It goes without saying Chicago lived up to it’s name. I was determined to fit in as much as possible for the week and went in all guns blazing. I was that annoying tourist that we all see walking down the street in our home towns! The very fact we were in a heatwave, overlapped with visits from friends and loved ones and with St. Patrick’s Day flung into the mix, the week was certainly going to prove eventful!

We couldn’t have been happier to disembark our tour buses and to trade it with the busy sidewalk of Michigan Avenue which led us to the trendy Hard Rock Hotel – a perfect focal point for the week ahead.

Besotted by the sky scrapers, traffic and other infrastructure I felt like an alien from planet Mars. Bear in mind this was our first biggest city on the tour in quite some time. As you can only imagine we were delighted to finally arrive at the Windy City.

My room at the hotel was still in the hands of housekeeping so I took the bull by the horns and sped up Michigan. Minutes later I was taking the steps by two up to the Art Institute. Suddenly, I was transported back to 1879 when the building was first founded. I was further fascinated to realize it was built using rubble from the Great Fire. The power of art never struggles to overwhelm me. The European Collection held over 3,500 pieces of paintings and sculptures from the 12th to mid 21st century including precious works from geniuses such as Pablo Picasso and Gustave Caillebotte. Edward Hoper’s ‘Nighthawks’ was eerily moving. Van Gogh’s self-portrait however topped my list.

The Art Institute

Supper bells chime and I treat myself to some delicious sushi in the contemporary ‘Aria’ attached to the luxurious Fairmont Hotel across the river. Sushi rolls, gyoza, quail eggs and kimchi clutter our table. This all washed down by some cold asahi, our happy party make a move down town to the famous ‘Buddy Guy’s Legends’, a mecca for any devoted blues fan. Chicago wouldn’t be complete without a taster for some of the world’s talented blues musicians. This wrapped up another perfect Monday night for me and my gang. Whoever invented days off – God Bless You!

Tuesday brought a trip to the hair salon with fiddle player, Rose Duffy, a native of Chicago. I felt in safe hands as we boarded the 151 public bus north to Lincoln Park. After some TLC we were all prepped for opening night at the Oriental Theatre. To celebrate our successful performance, Chief O’ Neill’s Irish Bar (Roscoe Village, south of Albany Park) welcomed our party and we partook in a feast of Irish music, song and dance late into the night. Cheers to Sean Gaviskey for arranging this and making it possible. After the long day, we voted on ordering in some pizzas. Nothing like a deep dish Chicago-style slice to make the tunes come to life!

Chief O'Neill's Trad session

We had an early call Wednesday afternoon due to our Dance Director, Breandan de Gallai coming to town. Under the watchful eye of Breandan and our directors everyone was on their best behavior. From 1 o’clock until 5 o’clock, we were talked through notes and corrections of the previous nights performance and without further ado all necessary amendments were put into practice. Despite such rehearsal call, the female troupe were pardoned early. I managed to steal some time to myself and squeeze in a trip to the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) which is the third highest building in the world. One ticket to the sky deck thank you very much! I felt somewhat like George Bucket in the great glass elevator as I soared to a height of 1,353 feet to the 103rd floor. I even had the pleasure of stepping out onto the 4 foot extended glass ledge overstepping the beautiful city of Chicago below.

View from the top of The Willis Tower

There is something tranquil about aquariums is there not? I always get a sense of calmness when surrounded by water and marine life. Recent research shows heightened brain activity and increased alertness when underwater. Perhaps there’s a link with watching fish swim but whatever it is I most certainly experienced it all over again at the Shedd Aquarium. With umpteen recommendations to visit this special attraction, I wasted no time and hopped into a taxi. Built in the later 1920′s under the influence of John G. Shedd, the building stands as beautiful still to this day. Spoilt for choice and constrained to time, I hurried through the Caribbean Reef past the Wild Indo-Pacific Oceanarium and into the Jellies exhibit (which runs until May).

