Buzzfeed’s Try Guys Tackle Irish Step Dance in Viral Video

A group of four guys over at Buzzfeed, known as the Try Guys, have stepped into a world completely foreign to them, but one that is likely quite familiar to our audience here: Irish Step Dancing.

Photo courtesy of Tor Lindstrand
Photo courtesy of Tor Lindstrand

The Try Guys are known for creating hilarious videos as they tackle new challenges and push themselves “out of their comfort zone”. From changing a diaper to going head to head with a UFC fighter, or trying to hit a major league fastball, these guys try some pretty crazy things. In their newest video, which has already been viewed over 800,000 times since it went live just 3 days ago on July 12th, the group attempts to learn how to step dance in order to put on a show for their coworkers at Buzzfeed.

Led by professional Irish dancer Zane Glotzbach, the guys attempt to learn how to “Riverdance” which they associate with girls with curly hair and fast feet. With the patience of a kindergarten teacher, Zane teaches them the proper posture and form prior to the guys learning their first few steps, which prove difficult despite being the same steps that every 5 year old with Irish roots has mastered.

As you will see, the Try Guys did put on quite a show, and learned just how difficult and exhausting step dancing can be.

Irish step dancing has been a long standing tradition with an interesting history that has slowly evolved since the arrival of the Celts in Ireland two thousand years ago. 

Photo courtesy of Prayitno
Photo courtesy of Prayitno

From peasant circular dances to long dance, dance masters began instructing across Ireland in the 18th century, formalizing the instruction process and creating standards for competition. Today dancers compete in Dublin every year at the World Championships.

While Riverdance and step dancing may be common terms now, this video shows that that doesn’t make it any easier to learn and to execute.

Photo courtesy of Adam Baker
Photo courtesy of Adam Baker

Perhaps a continuation of this video could show the Try Guys competing against those at a similar level, such as the 5 & 6 year olds who would likely stomp all over them.