h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

did a brilliant line about Irish Dancing.

'Do you think we should move our hands as well?'
'No, just the feet will be grand, lads.'

I did a little when I was younger and I really regret not having kept it up now.
Great article.

The whole 'Riverdance' thing has chanced the traditional view of Irish Dance. Sure competition level is still all stiff upper body and let the legs do it all, the popular form is more holistically expressive.

Irish dancing is beautifl to watch; I had a friend who danced when we were in elementary school, and I used to go watch the competitions and performances. But Michael Flatley is kinda scary. He seems very conceited, calling himself the Lord of the Dance. I know it's from an old song, but it seems to me that he could have picked another song. It's a little egotistical. Just my opinion, he's kinda scary.

Micheal Flatley always scared me too. Espeacially now since whenever I tell people that I do Irish dance they always stomp their feet around and say "Oh, that Micheal flatley thing?" And the next thing is always "Show us something!" When I do (if I do) they are always disappionted that I a) don't tap (I only know soft-shoe) and b) don't move my arms. Well I could go on forever but I won't! But,Patrick Murphy in Gaelic Storm does a great impression of Micheal : )
Becky = ^.^ =

They are currently errected a satge for MF at Stormont. He'll be the third gig there following Sir Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti.

Some basic info: The name is FLAHERTY, and he is actually really good. However, riverdance is, in my opinion, not the great IRISH dancing. Ceilidh and set dance are. Riverdance is in some way a mixture of those two, but for entertainment purposes only. Just picture Michael Flaherty dancing in a pub... First of all, he wouldn't have room for his intricate moves, second: where would his "backup-band" (all the other dancers) be? Since it's for entertainment, you would need a catchy name, right? I mean who would come to watch "the fairly good dancer who probably could be better with more practise"??? And why not take your critisising a step further... The song Lord of the Dance is actually referring to Jesus "(...)I dances for the scribes and the pharisees(...)"... Next you'll blame him for calling himself Messiah. Come on, pick on the really bad guys who really make us suffer, such as Ricky Martin, Britney Spears...

Just wanted to say to the person who typed in caps his name is flaherty - ITS NOT!! its Flatley

Agreed, Flatley it is - definitely not Flaherty.