Competitions
Competitions are an important part of the Irish Dancing Culture. Competitions are usually referred to as Feiseanna or abbreviated as Feis.
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What is a Feis?[edit]
A Feis (pronounced "fesh") is an Irish step dancing competition. Feiseanna (plural, pronounced "fesh-an-uh") were traditionally cultural gatherings with events and competitions in music, dancing, singing and other aspects of Irish culture.
The history of Feiseanna traces back to ancient Gaelic culture, a festival of song, dance, music, storytelling, theatre, and athletics. In Scotland, the tradition evolved into Féisean, which continues to be a series of arts festivals that specialize in instructing new generations in Gaelic arts tradition. In Ireland, feiseanna became competitions where, beginning in the 18th century, dance masters would develop unique footwork and win the opportunity to teach. In 1929, the Irish Dancing Commission (An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha) was formed to establish rules for teaching, judging and competitions.
The Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG) continues to be the major organization for hosting feiseanna, but other organizations include An Comhdháil Na Múinteoirí Le Rincí Gaelacha (An Comhdháil), the World Irish Dance Association (WIDA), Rince Tuatha Nua (RTN), Cumann Rince Náisiúta (CRN), Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa (CRDM), Cumann Rince Gaelach (CRG), and the Festival Irish Dance Association (FDTA). The difference between CLRG and many other organizations is that CLRG does not host "open feiseanna," meaning that their dancers cannot compete in other organizations' feiseanna, and vice versa.
How does a Feis work?[edit]
In order to compete at the most basic level, a dancer must have a beginner step created by their dance teacher. These are often composed of "sevens," a sidestep, "one-two-threes," a back-and-forth rocking motion, and "over-two-threes," a jump and two downward steps.
Dances used in feiseanna include reel, slip jig, light jig, single/hop jig, heavy/treble jig, hornpipe, traditional set, contemporary set, and treble reel. A championship level dancer will have competed in nearly all of these dances, with the exception of slip jig, which for the most part is only performed by female dancers.
In all organizations, feiseanna will offer different levels of competition. Within levels, dancers are separated by age in as small of an increment as possible. However, the number and name of levels vary by organization, as do the ways in which dancers move up levels. Two examples are offered below.
1) In the Mid Atlantic Region of CLRG, six levels are offered: Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice, Prizewinner, Preliminary Champion and Open Champion. There are a few exceptions, such as First Feis (pre-beginner dancers ages 2-5) and Adult Champion (Preliminary/Open Champions over 18 who have not competed in 5 or more years). Dancers can compete in one or more levels at a time Beginner through Prizewinner, but must compete exclusively in Preliminary and Open Champion, as these competitions are judged overall rather than per dance. Beginner and Advanced Beginner dancers can move up by achieving a second or third place in a dance, while Novice and Prizewinner move up by achieving first place. Winning all dances in Prizewinner moves a dancer to Preliminary Champion, and three overall first plac. A Preliminary Champion then moves to Open Championship by achieving three overall first places. A dancer cannot move up unless five dancers or more have competed.
2) In the An Comhdháil organization, five levels are offered: Bun Grads A, B, and C, Pre-Open Championship, and Open Championship. Dancers can compete in one or more levels at a time in all levels. A dancer moves up each level by achieving a first place in each dance, and ten dancers or more must compete.
In solo competitions, each dance is judged and awarded separately. The dancers perform two or three at a time. Upon completion, they bow to the judge, return to the back of the stage, then wait for a bell, at which point they bow to the judge and musician and walk off stage. Judges identify dancers by the number pinned to their costume. Results are either announced or posted, and those placed receive awards. Many feiseanna, especially those taking place near major championships, also hold team competitions, including two and three-person dances, four or eight-person Ceilis (pronounced 'cay-lee') and figures. Special competitions are also almost always offered, including treble reels (a reel performed in heavy shoes), traditional sets for grades and/or championship dancers, art, and baking.
How is scoring done?[edit]
Early in the 20th century, the Irish Dancing Commission established a 100 mark system for judging competitors. The idea of point distribution in solo dancing was 25% for timing, 25% for the steps, 25% for execution and method, and 25% for deportment and style. However, judging is based on a personal scale, making it a challenge to award points by average. Irish points is a tabulation system used to convert each judge's "raw score" (/100) into a more organized set of scores.
