Dear Parents,
This note is designed to help you and your child get through your first Feis and enjoy it as well. A Feis is
a Gaelic word for a competition or a festival. It is pronounced 'fesh'.
When your child is ready for their first feis you will be given an entry form and I will already have ticked
the boxes for the dance your child is capable of performing. They do not always need to go in every dance that I
have ticked. This is just an indication of what your child is capable of performing. Send the entry off making sure that
you have enclosed all the info needed by the organiser, eg age, dances, school. Write in your diary the date and
place of the Feis and the dances your child is doing as it is easy to forget further down the line.
Feis Day
On the day of the Feis please remember not to stress, no matter what happens it will all be okay!
The Feis is a chance for your child to go on stage and show you all the wonderful things they have
been learning in class. Sometimes children get nervous and forget their dance but that is fine, we get
them to come back and have another try. All the teachers who run the competitions are very kind to
the new ones and we always look after them.
When you arrive at the Feis (usually 30 mins prior to start time) you will need to collect a competition
number from a table that will be set up for this purpose. Pin this number on your child's waist or
attach it on a ribbon around their waist.
You will be given a program so that you know which section your child will be competing in and
who they will be dancing with. It is also a nice souvenir to keep.
When your child's section is called they come over to the marshaling area where they will be put in
line. Please don't wait in this area as it can become congested and sometimes if you are nervous for your child this
will be conveyed to them and they might have a last minute panic! There will be a teacher or a parent looking after
the dancers in the marshaling area.
When your child has danced they will come off stage and can sit with you. Listen out for their next section and then
send them up to the marshaling area again. When they have completed all their dances you will need to wait for the
results to be called. All the children receive at least one prize which will be either a ribbon or a medal. If your child
misses their name or number being called please don't hesitate to come forward to me and I can get things sorted out.
Hair
I like my dancers to have their hair neat and tidy when attending a Feis. Hair can be worn half up, half down or in
two little pig tails either side of the face with the rest of the hair out. Accessorize with either ribbons or clips. A lot of
the girls also wear little tiaras and this is fine. If you are still unsure about how to do the hair or would like a lesson in
curling please email me a ring and I can organise this for you. Again I ask you not to get to worried, no matter what a
mess you think you might have made of your Child's hair we will have ways of fixing it. The important thing is that
your child thinks she is beautiful. Please note that wigs are not permitted in beginner grade.
Shoes and socks
Please ensure that shoes have been polished before the Feis. If in doubt always bring hard and soft shoes to the Feis
if your child is at that level. Dancers must wear the proper Irish dance socks. These can be purchased from Liz and
Dee ( Liz 6291 9445 or Dee 62919693). Please keep competition socks separate from those worn to class so they
stay lovely and white.
Costumes
These can be hired from the dress committee at the beginning and middle of the year. All children who hire a
costume must be prepared to wear a cover or a smock to protect the dress when they are not on stage. Let Monica
know if you are interested in hiring a costume.
Boys Costumes
The boys usually wear dark long pants with matching socks so that they blend in. A shirt, which can be any colour in
either a microfibre or cotton blend. Ties can also be worn or a vest. Please check with me so that we can make sure
your son is comfortable with their costume
Make up
Makeup and fake tan is not be permitted for any dancer in the first two grades (beginner and primary) up to and
including the Under 12 age group, this is a worldwide rule.
Prizes
All children will place in at least one dance so they all go home with something special. However, after that the prizes
are usually awarded for the top half of the competition, this will vary from Feis to Feis. Most children don't€™t have
a clue if they have come first or towards the end of the competition. This is the beauty of the little beginners. As
parents I am sure that you will tell your child they are the most wonderful dancers in the whole wide world regardless
of where they place
Canteen
At most Feis you will find a canteen supplying drinks, snacks and food.
Siblings
If possible it is best to leave younger siblings at home. The competitions may run for several hours and this can be
very boring for a little one who will be expected to sit still and quiet for a long time. The length that you are required
at a Feis can vary between one hour and three hours so it is best to come prepared.
I attend the majority of Feis's in Canberra but will always let parents know when I will not be going. Please feel that
you can come and see me if you have questions, no matter how silly you might think they are, usually they're not! I
also love to say hello to my dancers and tell them how great they are. If time allows I will run them through their
dance or have one of my seniors do this. I am always at the side of the stage for the ones who are doing their first
dance (this is called novice). I usually call out when to start so they feel confident.
Experience tells me that most children LOVE doing competitions and even the shiest children gain confidence as they
enter more competitions. The main ingredient for a successful Feis is for Mum or Dad to be calm and enjoy the day.
There are always lots of experienced Mums who can give you a hand because at one stage we have all been new
Mums and have been in your position!
