Experiencing the North American Irish Dance Championships for the first time

The Sunday competitor from the Bracken School with Alexis Hodel, TCRG


by HELENE OSSIPOV, Feis America Magazine contributor

Time for awards at the 2010 Western US Oireachtas. My daughter is onstage, lined up with all the other dancers, listening and hoping her name isn’t called too soon. Then the announcement: The remaining dancers qualified for Nationals!

And so begins the preparations: Nationals prep classes, ordering a new dress, making hotel reservations, making plane reservations, requesting vacation time at work. Does she need a new wig? Shoes? Should we hope for a recall?

We check into the Gaylord Opryland hotel in Nashville and receive our wristbands. All around us, we see kids carrying large, wedge-shaped bags, just like at the Oireachtas. There’s even a Sikh wedding going on in the hotel, just like at the Oireachtas! After we drop our own wedge-shaped bag in our room, we go down to the ballrooms to see what was going on.

There’s a registration line, a place to buy programs, a T-shirt vendor, lots of other vendors. Girls in springy wigs and boys in snazzy vests are dancing in the hallways, practicing anywhere they can find room. Just like at the Oireachtas, only the space is bigger and there are more people.

The next morning, after an early breakfast, we go to the ballroom for my daughter’s competition. The ballrooms are large and people have set up camp, claiming several chairs each for dress bags, shoe bags, make-up, and all the other paraphernalia. We chat with the families sitting in front and in back of us, while my daughter and her TCRG warm up and put finishing touches on make-up. Just like at the Oireachtas. The stage managers call for the dancers to check-in and pick up their numbers. Just like at the Oireachtas.

Then the dancing begins. And it’s not at all like the Oireachtas. Here are the best dancers in North America and even some from overseas. The technique and choreography and skill level are orders of magnitude beyond what we see at the Oireachtas. It was amazing and wonderful to watch.

No, my daughter didn’t recall, but she wasn’t too disappointed. It was a great experience, just to be there, seeing some terrific dancers, being part of the excitement. Now she knows what to expect for next year!

Did you experience the North American Irish Dance Championships for the first time this past July as well? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Photo Credit: Helene Ossipov

For more Irish dancing news from North America's favorite magazine delivered to your mailbox, subscribe today!

North American Irish Dancing Championships – A flash mob in Tennessee

Jennie G. from Clarkson with McClanahan’s Colleen M., Darcy G. and Clare S. before the flash mob


Dancers sneak towards the flash mob at Nashville’s Riverfront Park


Dancing up a storm at Riverfront Park!


Ending the flash mob with a big finish


If you’ve witnessed a flash mob firsthand, you know how exciting it can be. Who wouldn’t find a group of people suddenly assembling in a public place, performing an unusual routine before quickly dispersing back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life entertaining?

On July 4, a crowd of North American Irish Dancing Championship participants invaded Riverfront Park in Nashville, Tennessee, shocking eager onlookers with a treble reel. No dazzling costumes or wigs needed for this gig. Just regular red, white and blue attire. Perfectly patriotic!

Thanks to Feis America LLC friend Julie McCurry for sharing her terrific photos!

For more Feis Followups delivered to your mailbox every other month, subscribe NOW to North America's favorite Irish dancing magazine, Feis America!

Fourth of July in Nashville at Irish Dance Championships

Mulhern (IL) sparklers dressed in new cheerwear that shouted America and delighted everyone who saw them as they practiced their ceili dances.

Nashville, Tennessee has one of the greatest fireworks displays every Independence Day and this year, the continent's very best Irish dancers kicked up some sparks of their own here! The team titles for the North American Irish Dancing Championship teams and most of the boy's solo titles were up for grabs on Monday, July 4th at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Madison Dalton, Erin and Kaitlyn Tognettifrom Broesler (MD/NJ)

Melissa McCarthy, 2011 North American Champion Girls under 15 withTayler Nunes, 2nd place Boys under 16 from Harney Academy (MA)

Caleigh and Katie from Walsh-Kelley

Feis America on Irish Central has been expressly prohibited from posting live commentary and real-time results by the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America. Follow live at www.nanationals.net and stay tuned here for fun and photos all week long!

Subscribe to Feis America, North America’s favorite Irish dancing magazine, and get 100% North American Irish dancing news delivered to your mailbox!