Mexico City Irish dancing competition - results and photos

Yovanna Torres Blanco and Alejandro Hernandez Rios 

The México City Feis took place February 25, 2012, at the beautiful Royal Pedregal Hotel. Judges were ADCRGs Michael P. Gallagher, Gary Healy and Matthew Martin and the feis musician was Kay Hess. More than 300 competitors from all over México, Texas and as far away as Massachusetts gathered for a fun day of Irish dancing competitions in Mexico City.

Alicia Mosti TCRG with Axl Galindez

Schools represented were all of Irish Dancing de México 's locations - Chiluca, Coyocán, del Valle, Echegaray, Guadalajara- as well as Drake México, Inishfree México, Coshquin and McInerney.

Leprechauns from Irish Dancing de Mexico Guadalajara

Congratulations to Open Championship winner Regina Zevada from Irish Dancing de México Coyoacán. Championship events took place in the morning, with one combined Open Champion competition and 7 combined Preliminary Champion competitions. Grades from Beginner through Prizewinner started mid-day, with all Traditional Set Dances, Figures and Special Competitions in the late afternoon. Specials included a category for Family & Friends, Girls' Slip Jig, Boys' Reel, Treble Reel and a Capella competitions.

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Read more:

How far is too far to travel for a feis?

Interview with World Champion professional Irish dancer Owen Barrington

Teelin Irish Dance Company pushes boundaries with new show StepDance!

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Proud dancers from Irish Dancing de Mexico Guadalajara

Congratulations to Preliminary Championship winners Mina Brena from IDM Coyocán, Denisse Carranza from Inishfree México, Moramai Flores from Irish Dancing de México Echegaray, Ana Laura Neve from Drake México, Sara Osorio from Irish Dancing de México Echegaray, Angel Ramos from Irish Dancing de México Coyoacán and Angel Daniel Tenoria from Drake México.

Dancers from Irish Dancing de Mexico Guadalajara

Congratulations to all the dancers and teachers!

All photos courtesy Yovanna Torres Blanco.

