to answer the above post about not being 100% sure, Michael Flatley DID NOT i repeat DID NOT CREATE Riverdance, and either did Jean Butler. Moyra Dhoerty (Sorry spelling is not my best thing, and i don't have the Riverdance stuff in front of me) created it along with Bill Whealen and a few other.

If you watch the Best of Riverdance DVD, they will out and out tell you that Moyra and Bill created Riverdance, and that Flatley's departure is what turned the show into the international phemon that it is today. (the fact that Michael Flatley left and that Jean was injured, when they opened and Colin Dunne, and Eileen (i think that is her name) came in and did a fantastic job, they saw that the show could continue with out it's main stars.

Riverdance is one of the most successful if not the most successful Irish Dance show out there, as it is still touring.

And to quote my TCRG when asked how was the show, Celtic Tiger, responded with, "Michael is much better than that, he did his usual, tappity-tap stuff, and I know he's much better than that." When asked by a parent later on my TCRG took a long time to get "it was okay" out.

I will admit that Mr. Flatley can dance, I do not like how people idolize him, and make him the "creator" of Irish Dance.

Without the many TCRGs who were taught by many TCRGs and the many students who are taking Irish dance, Irish dance would not be around, it is to those people, to us that credit should be given, for "keeping the tradition alive".

To each his/her own, my TCRG and a student from our dance school saw it and didn't really like it, the steps were basic and not done well, the Irish one's anyway. The other parts of the show really didn't entertain my TCRG, but he admited they were good.

If you want to to and see Flately, and the show fine.

In the above pic, I think his age if finally showing, he looks older, chunkier, and well, goofy.

The tights or spandex pants, made me laugh, made me actually think of dance tights, and say, doesn't that hurt.

I will not pass too much judgement on the show as I have not seen it, but if my TCRG didn't really like, then I wouldn't either. I have seen Lord of the Dance, via video and from the looks of it, Feet of Flames is just Lord of the Dance extra.

If Michael Flately gets a pesdtal for ID so Jean, Colin, their under studies, and the many former and current world champion and "regular" Irish Dancers out there.

Without that call from Moyra, Michael Flately would just be another American who could do Irish step dancing.... (as would Ms. Butler) it was that call and his "yes, i'll dance" that turned him into what he is. Without that phone call, he would not be who he is.