‘Riverdance’ creators plan new touring show ‘Heartbeat of Home’ that mixes in salsa, hip-hop

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The folks behind “Riverdance” have a new thundering Irish dance show poised to tour North America, but they stress it’s not “Riverdance II.”

Called “Heartbeat of Home,” the show integrates the Emerald Isle’s signature high-stepping with the tango, the flamenco, Cuban salsa and even hip-hop.

It grew out of and reflects the growing multiculturalism of Ireland in the past two decades, since “Riverdance” first appeared.

Says producer Moya Doherty: “We felt that together with the fusion of other cultures, we could broaden out the base and embrace and display what 20 years have done to Irish music and dance.”

The new show kicks off in Toronto next month and then makes stops in Chicago, Detroit and Boston through April.