Western Canada Regional Irish Dancing Championship Top 5 Results

Western Canadian Irish Dancing Championships

Photo by Cheryl Galdert

The 2011 Western Canada Regional Irish Dancing Championships took place this past weekend in Edmonton, Alberta. Tabulation by the experts at Feisworx. Here are the Top Five winners in each Solo competition, all of whom qualified for the North American National Irish Dancing Championships and World Irish Dancing Championships in 2012. There are additional placements and qualifiers - please visit Feisworx for complete results. Boys under 9: 1 Brant Rankin from Mattierin Girls under 9: 1 Caitlin Bradely-Tse from Pickett Academy 2 Mckenna Laing from Pickett Academy 3 Jadyn McInnis-Thorpe from Pickett Academy 4 Belle Heritage from Steel School 5 Sarah Armstrong from Pickett Academy Boys under 10: 1 Jacob Haley from Casey O'Loughlin Academy 2 Sheng, Richard from Regent Academy Girls under 10: 1 Olivia Nachtigal from Mattierin School 2 Jesula McCallum from Penk-O'Donnell) 3 Emma Smalley from Steel School 4 Olivia Butzelaar from Penk-O'Donnell 5 Amy Weir from Brady Academy Boys under 11: 1 Teagan Deranleau from Scoil Rince De Danaan Girls under 11: 1 Ava-Marie Schroder from Mattierin School - also a Worlds 2011 Medal Holder 2 Ceili Davey from Mattierin School 3 Macaela Bradley-Tse from Pickett Academy 4 Brighid McKay from Casey O'Loughlin Academy 5 Jessica Hebert from Pickett Academy Boys under 12: 1 Tomas McDonald from Pickett Academy 2 Kaiden Powell from Scoil Rince Bhriomhar Girls under 12: 1 Londyn Nachtigal from Mattierin School 2 Jesse Marlow from Houston Academy 3 Megan Findlay from Penk-O'Donnell 4 Devan Berg from Irwin School 5 Shannon Game from Pickett Academy Boys under 13: (note: there were a total of 6 competitors so all placed and are listed) 1 Liam Anjos from Comerford Washington 2 Braden Yeomans from Houston Academy 3 Adam Soloway from O'Connor O'Brien 4 Conaill Eckton from Brady Academy, Winnipeg 5 Ethan Wohlgemuth from Pomeroy Academy 6 Thomas Rvachew from Houston Academy Girls under 13: 1 Madeline Herbers from Toal School 2 Marijana Dugandzic from Scoil Rince De Danaan 3 Mairead McDermott from Mattierin School 4 Emma Schroter from Mattierin School 5 Marika Butzelaar from Penk-O'Donnell Boys under 14:1 Alex Jung, Alex from Scoil Rince De Danaan 2 Ryan Enns from Knock School 3 Ben Firkins from O'Connor O'Brien School Girls under 14:1 Rachel Frend from Mattierin School 2 Rochelle Hoffmann from Blakey School 3 Katrina vanBoven from O'Connor O'Brien School 4 Allesandra Parth from Brady Academy, Edmonton 5 Breanne Gambles from Irwin School Boys under 15:1 Grant MacRobbie from Stewart School 2 Michael Rvachew from Houston Academy Girls under 15: 1 MacKenzie Mahler from Blakey School - also a Worlds 2011 Medal Holder 2 Olivia Scully from Irwin School 3 Mackenzie Cross from Pickett Academy 4 Kendra Hamp from Brady Academy, Edmonton 5 Megan Butzelaar from Penk-O'Donnell Boys under 16:1 Aidan Macpherson from Mattierin School 2 Jefferey Carandang from Stewart School Girls under 16:1 Alex Nessler from Irwin School 2 Erika Cocco from Penk-O'Donnell 3 Ashley Negrey from Knock School 4 Sydney Powell from Houston Academy 5 Alexia Bell from Houston Academy Boys under 17: Note: There were a total of 4 competitors so all placements are listed. 1 Fred Nguyen from Scoil Rince De Danaan 2 Ben Abelseth from Blakey School, Calgary 3 Danny Doerksen, Danny from Houston Academy 4 Nikanor Elsom Pettersson from Scoil Rince De Danaan Girls under 17: 1 Eilidh Morrice-Ashdown from Penk-O'Donnell 2 Meikaela Tumber from Penk-O'Donnell 3 Shannon Evens from Possak School 4 Hayley McLennan from Penk-O'Donnell 5 Ellen Darby from Pickett Academy Boys under 18:1 Bryan Schneck from Knock School 2 Luc Benoit from O'Connor O'Brien School 3 Darren Kerr from O'Connor O'Brien School Girls under 18:1 Kimmy Cooper from Blakey School - Calgary 2 Crystal vanBoven from O'Connor O'Brien School 3 Leah McCrudden from Mattierin School 4 Emma Stephens from Knock School 5 Danielle Goertz from Knock School Boys under 19: NONE Girls under 19: 1 Kelsey Doran from Knock School 2 Elspeth Hughton from Irwin School 3 Erin Roberge from Irwin School 4 Kathleen Mullrooney from Irwin School 5 Megan Barling from Scoil Rince De Danaan Men under 20: 1 Ian Gott from Irwin School Ladies under 20: 1 Rebecca Bell from Mattierin School 2 Oriana Salvalaggio from Houston Academy 3 Erika Bell from Houston Academy 4 Fiona O'Neill from Irwin School 5 Rachelle McGonigal from Knock School Men 20 & Over:1 Cian Hackett from Mattierin School 2 Philip Mottershead from Brady Academy, Edmonton 3 Shane Byrne from Stewart School Ladies 20 & Over:1 Stefanie Warren from Penk-O'Donnell - also a Worlds 2011 Medal Holder 2 Jessica Bell from Mattierin School 3 Erin Rees from Irwin School 4 Josie Fraser from Knock School 5 Melissa Softley from Irwin School TEAM RESULTS - up to Top 5 Additional placements available at FeisWorx 4-Hand Ceili Girls under 10 1 Penk-O'Donnell , 33 B 2 Penk-O'Donnell , 33 A 4-Hand Ceili Girls under 12 1 Penk-O'Donnell , 34 A 2 Scoil Rince Bhriomhar , 34 A 3 Steel School of Irish Dance, 34 A 4 Steel School of Irish Dance, 34 B 4-Hand Ceili Girls under 15 1 Penk-O'Donnell , 35 A 2 Irwin School of Irish Dance, 35 A 3 Stewart School of Irish Dance, 35 A 4 Mattierin School of Irish Dance, 35 A 5 Toal School of Irish Danc, 35 B 4-Hand Ceili Girls 15 & Over 1 Stewart School of Irish D, 36 B 2 Penk-O'Donnell , 36 B 3 Stewart School of Irish Dance, 36 A 4 Irwin School of Irish Dance, 36 A 4-Hand Ceili Ladies 1 Toal School of Irish Dance, 55 A 2 Toal School of Irish Dance, 55 B 4-Hand Ceili Mixed Ladies & Men - Toal School of Irish Dance, 54 A 8-Hand Ceili Girls under 10 1 Pickett Academy (NPIDA) , 37 A 2 Brady Academy of Irish Dance, 37 A 8-Hand Ceili Girls under 12 1 Mattierin School of Irish Dance, 38 A 2 Penk-O'Donnell , 38 A 3 O'Connor O'Brien School, 38 A 8-Hand Ceili Girls under 15 Note: There were a total of 4 placements, all are listed. 1 Penk-O'Donnell , 39 A 2 Mattierin School of Irish, 39 A 3 Irwin School of Irish Dance, 39 A 4 Toal School of Irish Dance, 39 A 8-Hand Ceili Girls 15 & Over Note: There were a total of 5 placements, all are listed. 1T Irwin School of Irish Dance, 40 B and Penk-O'Donnell , 40 A 3 Mattierin School of Irish Dance, 40 A 4 Knock School of Irish Dance, 40 A 5 Irwin School of Irish Dance, 40 A 8-Hand Ceili Adult Ladies - Toal School of Irish Danc, 52 B 8-Hand Ceili Mixed under 10 - Penk O'Donnell, 41 A 8-Hand Ceili Mixed 15 & Over 1 Stewart School of Irish D, 44 A 2 O'Connor O'Brien School, 44 A 8-Hand Ceili Adult Mixed - Toal School of Irish Danc, 53 A Congratulations to all the competitors and especially to those who met their goals, whatever they may have been. Post your photos on Feis America's FaceBook page and share your stories of fun and friendship with us here in the Comments box! For North American Irish dancing news delivered directly to your Inbox, subscribe to Feis America digital magazine today for just $20 for one year of monthly Irish dancing news!

