Step Dance
Irish Step Dance (or stepdance) is an umbrella term for Irish Dancing in the modern age. It refers to a globalized competitive and performance art form that stems from the immigration of Irish people to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and more.
Riverdance was the most important event in the development of modern Irish Dance. In 1994, champion dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler led a troupe of dancers in a seven-minute interlude for the Eurovision Song Contest, which was taking place in Dublin, Ireland. The routine skyrocketed Riverdance to a level of fame that allowed them to create their own full-length stage show, which debuted in November 1994 and still runs adapted versions all over the world to this day. Music from the soundtrack has reached the Billboard music charts and gave its composer, Bill Whelan, a Grammy Award in 1997. Several cities in the United States have a Riverdance Day, including March 6th for San Francisco and March 15th for New York City. There are two Riverdance Academies in Boston, Massachusetts and Dublin, Ireland where rising dancers can take choreography courses from Riverdance alumni and learn how to audition for both Riverdance and the shows inspired by it, such as Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, Celtic Steps, Rhythm of the Dance, A Taste of Ireland, and more.
Today, tens of thousands of people can claim that they took Irish Dancing lessons growing up in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including those not of Irish descent. Media representation such as Jig, The Wiggles, and Derry Girls has also helped Irish Dance's introduction to new audiences in the modern era. Additionally, social media such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have boosted several Irish Dancers to a viral status over the past ten years.
