New Mexico State Championships and Feis

Email questions about the Feis to: isdnm_mcteggart@yahoo.com
February 27, 2010
2010 Syllabus (New!)
Location:

Radisson Hotel Albuquerque
(505) 888-3311
Please ask for 'New Mexico Feis' rate ($89)

Location Map

Breakfast ($8.50) and lunch buffets available at hotel. Breakfast buffet opens at 7 AM and includes coffee, OJ, milk, yogurt, fruit, oatmeal, cereal, beans, scrambled eggs, potatoes. To-go boxes available.

Lunch concession stand available from 12-3.

After-the-feis party with music and dancing is being planned for Saturday evening. Check back for more details.

Admission:

Free for the public.

Participants in competition must register and pay a fee.
Registration for Competition:
Deadline for registration is February 12. $25 late fee for registration after the 12th. $50 late fee for registration after February 19th.

Click here to register with Feisworx.
Here is information about the Cultural Competition. Note, Cultural Competition requires registration. Note: Last minute registration for the Cultural Competition WILL be accepted at the competition door. Please be sure and bring your $10 registration fee.
Recommended Accommodations:

Radisson Hotel, 2500 Carlisle Blvd NE.
Phone (505) 888-3311 for reservations.
Mention the New Mexico Feis for special $89/night room rates.
Ajudicators: Ann McBride, Kristina Shelley, Mary Feeney, Maire O'Connell, Ann Richens
Musicians: Merv Bell, James Butke
Raffle, Donations, and Advertising
Schedule:

7:00 AM Breakfast Buffet Opens ($8.50; hotel restaurant)

7:00-10:00 AM Grab-and-Go Concession stand (Garden Terrace)

8:00-5:00 AM Vendor sales (Garden Terrace)

8:15 Opening Ceremony (Grand Ballroom)

8:30 First Feis through prizewinner dancers, U11 (Grand Ballroom) 8:30 Championship dancers, U11 (Championship ballroom)

11:00 AM Figure Dancing, all ages (Grand Ballroom)

12:00 Lunch Buffet (hotel restaurant)

12:00-3:00 Grab-and-Go Concession stand (Garden Terrace)

1:00 First Feis through prizewinner dancers, O11 (Grand Ballroom)

1:00 Championship dancers, O11 (Championship Ballroom)

4:00-7:00 Cultural Competition (Cavalier room)

4:00 End of day Raffle drawing (See registration table for more details)

6:00-10:00 PM After-the-Feis party ($7/person, see registration table for more details)

Registration, and About the Feis

Revision 3, January 28, 2010

Note: The following applies ONLY to the State Championship & Feis.

A Feis is a community-based festival of Irish culture to include dance and other cultural competitions (music, art, etc…). When these celebrations are centered on dance competition alone, they are referred to as a Feile.

Feis Registration

Consult your child’s teacher to determine which dances he or she is prepared to dance.
Create an account for your family at Feisworx (www.feisworx.com). Each family has one account with multiple dancers able to be added. It is very important to enter an accurate birthday for each dancer as the program uses this date to determine the correct competition age group for your dancer.
Click on “Register for a Feis”.
“New Registration”.
Select a Feis from drop down menu (New Mexico State Championship & Feis).
Click “Register for Feis” (dancers information will be displayed).
List of available Solo dances (reel, light jig, slip jig…).
Select dancer’s competition level (first feis, beginner, novice, prizewinner…).
List of available Figure dancers (2 hand reel, 2 hand jig, 2 hand reel…) .
Select dancer’s competition level and age category (use the age and level of oldest dancer in figure team).
Click “Send Me a Registration Confirmation Email”.
Click “Save changes”.
“Record Feis Registration” page contains details of registration and any applicable fees.
At this point you may register another dancer under your account, if necessary.
Pay online or send payment to address provided. Be sure to pay before deadlines to avoid late fees.
Your school's TCRG will review your entry online at www.feisworx.com and record her approval of your registration electronically.
Click “What’s My Competition?” to see how many competitors your dancer will have in each dance.

Dancers who have never competed in a Feis before may register at the Beginner I level or in the First Feis category.

Beginner I dancers may register for up to 4 dances – reel, light jig, slip jig, single jig.

First Feis is intended to be a low-stress experience for the new dancer. Each child will be awarded a medal for participation in each of the two dances available – reel and light jig.

Dancers may not enter the same dance at both levels, but may enter different dances in each of these categories. Example: First Feis level for reel and light jig & Beginner I for single jig and slip jig.

Your child may withdraw from competition in a dance on the day of the Feis by simply not checking in for that dance. Fees will not be refunded, however.

Feis Dance Costumes

Costumes are a very important part of Feiseanna. Traditionally, dancers wear a class costume (McTeggart Black Velvet “Dog” dress) until they have reached a higher level of competition (typically Novice and above) where they may wear a solo dress. Solo costumes are designed at the permission of and in collaboration with the dance school’s director.

GIRLS

Costumes:

Class Costume – McTeggart Black Velvet “Dog” dress, shawl, black kickpants/bloomers, white poodle socks, brooches, Irish ghillies, and headband.
Black skirt, long-sleeved, collared white blouse, red ribbon tie at collar, black kick pants/bloomers, white poodle socks, Irish ghillies, and class headband or one that matches outfit.

Hair:

Pulled back from the face (not a full ponytail)
Straight or curled
Bun wig

BOYS

Costume:

Black dress pants, white long-sleeved, collared shirt, red tie, Irish Dance shoes

Hair:

Tidy appearance

What to Bring

Dance costume and all accessories
Bun wig (optional)
Band-aids
Bobbi pins / ponytails
Safety pins
Non-messy snacks
Water
Change of clothes
Cash
Pen and paper

What to Expect

Register at the registration table:
- Feis program with syllabus,
- Dancer card to be worn with competitor number facing out,
- Parent information card.
Locate stage(s) and times your child will dance:
- Each stage displays the number of competition being danced on that stage at the moment and the number of the one that will be danced next.
Make sure your dancer is backstage and checked in when the dance before his or her competition begins.
Dancers will dance by age category starting with light shoe dances (reel, light jig, single jig, slip jig) through hard shoe dances (double jig, hornpipe, traditional set).
Pictures and Video taking are strictly forbidden.
Results are posted by age category and competition number.
Medals are given out at the Awards table.
Purchase results information (score and judge comments about performance) at the Feis or online through Feisworx, if desired.

Competition Tips

Remind your child to focus on their own steps as there will be other dancers with completely different steps dancing with them on stage.
If your dancer forgets steps or falls, they may try to continue or simply bow and return to their starting place on stage.
Double knot dance shoes so laces do not come untied.
If something falls off, keep dancing and retrieve it after the judge dismisses dancers from the stage.
Only the Feis committee is allowed to approach adjudicators or musicians.
Point toes and turn out feet.
Watch timing.
Straight upper body with arms straight at sides and hands in light fists.