Regional Irish Dancing Championships Funniest Moments

REGIONAL IRISH DANCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Funniest Memories

With the Mid Atlantic and Middle America Regional Irish Dancing Championships taking place this weekend, the pressure is on for top performances in Philadelphia and Chicago!  To lighten the mood, we asked some of Feis America's Facebook fans to share their funniest memories.


In this video clip of the 2007 Mid Atlantic Regional Oireachtas Parade of Champions, champions Fiona Dargan and Nicholas Paulson are so excited that Fiona forgets to take her turn (1:47) and Nick actually steps back to make room for another dancer and falls off the stage (5:59).  Thankfully no one was hurt and it made for a silly memory!

2009 Mid Atlantic Regional Irish Dancing Champions
photo courtesy Lockie Nidds

In 2009, also at the Mid Atlantic Regional Oireachtas, dance friends Lochlan Nidds and Ian Luebbers got themselves in a bit of trouble.  Says Lockie, "Ian and I found a way to get behind the walls of the practice room in the hotel.  We stood behind the walls scaring our friends as they walked by, and at one point we accidentally blocked the door and couldn't find a way out.  We were stuck behind the walls all day!  Eventually one of our friends who knew we were back there found us and helped us out.  It was funny and scary!"


We look forward to hearing YOUR funny memories from Irish dance! Share with a comment below.


Good luck to everyone competing this weekend and next!


For North America's favorite Irish dancing magazine, Feis America, subscribe here as a holiday gift for your favorite dancer, teacher or fan.

Clearwater Beach Florida Irish Dancing Competition Photos and Results

Irish Dancers from the Stephen Scariff School of Irish Dance
Photo: Madison Daley for Feis America LLC

The McGinley Academy of Irish Dance and the McGinley Parent Booster Club hosted one of the United States' Southern Region's favorite Irish dancing competitions on September 3, 2011. The Second Annual Clearwater Beach Feis means Labor Day Weekend is spent on the beautiful and white sandy beaches of Florida's West coast. The event's tagline, "It's not just another day at a Feis, but a weekend at the beach for the entire family" draws dancers from several states.

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See More Feis Follow-Ups from Feis America on Irish Central:

New England Autumn Feis
Irish American Association of Northwest New Jersey Feis
Top Irish Dancing Competitions for Adult Irish Dancers in October 2011

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Clearwater Beach Feis results were tabulated by the experts at at FeisWorx. For full results from beginner through special Irish dancing competitions at the Clearwater Beach Feis, visit FeisWorx.

