The Feis
A Feis (Fesh) is a dance competition. There are about ten or so, small competitions during the year in Sydney, but fewer in the other states. They are sponsored by the AIDA, (Australian Irish Dancing Association) or INDA (Irish National Dance Association) or dance schools or community groups. Competitions are held in Church halls, school halls, but more often at nicer venues such as airconditioned sporting or community clubs.
Entering a Competition
About three weeks before a competition your teacher will give you an entry form. You will be required to tick which dances your child is going to enter. You will only be ticking the beginner section, and at first only the Jig (hop & hop) and may be the Reel (over 2,3) this will cost you about $12 dance. Your teacher may have to sign the bottom and check your choice and then you post it off with a cheque or direct deposit and email.
Keep a copy of the entry form as it has the address of the competition and what dances your child has entered. The timings for each age group will be announced at the studio (or a notice on the wall) or on facebook, two or three days before the competition. Little beginners are most likely to be on in the morning but this can change.
During the week before the competition your teacher will tell you what time your child's age group is dancing. It is best if you keep a copy of your entry form in case you forget what you have entered. Timetables are often listed on this site.
On the Day
Often a venue fee will be included with the entry form which goes towards the hall hire. Entry monies cover the cost of the medals and the fees of the judges. If a venue fee is not included on the entry form you can expect to pay a door fee on the day.
If you are lucky there will be a program included in the entry sometimes it costs $2. Read the program and find your child's name and note what sections he/she is in. Check against your entry form it see if it matches. If it doesn't, tell your teacher or an organiser. Keep in mind that "Premiership" means she will be dancing twice even if it is only listed once in the program.
When the section is called she goes on her own to the side of the stage under the direction of one of the organisers.
The small beginners will dance three at a time on the stage together. Your child will be dancing different steps from the the other children on the stage and the hardest thing for her is not to be distracted by them.
The order of competition within your child’s age group is...
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Beginners then
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Primary
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Elementary
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