The Jellies Exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium

On the subject of marine life, I couldn’t get enough of nature and to continue my fix I made a trip Friday morning to the Lincoln Park Zoo. With free admission and a fine selection of primates, I was a little disheartened to learn of the size restrictions for several animal groups nevertheless the blistering sunshine made the outdoor trail even more enjoyable.

Megan trades merchandise for the stage!

Obviously the Baffa household is just bursting with talent. Not only does she sell oodles of Riverdance merchandise, she is blessesd with the ability to, wait for it… DANCE! Yes ladies and gentlemen they come in twos. Jesse’s younger sister performed with the rest of the troupe for our week in the Oriental Theatre. I spoke with Megan during the show last night to get the lowdown on how she was felt about it. Despite being the youngest female in our troupe and with very little time to learn the choreography this didn’t stop our very own Megan nailing every beat and step. I have no hesitation she slipped just right in! This is our third pair of siblings who will have graced us with their presence on the Riverdance stage.

St. Patrick’s Day

It’s not every day you get to wake up overlooking Michigan Avenue to fins the Chicago River has turned green. No we are not on the set of Wicked, is is March 17th and “May the luck of the Irish always be with ya!” I have never felt prouder to be a thoroughbred Irish woman! How I have read about the people of Chicago throwing one of the biggest parades in the world and dyeing the river a rich green. I have for years as a child watched RTE (Irish TV) new reports showing clips of the dyeing of the river, I never thought I’d witness it in the flesh. Immersing myself in the pride of the culture and the early morning celebrations, out I stepped clad in my green finest. All I was missing was my bunch of fresh green shamrocks pinned to my outfit but what the hell I’m in Chicago and it’s Paddy’s Day!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations. Even the River has fun!

Fiona

Fiona’s Style File

Fiona wears:
- Navy palazzo linen-mix pants ( Paul Costello Collection by Paul Costello)
- Navy and red bow tie blouse ( Penney’s by Primark)
- Twin pearl necklace (Vintage)
- Cork-wedge sandals (Shoe Carnival by Solanz)

Pants are a great neutral piece to have while travelling. They are light to pack and go with almost anything. I even dare to break the barriers and match with black from time to time. Paul Costello’s pieces are made with such precision and fit like a glove. Only downside – they crease!

Read this on the Riverdance website: From Chicago with love!

Maeve exploring the city

Following a manic two weeks, Monday’s ‘loud’ bus was full of overly enthusiastic dancers as we pulled up to the amazing Hard Rock Hotel in sunny Chicago. The architecturally impressive building, purposely resembling a champagne bottle lived up to its ‘rock and roll’ reputation in many ways with Led Zepplin memorabilia on our floor, pictures of David Bowie hanging in our room and rock music blasting through the art-deco lobby. After dropping our luggage, we headed off down Michigan Avenue to check out the city. Later that evening, we got dressed up and visited “Japonais”, a Japanese restaurant and celeb haunt in Chicago (Angie and Brad are regulars!). We then finished our much anticipated day off taking in the Chicago blues scene at “Buddy Guy’s Legends.”

On Tuesday, the brunch at “Wildberry Cafe” was a delight and afterwards we took a walk around “Millennium Park”, visiting “The Bean” – a famous sculpture and huge tourist attraction, the Art Institute of Chicago and the lovely ‘Bucktown’ area. Opening night in Chicago beckoned and with the knowledge that our dance director, Breandan de Gallai would be in the audience watching all week, we went in a little earlier to prepare for the show.

Visiting 'The Bean' at Millennium Park

Spencer Finch Lunar exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago

The next day, we were expected for rehearsals at 1pm. Breandan went through the previous night’s performance with precise notes for each number. He acknowledged the fact that it was a difficult tour, but wanted to remind us of the importance of striving for perfection. It’s easy to slip into bad habits with long travel days and shows every day, sometimes two, but it’s such a privilege to be here and performing at our best is something Breandan encouraged. Rehearsals lasted a few short hours and as we finished the show that night, we were collectively excited for a surprise Hen Party we had planned for one of our female cast, Jessie Baffa, who is getting married in June. A fantastic night was had by all and as our week was coming to a close, I decided to dedicate my time to shopping and just taking in the city sights in the scorching sun. Most notably, I made my first major purchase – a “MacBook Pro” laptop computer. Even though I have been planning to buy this for a long time, it didn’t make the payment any easier but I am happy to report that it is unquestionably worth every penny!