Open Championship under 10

1st Emily Marino from Rince na Tiarna (New York)

2nd Aubrey Swikehardt from Breffni (Florida)

3rd Nora Murray from Stephen Scariff (Florida)

Open Championship under 12

1st Julia Marino from Rince na Tiarna (New York)

2nd Keady Schwyn from Stephen Scariff (Florida)

3rd Claire Irigoyen from Breffni (Florida)

Open Championship under 14

1st May Magliaro from Watters (Florida)

2nd Kaitlyn Sardin from Watters (Florida)

3rd Daniella Spina from McGinley (Eastern Canada/Florida)
4th Teresa Kennedy from Hagen (New York)

5th Bridget Monahan from Stephen Scariff (Florida)

Open Championship under 16

1st Haley Tanner from Watters (Florida)

2nd Alana Bracken from Drake (Southern)

3rd Kayla Armstrong from King-O'Sullivan (Georgia)

4th Clare Roca from Glor na Daire (Georgia)

5th Brynne Archbold from Stephen Scariff (Florida)

6th Autumn Lambert from Drake (Southern)

7th Cassandra Ratzlaff from Drake (Southern)

Open Championship under 18

1st Molly Barton from McGinley (Eastern Canada/Florida)

2nd Macintyre Schauman from Rondeau (Florida)

3rd Mary Lancaster from Stephen Scariff (Florida)
4th Courtney Marcinowski from Watters (Florida)

5th Maggie Domingo from Drake (Southern)

6th Anna Johnson from Glor na Daire (Georgia)

7th Cara King from Stephen Scariff (Florida)

Open Championship 18 and over

1st Samantha Wheaton from Watters (Florida)

2nd Sierra Deaton from Watters (Florida)

3rd Kaitlin Lewis from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor

Non-Champion Slip Jig Special Irish Dancing Competition Awards

Photo:  Madison Daley for Feis America LLC

Preliminary Championship under 14 Irish Dancing Competition Awards

Photo: Tess McKenna for Feis America LLC

Open Championship under 14 Irish Dancing Competition Awards
Photo:  Madison Daley for Feis America LLC

Preliminary Championship Special Irish Dancing Competition
under 15 Awards
Photo:  Madison Daley for Feis America LLC

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An Irish dancer’s St. Patrick’s Day countdown

OK, so we're some of the lucky ones. We get to celebrate our Irish heritage every day through our dancing. We've got Irish tunes on the iPod practically on repeat. We indulge in delicious Irish treats at feiseanna every weekend. But in light of it being halfway to March 17, we figured, why not take a moment to think about one of the busiest days for an Irish dancer of the year?

Eh, then again, why jump the gun? Sure, St. Patrick’s Day 2012 is sneaking up on us, but there are a lot of things to look forward to before that…even before 2011 comes to an end. Here are some events we’re looking forward to the most. What can you add to the list?

- "JIG" is being released on DVD on this side of the pond Oct. 4.


- Halloween feiseanna like the Phoenix Halloween Feis Oct. 15 or the Mullane Healy Godley Academy Halloween Feis Oct. 29. What kooky costumes will walk through the doors? Can’t wait to find out!

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READ MORE:
Neck stretches for Irish dancers

One woman play about Irish dance brings history, love and laughter to NYC stage – VIDEO

Organize and display your Irish dance medals in a scrapbook
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- Oireachtas season! Yep, the big regional championships are taking place in November and December. We can smell the sock glue and hairspray already.

- Maybe, just maybe, the return of another amazing Irish dancing flash mob like St. Patrick’s Day 2011? Alright, so that one might be a stretch but let a dancer dream a little.


What Irish dancing date are you looking forward to most before March 17, 2012? Share it in the comments below.

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Songs to get you pumped for the Sept. 17-18 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA, Feis America Magazine contributor

Heading to the Michigan Feis this weekend or the Baltimore Feis in Maryland? Idaho’s Boise Feis By the River or the Oklahoma State Championships? Perhaps the Syracuse Feis or Nassau County AOH Feis in New York?

No matter your competitive destination this weekend, we want to share four new tunes inspired by the 80s to add to your own warm up playlist before lacing up and taking the stage. Best of luck to all competitors and be sure to come back and share your results with us!

“Pump Up The Jam” – Technotronic
The catchy beat will simply pump you up to get on the dance floor.


“Fame” – Irene Cara
Pop it on and start thinking about how everyone in the Irish dancing world should remember your name after you kill it on stage.


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READ MORE:
- A 9/11 tribute from the Caitrin Academy of Irish Dance - VIDEO
- Photos from the fourth annual Texas Coast Feis
- Songs to get you pumped for the Sept. 10-11 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS
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“We Got The Beat” – The Go-Go’s
Simply because you, too, can keep the beat…just with your hard shoes.


