In an exciting collaboration with CLRG, the legendary Michael Flatley is launching a new form of competition at this year’s CLRG World Championships in Montreal.
The Michael Flatley Freestyle Dance Award is the first CLRG-associated competition where dancers will have the opportunity to create their own artistic showcases and perform them live on stage in front of an audience at the 2023 World Championships.
“I’m starting a competition at the World championships next year with what people call ‘the Flatley dance’ or the ‘free dance,’” Flatley recently told the Sunday World. “There is so much more to Irish dancing than winning a trophy.”
Check out the below video for all the details and read on for everything you need to know.
The competition is now open to dancers who were born in 2005 or earlier, and who participated in their 2022 regional qualifier.
To enter, dancers will first need to submit a 90-second video, in which they have the freedom to choose either soft or hard shoe, costuming, props, and music, without any limitations to types of movement – including upper body.
After the initial video entry, the dancers who are selected to move on to the final round will be invited to showcase their piece at the World Championships — where an award will be presented in both the Male and Female category.
The competition will be adjudicated by a panel of seven judges, marking of each performance out of a total of 100 marks.
Each performance will be judged within four specific categories: Choreography/creativity; musicality; dance performance and style; overall impact.
Dancers who would like to enter should do so by 9 February, 2023.
“It is exciting to think what direction it might take with the young minds when we let them be free,” added Flatley.
This is a big step for the competitive Irish dancing, as this much freedom in choreography and creative elements is limited in usual competition and rarely seen outside of the show dancing world.
It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for all dancers to showcase their unique skills and to also bring more self-expression into Irish dance as an artform.
Those who are interested in participating can find more information online here or email freestylecomp@lordofthedance.com with any questions.
We can’t wait to watch this competition at the Worlds this year, and see if it even becomes a staple at future majors.
Elsewhere, we are delighted to see that Michael Flatley has posted a positive health update after revealing last week that he was diagnosed with an “aggressive form of cancer” and that he had undergone surgery.
“Thank you to everyone around the world for your love and prayers,” he wrote in an Instagram post yesterday (January 18). “I am overwhelmed by your kindness. I have been released from hospital and am on the mend.”
