Any Riverdance and Lord of the Dance fans here?

[roygoh]

When I bought the soundtrack of Riverdance in Ireland a few years ago I have not seen the show but just bought out of curiosity. I was captivated by the music and started collecting the DVDs an soundtracks of both River Dance and Lord of the Dance.

Missed the show when Riverdance came to Singapore in 2000 (just relocated to US), but managed to watch Lord of the Dance in Las Vegas last year.

Anyone here also a fan of Irish dance?

 

[Newman]

Michael Flatley!!!!!! If you want to know about him get 'Michael Flatley - Gold' on DVD. Nice. Also 'Feet of Flames' is awesome! In it he performs an unbelievable 37 taps per second!

Did you know that tap dancing originated from this Irish dance?:cheergal:

 

[Larry]

i watched Riverdance when it was here in 2000... absolutely captivating. i'm no big fan of Irish dance but i lovvvve Irish music. one of my fave groups is The Corrs and my fave Corrs tracks are the pure music pieces... :thumbsup:

but those feet of the Irish dancers... amazing!!!

 

[roygoh]

Originally posted by Newman
Michael Flatley!!!!!! If you want to know about him get 'Michael Flatley - Gold' on DVD. Nice. Also 'Feet of Flames' is awesome! In it he performs an unbelievable 37 taps per second!

Did you know that tap dancing originated from this Irish dance?:cheergal:

Til date I have collected the following DVDs:

- Riverdance Live from New York
- Riverdance - The Show 2002
- Lord of the Dance - Live from Dublin
- Feet of Flames
- Michael Flatley Gold

Any other DVDs that I have missed? Saw the recoding of the performance in Budapest in the Michael Flatley Gold DVD. Spectacular stage and costume setup. Wonder if the recoding of the entire performnace is avaialble?

I also have the Tap Dogs DVD. Very different kind of tap dancing but very entertaining nonetheless.

 

[roygoh]

Originally posted by Larry
i watched Riverdance when it was here in 2000... absolutely captivating. i'm no big fan of Irish dance but i lovvvve Irish music. one of my fave groups is The Corrs and my fave Corrs tracks are the pure music pieces... :thumbsup:

but those feet of the Irish dancers... amazing!!!

I do have 1 CD of the Corrs. Very good vocals and instrumentals.

How about the Cranberries? Are they Irish too? "Dreams" is my favourite!

 

[sesame_street98]

Hmm.. maybe this is a bit OT, I am quite into performing arts. You should try to watch STOMP also.. they created music through recycled materials.. totally cool.

But talking abt Riverdance and Flatley.. yes I watched them also

 

[Newman]

Don't flame me but I feel that Irish dance is more of an art form whereas STOMP and Tap Dogs are more of an entertainment performance. Those into Irish dance know that the dancers train from an early age and it takes years for them to master the dance.

 

[hazardman]

Originally posted by Newman
Don't flame me but I feel that Irish dance is more of an art form whereas STOMP and Tap Dogs are more of an entertainment performance. Those into Irish dance know that the dancers train from an early age and it takes years for them to master the dance.

Sorry but i don't agree with u at all. I think it's like comparing painting and photography. Photography is not an art form but juz another hobby? No i don't think so. :dunno:
The stompers and the Tap Dogs also undergo great training and one needs to have very strong sense of rythem and timing, coordination, creativity to perform like that. So is Irish Dance not a performance that is entertaining?

I'm like performing arts alot . I've watched Riverdance only on tape. But i like it. Stomp is damn nice too... the tenacity is awesome. Watch Santanna's concerts if u like percussions sesame street. Any1 like ballet ? Ballet under the stars any1?

Of all the performing arts i still love cirque du soleil's Acts the most. Most visually gratifying.

Oops it's a circus, not an art.

 

[roygoh]

Originally posted by Newman
Don't flame me but I feel that Irish dance is more of an art form whereas STOMP and Tap Dogs are more of an entertainment performance. Those into Irish dance know that the dancers train from an early age and it takes years for them to master the dance.

Not sure about STOMP, but I am pretty sure the Tap Dogs would also have to train for many years for them to master the kind of tap dancing they do. I would also consider the performances of STOMP and Tap Dogs as art, though they are quite different from Irish dancing.

I watched a segment of STOMP performance for "Just For Laughs". Maybe that was before they became as famous as they are now. I was pretty impressed by their rythm and coordination.

Hmm.. maybe this is a bit OT, I am quite into performing arts. You should try to watch STOMP also.. they created music through recycled materials.. totally cool.

