Diane is on the Strathspey list for SCd and apparently they are having a discussion about various European folk dances.
In the conversation this video came up and Diane sent it to me.
I have to say, it strengthened my opinion that I prefer Highland dancing to Irish step dancing, but it shows the similarities and differences fairly well.
Plus, it's strengthened my decision to start Highland dance so that I can get better at SCD.
I have to agree; I like both types of dancing but the Highland style presents to me a more stirring visual package. The lack of upper body movement with step dancing gets tiresome to me.
And then it came to the many peoples of North America from Quebec, to the Blue Ridge to the acadian where it became tap, buck dancing, step dancing, and clogging.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rN7j...eature=related
To my uneducated eyes (I have never done any organized dancing), I would say that Highland dancing is more graceful and reminds me more of ballet while irish step dancing reminds me of tap dancing. I dont really prefer one over the other, it just depends on my mood.
Even though I do (amateur) Highland dancing, I still have to say that I prefer Irish step. There's just something about it...oh right, I have a step dancer in my band. Also, the steps that the Irish dancers were doing were very basic. Check this out for something more...advanced.
It really is a matter of preference. They obviously have similar roots but have gone such different directions.
The step dancing is very complicated and takes a lot of precision, but there's something about the form of it I just don't find very pleasing to the eye.
The Highland dance takes precision in a very different form.
Maybe I just prefer it because it's more Manly. (Ever tried a sword dance with a sharp sword and those nice, soft shoes?)
The Irish style is great at footwork but they keep their hands to the sides so much whereas the Highland dancing allows plenty of expression with arms and hands.
[B][COLOR="Red"][SIZE="1"]Reverend Earl Trefor the Sublunary of Kesslington under Ox, Venerable Lord Trefor the Unhyphenated of Much Bottom, Sir Trefor the Corpulent of Leighton in the Bucket, Viscount Mcclef the Portable of Kirkby Overblow.
Cymru, Yr Alban, Iwerddon, Cernyw, Ynys Manau a Lydaw am byth! Yng Nghiltiau Ynghyd!
(Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Isle of Man and Brittany forever - united in the Kilts!)[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]
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