Farewell to 'Riverdance'

April 2012 Boston’s hometown VOL. 23 #4 journal of Irish culture. $1.50 Worldwide at All contents copyright © 2012 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. bostonirish.com Farewell to ‘Riverdance’ Famed troupe make final stop in Boston (April 13, 14, 15) In 1996, Bill Clinton was pres- movie soundtracks, TV coffee ident, William Weld was gover- commercials, even a “Simpsons” nor of Massachusetts, the old episode or two. Boston Garden was still stand- So what did “Riverdance” ing, the Red mean to Americans, and how SEAN SMITH Sox were still will it be remembered? Several in search of Irish music and dance experts their first world championship recently offered their thoughts. since 1918 – and a show called “Many contest the ‘pop’ na- “Riverdance” began touring cit- ture of ‘Riverdance,’ but in my ies in the United States, includ- mind, the most important con- ing Boston, hoping to duplicate tribution it made was to bring its success in Ireland. Irish dancing and Irish music Long story short? It did. to a much broader audience Now, “Riverdance” is prepar- than it previously reached,” ing to make its seventh and final says Susan Gedutis Lindsay, stop in town, on April 13, 14, 15 musician, author and former at the Boston Opera House, as Boston Irish Reporter arts and part of an extensive farewell to music writer. “Now, even kids’ its US tour that will conclude movies like ‘Shrek’ and ‘Barn- in June. yard’ have ‘Riverdance’-style The show will go on else- dancing sequences, even if just where in the world, but the for fun. That never would have imminent end of its 16-year run happened before ‘Riverdance.’” on American soil is prompting “’Riverdance’ put Irish dance reflection on the “Riverdance” on the world stage,” says Bos- phenomenon and how and why ton-area Irish dancer, teacher, it has made such an impact in and choreographer Kieran the US and around the globe. Jordan. “Before that time, Irish Toward that end, the show’s “Riverdance” will be stopping off at the Boston Opera House April 13-15 as it winds up its US tour. See related story, Page 12. Jack Hartin, Abhann Productions dance was mostly known in composer Bill Whelan penned its own circle of participants – his own musings in last month’s created as an “interval act” there seemed to be a national- tions into a modern, multicul- among dancers, dance families, Boston Irish Reporter: “For the for the Eurovision Song Con- pride component to the show, as tural setting struck a chord with parents, musicians, feis goers, dancers and musicians, Boston’s test would become a two-hour if it were an advance guard for audiences, and most critics, the Irish diaspora, and also folk audiences always feel a bit more extravaganza that not only Ireland’s ultimately short-lived everywhere – even, or perhaps festival audiences.” like their Dublin counterparts spawned world tours but also TV but undeniably optimistic Celtic especially, those who wouldn’t The Chieftains, along with – rowdier, more familiar, and specials, DVDs, and CDs. But Tiger era. know a hornpipe from an Uil- the Green Fields of America eager to celebrate their Irish as Whelan, along with numer- The artistic aspects of “River- leann pipe. For better or worse, and Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eire- roots.” ous other commentators, has dance,” of course, were what in the wake of “Riverdance,” ann tours, did a lot to bring Whelan readily acknowledges observed, the commercial and attracted the most attention. Irish music and dance became step dancing around the world that he did not foresee how critical success of “Riverdance” Its innovative transportation a bona-fide pop culture “meme,” into concert settings, she says, a seven-minute performance has only been part of the story; of Irish music and dance tradi- glimpsed or heard on Hollywood (Continued on page 11) ‘Who knows where Thomas Myles’s voyage I will be buried now’ into the deep unknown BY PETER F. STEVENS BY JOHN P. RATTIGAN BIR STAFF SPECIAL TO THE BIR Third in a four-part series. He stood on the dock that cold April morning, gazing at the hills Nine years ago, in late July 2003, the Jeanie Johnston glided above Queenstown wondering if he would ever see Ireland again. into Boston Harbor. Onlookers could be excused for thinking He looked at the long line of third-class passengers, Irish men and what a splendid sight she was. The vessel, framed against the women, waiting to take the tender out to the ship anchored in the city’s skyline, did present a seemingly idyllic glimpse of days channel, a common scene in this seaport town. when canvas sails and wooden hulls ruled the seas. The Jeanie He knew what they were thinking. He could see it in their faces. Johnston, however, was a replica of the Famine ships – “coffin Not so much fear as a mixture of excitement and anxiety. The last ships” – that ferried the human wreckage of An Gorta Mor – “the goodbys