The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us. We’ve all been put in the situation of suddenly changing important aspects of our daily life to adapt to the new circumstances. For people in some fields of activity, this process of adapting was more difficult. That was certainly the case for the people in the Irish dance community whose career depends on performing in front of the public as many Irish dance championships were cancelled all over the world. Luckily, we live in a time when everything is digitalized, so moving to the online environment has helped many people to keep doing what they do. Teachers, public figures in the Irish dance community, Irish dance magazines, Irish dance apps and social media pages have been active throughout this period to improve morale in the Irish dance community. As for the performers, they have been working just as hard as ever.
Not being able to perform on a stage has not stopped many Irish dancers from performing in front of hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people. They just found a new outlet: social media. As long as they have a pair of Irish dance shoes, skillful moves, and enthusiasm, they can perform anywhere and people will love it. If you’re looking for dance shoes a large range of Irish dance hard shoes can be found here. Having footwear, internet connection, and motivation that’s how some Irish dancers have found viral fame on social media outlets such as TikTok.
Irish dance routines on TikTok
You wouldn’t think you’d find traditional Irish dance on Tiktok. This video-sharing app is mostly about dancing routines that are created and replicated by the users. However, some creative and enthusiastic Irish dancers have found their way to viral fame on this app. It was all about impressive skill and adding a modern twist to the dance routines. One of the most famous examples is the Porter Brothers, a duo of Irish dancers that have become popular on Tik Tok thanks to their dance duet to Saint Jhn’s “Roses”. Their idea was to increase the audience by using music that is more familiar to the general public. That way people could also appreciate hidden rhythms in their favorite tunes that they might not have noticed before. Another viral TikTok features Irish dancer Morgan Bullock dancing to Megan Thee Stallion’s “ Savage”. There’s also Owen Luebbers, a 21-year old from Pennsylvania that tries to break the record for fastest-moving feet to the delight of his TikTok audience.
Keeping connected during Covid-19
It’s not only TikTok. People have been sharing Irish dance-related content on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube to a growing audience. On one hand, it is about expanding the audience and bringing more attention to this beautiful tradition while also entertaining people. On the other hand, it is a wonderful way for dancers to keep themselves busy and motivated during these difficult times. For a lot of them, dancing is the panacea for the anxiety, uncertainty, and maybe even loneliness that the pandemic has caused. Irish dance-related daily tasks, sharing Irish dance content on social media, and practicing with the same amount of enthusiasm as before the pandemic is what kept them on track!
