Irish Dance

   click on Irish Dancer to download the Irish Fies Dance Entry form

IRISH DANCING
THE HISTORY OF IRISH DANCING GOES BACK TO THE TIME OF THE DRUIDS, BEFORE THE COMING OF ST. PATRICK AND CHRISTIANITY TO IRELAND-PERHAPS 2000 YEARS. SCHOLARS BELIEVE THAT IN ANCIENT TIMES, DANCING WAS PART OF THE DRUIDIC WORSHIPS SERVICES. AT ANY RATE, IT IS KNOWN THAT THE IRISH KINGS WOULD HOLD A OR FEIS TO ENTERTAIN AN HONORED GUEST. SINCE THE START OF THE DANCING REVIVAL TOWARD THE END OF THE 1700’S, MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE FORMS AND METHODS OF JUDGING, BUT THERE IS ONE TRAIT THAT HAS REMAINED CONSTANT AND THAT ONE SEPARATES IRISH DANCE FROM VIRTUALLY ALL OTHERS: AN IRISH DANCER DANES FROM THE HIPS DOWN ONLY AND THE REMAINDER OF THE BODY IS HELD RIGID, AND THE ARMS, EXCEPT IN GROUP DANCING ARE KEPT AT THE SIDE. DANCES USED IN COMPETITION JIGS, REELS, HORNPIPES, SET DANCES

 IRISH DANCE COMPETITION RULES
Adopted By The North American Feis Commission, 1993 (Amended October 2003) 
1. In the case of all solo and team competitions in all grades, the age of a competitor on 1st January of the year in which the competition is held will determine the right of entry.  For the purposes of this Rule, a competitor whose birthday occurs on 1st January shall be deemed to be under the age attained on that date.
2.Competitions are open only to amateurs.  Teachers or other professionals cannot compete  in the category in which they major. All dancers must be pupils of a person currently registered  with An  Coimisiun as a Dancing Teacher of any category.
3. A competitor may be disqualified for any of the following reasons:
        a. Conduct unbecoming a lady or gentleman.
        b. Failure to report on time to compete.  (Penalty: disqualification from said event).
        c. Falsification of age or other important facts-i.e., teaching, award winning, competing under another competitor’s name or number, etc    Penalty for (a) or (c):  Competitor will be disqualified from the Feis at which the occurrence happened and from all NAFC-registered Feiseanna for a period of one year beginning at the date of the occurrence. 
4. Competitions may be closed if there are no competitors at the assigned stage ready to  compete when the competition is scheduled or announced.  May not pertain to situation where competitors are involved in stage conflicts.
5.Solo competitors in Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice or Open (Prizewinner) competitions:     a. Must   a compete in their own age group.
b. Must be prepared to perform two steps in each event.  c. Cannot change competition on the day of the Feis.
The Standard Age Groups (all levels are contained in the handbook on page 7)
6.Steel taps or “bubble” heels on dancing shoes, display of awards, wearing of shorts or other unconventional dress is prohibited.  Authentic Gaelic dress is desired. Modest attire is
encouraged when competitor is not dancing.
7.Competitor’s number must be worn and visible to adjudicators when performing in all competitions, except in Championships; use of plastic number covers is discouraged.
8.Awards will be determined in proportion to the number of entries in each competition and to the degree of proficiency shown.
9.Complaints must be in writing stating names and other factual information and signed by the complainant.  A ten-dollar fee must be enclosed and presented to the Feis Chairman within one hour of the occurrence. The fee will be returned if the complaint is upheld.
10.The Feis Committee and any organization affiliated with same, will not be held responsible for personal injury, property loss or damage.  Destruction of Feis property or rental property will be punishable by law. 
11.The Feis reserves the right to reject any entry for cause, to cancel all or part of the Feis and to limit competitor’s performing time.  The decision of the Feis committee is final in all matters connected with the Feis.
12.Competitors must answer all questions as required by the Feis Entry committee, including teacher’s name, and enclose the entry fee when mailing. Failure to do so will result in a rejected entry.  Entries  must be postmarked on or before the closing date or they will be subject to a late fee of $5.
13. Entrants in any Championship event may not enter in any other (Grade) events, but may enter in Figure Dances. Entrants in championships should specify, on the entry form, their choice of set dance.  Entrants  cannot change competition or category on the day of the competition.

LONGS PEAK FEIS SYLLABUS - Estes Park, Colorado  -  September 12 & 13,  2009
Joan Preece, Ontario, Canada, President & An Coimisiun, Dublin, Ireland
This Feis is Sanctioned by the North American Feis Commission
For information contact:  Molly Bennett 12199 E. Arizona Dr. Aurora, CO  80012-4319,303-750-3510/303-695-0026
North American Feis Commission Championships  - Register online at www.feisworx.com

    Entry Fees:   Solo, Team, and Championship Dancing, $30 per entrant (includes a gate pass for the competitor).
    Instrumental Music Competition, $30 per entrant (includes a gate pass for the competitor). Entries received after 8/16/08  will be considered late, and tickets will not be mailed.  The competitor and family members, sponsors, etc., must pay the gate admission fee of $20 each for a one-day field pass or purchase a three-day field pass for $45 each for admission to the field, then pay the competition late fees at the dance registration area.  A space will be reserved in the competition, but checks received with late entries will not be cashed and will need to be rewritten at the dance area before competing. Family members, sponsors, etc., may buy an adult 3-day gate pass for $38  or a one-day pass for $18 if ordered and paid  for at the time of sending in the entry and if  received before August 16, 2008.  Checks should be made payable to the Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival, Inc.
      Competition  Schedule Subject to Change: Please Check www.feisworx.com for udpated schedule
    U15,15&O