“The Final Countdown” – Europe
Think the “Rocky” theme song with an 80s spin. Play this right before you have to line up side stage.


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A 9/11 tribute from the Caitrin Academy of Irish Dance - VIDEO

September 11, 2011 is a day we will all remember. Thousands of innocent lives were taken from us. The word “terrorism” brought new meaning to everyone around the globe. On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, many are paying tribute…in very different ways.

Five dancers from Pennsylvania’s Caitrin Academy of Irish Dance decided to use their skills and passion for the sport to create this special tribute. Aged 12-13, the talented individuals choreographed the dance themselves and wanted to use their gift to honor those we lost 10 years ago.

Check out the video below and let us know your thoughts.


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Photos from the fourth annual Texas Coast Feis

Champs 16&Over (L-R): Jamie Callahan, Megan Murat, Ashleigh Hopkins, Taylor Stephens, Hannah Cass


Champs Special Treble Reel 13&Over (L-R): Cheyenne Stokes, Rebecca Herd, Megan Murat, Bailey Quigley, Sawyer Hicks, Shane McGoldrick, Hannah Cass


Champs Special Trebble Jig or Hornpipe Under 14 (L-R): Heather Noonan, Rebecca Herd, Bridget Kennedy, Sarah Troy, Paige Lanam, Lauren Begnaud


Champs Special Trebble Jig or Hornpipe (L-R): Lisa Noonan, Meredith Slimp, Colin Troy



The fourth annual Texas Coast Feis? Not your average one! Breaking with tradition, the feis was held on a Sunday this year (Sept. 4) at the Omni Bayfront Hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas, giving Labor Day weekenders the chance to leisurely make that drive to the coast. Inishfree School families took advantage of the extra day by arriving Saturday afternoon and enjoying a school-wide shrimp boil!

Skipping and whirling into the ballroom Sunday morning, more than 175 competitors checked out the beach theme that lent a more relaxed feel to the usually sophisticated ballroom. The musician, Brian Glynn of New Jersey, certainly seemed comfortable in bermuda shorts and flip flops perched with a bird’s eye view on an actual lifeguard stand next to the stages.

Hosted by the Corpus Christi Irish Arts Association in collaboration with the Glor na Daire Academy of Irish Dance, the feis had a plentiful supply of fabulous trophies for champs and specials, along with surfboard medals for the lower grades!

So next Labor Day, mark your calendars for the Texas Coast Feis. It’s got just the right competition sizes, a hotel with a view of the ocean, the opportunity to dance barefoot in the sand with friends, as well as the chance to feast on delicious seafood with your family. What a way to bid farewell to summer and, more importantly, a hello to the fall feis season.

Photo Credit: Shelby Miller

Special thanks to Feis America contributor Caitlin Buck for compiling this post!

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Songs to get you pumped for the Sept. 10-11 Irish dancing competitions

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA, Feis America Magazine contributor

Heading to the St. Louis Fall Feis in Missouri this weekend or the Rock River Valley Feis in Illinois? How about the June Butler Memorial Feis in Ontario, the Longs Peak Feis in Colorado or the Irish American Assn. NW Jersey Feis in New Jersey?

No matter your competitive destination this weekend, we want to share four tunes you should add to your own warm up playlist before lacing up and taking the stage. Best of luck to all competitors and be sure to come back and share your results with us!

“Helena Beat” – Foster The People
Pop this on and take a stroll around the venue before going into the hustle and bustle of the day.

“Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + The Machine
Stretch to this song while celebrating the fact that feiseanna in the sticky summer heat are done.

“Louder” – Charice
This song will give you the gusto to “dance through the pain” and pound out your hornpipe or jig for the entire room to hear.

“Dance, Dance” – Fall Out Boy
It’s fast...and, um, the chorus tells ya to dance. So go out there and show ’em what you’ve been practicing.

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READ MORE:
- New songs to get you pumped for this weekend’s Irish dancing competitions
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Colbee Misfud: Relocating from Australia to Ireland for Irish dance

by INSPIRED DANCER, Feis America Magazine contributor

In the sport of Irish dancing, we don’t just have the thrill of performing and competing to look forward to, we also have great people to meet everywhere we go!

When I attend major competitions, I love meeting the other dancers just as much as I love dancing. This past July at the 2011 North American Irish Dancing Championships in Nashville, Tenn., I had the pleasure of meeting of a lovely dancer with a very interesting story. Meet Colbee Misfud, a 21-year-old open champion from the land down under who’s proving hard work and dedication does pay off—even if you move to another country.

