Dance Caption Niamh O'Connor rehearsing with the troupe for the Good Morning Show

An inevitable part of touring life and the job of any performer is Press and PR related work. Dancers regularly meet the media, chat with journalists and give live Radio interviews and TV performances in many of the cities we visit. Wednesday May 23^rd, 2012 marked a well-planned and very eventful day of Press for the entire Riverdance team.

TVNZ Breakfast

5.30am: I’m suddenly woken by alarming beeps; my mobile phone vibrates loudly, illuminating the room.  It feels like I’ve only been asleep 5 minutes but there is no time to contemplate turning over, a busy day lies ahead. I slip out of the room as quietly as I can so as not to wake my roomie (Shona Cobbe). We are staying in apartments on Queen Street in the centre of Auckland, so I move to the living room to continue getting ready for the day of work ahead.

Typically, I manage to bang into every table and chair possible, drop a knife and trip over a bag on the floor in my attempt not to make too much noise as Shona is still out for the count (not anymore I’m thinking). This isn’t a morning for a scoop of the instant stuff – the coffee plunger come out of the press for an outing and I make a pot of what looks like tar. Strong dose of caffeine consumed, teeth brushed and off I go.

6.00am: I meet our dance captain Niamh O’Conner in the lobby and check through the morning papers to pick up on any coverage following our opening night performance last night. The New Zealand Herald has featured some great pictures. I pick up a few of complimentary copies at reception for each of the dancers in the photos. Company manager Laurie Small joins us and we walk to the theatre. It’s still dark out and we are met by a throng of early morning joggers along our path – a familiar sight in this part of the world, one that would put many of us who make regular promises to ourselves to start such an early morning fitness regime (but have yet failed to do so) to shame.

6.35am: We are greeted at the venue by our New Zealand publicists Megan and Sandra. Their PR expertise has secured an active Press schedule over the coming weeks to promote the Farewell Tour across New Zealand, with this morning’s live TV being the pinnacle.  They introduce us to the TVNZ Breakfast crew and their weather presenter Tamati Coffey, who will be presenting live segments from the Riverdance set, throughout the morning.

First up in the pilot seat are John Lonergan and Niamh O’Connor for an interview on camera with Tamati. Niamh has been with Riverdance since it was first performed in 1994 as the interval act on the Eurovision song contest. As the longest standing cast member and dance captain with the Moy Company, Niamh is a favourite with the media. World Champion John Lonergan has also attracted a lot of attention from the press throughout the tour. It is an exciting time for John, as the newest dancer to join the Riverdance cast.

7.05am: Despite the early wake-up call Liam Ayres, James Keating and Chris Naish take on Kelly Isaac and Michael Woods in an energetic dance-off as they perform Trading Taps for the camera.

NZ TV Tamati Coffey with Trading Taps guys, Niamh and John

7.35am: Niamh O’Connor takes Tamati for an Irish Dance Master class on stage.  As his efforts are broadcast live across the country, the rest of the troupe start arriving at the venue. Given our line of work, we usually performing at night, so many have not seen this side of midday in a long time. The snail pace of their actions reflects this but a buffet breakfast being served in the green room, brings them slowly but surely back to life.

View Clip:  Tamati dancing with the Riverdance Troupe on TV NZ Breakfast News

8.05am: Tamati prepares to step into the Riverdance line. Wardrobe has dug out a costume for him and company manager Laurie Small gives him a helping hand side stage to look the part.  Lights, camera, action – the music roles and he is joined by the full company on stage to show the nation what he has learned. He slots perfectly into place centre stage and there are howls of laughter around the venue, all in good spirit for his entertaining efforts after the camera man shouts cut.

8.35am: The full cast are called to the stage. The ever professional Maria Buffini and Padraic Moyles warm up in the wings to shake off any early morning tiredness. Tamati presents his last weather segment for the morning and signs off to the nation as the troupe join Maria and Padraic for a live TV performance of Riverdance.

8.45am: It’s a wrap for the TVNZ Breakfast piece and after a few photographs with the presenter and breakfast crew on stage it’s back to bed for most.

TVNZ Good Morning

With the majority of the cast back at their apartments tucked up in bed, some fortunate others are shuttled to the nearby TVNZ studios.

We are due to perform two numbers on the GOOD MORNING show which is aired live across New Zealand. It is a great opportunity for the show to promote the upcoming farewell performances in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

last minute preparations for the Distant Thunder boys outside the TV studio

10.45am: Following a brief rehearsal during the advertorials, male lead Jason Oremus performs Distant Thunder with some of the boys.  He is then whisked off to another studio where he joins female lead, Siobhan Manson for an interview.

There is a quick costume change and another run through. This time we rehearse Riverdance and given the size of the tiny studio floor and prior concern about the amount of dancers that it would fit, everything has worked as planned.

11.30am: Riverdance goes live on TV for the final time today and by midday we have left the studio and a busy yet successful morning of press behind us. ….

View Clip:  Distant Thunder and Riverdance performed live in TVNZ Good Morning studios plus a chat with principal dancers Síobhan Mason and Jason Oremus

Performing Riverdance live on TVNZ Good Morning Show

Read this on the Riverdance website: Early Morning Press Call, Auckland, New Zealand

Aisling McVeigh,  Irish Dance Troupe,  Moy Company

Press Office

Having recently completed an internship at Edelman PR, Dublin during the downtime at home between tours, I will be assisting with the Press on the current Moy Tour.  This is an exciting new element of my role within the show. In Newcastle, we held a Master class with local dancers, who joined the cast on stage and enjoyed an Irish Dance lesson with our expert dance captain Niamh O’Connor.

