Your First Feis! Here’s what to expect!

Feis: An Irish Dance Competition Feiseanna pl.

How do I find a feis to enter?
Each year, the N.A.F.C. (North American Feis Commission) issues a Feis schedule for all of North America. It usually is available in November prior to January of the approaching year. The website is www.northamericanfeiscommission.org. Click on the year schedule that you want. The schedule will appear on the screen, showing you the dates, locations and websites of individual feis for the entire year’. They may also show you when registration opens for that particular feis-often months in advance. Each feis usually has its own website to look at with its own syllabus and other details. You can usually view or download the syllabus (the form which tells you all the available dances and numbers to enter on the registration form and all other important information about the feis). Each feis will tell you if there is a “cap”- or limit of dancers they will accept for entry. Some popular feiseanna reach cap in hours or the very first day of entry. Very large feiseanna will give you more time to enter. The key is to plan ahead and mark your calendar!

How do I register my dancer?
The age of computers has changed the way entries are now done. The majority of feiseanna now have online registration-either through their own website, or two companies who handle registrations. I would first set up an account at these two www.efeis.com and www.feisworx.com. Just follow the directions to create an account for your dancer. You will probably also need to set up a Paypal account. Go to www.paypal.com if you don’t already have one setup. Some feis will allow you to register on line and then mail in payment, but the majority ask for an online payment at the time of registration. Have all accounts set up and ready before you want to register for a feis. It will make the process so much easier! Confirmation of your entries will be emailed to you.
HINT: When you register, book a room in the suggested hotels given by the feis. They usually give you a “feis” rate for the hotel. Hotels can also fill up quickly so book early.

How do I know what age group and dances to enter my child in?
Dancing category “age” is determined by your child’s age on January 1st of the current year. If your child is still 9 on January 1st and turns 10 in February, then your child still dances Under 10 (U10) for the entire calendar year. This is for solo dances.
For figures (3 hand, 4 hand), the dancer may dance with their own age group or the age of the oldest dancer. They may dance up in age, but not down. This only applies in figures.
Enter your child in the dances they have been approved to dance by their teacher.
As a beginner, a child will usually just dance Traditional jig and reel. Some feis will offer slip jig and hop jig as well. As they move up in dance levels, you must follow the grade levels as defined by the NAFC. You could actually be registered for dances in 3 different levels at once- (ie. adv. Beg, novice, Open/PW) but that would be quite unusual.

What is a “step” and what steps does my child do?
A step is a series of movements leading first with the right foot, and then repeated leading with the left foot. Each step is danced to 16 bars of music. Two complete steps are required for each solo dance entered. (you don’t dance the whole dance). Usually, dancers will be on stage two at a time to compete before the judge. Each school will have their own steps, so dancers should not be thrown off if the dancer next to them is not doing the exact same steps! They learn their steps in class. Check with the teacher if you are unsure what steps they are dancing. Usually beginning at the Novice level, different speeds for hard shoe are offered. The speeds are slow or fast tempos. Advanced beginner hard shoe dancers begin with the Fast Hornpipe, or Traditional Hornpipe and more Novice dancers will do the slow Hornpipe or slow Treble Jig. Know what speed you are dancing as they will often arrange dancers by the speed of their chosen dance. (only in hard shoe!)

What happens when I get to the Feis?
It is the usual practice now to have more information available to dancers on the feis registration site about one week prior to the competition. You may check your registration status, the stages your dancer will be performing on, and sometimes what time your competition is expected to start. Check your registration site frequently for updated information before you leave for your feis.
This is the typical order of things you will do at most feiseanna. Make sure you arrive on time!
Beginners should be early as they are usually the first on after figures and need time to get settled. If a feis begins at 8 am, a beginner could start as early as 8:30. Arrive 30 min. early!
* Pay an entry fee to the feis at the door. Dancers are free. Often this fee is now included in registration. You will sometimes get a wristband to wear.
* Go to the Registration table. Dancers are listed alphabetically-find your Last Name letter and give your dancers name. You will receive a Feis program book, a stage schedule (sometimes in the book or often on a separate paper), and your dancer’s competition card number.
* Check to see if you need to punch holes in your number card or get a string to tie onto your dancer. These supplies are usually right by the registration table. Ask if you don’t see them.
* Look at the stage schedule sheet and check to see what stage your dancer will be dancing at.
Look on the back of your competitor number card to see the list of competition numbers you entered for your dancer and then match that number to a stage schedule list. You will want to “camp” close to where your stage is that you are dancing on, although you may often be assigned to several different stages.
*If you have a letter after your competition number (Like 27A or 27B), that means there were so many dancers in your age group that they split them into two smaller groups. This is often done at large feiseanna and is called a “split”.
*On the stage schedule, use a highlighter to go over dancer’s competition numbers. Use a different color for each of your kids for easier tracking. On the syllabus, it will state what time the competitions begin. Usually figures go first, and then solo dances follow, starting with First Feis, Beginners, then Advanced Beg, Novice, etc. Champs and PC are run separately.

