Irish Dancing's Unlikely Evolution, courtesy of Riverdance and Wigs Galore
A recent documentary series, Battle of the Irish Dancers, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of traditional Irish dancing. The show follows a group of young hopefuls as they prepare for the annual World Irish Dancing Championships, but it's not just about their talent that sets their journey apart – it's also about the transformation of an ancient art form in the wake of Riverdance.
For those who may have missed it, Riverdance is the global sensation that catapulted Michael Flatley to stardom in 1994. As Kelly Hendry, a former Riverdancer and current dance tutor, aptly puts it, "It blew everything into a whole different ballgame." With its infectious rhythms and show-stopping choreography, Riverdance has forever altered the landscape of Irish dancing.
Fast-forward to today, and the art form has undergone another revolution – this time courtesy of those iconic wigs. Gone are the days of tousled tresses; instead, young dancers sport towering turrets of synthetic curls that add an extra layer of drama to their performances. "It's taken over," Kelly confesses with a chuckle. And it's not just about aesthetics; these wigs have become a practical solution for dancers who want to minimize distractions during competition.
Watching the documentary series, it becomes clear that Irish dancing has never looked more 80s than it does today – thanks in no small part to the dazzling costumes and fixed grins that seem to be de rigueur among modern competitors. As one observer notes, "They're a combination of sequins and fixed grins."
But what about Michael Flatley's legacy? Sadly, he is largely absent from the documentary series, with only a few vintage clips from Lord of the Dance offering a glimpse into his past. It would have been interesting to see some insights into the impact of Riverdance on Irish dancing or learn more about its enduring popularity.
Instead, Battle of the Irish Dancers focuses on the progress of its four young subjects and their coaches – Kelly Hendry, Carole Scanlon, Lauren, and Owen. The bickering, banter, and triumphs make for a pleasant watch, even if it doesn't always reveal the deeper secrets of this captivating world.
When it comes to the dancing itself, though, we're treated to some truly breathtaking displays – majestic footwork that is both mesmerizing and humbling. Unfortunately, the documentary's pacing can be frustrating at times, with abrupt transitions and uneven editing that disrupts the flow of the performances.
In the end, however, we'll have to make do with the wigs as our new standard-bearers for Irish dancing – an image that's equal parts captivating and ridiculous.
A recent documentary series, Battle of the Irish Dancers, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of traditional Irish dancing. The show follows a group of young hopefuls as they prepare for the annual World Irish Dancing Championships, but it's not just about their talent that sets their journey apart – it's also about the transformation of an ancient art form in the wake of Riverdance.
For those who may have missed it, Riverdance is the global sensation that catapulted Michael Flatley to stardom in 1994. As Kelly Hendry, a former Riverdancer and current dance tutor, aptly puts it, "It blew everything into a whole different ballgame." With its infectious rhythms and show-stopping choreography, Riverdance has forever altered the landscape of Irish dancing.
Fast-forward to today, and the art form has undergone another revolution – this time courtesy of those iconic wigs. Gone are the days of tousled tresses; instead, young dancers sport towering turrets of synthetic curls that add an extra layer of drama to their performances. "It's taken over," Kelly confesses with a chuckle. And it's not just about aesthetics; these wigs have become a practical solution for dancers who want to minimize distractions during competition.
Watching the documentary series, it becomes clear that Irish dancing has never looked more 80s than it does today – thanks in no small part to the dazzling costumes and fixed grins that seem to be de rigueur among modern competitors. As one observer notes, "They're a combination of sequins and fixed grins."
But what about Michael Flatley's legacy? Sadly, he is largely absent from the documentary series, with only a few vintage clips from Lord of the Dance offering a glimpse into his past. It would have been interesting to see some insights into the impact of Riverdance on Irish dancing or learn more about its enduring popularity.
Instead, Battle of the Irish Dancers focuses on the progress of its four young subjects and their coaches – Kelly Hendry, Carole Scanlon, Lauren, and Owen. The bickering, banter, and triumphs make for a pleasant watch, even if it doesn't always reveal the deeper secrets of this captivating world.
When it comes to the dancing itself, though, we're treated to some truly breathtaking displays – majestic footwork that is both mesmerizing and humbling. Unfortunately, the documentary's pacing can be frustrating at times, with abrupt transitions and uneven editing that disrupts the flow of the performances.
In the end, however, we'll have to make do with the wigs as our new standard-bearers for Irish dancing – an image that's equal parts captivating and ridiculous.
those wigs tho its wild to think about how much the performances have evolved over time I wish they did an episode on michael flatley tho that would be super interesting to see what his legacy has on modern irish dancing overall I guess its great to see the next gen killing it on stage but can we please bring back the "real" look for one of these performances 
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. Those dancers are seriously talented and it's beautiful to watch them move in sync and tell the stories through their feet. It's just... now they've got a whole new layer of drama courtesy of those wigs 
. Overall, I think it's pretty cool how Irish dancing is still evolving and finding new ways to express itself 
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... but at the same time, I think it's awesome how wigs have become a part of the culture now 
! But wait, are those new costumes we're seeing just tacky or do they add to the overall vibe? 
Ugh, I hate when I'm torn about something like this 
... maybe it's just because I'm having too much fun watching the documentary series 
. But honestly, wouldn't it be cool to see some more Riverdance history in there? 
! But you know what really gets me? The costumes are straight out of a 80s music video 
I mean, who wouldn't want to wear sequins and fixed grins on stage? It's like they're trying to bring back the sparkly days of Riverdance all over again 
I'm not saying it's not cool, but it feels kinda... nostalgic? Maybe that's just an old person talking 
Anyway, the dancing itself is still insane 
Those young dancers are giving me LIFE 
. Can we get more vids from Lord of the Dance tho?! 
It's surreal to see traditional Irish dancing evolve in such a dramatic way, from the iconic wigs to the bright costumes! But amidst all the change, one thing remains – the art form's ability to captivate audiences worldwide. 