It was actually her sister’s dream of Riverdance that got Colbee “dragged along” to classes years ago. But she’s loved it ever since. When Colbee was 18, she decided to take the plunge and move to Ireland to follow her dream and focus more on her passion, taking on an even bigger challenge of providing for herself, paying all of her expenses. But she was on a mission that delved deeper than just dance.

“For me, moving to Ireland wasn't just about the dancing. I wanted to learn more about myself and become independent,” Colbee says. “I had no relatives in Ireland. I knew no one. That's what excited me the most.”

Upon her arrival in Belfast, Colbee joined Kennedy Irish Dance. And since then, she has earned her way to a recall at the World Irish Dancing Championships. But Colbee’s not going to stop there! She has future aspirations of not only dancing in a professional Irish dance show but also getting those shiny letters at the end of her name: TCRG.

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READ MORE:
- Keeping friendships in Irish dance through competition
- Experiencing the North American Irish Dance Championships for the first time
- Performing with an Irish dance show – ‘In Love With The Dance’
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The lessons Colbee has learned along the way are some she would love to take back to other dancers in her home country of Australia:

“I feel that every dancer who gets the opportunity to do what I am doing should take it! It has opened my eyes up to things I didn't even know existed in the dancing world,” she says.

But that’s not to say she has forgotten about her fellow Aussies while living abroad. “The dancing community in Australia is much bigger than what people think,” Colbee says. “We have incredible dancers in the country who should be able to show off their talent overseas.”

Colbee’s story is an inspiration to dancers everywhere because she has proven that you can live the dream if you fight for it. Many thanks to Colbee Misfud for sharing her story with me. And to think it all started in a ballroom before competitor check-in. You never know who you may meet at any given competition.

Photo Credit: Colbee Misfud

Would you ever relocate for Irish dance? Share in the comments below.

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Boost your confidence before fall Irish dance competitions

by ERIN CONCANNON, Feis America Magazine contributor

Confidence is a quality that, to many dancers, might be hard to perfect…and easy to lose.

Just think of how discouraging it can be when one adjudicator’s opinion can make or break your feiseanna track record. But it’s how you mentally prepare yourself for all situations—competitive or not—in the dancing world that will help you survive. And what better way to start than with the fresh fall feiseanna headed your way. Read these tips for a little boost.

Practice is what makes you perfect. If you practice your dance routines outside of class for at least 30 minutes a day, you will know the steps backwards and forwards, causing you to become less nervous on the big day of competition! Look at it this way: On the day of a big test, you study your heart out the nights before, going over the information so many times that by the end of the night you could recite the information backwards and forwards. The same rule applies to dance! If you keep going over your steps so much that you go to bed at night thinking about them, you’re prepped to put your best, um, foot forward.

Tell yourself you are always right. Seeing is believing. If you can see yourself in the mirror doing all your steps right, then you know you can do it. So keep telling yourself before you go up on stage to dance that you can do this! This is your fate in the dancing world. If you say you deserve to be the best dancer you can be, it will help to come true. The constant flow of positive thinking will help your mind reject any negative energy.

Keep friendly conversation. Talking to your competitors right before you go out on stage shows that you are not only friendly, but that you are fearless and can keep your cool while under pressure. Karma is a big thing to believe in while living in this crazy dancing world. If you don’t do nice things to others and put in good thoughts, then only awful and upsetting things will occur while you’re trying to go for gold.

What are some thoughts that help you stay confident through competition? Let us know in the comments below.

READ MORE:
- Irish dancing through illness or injury
- Motivation to practice Irish dance during the school year
- Keeping friendships in Irish dance through competition

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New songs to get you pumped for this weekend’s Irish dancing competitions

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA, Feis America Magazine contributor

Heading to the Clearwater Beach Feis in Florida this weekend or the Oakville Feis in Ontario? What about the Kansas City Feis in Missouri or the Texas Coast Feis? Or maybe you’re packing up for the Constitution State Feis in Connecticut or the Hidden Valley Feis in California.

No matter your competitive destination this Labor Day weekend, we want to share four tunes you should add to your own warm up playlist before lacing up and taking the stage. Best of luck to all competitors and be sure to come back and share your results with us!

"Pump It" – The Black Eyed Peas
It sets the perfect pace to practice your high kicks. And, well, it will get ya pumped to own the stage.

"I Wanna Go" – Britney Spears
Want to go out on stage and show the adjudicators how fierce of a dancer you are? This song will help you do that.