Maria Buffini, Lead Dancer also visited ABC Radio Station for an interview live on-air and Peta Anderson spoke to Paula Xiberras from the Tasmanian Times.

Downtime in Newcastle
Downtime on tour is spent exploring new cities and is one of the many great perks of life on the road. Nestled in the heart of the Hunter Region is the beachside city of Newcastle. There are few cities in the world beyond Newcastle that can say their city centre is surrounded by eight beaches. With the sun still shining before the winter sets in, the cast enjoyed some sun, sea and sand this week (not something we get to do too often in Ireland!!)

Newcastle has a rich history, quirky arts culture and a thriving dining and boutique shopping scene. Darby Street is renowned for its quirky outlets and is an absolute must for anyone with a passion for good food and vintage shopping. Frankie’s on Darby Street became a popular haunt among the cast this week, famous for its funky retro interior, delicious coffee and gourmet sandwiches.

The harbour area of Honeysuckle was another popular spot among cast and crew. Boasting a chaotic but exciting scene, restaurants and chic bars line the water front where we enjoyed views of an eclectic mix of yachts, fishing boats, ferries and coal ships in the harbour.

Birthday Celebrations
Both James Keating and Siobhan Manson celebrated their Birthday this week and we all had a night out at a local bar to mark the occasion.

Upwards and Onwards

Newcastle played host to a great first week of the tour. It was a busy one, in particular for the 6 new dancers who worked very hard, yet rewarding for both cast and crew who enjoyed all the local amenities had to offer. Jason Oremus proudly got to dance for his family who travelled from Sydney to watch him. Yvonne McNelis and Siobhan Manson also had friends and family come visit. This always adds something special to a performance, knowing that you are so far from home yet have loved ones sitting so close, out front amongst the audience.
With the shoes & costumes packed away, we bid farewell to Newcastle and moving onwards we board for Hobart, Tasmania.

World Champion John Lonergan practicing his jumps on Newcastle beach

Read this on the Riverdance website: Masterclass, PR, performances and downtime in Newcastle

For Belfast native Jason O’Neill, being an audience member at one of the iconic show’s performances was a moment he’ll never forget.

I saw Riverdance when I was 10, and it just changed my life, said O’Neill, who now works as a lead dancer with the show.

It’s the last time they’ll be doing it in the United State for many years I’m sure, O’Neill said of the Farewell tour. They want to go to new countries and explore new places.

A blend of dance, music and song, Riverdance transforms Celtic traditions into a contemporary art form. Working with music by Bill Whelan, the group of dancers and musicians continues to inspire multiple generations of audiences.

The dance troupe, which premiered in Dublin in 1995, has had an amazing run for 17 years — and more than 10,000 performers.

Being a part of the show has enabled O’Neill, who joined the cast in 2009, to travel around Europe, Canada, Korea and the United States.

The schedule is a roller coaster, he said.

Despite the hectic travel, the performers have to stay in top shape. In addition to dancing, O’Neill runs, swims and skips rope.

It’s very challenging physically. I think the older you get, you learn to look after your body better.

You have to rest, and I put my legs on ice every night to keep inflation down, O’Neill said.

The dancer has found that life on the road actually can be better for his fitness regimen.

Your body adapts. It becomes a routine. Sometimes at home there are more distractions, and it gets difficult to get into it, he said.

The show’s run in the United States may be drawing to a close, but O’Neill hopes to remain a part of the Riverdance legacy.

At the end of the summer, it’s going on to South America, he said. I want to join and keep going on with the show.

Interview  with PostStar.com

Read this on the Riverdance website: A dream come true

It’s an International phenomenon that has delighted audiences in America for 15 years. But 2012 will bring the final curtain call for “Riverdance”, here in the United States. The popular Irish dance show is ending it’s tour and making one last stop in the Mid-South. James Greenan and Chloey Turner are principal dancers for “Riverdance”.

Read this on the Riverdance website: Interview with Riverdance principal dancers James Greenan & Chloey Turner

Here are some photos from the event!

Pictured are concert hosts Aidan Power and Michele McGrath with members of the Riverdance troupe

Pictured are concert hosts Aidan Power and Michele McGrath with members of the Riverdance troupe

Pictured is Zoe Browne from Bui Blog Productions and members of the Riverdance troupe

Pictured is Bressie with members of the Riverdance troupe

Riverdance performing on the stage

Riverdance was first performed during the 7-minute interval of the Eurovision Song Contest on 30 April 1994.

It received a standing ovation. Later that year, the BBC commissioned a repeat performance of the act for the 1994 Royal Variety Show, when it was introduced on stage by Sir Terry Wogan. At Congratulations : 50 Years of Eurovision,  it was named as one of the most popular interval acts in the history of the contest.

Almost two decades later and Riverdance has grown from strength to strength. Now one of Ireland’s most internationally renowned acts , Riverdance has promoted our green isle with their traditional style of dance adapted to a new modern audience.  Bill Whelan’s Riverdance has become a global success, reaching homes and stadia from New York to Beijing and Paris to Australia.

Read this on the Riverdance website: Photos NYE Dublin

Here are some photos from the week…

Caterina Coyne did radio interview with arts and culture reporter Noe Tanigawa at Hawaii Public Radio

Caterina Coyne at Ohana Broadcasting

Caterina Coyne being interviewed on Ohana Broadcasting

Caterina Coyne being interviewed on the popular morning radio program Perry & Price (Michael Perry & Larry Price) broadcast live on KSSK Radio from Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber (located at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort). There is a live audience there for breakfast

Caterina teaches an Irish dance step to a member of the breakfast audience!

Caterina Coyne with oldies 107.9 DJ Ed Kanoi

Read this on the Riverdance website: Press Calls in Hawaii