Your competitor card and your stage schedule will look something like this:
- Remember J stands for Jig, R for Reel, SJ for Slip jig, H for Hornpipe and T or TJ for Treble jig.
- The number in front of the dance letter is the competition number for that dance.
- The number on the front of your dancer’s card is her competitor number to check for results.
* There will be a map of the stage locations in the program book. Find where your stages are and mark which dances you dance on what stage. Ie. 27J (jig ) on stage 4, 27 SJ on stage 3.
*Most feis have dances in the same order: jig,reel, slip jig (all soft shoe), then change to hard shoe dances Treble jig and Hornpipe.
* Look to see what stage the “specialty “dances are danced; like your Traditional Set.
Reel. Sets are sometimes scheduled before the solo dances.
* Your competitor number will need to be pinned or tied around your dancer’s waist prior to each competition. There are also plastic non- glare number holders that are often sold by vendors to help keep your number flat and secure against the dancer.
* Warm up your feet and run through your steps!

It’s my turn to dance! What do I do?
Next to the stage of your competition will be a large board with numbers posted. It will have all the competitions that will be danced on that stage for the day. At the top will be 2 large numbers posted under words that say “NOW” and “NEXT”. Dancing now might be 27J. You are the next dance 28J. You should go check in for your dance when your competition number is the next number up. A stage monitor, usually holding a clipboard, will be standing right by the stage. Give her your name and number and she will check off that you are there. They will direct you to sit in chairs to await your competition dance until the current dancers are finished. Parents should find a seat in the audience.

Usually the monitor or another parent will help the beginners start so they know when they are to step out to dance. Remember to point your toe on the 5th -7th beat and up on toes on the 8th beat. The dancers will dance two at a time and should finish facing the judge at the end of their steps. They should bow to the judge after their second step, (you can also bow to the musician), and then return to your place back in the line. Never talk in line! The Dancer remains there until the whole first line is done dancing. Make sure you are standing with great posture, feet crossed in front, and arms at your sides. Smile and have a great time! The stage monitor will dismiss your line and the line behind you will step up to dance. You are now done with this dance!
Find your next dance on the stage schedule to see how many competitions will be going on before you dance again. Check the boards often to see what dance they are on relative to yours.

How do I know if my dancer has won an award?
Feis workers take the score sheets from the judge, tabulate them, and post the winners on a Results Board. Awards for beginner through Open/PW are placed on this board. Winners in Preliminary and Champs are announced on the stage where they danced.

This can take 10 minutes to an hour after your competition, depending on the feis. Look on your feis map to locate the area where the results are posted. It is usually a LARGE wall with rows and rows of numbers. Look for the competition number of your dance. Columns are put up marked 1st,2nd,3rd, and can go up to 6th place. Look for your dancers competitor number (the one on the card) to see if it is written in one of the placement columns for that particular dance. If your number is written in a placement column, you may take your competitor number card to the Awards Table and collect your medal or ribbon! If you do not see your number, you did not place. Parents, prepare your children for this! They may win something in one, all, or none of their dances at any feis. That is part of competition. Be encouraging and supportive. Losing and winning are important learning opportunities. You can make this a fun, positive experience either way!

How many awards are given out?
Each feis establishes its own policy. Most feiseanna are generous and can award up to 40% of the competitors. There can also be multiple winners in each 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

Can I see my child’s scores?
Look for purchasing results when you register for a feis or at the feis itself. It is often an additional, nominal fee to get results. The scores will be mailed out to you or can be picked up at the feis itself. Occasionally, you will have some comments written by the judge but not always. They may comment on timing, foot placement, toes, etc. The results will show you the scores of those who placed 1,2 3, and the scores of your dancer. That will give you a better idea of how your dancer placed against the competition.

Additional thoughts about competing at a feis:
*Make sure your costume, wig,(make it secure!) socks are clean and adjusted correctly!
Appearance counts in your overall presentation to the judge!
*Make sure your shoes are tied correctly and will not come undone when dancing!
*Make sure your socks are glued at the proper height and even!
*Wear a smock over your costume if you leave it on between dances! (especially if you are eating!) Even if you are careful, a lot of other people walking around can spill things on you as well!
*Do not talk or fidget in line while waiting to dance. Always be standing in ready dance position facing forward.
*Be sure to stretch and warm up before your competition. Give yourself plenty of time so you don’t feel rushed.
*Enjoy the experience! The first feis can be VERY overwhelming for all of you. Try to leave younger siblings at home the first time as you will need to focus on your dancer. When you feel comfortable with all aspects of the feis, it can be a fun family affair.

Wow! This sounds crazy! Why would I want to feis?
Remember, doing a feis is just one aspect of Irish Dance but many children enjoy the competition and receiving awards. It gives them something to work towards and a sense of achievement. They get to watch their classmates dance, make new friends, travel to new places, see some fabulous dancing, and spend a special time with parents. A feis can also be a tool to build self-confidence, self discipline, create a sense of accomplishment, and learn how to win and lose graciously. Winning an award is not all that feising is about. Whether you choose to compete or not should be a joint decision between the parent and dancer. They may not be ready this year, but sometime in the future. Those who do feis will tell you of the many wonderful aspects of competing in Irish Dance. Good luck to all of you as you continue your journey in Irish Dance!

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