of Irish dance, Irish America is proud to honor Michael Flatley as our Irish American of the Year. Flatley talked to Debbie McGoldrick about his extraordinary journey and what's next on the cards. It's hard to remember the days when Irish stepdancing wasn't in vogue, when it wasn't scintillating and sublime and sexy, when it wasn't a global … [Read more...] about Irish American of the Year: Michael Flatley
Riverdance
By Emer Mullins and Frank McCourt
September/October 1994
Irish dance takes a leap forward thanks to two Irish Americans and a talented Irish composer. The lights dropped and the wistful, haunting music began, and a Druidic figure appeared draped in a black cloak. The music swirled and soared, mystical and moving, while the figure's voice soared with it. The music climbed to its peak, then changed in format to something quicker, … [Read more...] about Riverdance