Have you heard of "The Blue Man Group"? I saw their performance in Las Vegas also. Very innovative and funny.

 

[hazardman]

I've heard of the Blue man grp, but nvr seen them be4. I actually performed something like stomp in Chingay 2002. I've the VCD of stomp.

 

[Newman]

Originally posted by hazardman
I've heard of the Blue man grp, but nvr seen them be4. I actually performed something like stomp in Chingay 2002. I've the VCD of stomp.

I see why you disagree with me.
Like I said, it's what I feel. Irish dance was just a traditional dance until Michael Flatley showed it on TV and the rest is history. Now it is becoming commercialised due to its popularity and if you compare Michael Flatley and Colin Dunn (who took over after Michael left Riverdance), the latter simply can't hold a candle to the first. Dunn doesn't seem to have the stage presence whereas Flatley has taken the dance to a whole new level. Stomp, Tap Dogs & that group that makes 'rhythm' with kitchen cutlery are simply riding the wave for this form of dance. Where are they now?:dunno:

Yes, I've watched Santanna's concert and he's awesome. Ballet unfortunately is not my cup of tea and Cirque Du Soleil is quite repetitive if you don't mind me saying. Yes, it's visually enticing but after watching 3 of their performances on DVD, I just lose the appetite for more. Michael Flatley? I just can't get enough of him but unfortunately, he's retired.

 

[roygoh]

I really wonder if these tap dancers will get joint problems when they grow old. :dunno:

Agree with you that Michael Flatley is at a totally different level as compared to Dunn.

My favourite segment of Tap Dogs is the one where they tapped on synthesizer pads. The segment just before that where the guy tapped while playing a basketball is also very solid.

As for the Blue Man Group, I am really impressed by their innovative musical instruments made of PVC pipes. Here's their official website: www.blueman.com.

 

[Newman]

Originally posted by roygoh
I really wonder if these tap dancers will get joint problems when they grow old. :dunno:

I believe they would suffer some ailment of the joints or other body parts as do those who excel in their art where repetitive action causes wear. I have problems with my wrists from playing arcade games and using the computer for years!
There was a documentary on Irish dance where they highlight children who were aspiring to be famous like Michael Flatley. I certainly don't think that they can go on dancing into their 30s without any physical problems when they train for at least 5 hours daily!

Originally posted by roygoh

Agree with you that Michael Flatley is at a totally different level as compared to Dunn.

My favourite segment of Tap Dogs is the one where they tapped on synthesizer pads. The segment just before that where the guy tapped while playing a basketball is also very solid.

He doesn't just dance. He tells a story with his feet and his eyes!
I tried to watch STOMP and Tap Dogs on DVD but I fell asleep halfway through each show.
Maybe I'll borrow them from my friend and watch again.

 

[Wolfgang]

I'm a fan... Lord of the Dance was amazing...

 

[roygoh]

Originally posted by Newman

I tried to watch STOMP and Tap Dogs on DVD but I fell asleep halfway through each show.
Maybe I'll borrow them from my friend and watch again.

:bsmilie:

Hope you have a better experience the next time you watch Tap Dogs or STOMP. You sounded like a person from old Beijing who has only listened to Chinese opera your entire life and then one day suddenly heard western opera for the very first time.

 

[roygoh]

Originally posted by Wolfgang
I'm a fan... Lord of the Dance was amazing...

Welcome to the club!

How do you like Riverdance?

 

[sesame_street98]

Just a thought... when I watched Lord of the Dance I kinda understand the story line roughly but not for Riverdance. Is there actually a story line for riverdance?

With that I find LOTD more entertaining, but riverdance is also fantastic!

 

[roygoh]

Originally posted by sesame_street98
Just a thought... when I watched Lord of the Dance I kinda understand the story line roughly but not for Riverdance. Is there actually a story line for riverdance?

With that I find LOTD more entertaining, but riverdance is also fantastic!

I don't think there is a story line for RD. Seems like a rojak of not only Irish dance but also dances from other cultures such as flamenco (Firedance) and american-style tap (Trading Taps). These 2 happen to be my favourite segments from RD.

The story line in LOTD seems quite loose (or symbolic/abstract) to me also.

Either way I enjoy both the shows a lot!

 

[roygoh]

By the way I also have the soundtracks for LOTD, Feet of Flames, Riverdance NY and Riverdance 2002.

 

[sesame_street98]

Have you heard of "The Blue Man Group"? I saw their performance in Las Vegas also. Very innovative and funny.

Any idea how can I get hold of this: VCD, DVD, computer files ?

I never watch them but I am interested to know what are they performing...