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What is a Feis?

Where can I get a list of approved Feisanna?

What should my child wear to the Feis?

How do I find out when there are Performances?

Does my child have to participate in Feis and Performances?

How do I do the hair?

Feis (pronounced fesh) is the Irish word for festival. In the solo dancing events, the dancers compete in one of six levels. These six levels are further broken down into age brackets. Dancers are scored on Timing (rhythm), Carriage (deportment), Construction of Steps (complexity), and Execution (presentation).

The Tir Na Nog level is open to the youngest dancers only (the age varies according to the feis). It is a confidence builder for the dancers. The dancers perform 2 at a time doing 1 jig or reel step. There are no winners at this level and everyone is awarded a prize.

The Beginner level is open to boys and girls who have never competed before or have't won a first, second, or third place at a feis. The dancers must perform a jig which is set in 6/8 time and/or a reel, which is set in 2/4 or 4/4 time. They wear soft shoes which are similar to ballet slippers. Although the children appear on stage in twos, they do not necessarily dance in unison nor do they compete solely against each other.

The Novice level is for boys or girls who have placed first, second, or third as a beginner in that particular dance (reel or jig). Two more dances, the slip jig and hornpipe, are added to this class (the slip jig is a ladies-only dance). The hornpipe, like the reel, is set in 2/4 or 4/4 time, however dancers wear hard shoes made in part with fiberglass in order to display the rhythmic sounds using the toes, heels, and balls of the feet. The slip jig, set in the unusual and unique-to-Irish-dance 9/8 time, is performed in soft shoes and is perhaps the most graceful of the step dances; consisting of light hopping and sliding actions. At the novice level of jig competition, it's normally an option for the dancer to perform in either soft shoes (light jig) or hard shoes (treble jig).

The Prizewinner (sometimes called simply Open) level is a step up for boys and girls who no longer qualify as a beginner or novice dancer. A set dance is added to the competition at this level (now up to five for girls and four for boys). A set dance is "set" to certain music and carries the name of the tune to which it is choreographed, such as The Blackthorn Stick, The Hunt, or The Three Sea Captains. This is performed in hard shoes and at the dancer's own chosen speed. Set dances should always reflect the rhythm of the music in the movement of the feet.

The Preliminary Championship level is for those who have placed first at the prizewinner (open) level in both a soft shoe (reel, slip jig) and a hard shoe (hornpipe, treble jig, set dance) at a previous feis. This is normally the only level of competition where boys and girls dance in the same events. Dancers must perform one soft shoe dance and one set dance in hard shoes.

The Open Championship level, the most advanced of solo competition, is for those who had previously won two first place awards in the Preliminary level.

http://home.us.net/~dconner/99feis.html

http://www.jps.net/feisprod/feis/

The Maple school of Irish Dance has two girls costumes, beginner and school costume.

The beginners costume consists of a navy blue pleated skirt, a plain white blouse, the school head band and scrunchie, a green sash, poodle socks and gillies (or black ballet slippers).

The school costume consist of the headband and scrunchie, poodle socks, and gillies and hard shoes (for hornpipes and treble jigs) and the school dress which can be acquired in two ways:

1. Have one made for you (ask Bill or Marnie for info).
2. Buy a used one from an older dancer (check a newsletter).

The girls should have there hair curled in ringlets. See the directions in hair help.

The boys wear navy blue pants, a plain white shirt, and a green bow tie, along with their hard and soft shoes.

I hope to have the performance up on the web site soon. Performance sign up sheets are posted outside of the class each week. The performances are usually open to dancers at all levels (the sign up sheet will indicate if it is not). The sheet will also indicate dress and hair requirements. Ask Bill, Marnie, or the contact on the sign up sheet if you have questions about a specific performance.

No, your child is not required to compete or do any performances. We do encourage all children to participate. Both the feis and the performances help build confidence and increase enthusiasm for Irish Dancing.

Getting those beautiful curls can be tricky, but if you follow these directions, it should work.

1. Wash you childs hair in the morning, the day before the feis (or the night before that if you won't have time in the morning). DO NOT USE CONDITIONER.
2. At least 24 hours before the feis get together curlers (I recommend soft spikes, but the pink foam ones work too), end papers (not necessary, but they are helpful), maximum hold setting lotion or styling gel, hairbrush, comb, and as much patience as possible. Pop some popcorn, pour a soda, put on a movie, and set in a comfortable spot, you will be there awhile.
3. Put the top 1/3 of the hair up in a pony tail with an elastic band. Apply gel to the pony tail and roll small sections of hair (it should take 6 - 10 curlers for the pony tail).
4. Begin working in thin rows across the hair applying the gel or setting lotion as you go and using as many rollers as possible. As you finish one row, start a new row under, until you have finished the entire head. On the last row, don't row so tightly against the head, this row won't show and it's easier to sleep on when it doesn't hurt.
5. Get a good night sleep. Leave the curlers in until you get to the feis (bring a bag to stick the curlers in and some hairspray to help hold in the curls). Slip the scrunchy on over the curlers in the pony tail. To remove curlers start from the last row at the bottom. If you used soft spikes, remove the end from the hole, hold the curler by the hole, gently pull strait down (it should come off in a perfect curl). Continue until you have all of the curlers out. Spray with hairspray all over to give extra hold.

Take your time, it will take awhile the first time, but you will get quicker. It took me about 1 1/2 hours on my first attempt, now I'm down to about 45 minutes. Depending on how thick your daughters hair is, it can take from 50 to 100 curlers. The small the amount of hair you put in, the more curls you get.