When I first started dancing, none of my friends in school knew what Irish dancing really was. Today when I say I am an Irish dancer, I get a completely different reaction. Now, dancing is respected, and almost everyone has heard of Riverdance . Even though these shows are not very traditional, it is very interesting to see the similarities between the steps done in competition and shows. The basic steps are the same, with a little extra pizzazz added to amaze the audience.
Costumes are shorter, arm movements are added, and music is constantly changing.
Many traditional people do not like these new ideas in Irish dancing, but I think it just proves that everything changes with time, even something like Irish dancing which everyone thought was forgotten. Now, competitive dancers are taking movements from the shows and adding them to their routines. Dancers are always trying to find something new to impress the judges and stay on top. The shows give Irish dancers career opportunities that they never had. Before this, the only way to stay involved in dancing as one got older was to be a teacher or adjudicator.