Feisanna
Your First Feis
There is no way to really prepare anyone for the first feis. All that can be said is there will be hundreds of children around that all look very similar. Don't worry everything will work out in the end. As long as you get to the stage that your child is gonig to dance at they will know what to do next. Attending the School Feis is the best training for a real feis. You will walk into a real feis feeling like a pro.
The Night Before
Be prepared. Have all of the things your dancer will need packed and ready to go. This includes costume, socks, dark socks for boys, polished shoes, safety pins; this point is where the boys separate from the girls, bloomers, headband/tiara, dress bag, hairnet, bobby pins, hair spray, highlighter and a pen.
If you can, put your daughter's hair into curlers the night before. To save time in the morning go to the feis with the curlers in or take them out on the car ride to the feis. Those dancers who have wigs don't need to worry about curlers but make sure you pack hair elastics and bobby pins. Children do not have to be in costume to enter the feis. There are always changing rooms at the feis. Lots of dancers wear the top that they'll wear under their dress and pull on pants or sleep pants.
Don't forget to bring the camera, a blanket, food & drinks. The blanket & chairs are a great way to set up a home base (camp area) while you are waiting for your child's competition. There will be food and drinks available at the feis to buy but you are more welcome to bring your own cooler to the feis. You are never allowed to video tape any competition so please leave the video camera's at home. You also can not take any photos while your dancer or any other dancer is dancing.
At the Feis
Once you find the competition grounds and a parking spot you will see a line at the main entrance. Adults will have to pay a fee to enter the feis. Sometimes this fee is prepaid by way of a family admission. All kids are FREE! Your hand may be stamped or you may be issued a wrist band that will allow you to come and go from the feis grounds. You will receive a booklet or program that will have all of the children at the feis listed. In this book or on a separate piece of paper will be a list of all the stages. Keep this handy.
Registration
Okay, you are in. The next thing to look for is the registration table. This is where you will get your dancer's competitor number. The table will be separated into letters of your last name. (Eg. A-D, E-H, I-O, P-S, T-Z) Get into the line for your last name. Once you get in front tell the attendant your child's name & school they dance for. They will give you a card with a large number on one side and your child's name and dances on the other side. This card will be pinned on the front center of the school costume.
Finding the Stages
Since there are so many children all, of the stages will be running consecutively. This will be the most confusing part of the day because you will have to keep checking a couple of stages to see if your dancer's competition number has come up.
Remember the stage list that you got at the front entrance? Pull it out and look for your child's competition number that is on the back of card. There will be something like 5R, 5J, 5SJ. Circle the numbers on your list. Now you have to find the location of the stages your child will compete. All of the stages will be clearly marked on a large board. Next to the stage number will be another board that will have all of the competitions at that stage. It will probably look something like this…
Stage #4 Competitions
1R 2R 3R 5R 6R
2J 3J 4J 1J 5J
7R 8R 6J 7J 8J
As the competitions are completed an X will cross out the competitions that is running on the stage or that is already completed. This way you'll be able to keep track of how your stage is running. You should cross off each competition on you own stage list.
For example if your dancer is dancing on stage 1, stage 4 and stage 5 make sure you keep track of these stages and where they're at. This would be a good area to set up your home base or camp, somewhere between these stages.
Depending on the size of the competitions on that stage will determine how fast the stage is moving. If you have 3 competitions to go on stage 4 and 6 competitions to on stage 1 - make sure to keep checking both stages. Stage 1 may come up before stage 4. Also, it is not uncommon for competitions to be moved to a different stage in the middle of the day. Please keep track.
If you child is dancing at stage 4 and in competition 5R and there are 3 competitions before they go on this is a good time to get the dancer dresses. Don't bother if there are 10 competitions before them.
Your Child's Turn
This is it! You are at the stage where you child is dancing. It would be a good idea for your dancer to bring there dance book. Have your child go to the person with the clipboard and have them show that stage monitor their competition number (pinned on the front of the costume). Double check what they are dancing. The stage monitor will have them sit down with all of the kids in that competition.
Make sure before you send them up to check in that they have their socks pulled up, hair is neat, headband/tiara is on and the number card is pinned on the front of their costume. Dancers from the same school should NOT sit next to each other. It is best if they don't dance at the same time, if possible. Dancers dance three at a time so having two dancers from other schools between our dancers is a good rule.
When they compete the dancers will line up at the back of the stage and come out 2 or 3 at a time to do their steps. The child they are dancing with WILL NOT have the same steps. Make sure your dancers know to NOT look at the dancers beside them. The judge will mark all of the children based on timing, crossed feet and ability to execute the steps. After all the children have danced the Adjudicator (judge) will excuse them from the stage.
Results
On a large board with every competition will be listed. Next to the competition number will be places 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th. When checking the boards look under the competition your child danced and look for their competition number. Sometimes mistakes can happen and numbers get transposed. If you see a number that is very close to your child's and you don't remember seeing someone with that number dancing with your child don't be afraid to ask them to double check the result. If your child does place, the awards table is at another location. Your dancer will show the volunteer their number to receive their medal or ribbon. Then look for an Ardán teacher so that they can give you dancer a big hug!
After you child has danced all of his/her step you can let them change. They don't have to be in costume to pick up their medals, they just need the competitor card. Well that is it! You should be able to get through the day without pulling your hair out!
Results can usually be purchased at the competition for a couple of dollars. This is a way to see what the judge had to say about your dancer.
Vendors
Bring your wallet because there will be lots of vendors selling music, poodle socks, t-shirts etc. This is also a good time to get new shoes or be fitted for shoes. Your dancer will probably want something. Be prepared.
Good Luck!
Remember that if you have any questions the parents or dancers who have been to a feis before will answer any question you might have. When setting up your camp you might want to look around to see if there are other Ardán Academy parents in the area. They'll welcome having you camp with them and give you some pointers or just a kind word that helps you to relax.
What is my Feis Level?
Please read the following carefully before registering.
First Feis - This is only for those beginner dancers who have NEVER attended an accredited Feis before. The Ardán feis does not count because it is neither accredited nor is it open to any other dancer from other dance schools (which are why it is called a "closed" feis). But all the other feisanna listed in the NAFC schedule are accredited and do count!
Beginner 1 - (Formerly "Beginner") Dancers that began taking instruction in September of last year or later. Usually that means you have been dancing for less than one year
Beginner 2 - (Formerly "Advanced Beginner") Dancers that began before September of last year -- You have usually been dancing for at least one full year. Or, if you medaled in any dance in Beginner 1 or First Feis, you can then enter in THAT dance at this level.
Novice - Dancers that placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd (with 5 or more competitors) in Advanced Beginner in that particular dance.
Prize Winner - (Formerly "Open") Dancers that placed 1st (with 5 or more competitors) in Novice in that particular dance.
Preliminary Championship - Dancers that places 1st (with 5 or more competitors) in Open in all of the following; Reel, Slip Jig, Hornpipe and Treble Jig and have medaled consistently in Open.
Open Championship - Dancers that placed 1st twice in Preliminary Championships with 5 or more competitors.
Attending Your First Feis...
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