You have no idea of the pleasure, goosebumps, and tears of joy that you brought to this 62 year old man when this showed up as a recommended video. Have not seen this since my vhs tape wore out in 1999 from extended viewing. Thank you.
Then my friend, you might really enjoy this! This is a complete show from 95, and one from 96 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R9KkbU4yStM.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-13n_7bYwW00.html
@@TzunSu I Can Not Ever Thank You Enough for your Generosity! If I may? I Would be honored if you would accept me asking for you and yours to Always be Blessed and Protected. Thank you so much this!you have truly made my day 🙏
I remember being a kid in the 90s when Riverdance was a worldwide phenomenon, and renting the concert tapes from Blockbuster, watching them over and over in complete awe of Michael Flatley and the dancers! This brings back memories!
@@MsAri91 It is! I recognize that face anywhere! He was in a few of the Riverdance specials back in the day, as well as one called "Lord of the Dance".
As a kid, I had a dear friend, Teresa O'Donnell. Teresa was a bit over weight and self conscious, but each year, when there was a talent show, she would don her Irish garb and do the most wonderful Irish step dance. She looked like she was flying. She was so graceful. Teresa and I lost contact, and she, sadly, passed away years ago. But, I will always treasure our friendship and those wonderful performances! Rest In Peace, my friend. I hope you're dancing in Heaven!
My maternal grandparents were from what is today's Czech Republic. My grandmother was heavy, but Mom said she was light on her feet while dancing the polka.
I’m here & still in complete awe! I’ll never forget the first time I saw them on Eurovision, they took my breath away, I had goosebumps on goosebumps & tears streaming down my face. My heart was pumping & the music nurtured my soul. I didn’t know it then but I’ve since learned that most of my family’s ancestors were Irish. No wonder I felt & still feel it so deeply! ☘️❤️☘️
Video cameras havent had good autofocus untill recently. And not really still, compared to single shot photography. That is an overly agressive algorithm focusing strongly on the center of frame. It happens, but the camera selection (angle and distance of that particular camera) forced it, methinks.
tokr72 Irish people are one of the most talented people in my opinion. Their voices, culture and dances are beyond this world. I had this show on DVD when I was a teenager, I was obsessed with it
This man changed the world on there perception of Irish/Celtic music.He simply was pure genius.I am Scottish and very proud of my roots as I’m sure Michael was his,the difference is he produced and presented it to the world.Well done Michael.Pure Genius.👍
Keep yer hair on nobody says it was Scottish I have seen the show,however I am making a connection between,Irish/Celtic and Scottish music which is a similar folk music.@@jamesmacoisdealbhaigh9904
@@jamesmacoisdealbhaigh9904 he never said the dance is scottish and even pointed it's irish. But are you aware Scots are in british islands like the Irish, the Welsh, the Manx and the Cornish and they're all related? That's what he pointed.
It's like running on the spot constantly for 5 mins, at full pace. Then add all the intricacies of the choreography that has to be 101% flawless in every single aspect. I know it's training galore but how they remember each & every step perfectly is bordering on miraculous.
Thinking about it, this is the ultimate demonstration of dancing skill. By keeping your arms still, all your balance has to be done in precise leg movement. And your legs are easily the quickest part of your body to get tired. This is some extreme cardio with tons of focus needed.
I read somewhere that in order to keep up this level of activity they were eating something like 7000 calories a day just to keep going with the shows. Given what you see here it doesn’t seem unreasonable.
7000 kcal most likely is for the extensive practices they must've had... You should try dancing Central Javanese traditional court dances. I think it's the same effort only with a totally different outcome. Their knees are almost always half-bended, Their upper body almost always leaning forward. The head, neck, and arms are the body parts that keeps moving. It's always slow. The dance require them to move very slowly because, well, the tempo of the music from the Gamelan is also slow. And back in the days, one performance can take more than 2 hours...
@@edwardjohn5 I believe this Irish footwork had some strong influence in African American folk dance from Jazz Tapping, through the eclectic black gospel dancing to today's Chicago Footworking popular on the urban streets off Chi Town and now other parts of the Midwest and South.
I’m embarrassed how often I come back to watch this videos even 8 years later. My favorite part is when they finish you can see their anxious and dyspneic stage smiles turn into genuine proud smiles.
Been watching this since I was three or four, entranced every time. I'm 31 now and so happy I could find and watch this. And show it to my four year old son! Try to give some pride to your tastes - no shame in enjoying Riverdance. It's intense and mesmerizing. Best of wishes from my family to yours!
I’ve always found the sound of tap shoes to be extremely satisfying for some reason. I once got a pair when I was a kid not to get professional taught, just to skip around my families carport. So this is really nice to hear
I still get goosebumps seeing this and listening to it. The moment he taps his way up the stairs. The curtain rises and the dancer start their performance. The thundering of their shoes announcing them. getting down to their positions. Such precision in their movements as they dance in unison. Beautiful. Powerful.