Happy Feising,
Monica
This note is designed to help you and your child get through your first Feis and enjoy it as well. A Feis is
a Gaelic word for a competition or a festival. It is pronounced 'fesh'.
When your child is ready for their first feis you will be given an entry form and I will already have ticked
the boxes for the dance your child is capable of performing. They do not always need to go in every dance that I
have ticked. This is just an indication of what your child is capable of performing. Send the entry off making sure that
you have enclosed all the info needed by the organiser, eg age, dances, school. Write in your diary the date and
place of the Feis and the dances your child is doing as it is easy to forget further down the line.
Feis Day
On the day of the Feis please remember not to stress, no matter what happens it will all be okay!
The Feis is a chance for your child to go on stage and show you all the wonderful things they have
been learning in class. Sometimes children get nervous and forget their dance but that is fine, we get
them to come back and have another try. All the teachers who run the competitions are very kind to
the new ones and we always look after them.
When you arrive at the Feis (usually 30 mins prior to start time) you will need to collect a competition
number from a table that will be set up for this purpose. Pin this number on your child's waist or
attach it on a ribbon around their waist.
You will be given a program so that you know which section your child will be competing in and
who they will be dancing with. It is also a nice souvenir to keep.
When your child's section is called they come over to the marshaling area where they will be put in
line. Please don't wait in this area as it can become congested and sometimes if you are nervous for your child this
will be conveyed to them and they might have a last minute panic! There will be a teacher or a parent looking after
the dancers in the marshaling area.
When your child has danced they will come off stage and can sit with you. Listen out for their next section and then
send them up to the marshaling area again. When they have completed all their dances you will need to wait for the
results to be called. All the children receive at least one prize which will be either a ribbon or a medal. If your child
misses their name or number being called please don't hesitate to come forward to me and I can get things sorted out.
Hair
I like my dancers to have their hair neat and tidy when attending a Feis. Hair can be worn half up, half down or in
two little pig tails either side of the face with the rest of the hair out. Accessorize with either ribbons or clips. A lot of
the girls also wear little tiaras and this is fine. If you are still unsure about how to do the hair or would like a lesson in
curling please email me a ring and I can organise this for you. Again I ask you not to get to worried, no matter what a
mess you think you might have made of your Child's hair we will have ways of fixing it. The important thing is that
your child thinks she is beautiful. Please note that wigs are not permitted in beginner grade.
Shoes and socks
Please ensure that shoes have been polished before the Feis. If in doubt always bring hard and soft shoes to the Feis
if your child is at that level. Dancers must wear the proper Irish dance socks. These can be purchased from Liz and
Dee ( Liz 6291 9445 or Dee 62919693). Please keep competition socks separate from those worn to class so they
stay lovely and white.
Costumes
These can be hired from the dress committee at the beginning and middle of the year. All children who hire a
costume must be prepared to wear a cover or a smock to protect the dress when they are not on stage. Let Monica
know if you are interested in hiring a costume.
Boys Costumes
The boys usually wear dark long pants with matching socks so that they blend in. A shirt, which can be any colour in
either a microfibre or cotton blend. Ties can also be worn or a vest. Please check with me so that we can make sure
your son is comfortable with their costume
Make up
Makeup and fake tan is not be permitted for any dancer in the first two grades (beginner and primary) up to and
including the Under 12 age group, this is a worldwide rule.
Prizes
All children will place in at least one dance so they all go home with something special. However, after that the prizes
are usually awarded for the top half of the competition, this will vary from Feis to Feis. Most children don't€™t have
a clue if they have come first or towards the end of the competition. This is the beauty of the little beginners. As
parents I am sure that you will tell your child they are the most wonderful dancers in the whole wide world regardless
of where they place
Canteen
At most Feis you will find a canteen supplying drinks, snacks and food.
Siblings
If possible it is best to leave younger siblings at home. The competitions may run for several hours and this can be
very boring for a little one who will be expected to sit still and quiet for a long time. The length that you are required
at a Feis can vary between one hour and three hours so it is best to come prepared.
I attend the majority of Feis's in Canberra but will always let parents know when I will not be going. Please feel that
you can come and see me if you have questions, no matter how silly you might think they are, usually they're not! I
also love to say hello to my dancers and tell them how great they are. If time allows I will run them through their
dance or have one of my seniors do this. I am always at the side of the stage for the ones who are doing their first
dance (this is called novice). I usually call out when to start so they feel confident.
Experience tells me that most children LOVE doing competitions and even the shiest children gain confidence as they
enter more competitions. The main ingredient for a successful Feis is for Mum or Dad to be calm and enjoy the day.
There are always lots of experienced Mums who can give you a hand because at one stage we have all been new
Mums and have been in your position!
Happy Feising,
Monica
| First Feis |