Jessie Baffa's (2nd from left) hen party

Saturday was St Patrick’s Day and if any of you ever get the chance to visit Chicago for this, I highly recommend it! It is a huge deal in Chicago with prior preparations including green street lights, shamrock posters, and even some nice art exhibitions with Irish music ringing through the streets. Thousands of people turned out for the St Patrick’s Day parade, each one in green. Our executive producer, Julian, who was visiting for a short while, was even met with some shock and confusion at our hotel for not wearing the emerald colours. Perhaps the most striking of all however is the annual tradition of dying the “Chicago River” a perfect Irish green (Check out the full story – http://greenchicagoriver.com/story.html).

St Patrick's Day crowds

The impressive green Chicago River

As we were busy with daily notes on stage from Breandan, we didn’t get much time to celebrate, but the atmosphere was electric for the entire weekend. On Sunday, a few of us went to a music session at “Celtic Crossing” Irish pub to end a fantastic week in what I now consider as my favourite city in America.

Maeve

Read this on the Riverdance website: St Patrick’s Day with Riverdance in Chicago

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PLAY
WGN Radio Live in-studio interview and fiddle performance Saturday, March 17 in Chicago, with Rose Duffy and Declan Masterson. (Playing time: 7 minutes)

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Rose Duffy, Riverdance Fiddle Player: Live performance_WGN Radio Chicago 17 March 12

RIVERDANCE Rose Duffy and Declan Masterson with Bill Moller on WGN Radio on St Patrick's Day 2012

RIVERDANCE Declan Masterson and Rose Duffy WGN Radio St Patrick's Day 2012

Read this on the Riverdance website: Live in-studio interview and fiddle performance

Where: Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St, Chicago.

When: 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday March 17 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday March 18

Tickets: $30-$85. Book Now

Box Office: 800-775-2000 or Ticketmaster.com

Read this on the Riverdance website: Riverdance in Chicago – St Patrick’s Day Performance

By Sid Smith, Special to the Tribune
March 15, 2012

Perfectly timed for St. Patrick’s Day, “Riverdance,” the spectacular display of Irish folk dance, speckled with the arts of a few other ethnicities in its mix, returns for what’s billed as its farewell visit, on view through Sunday at the Oriental Theatre.

Surely it winds down as one of the more phenomenal and unlikely ventures in pop dance history, centered on what seemed in the beginning an eccentric craft, Irish step-dancing. But, in its tour, it then went on to make that craft familiar and even beloved while anchor of a unique variety show only now nearing its close after an impressive 15 years.

“Riverdance” rendered a highly competitive past time commercially compelling, while heightening awareness of the thrills, pluck and artistic subtleties of folk dance in general. Shrewdly throwing in flamenco and tap, it arrived as part of a broader, worldwide revival in percussive dance, a revival it helped inspire, and a reminder that people everywhere love to tap their feet and always will.

The show itself should be a bit creaky by now, but Tuesday’s opening proved anything but. The energy is still sky high, the seductiveness still irresistible, in part, it must be said, because the trappings of the show were always a tad dated and greeting-card corny to begin with. The wholesome, New Age circus gloss isn’t any more old-fashioned now than it was back in the ’90s. You tend to look past it to relish the extraordinary technical virtuosity.