In competition, "grades" (lower levels) are a single dance scored by a single judge, so the raw score is not converted into Irish points. Minor championship competitions (either two or three rounds) are scored by three judges, whose scores are all considered and converted into Irish points. A unanimous first place score overall would equal 300 Irish points, but a dancer with two first place scores would also likely win first place unless the third judge gives a very low score, therefore preventing a single score from dropping their placement too much. A unanimous first place score is also known as a "perfect score," even though it is extremely uncommon for a dancer to earn a perfect raw score of 100. Placements are based on overall score, which gives dancers a wide leeway to win overall without winning every round from every judge.
At a Regional Championship, five judges score each round, but each dancer's highest and lowest scores may be dropped, meaning that a "perfect score" would still equal 300 points and the top dancer did not necessarily earn 500 points without dropped scores. Major championships (ie. All Ireland Championships, World Championships) may be scored by either five or seven judges per round, and each dancer's highest and lowest scores would be dropped.
Costumes and dress[edit]
At minimum, each dancer should wear either a plain shirt/blouse (often collared) and a pleated skirt or dress pants. However, most schools provide dancers with a school costume, which contains the school's colors, logo, and in certain organizations, initials or school name (identification is prohibited in some organizations). These can either be passed down or paid for by families.
When dancers reach the appropriate age or level for their organization, they may purchase solo costumes, which are dresses and vests adorned with crystals and embroidery. Some standards are still in effect, such as the prohibiting of low necklines, cut-outs, and short sleeves, but solo costumes have evolved extensively and rapidly, and many dressmakers have businesses throughout the US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and the UK that create custom costumes according to current trends. Custom costumes can be exorbitantly expensive, so many buy second-hand from websites or Facebook groups (see Dress Sale Websites).
Some organizations do not allow dancers under a certain age or level to wear solo costumes, wigs, and/or makeup. Organizations may also enforce regulations on solo costumes, such as prohibiting initials/names, symbols indicating achievements (ex. a globe, crown, or medal), or materials like feathers and tinsel.
Judges often comment that they are not nearly as concerned with flashy solo costumes as with the quality of dancing. A dancer should look neat and presentable, but wigs and dresses/waistcoats are not required to win. Common alternatives for dancers who wish to compete without a solo costume are school costumes or blackout attire (black dress/tights or black jacket/pants).
Accessories[edit]
Dancers who adhere to using solo costumes also tend to lean into other aspects of a full Irish Dancing look, including poodle socks, wigs, makeup, fake tan, headpieces, and shoe buckles.
Poodle socks are high, white, textured socks worn by dancers who wear official school or solo dresses. These socks must stay fully up on the leg while dancing and are often held in place by a washable glue. Poodle socks are required for dresses when not wearing tights.
Wigs in Irish Dancing evolved from the usage of hair curlers in the 20th Century. Wigs are curly and come in all hair colors and many different sizes and curl densities. There are two basic types of wigs: bun wigs, which resemble a bun on top of the dancer's head, and full wigs, which look more like having one's hair down. Wigs are not required, but have historically been categorized as an essential part of the look.
Makeup is not required, but high-level dancers may use heavy stage makeup as a means of completing a look. Both current dancers and alumni have created personal businesses where they execute wigs and makeup for younger dancers on competition day. Generally, dancers under the age of eleven are not allowed to wear makeup.
Fake tan has been sold to dancers as a means of being "seen better" by judges on a large stage. Dancers self-tan or have a company tan their legs. Use of fake tan has been controversial, as Black and Brown dancers have felt commodified and tanning has become more extreme than a stage would require.
Headpieces are paired with solo dresses and can also be used to help keep a wig in place. There are many styles of headpiece, but they are often flat, rhinestoned pieces of fabric with loops for bobby pins to keep them in place. Headpieces can either be custom-made to match a dress or can be bought at a feis kiosk. Headpieces are not required, but are helpful in completing the look of a wig.
Shoe buckles are not required, but can help to emphasize footwork when worn on heavy shoes. Buckles are either square or round pieces of metal covered in rhinestones and have a metal band that weaves into shoelaces. Buckles can be custom-made or bought at a feis.
Important Feis Reminders![edit]
Competing in a feis is a learning experience. For many dancers, it takes a few competition experiences before they feel comfortable. It is also important to realize that each judge has their own opinion.
The best way to score highly with all judges is to be in perfect time with the music, cross your feet and turn the toes out, show some energy while keeping correct posture. In addition, overall impression such as neatness, costume fit etc. play a small role. But, if you smile and appear to enjoy your dancing, then you are more likely to be perceived as a motivated dancer.
Finally -and most importantly- you should have fun! There is an air of excitement at a feis that is unlike any other performing experience.
You have worked hard to prepare, and this is a great chance to share your skills and talents with other members of the Irish dance community. A feis is a unique opportunity to celebrate the music and dance of Ireland. It is fun to dance Irish!
