The popularity of Riverdance, playing in Alberta this month, remains a bit of a mystery to me. Despite having seen it three years ago when it last came to the Jubilee Auditorium, I initially couldn't recall that I had. Yet despite having been here three years ago, and many times previous since launching at a Eurovision contest in 1994, the show still fills theaters regularly.

I'm still not entirely sure what Riverdance is about. What I do know, is that it's dancers are amazing, and can do things that really surprise you. Although the basics - tap shoes, straight back, let your legs do the dancing - is pretty much entire show, there is still enough diversity in the movement to keep you interested.

That is the key to why Riverdance works, and continues to sell tickets. Because it doesn't have gimmicks, flashy sets or costumes, instantly recognizable show tunes. Instead, the success or failure of the show lies entirely on the dancers ability to connect with the audience.

I recalled that I had seen the show partway into act 2. When I saw two hip-hop tap dancers hit the stage, I whispered "this part was awesome." Much like my memory of the first show, the Harlem to dance off between the two hip hop dancers and the Irish dancers is one of the best part of the show.

So now after a second viewing, I understand a bit more why Riverdance is such a phenomenon. The performers are incredibly talented, from the constantly grinning violinist to the multi-talented percussionist, from the angelic voiced singers to of course, the incredibly lith dancers. Riverdance is pure and at times magical, and makes for an entertaining evening out.