I find it really interesting that Michael Flatley and the rest of the original producers of the show never expected it to get this big. They just expected it to be a small fan base and didn't expect it to go on for 20 plus years now but look where the show has gone. As an Irish dancer myself it's really great to have the inspiration and goal of Riverdance. I've talked with many people that have been on the actual Riverdance show: background dancers and leads (such as Brandon Asazawa, Lauren Smyth, etc.), and almost all of them have a really inspiring story and have worked really hard and put in many hours and years of training just to get a chance for the audition process. Many people just assume that Irish day dancing is tapping your feet around but it's way more difficult than that. I've been dancing for almost nine years now and I am just reaching the champion level now. I still remember the day that I first saw the Riverdance DVD. I wasn't born when it originally came out as I was born in the mid-2000s however, it really was a driving force for me to continue dancing for this long. I used to watch the DVD on loop multiple times a day and looking back on it now I really think that's what inspired my family to take me to my very first Irish dance class when I was 4.
I just saw Brandon Asazawa tonight as the lead in Riverdance‘s 25-year anniversary show at the San Diego Civic Theater. He was amazing! Nice to come back and see where all this started. I loved the original show and now my grown son loves it, too!
As a little red head girl who Irish danced as a child, Jean Butler was my absolute idol! I adored her! Having someone to look up to who identified with was magical. I am 35 now and still go Irish dancing more for the fitness and social aspect. Riverdance holds a special place in my heart.
I remember taking my mom to one of his performances in Ahoy Rotterdam (NL); I arranged for special seats close to the podium, so my mom wouldn’t miss one tap. Michael Flatley made my mom glow that night. She reminded me of that special night on her death bed. Seeing this video makes me warm up from the heart inside out. Such a special memory🫶🏼
Hate the director of photography though. Too much upper body shot here, like seriously who would be staring at the guys upper body in a performance like this? I’ve never seen more out of touch incompetent filming before.
I respect that opinion, but I definitely 100% prefer the Radio City Music Hall version. I've seen the show live several times, and own a handful of different DVD versions, and while Michael Flatley dances technically better than Colin Dunne, I think Colin is a better performer overall, and I also like the show changes that were introduced in Colin's version of the show, especially the tap dance battle.
This brings back so many memories. I remember back in the mid-1990s when they appeared on PBS during pledge breaks, I was a technicle volunteer. In 1997, my wife and I took a trip to NYC & one evening we saw them at Radio City Music Hall. What a wonderful time in my life.
I even so but dam it the music has the rythm that makes me get like woaaaah dam it even the dance is with the rythm but these days unlike other eras the music is ruined Like when you listen to music it is not even danceable its like f*ckin music made for memes and tik tok and it is not good damn the song writer that made despacito/havana/shes sweet but psyho/ god damit even jeylo is singin spanish latin urban songs Dont take it wrong im no racist im only sayin like for example when my gf opens the sound of a music for example despacito and dances to it for what in that rythm is she dancin
Riverdance is one of the most emotionally stirring and captivating pieces of theatre I've ever seen. It never grows old. Of course, Jean Butler and I have had a long and passionate love affair, from the first moment I saw her dance. Granted, it's only in my mind, but a man can dream.
WOW, Michael Flatley left me speechless! His dancing is unbelievable! I love how that large group of dancers were all in sync with each other and with the music as well! WOW 🤩
I will star by saying that I am an 88 year old man, who was educated in Catholic schools, and on St Patricks day we always had a celebratory concert, where we all took part in Irish dancing and traditional Irish folk songs. Now to get to the crux of my post. This is some of the finest dancing, of any genre, that I have ever seen. The timing is impeccable by the whole troupe, but the lead dancers are fantastic, and the female lead is not only one of the finest dancers that I have ever seen, she is also stunningly beautiful. I have watched this clip dozens of times, but I just felt that it was high time I gave ALL of the dancers, the praise that they deserve.
I was one of them kids growing up in the 90's. In the hood watching riverdancing. This was MY SHIT when I was a kid, and I didn't care if I got made fun of for it. The way they danced, I loved it it's so much fun!
My 14 year old daughter found her way to these clips on her own after seeing a cartoon version and I'm so amazed and proud of her. She was just so impressed with what she had found she had to show me and I brought her back to this clip from the original cast because I needed her to see the original. I love watching her growing pride for this part of our heritage because like many Americans we are very mixed but we know of our Irish and Scot Irish members of our family and I felt maybe I failed to pass on that pride for that part of our culture. She has not only found it on her own but has shown me so many beautiful songs that I've added to my Spotify list like she has and I just don't even know how it happened. I just know I'm grateful that she has learned this part 2 along with all the other parts have done my best to introduce her to the culture and traditions of I just know I'm grateful that she has learned this part too. Along with all the other parts I have done my best to introduce her to the culture and traditions of.
I remember watching this when it came out, my nana filmed it for me, then I proceeded to watch it over and over again. I was barely out of middle school. I begged for classes. Even going so far as to practice with books under my arms when I discovered that’s how they practiced. Dancing up and down the living room. Mom never got me classes because she felt it was a phase and that I wasn’t passionate enough. 😔 Sorry you had a hard time in 8th grade and people didn’t appreciate it. I would have.