"Shake It Up" – Selena Gomez
Shake off your jitters with this catchy jam.

"Outta Control" – j786
Close your eyes, envision you getting through your steps, and get ready to be in total control of the stage.

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Motivation to practice Irish dance during the school year

by CAITLIN BUCK, Feis America Magazine contributor

Exhausted or concerned about being buried in homework once the school year kicks in? Sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to practice--especially in HS or college when homework is merrily delivered in a dump truck. Below are a few ways that have given me a little inspirational push in the practicing department.

Goal for the week: Grab a post-it and write down ONE step or element of technique that needs improvement. Stick that goal on your bathroom mirror so you’ll see it often and feel accountable. Focus on improving that ONE thing during ONE week. Achieve it and you’ll feel good.

Surround yourself with words of motivation. Quotes, lyrics from songs, pictures of what you aspire your dancing to look like...motivation is about feeling DRIVEN. You want to light a fire inside your chest, so that when you feel tired after 8 hours of school or work, you can dig up energy to dance for about forty minutes.

Know how you feel is often affected by your thoughts. If you are thinking: I’m too tired, I can’t dance. So much for improving during the summer... Stop! Insert positive words instead like: I can do all things, through which God strengthens me. Drop what you’re doing, give yourself 10 minutes to see if you really DO have the energy. Go out to where you practice, put on a wildly energetic song and just warm up. See how you feel after that.

Get organized. A trick to motivate yourself and quell negative, I don’t have time for this thoughts, is to show yourself otherwise! Sit down with a school planner every Sunday before the week springs into being and purposely pencil in a practice time for dance for every day of the week. Organize your time and you might find that you have more than you thought!

What has helped you with balancing practice and school? Let us know in the comments below!

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Keeping friendships in Irish dance through competition

by ERIN CONCANNON, Feis America Magazine contributor

Being a girl these days, we all feel pressure to look a certain way. Whether it is the way we dress or act, we are always under the spotlight. That rule especially goes for Irish dancers. We must look 100 percent glamorous all the time at competitions…even when we are beyond nervous.

The only true people who know how you feel about constantly being judged are your dance friends. Here are a few tips on learning to cope with the “friendly” competition.

1) Smile ’til your cheekbones hurt. A smile is worth a thousand words, minus all the talking. If you just smile to your friend(s) when they win, that lets them know how much you love and support them as dancers--and as true friends. You don’t have to always be No. 1, remember that!

2) Congrats! Saying congratulations to your friends who have won is always the best way to go. It’s a friendly, easy word. Put yourself in their shoes! If you won, you would want to be congratulated, too, right?

3) Focus on you. If you only ever focus on your dancing, you will survive in the dancer’s world. Don’t worry about what your friends are doing and focus on you. Being a busy body is a bad quality, and will only hurt you and your friendships in the end.

4) Don’t make a face. Giving your parents that look of disgust when you find out your bud has beaten you in competition won’t get you far in the friend department. Just nod and say good job, even if you are ticked with the results.

At the end of the day, remember that competitions come and go. But friendships last a lifetime…especially in the dancing world!

What’s one friendly tip you’d give to other dancing buds out there? Let us know.

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Five tips to improving an Irish dancing step

by BRIAN PARRY, Feis America Magazine contributor

Easy ways to get those steps down…besides doing what your teacher tells you.

When I was 11, and just getting into the Novice/Prizewinner level, I was convinced I would never get the slow hornpipe down. Between the syncopated timing and the complex footwork, it seemed like nothing was going right in that step. Now, the hornpipe is both my favorite dance and the one I am strongest in. Why? Mainly because I worked hard at getting it all down. Here are some methods that might help you, too, when struggling with a step.

1) Find someone else who has the steps you are trying to acquire and copy them. While they are practicing those steps, hang back a bit and dance the steps with them, making sure that you don’t get in the way or unduly distract them. The trick with this technique is to make sure that whoever you are copying is doing the steps correctly, or run the risk of learning bad habits.

2) Be stubborn about it. And by stubborn, I mean focus on nothing but the footwork and the music. Every time you foul up, stop, go back to the beginning and do it over again correctly. Practice is only good when you do the steps right.

3) Ask another dancer for help. Remember, there are other resources out there when your TCRG is tied up. Find another dancer who has had the steps you are trying to learn and ask them to help you out. Tell them about any changes the teacher made to the choreography in your case. And just be polite. Kindness can go a long way.