The cast is excellent, the enthusiasm infectious and the technical skills better than ever. That starts with Tuesday’s outstanding principles, Padraic Moyles and Alana Mallon. She’s graceful, thin-limbed but exquisitely muscled, keen in her stepping and yet able to stylishly master the ballet-like stretches that depart here and there from all the step-dancing clickety-clacks. Moyles, sporting a slight resemblance to actor Gabriel Byrne in his younger years, is an irrepressible showoff and peacock, as delighted by his own performance as anybody. But Riverdance always served as a cheerleader for its art, and Moyles is as persuasive a cheerleader as they come, looser and more freewheeling in his overall approach, but electrifying in his intricate footwork and breathtaking speed.

Indeed, the Act II tap and Irish square off, a metaphor for American immigrant conflict and reconciliation, is as exciting as ever, if not more so, Moyles deliciously showing off his uncanny athletics while well matched by two dynamite, post-Savion Glover contemporary tappers, DeWitt Fleming Jr. and Michael E. Wood.

The show always boasted fine flamenco specialists, but Marita Martinez-Rey is especially beautiful, combining rapid-fire feet with flowing, undulating and sensual body work. She also has some of Moyles’ contagious enthusiasm, warmly inviting the audience into her art.

The musicians have always been a key component of the variety, and here the Uilleann pipes are mastered by Matt Bashford, Rose Duffy is a lickety-split fiddler and percussionist Mark Alfred is a one-man spectacle all by himself. Tap-dancer Wood doubling as baritone delivers his solo with mournfulness and compassion, and the clean, high-pitched voices of the choir are sonorous and pure.

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.

Tickets: $30-$85.

Box Office: 800-775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com

Read this on the Riverdance website: After 15 years, ‘Riverdance’ continues to kick up a storm

To further our list of cities, please sit back and enjoy my updated version. Although it hasn’t been as eventful, recreationally as past cities, do bear in mind that although life on the road is full of glitz and glam, it also at times quite ordinary – A good balance I like to think.

In Fort Smith, AR we were blessed with continuous sunshine and warm breezes as we take a lunch break en route to Fort Smith from Tupelo. It’s essential to stretch the legs and get some lunch on the hour break, especially when we endure an early 392 mile bus journey prior to showtime.

In Kansas City we settled into the Hotel Philips next to the downtown Power and Light district. With three days and three nights here, we celebrated a whole day off Sunday to ourselves. Spoiled with sushi restaurant, organic supermarkets and a smart sassy hotel bar, we were one content company. Dance captain, Maeve Croke was the host of a wine and cheese night to ring in the glamorous 86th Oscar Academy Awards.

In Watertown, SD we have our first sighting of snow.

In Grand Forks, ND late night diners and restaurants were few and far between. We settled for supper in ‘Space Aliens’. Thumbs up to the staff for five star service and friendliness.

In Duluth, MN there was snow, snow and more snow – what an audience to brave the blizzard this evening.

In Mankato, MN I opt for the quesadilla at Buffalo Wild Wings.

In Brookings, SD the cold front continues, making it difficult to walk less than 30 feet from Applebees to our hotel entrance. Happy to tuck myself into bed and watch back to back episodes of ‘The Nanny’ and ‘Roseanne’.

In Omaha, NE a visit from an old veteran of the show, former dance captain and male principal, Marty Dowds. The cast of the Shannon Company agree to a meet and greet of the students of the Dowds Academy.

In Sioux City, IA we celebrated our former colleagues who won 2012  ‘Got to Dance’ finals in London. Way to go Prodijig! A very happy birthday to Miss Jesse Baffa also as she celebrates another birthday on tour.

In Davenport, IA another birthday! Breithla shona duit Miss Nicole McKeever. Celebrations got underway in the fancy bowling alley in the Black Hawk Hotel, one of the few original buildings of Davenport built in the early 1920′s. Strike…..! We return to the Adler Theatre within the space of a year where we are joined by tapper DeWitt Flemming Jnr. who replaces Jason Bernard for two weeks. Welcome back DeWitt. Last but not least, we applaud our fellow female troupe dancer, Nicola Dempsey who rejoined us after a short ankle ligament injury.

In Champaign, IL the highlight of most peoples day seemed to be laundry, laundry and more laundry. With a lack of amenities (within walking distance) we are usually forced to attend to slightly more mundane chores!