The perfect blend of traditional music and Irish dance. Riverdance took the World by storm in 1994 with the Eurovision interval act, and made unforgettable history with this one. River Dance is now etched into the souls of entranced audiences for all time. I am entranced every time I watch in awe of this incredible dance routine. Stunning, just Stunning .......
I first seen this on PBS... I could not get down to the ticket booth fast enough in 1995...I was that mesmerized... My girl friend thought I was on drugs. Telling her she has to see this. As I dragged her over to the TV to watch it... And Ronan Hardiman..What can I say....One of the best composers
Omg, no kidding! I'm no Riverdancer but was in off Broadway tap numbers. You go to bed, the number still fresh in your head, wondering if it's restless leg syndrome for the first few years! Lol
+Michelle Lilo Many wish the same but Michael recently said that he hurts so bad from the shaking up that those dances have done to his body that he will never recuperate...
+Michelle Lilo dont worry they're just around touring europe right now I think, i think they go back and forth, some years there then back here. I really miss them too!
I’ve seen this so many times. This is some of the best dancing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. From a dancer to another…this is really very special. Some of the best dancing in the world.
When I’m bummed, I watch this. Michael Flatley so enjoys dancing. He gives off and aura of having the time of his life. It always cheers me tremendously to see him and the rest of the troop dance so energetically.
I absolutely loved Riverdance as a child, and finally when I was 28 my father took me to a show. I cried almost the entire time, and even now as I watch it here, I am brought to tears by the beauty of it.
THE BEST DANCE IN THE WORLD COMES FROM IRELAND. IRISH DANCE IS SUCH PURE JOY. FOR A SMALL COUNTRY IT IS OUT STANDING. OUR LEGS WHERE MADE FOR DANCEING. STILL LOVE RIVERDANCE JUST BRILL. BLESSINGS TO ALL.
+Chris Mullan Had the nice oppertunity to work in Ireland(Dublin) for just couple months. strange thing was that I had my dart's and a local pub said "no dart's here, banned 'cause all fight" guess if I laughed so no darts for three months :D
+trha2222 yes bur irish dance comes from Ireland, and goes back 700 years. most Americans have irish blood. so a little silly to say that. if you have nothinh nice to say say nothing.
+trha2222 but the dance is irish. Michael flatley and Jean butler ar just two very famous tap dancers who were hired to do this dance which was designed in memory of the unfreed Irishmen.
+trha2222 riverdance is a show bassed on tap dancing. Michael flatley is a tap dancer who is worth just over 600 million dollars. and if you've seen anything else he's done you'd know he uses his arms. it gives the dance effect and drama imagine riverdance with arms straight at all times it would eventually get boring
I am so proud to have been a part of Trinity Academy of Irish Dance and Riverdance... The people are amazing, and the community and culture is even better!!
These are truly the best comments I've ever read. So much optimism in one place and we have Riverdance to thank for that. Thank you for being magnificent! Such a pleasure to watch, darling! 😁💃
Finally saw this live in Orlando tonight for the 25th anniversary. I've watched the DVD and Vhs many times but wow seeing it in person brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely fantastic 👏
I have watched Rivedance ever since its introduction at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. God knows how many times I've watched it over the years, but guess what, for me the greatest dance production of all time - bar none!!😁😁😁😁😁😁!!
Will never ever forget the bolt of lightening that shot through my body when they first came on stage! One of the best experiences of my life xo And when the sound of those shoes hit the stage...I started to cry! Amazing!
Michael Flatly was the 1st one I saw doing the Irish dance. He had so much charisma and talent . Much respect to him for making the dance so popular. ❤
I’m actually an Irish dancer and I’m no longer allowed to dance upstairs for this very reason. My family always complains that I’m way too loud and I started cracking the subfloor in some spots. Whoops!
More than anything I was hooked on the music from river dance for a few years. As a bass player now of 26 years, playing in this band would’ve been a dream come true.
how? Why? why is anyone even thinking of disliking it? aren't you awestruck at this marvellous performance. It's incredibly awesome. Marvellous, beautiful and crisp to the very bit.
My aunt and uncle were at this performance live I believe sometime in the 90s and they ordered a VHS after to get later in the mail. And I watched it all the time when I was little and spending the night at their house. I was obsessed with it. I haven’t seen it in over 20 years but now I can show it to my son on RU-vid!
Absolutely Spectacular! Productions like this come along only once in a lifetime! The talent, the skill, the dedication of everyone in the troupe is just amazing! That smile on Michael Flately 's face near the finale shows just how delighted he is to be there, dancing, with all those wonderful partners! 😍
For those 438 that put negative to this. i have just one thing to say. he brought irish dancing to the fore front and fair play to him AND he is the fastest tap dancer. Give credit where credit is due. The man bought out dancing in ireland to a new level and at the time made us very very proud. And im speaking as having gone to irish dancing classes in my younger years. I was so proud cos id friends in river dance and i can tell you the trainning was cruel.
This show brought something to the World that the World had never seen before. It had no competition because there was no equivalent... no comparison. A rare achievement. You should all be very proud!
