Pop-up performances, masterclasses and a flash mob are all on the roster
By Zoe Patterson November 3, 2021
Looking for some mighty craic in the UAE?
The Ireland Pavilion, in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai, is welcoming Grammy Award-winning Irish music and dance act, Riverdance, to the Expo 2020 Dubai site. You can expect a series of 22 performances, 46 masterclasses, 20 pop-up performances and one unmissable competition. Phew. Are you ready?
The amazing performers will be at Expo from Wednesday, November 3 until Saturday, November 27. They’re bringing Irish music and dance to the desert, and the events will be free to attend for all visitors with a valid Expo 2020 pass – no prior registration is needed.
Wondering what to expect?
Jubilee Stage performances
Riverdance at Expo is an exclusive show for Expo 2020 Dubai, building on the group’s 25th-anniversary show with musical and theatrical cues from Arabic culture, specifically curated for the Middle Eastern audience. The 90-minute performance will light up the Jubilee stage for 22 performances. The first show is taking place on the Jubilee stage on Wednesday, November 3, and subsequent shows are taking place throughout the month until Saturday, November 27, when the final show will include participants from the masterclasses. The last performance will also be an ambitious World Record attempt for the largest number of people in a flash mob.
Pop-up shows
Find Riverdance on the Sun Stage, Sea Stage and Global Stage at Expo 2020. The pop-ups consist of 15-minute performances featuring some of the dancers from the cast.
Masterclasses
Fans of Riverdance can learn the skills and techniques from the cast in a series of 45-minute masterclasses that will take place across the Global Fitness Hub, Sun Stage, Earth Stage, Sea Stage, and on Kite Beach from Tuesday, November 2. Each masterclass is free, and professional dancers will teach techniques from Irish dance. The classes are suitable for all ages and skill levels. Those who take part in the masterclasses will be invited to participate in the last Riverdance at Expo performance on the Jubilee Stage at 7.30 pm on Saturday, November 27.
Competition
Riverdance is also launching a UAE-wide competition to recruit and train a new dancer to join the cast during the Expo 2020 residency. The lucky winner will become a member of the Riverdance family for a month, joining the cast during rehearsals and downtime to hone their dance skills. The winner will perform alongside the cast at the Grand Finale Show. Auditions for the competition will be held in November, and participants must be 16 and older.
Dhs95 (one day), Dhs195 (30 days), Dhs495 (6 months). Nov 3-27. Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Exhibition Centre www.ireland.ie/riverdance.
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