In Springfield, OH the rain that fell this morning reminded me of a perfect lazy Saturday morning. I happily finished my Agatha Christy novel ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ for a candid biography on the life of Amy Winehouse.

Weekend Premiership League Fixtures:

Once upon a time, the cast and crew of Riverdance used to bet their leftover dollars every Friday in what was known as Dollar Friday. We used to congregate backstage where head carpenter Jaimie Gormley picked out winning raffle numbers from a hat. Each ticket costs a dollar, the more you spend, the greater the chance you’d win. However this Friday tradition seemed to have slipped away when the Boyne Companywas replaced by the Shannon Company. We cannot  complain however as a new idea was born. We can still stake our well-earned dollars on the Premiership League Fixtures every weekend. One predicts the score in the match between two clubs. If your prediction is correct (both score and club) one scores 2 points. If the score is incorrect but the correct team win, one gets a point. I am happy to report out winner this week was James Keating. James is now rolling in a hefty sum of $90! Well done James. Last weeks winner was crew member Danny Erskine.

So what happens behind the curtain?

Many is the time I have been asked: “So what really happens backstage?”  “What do we do to prepare ourselves for the show?”  “What do we do to pass extra time?” Well do not let me hold you in any more suspense. Here’s a sneak peek:

With Chloey Turner’s background training and knowledge in fitness instruction and personal training, she doesn’t waste a moment and dives in to assist Billy Kanaly with his weights training. Chloey has many years of experience in helping people with weight lifting training and with a marathon under her belt, I wouldn’t want to get on her wrong side! She often delves in in helping the dancers backstage with strength and endurance training. We are certainly lucky to have her on board.

Patrick Barnett takes some time out to sign the Riverdance Commemorative Edition books. That autographed book has definitely just appreciated in value!

Before most performances we have a window of opportunity to use some ‘stagetime’ for a twenty minute period before the theatre opens to the public. This usually happens one hour before call time. With new dancers constantly joining the show, it is important they learn all numbers to share the load and rotate with other dancers. Having the stage free prior to the show allows us to easily work amongst ourselves and use the space to block numbers. It gives us a realistic perspective on how it would feel to dance each piece live. Here Stephen Brennan is lending a hand to Patrick Barnett for the males piece in Countess Cathleen where the interact with the six troupe girls and the female principal dancer. It looks like Brian Shinners and Shane Cummins are under close observation too.

This is but a small insight into what happens backstage. Of course everyone has their different means of warming-up, stretching and keeping active. While some have praying rituals, others listen to personal ipods and others simply beautify themselves. We have each learned to respect what our fellow colleagues do before each performance and this is what allows us to maintain our focus on stage and deliver 100% to our performance night after night.

I finish this blog from the comfort of my hotel room in Peoria, Illinois. I have had a grueling week of travel but with the support of friends out here I make it through. I am all packed for our 10 o’ clock departure in the morning. The thoughts of a day off tomorrow, lodging at the Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan Ave. and having zero plans seems like a very good idea to me right now. How nice it will be to settle into the one hotel room for more than one night. How nice it will be to unpack and perhaps even hang up some clothes. How nice it will be to settle in the one theatre for more than one performance and familiarise ourselves with a city. With our producer and dance director coming to visit we will undoubtedly be on our best behavior but above we will make sure to have plenty of fun! I feel a smile run across my face. Here’s to Chicago and what should be a promising week.

Fiona

Fiona’s Style File

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This photo was taken back in China on our December 2009 tour. It was bitterly cold in all cities bar the first in Shenzen. Unfortunately I could not take the darling dog!

- Double breasted, three quarter-length grey coat. 100% pure wool. (Irish designer, Patrick Howard)

- Pink french beret, 100% wool, bought in Appleton, Wisconsin.

- Red,vintage paisley-print neck scarf (belonging to my grandmother).

- Purple wool mitts from Urban Outfitters bought in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Read this on the Riverdance website: 11 cities and more from behind the curtain