were finished and now they were heading toward a new life Great Hunger” -- to America’s shores. She testified to the peril- in an unfamiliar land seeking prosperity and security or whatever ous journey that hordes of gaunt, traumatized “Famine Irish” else it is they thought was needed to make their lives complete. made to Boston and other ports from 1846-50. Their travels were ‘Crusher’ Casey in his heyday. He almost wished that he could tell his story to each of his fel- anything but pleasant. low passengers. Yes, Thomas Francis Myles was leaving, but this In his American Notes, Charles Dickens wrote of the misfortunate The Mighty Casey fam- was not for the first time. Tom Myles was born into a comfortable immigrants, “If any class deserves to be protected and assisted by ily returns to the old middle-class family in Fermoy, County Cork in 1849. He was fortu- the government, it is that class who are banished from their na- Dorchester neighbor- nate enough to obtain a good education at St. Colman’s College in (Continued on page 18) hood. Page 6. (Continued on page 6) Page 2 April 2012 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com THE EIRE SOCIETY OF BOSTON The Gold Medal Awards 2012 GOLD MEDAL DINNER & AWARD CEREMONY The Eire Society cordially invites you to attend the seventy-fifth annual Gold Medal Award Dinner honoring the 2012 Gold Medal Award Recipients Ronan Tynan & Seamus Mulligan On Thursday May 10, 2012 6:00 p.m Reception followed by dinner The Hampshire House, 84 Beacon St. Boston $125 per guest. Invitations in the mail April 10 Information: Connie Koutoujian, 781-899-3140 Geraghty ASSOCIATES PROPERTY MANAGERS Studio and 1-Bedroom Apartments Available in the desirable Cedar Grove section of Dorchester. Studios reasonably priced at $750; 1-bedroom units at $925; heat and hot water included. Short walk to the Red Line. Free off-street Parking. Washing Machines and Dryers in building. Call Michael at 617-364-4000 GERAGHTY Associates, INC. GERARD’S ADAMS CORNER 772 - 776 Adams Street Property Managers Dorchester, MA 02124 P.O. Box 52, Readville, MA 02137-0052 617-282-6370 Tel: 617-364-4000 Fax: 617-364-3157 Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com April 2012 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Page 3 Ireland President Michael D. Higgins to visit Boston May 5 The Irish Consulate in Boston has confirmed that ting tribute to the victims of the Great Irish Famine.” to Cork in 1847” by Catherine B. Shannon, Professor Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins will make an Full details of the Famine Commemoration are ex- Emerita, Westfield State University. Reception and official visit to the city on May 5, and will officiate in pected to be made public later this month. The sched- refreshments, Members: $10, Non Members $15.00. ceremonies in remembrance of the Irish Famine. ule of related events is available on the BIR website, Reservations required: 617 330-1737 “Mr. Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, bostonirish.com Irish Cultural Center of New England events- Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Most Irish organizations are planning commemora- May 12: “The Great Irish Famine: Remember Skibber- Famine Commemoration Committee, welcomed the tive events, including: een. - The evening will begin at 5:30pm with a lecture, news that President Michael D. Higgins will lead the Sunday, May 6 2012 a meal and a viewing of the award-winning film The official representation at this year’s overseas Famine AOH Lawrence Event- Division 8 AOH and LAOH Great Irish Famine: Remember Skibbereen. Seamus Commemoration, which takes place in Boston on Satur- will hold a Commemoration of the Great Hunger on Mulligan and others will conduct a conversation and day, 5th May 2012,” the Consulate said in a statement Sunday, May 6, 2012 at the An Gorta Mor Memorial Q&A. Location: ICC, Canton. Deenihan said, “I am delighted that President Hig- in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, 29 Barker May 31: “The History of the Irish Famine and gins is leading the official representation at the Fam- Street, Lawrence, MA at 1:30 p.m. A host of County, its Impact Today” - Professor of Irish Studies Jo- ine Commemoration in Boston this year. Many Irish State and National AOH and LAOH representatives seph Lee from New York University will lecture on emigrants during the Great Famine, and indeed after along with other dignitaries are expected to be pres- the Irish Famine. Professor Lee is widely recognized that period, have settled in Boston and on the eastern ent. The memorial service will include an oration on as a leading expert on 19th and 20th century history coast of the United States of America and I know that the great hunger, a prayer service, and the laying of and politics, particularly Irish, British and European the community in Boston are working hard to ensure a wreath at the memorial.

Load more