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What is a "FESH"?A bit of background Once you've been involved in Irish dancing for a little while you might start to hear the word "Fesh" a lot. It's actually spelt "Feis" and it's the Irish Gaelic word we use for Irish dancing competitions. The plural is "Feiseanna" (pronounced fesh-an-uh). There are several feiseanna in Adelaide each year. The first is usually around the end of March and the last is late October, for exact dates you can take a look at our Feis Calendar. At the competition, dancers are split into two-year age groups, so Under 7, Under 9, Under 11 and so on. In each age group, there are then several levels based on the dancer's standard and previous experience. These are:
This way you or your child will be dancing against others about the same age, and a similar standard. So a dancer at their first feis won't have to dance against a Champion! Novice sections are only available at some competitions, and are only for dancers doing their first ever feis. In novice and beginner, only basic steps can be used such as over-2-3s. As dancers progress through the levels, the steps will gradually get harder. Grading is how a dancer moves up the levels. So if a dancer places first against 5 or more dancers, where there are at least two school's represented, they are "Graded" and move up to the next level for that dance. Each dance is graded seperately, so a dancer might have each dance in a different level. In Novice, Beginner, Primary and Intermediate each dance is a seperate competition - so there will be a Beginner Under 7 Reel, Beginner Under 7 Single Jig and so on. For these sections, medals are awarded to the placed dancers. There are often also extra competitions called "Special Events" where the dancer has a chance to win a trophy! Some competitions also offer Special Event Aggregates. This means the dancer has to do two dances, for example a Beginner Reel and a Single Jig. The scores are added together and first place receives a trophy. Open is the highest level, with the hardest steps. Once in Open, there are special competitions called "Premierships" (with one judge) or "Championships" (with three judges). This means they will dance one dance in Hard shoes, one dance in soft shoes and a special hard shoe dance called a Set Dance. The result is worked out from the scores of all three rounds. When is a dancer ready to enter? How do they enter? To enter a feis, dancers need to know at least one dance all the way through, and be able to dance it to the music. Entry forms are available in class in the lead up to the competition. These need to be filled out with the dancer's name, age & school and the dances & level they are entering. Andrew will always help newer dancers & families fill these out so don't worry if you're not sure which dances are which or what you should be entering. The correct amount for your entries will need to be paid in advance and handed to Andrew in class. Most entry forms will tell you who cheques should be made out to, or you can bring cash in an envelope with the dancer's name & the name of the feis on the front. What should I bring? We have a handy Beginners Feis Checklist that you can use to make sure you have everything you will need. There are sometimes vendors at the feis who will have things like socks for sale though, just in case you forget something. And other dancers are always happy to help out their school-mates! If you wish to hire a costume you will need to let Andrew know in advance. This will be taken to the competition for you but you will still need to remember your t-shirt and a couple of other things on the checklist. What happens on the day? Timetables are usually released about a week before the competition. Andrew will have this and be able to let you know what time to get there. You will need a little extra time before the first dance for warming up and getting ready. You'll also be able to have a look around and work out where marshalling, toilets and the cafe are. You'll need to get ready with your socks (or tights), shoes and costume. Andrew will have a number which needs to be pinned to your costume, this is so the judge can identify each dancer. Normally there will be a little practice before hand with Andrew. You'll be able to get a program to see exactly when you or your dancer is up, and it will also show you who else is in your competition with space to write results. When it's close to your competition the volunteers or a teacher will call you to marshalling. This is an area side stage where the feis volunteers organise the dancers in each competition into the the right order and make sure everyone is there ready. Once your section starts, you will go on stage to dance three at a time. The music will start, you will point your toe and start your dance to the music just like you do at class. You will dance the whole dance, then the music will stop. Once you finish you will point your toe, bow to the judge and then walk back to your starting place. The judge might make some notes and she will ring a bell. You'll point and bow again and then walk off the stage. That's it - first dance out of the way! If you've entered more than one dance, you will go back and do exactly the same for them. What if I forget my steps? Or my shoe comes off? Or I fall? If you make a mistake or forget a step, don't worry! Try to keep dancing, remember that the judge doesn't know your steps, so just keep dancing till you can pick up the next step. If you really can't pick it back up, you can walk to the back of the stage and wait till the other dancers have finished. Try not to get too upset and worried. Every dancer forgets their steps sometimes - even the big girls doing Championships sometimes make mistakes! Even your teacher has forgotten his steps so he won't get mad. If your shoe comes off or the lace comes undone, you are allowed to stop. Just take the shoe off and hold it so the judge can see it, then walk to the back of the stage and wait with the shoe in your hand. You will be able to put your shoe back on afterwards and have another go. If you fall, don't panic, you don't need to jump straight up! Chances are you'll be fine and won't have hurt yourself. The judge will usually ring her bell so the other dancers will stop too. You'll be able to go back side stage and the ladies there will let you catch your breath and make sure you're ok. You will be able to dance again if you want. When do we get results? Once all the competitions for the morning or afternoon are finished, there will be a results presentation. Results are usually good fun and exciting as all the dancers and families from your school will be cheering for each other as their results are called. You'll need to listen carefully for your number and your name. Results are called in reverse order up to first place. Once your name is called in a result, you'll go on stage to collect your medal. You'll be able to stand for photos, then bow and go to the back of the stage while you wait for more results. Now what? Hopefully you've had a good day and won a few medals for your hard work. As a school we usually like to get some photos of everyone together after their results. And you'll need to give your number back! After you've finished dancing and your presentation is over you can leave whenever you're ready. Some families like to hang around for a little while to watch other dancers from the school. Often there are older age groups in the afternoons, and usually Open dancers so it's a great chance to see some of the best dancers in our State. Competitions also have cafe's run by the school so you will be able to get food and drinks now you've finished dancing and even check out the Vendors if you need any new dancing gear!
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