4) Get your pride involved. This works best if you are dancing with a sibling who is learning the same steps. “How dare they get those steps before I do” is the sort of attitude you want. But at the same time, be careful that you keep it internalized. Prove you are just as great of a dancer as any of your siblings through your hard work, not verbal jabs.

5) Tape it. If you can get a videotape of another dancer correctly doing the steps you are trying to learn, then videotape yourself doing the same steps and try to contrast the two. Seeing it visually might help put the pieces together in your head.

What are some tricks you use to get a step down? Let us know.

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Irish dancing photos from the 2011 Arizona State Championships

The U17 Open Championship placers


Two of the Bracken champions with one of their fans!


Three Bracken Preliminary Champs hoist their trophies aloft


Bracken fans and supporters


The 2011 Arizona State Championships were held this past weekend and, as you can see from these photos, it was a blast. Only a few more feiseanna left for the rest of summer!

Thanks to Feis America Magazine contributor Helene Ossipov for sharing her terrific photos!

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Back-to-school crafts: Make an Irish dancing notebook

by CAITLIN BUCK, Feis America Magazine contributor

Old or new and any size, all notebooks and folders can be fabul-ized!

Right...so crummy jiggle aside, a great way to add jazz, bling and general attitude to a dull composition book, or standard yawn-worthy folder, is to Irish-zise it.

Whether you have a stockpile of Irish craft materials (cleverly collected from 75-percent off “After St. Patty’s Day Sales!”) or you lack so much as a glue stick, (better get on that, since it will be on the back-to-school list), pre-school season slumber parties and start-of-term booster club meetings are a great place to pool crafts and snazz your school supplies.

After all, Irish dancing is not simply a sport, it is a way of life. Here are a few ideas to craft your own personalized school notebook or folder…
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-------------- Around the cover:
- Redress the cover with: felt/material/scrapbooking or construction paper. Fold over the edges of the covering material to the inside of the notebook and staple or glue it. Use either rubber cement, craft glue or a hot glue gun.

On the cover:
- Ribbon or scrapbooking paper can be used to frame a boarder around the edges. Bonus? It’s a great way to cover staples.

- Go to Wordle, click “create” and enter in every Irish dance term, or every inspirational word you can think of. Wordle will then generate your words back to you in different colors and layouts. Print and glue on your notebook.

- Write your name or something like, “You think your sport is hard get REEL” or “Reel Treble” in glitter glue, alphabet stickers, or a permanent marker.

- If you’re a doodler, cut some of those little drawings out and paste them like polka dots on the cover of your notebook or folder.

- Using old feis programs, cut out the Irish clip art and Irish dance terms to use as a decorative smaller boarder on your notebook or binder.

- With colored markers, write every feis or city you’ve traveled to for competition on a piece of construction paper. Then glue to the back of your notebook.

- For an extra burst of encouragement, find inspirational quotes online (or on old good luck cards), cut out and past on the inside cover.


Photo Credit: Caitlin Buck


What are some crafty ways you’ve decorated your school supplies? Let us know.

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Six ways to beat boredom at a feis

by BRIAN PARRY, Feis America Magazine contributor

It is an unfortunate fact: When one is not dancing or stressing out, a feis can become mind-crushingly boring. This is especially true if you are not one for watching other dancers. As both a dancer and, at times, a spectator, these are some successful things I’ve used to help keep boredom at bay.

Practice. If you find yourself chafing at inactivity, then excuse yourself into the hallway, put on your iPod or MP3 player and run through your steps a few more times. Just remember to have someone watching the clock in the room to alert you when your competition is coming up. And remember not to over practice or risk running out of energy during those important moments on stage.

Read a book. This works particularly well when stretching. Get into the stretch, pull out a book and dive in.

Whip out some cards. Bring along a deck and try engaging other spectators in card games such as poker, gin rummy, or 21. If nothing else, you can play solitaire with yourself. Just ensure you are not distracting dancers, judges, or musicians.

Come equipped with your laptop. And don’t forget the earbuds and power cables at home. Check with the venue staff for WiFi information. There isn’t any? Whip out a DVD or calming CD to keep you relaxed.

Engage in a mini magnetic board game. Forgo the regular, bulky ones as it takes up too much space and you risk losing pieces, and bring out this mini box of fun. You can even continue a game on that dreaded long car ride home from a feis, too.

Tote a notebook. Write a story. Take notes on what other dancers are doing. This could into a roving dance journal of sorts that will be fun to read years after your competitive career.

What are some things you do to beat boredom at a feis? Let us know.


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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

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