Feis Information

A feis (pronounced fesh) is an Irish dance competition.  Dó Cairde students compete at feiseanna (plural of feis) locally, regionally and nationally. Each feis has a syllabus that lists the competitions, directions to the feis and other general information. Syllabi are posted on the website as they become available. Most feiseanna now have online registration and payment through FeisWeb or eFeis, but a few still require you to mail in your entry and /or payment. Check the syllabus for which method to use. Some feiseanna quickly reach their cap, or maximum of entries. It is best to enter early. No entries are accepted at the feis or by telephone.
All feiseanna are listed at nafc.knack.com/north-american-feis-commission#feis-schedule/

FEIS SURVIVAL

What to Bring to a Feis
  • Dance Shoes
  • Dance Costume
  • Poodle Socks
  • Bloomers
  • Brush and hairspray
  • Wig if your child wears one
  • Safety pins or a thin ribbon
    for the entry number **
  • Water/Juice/Snacks
  • Camera - no video is allowed, and some feiseanna do not allow any photos at all. Check the syllabus. But bring the camera for photos afterward if your child places in a competition!
  • Band-Aids
  • Syllabus and directions
  • Stage schedule if available

** The competitor number needs to be worn in front of the costume. If you don't want to put a hole in the costume, make a little hole in each corner of the card. Thread the ribbon through each hole and tie around the waist. Some feiseanna have a hole puncher at the check-in desk.
Arriving at the Feis:
  • Arrive about an hour early. It is not always easy to predict when your child's competition will start, so it's always better to leave extra time.
  • Go to the check in/registration table to get the competitor card if you have not printed it ahead of time.
  • If you did not print the stage schedule ahead of time, it will be available at the registration table also.
  • Find the stages where your child will be dancing based on the stage schedule.
  • Dress your child in the costume and attach their competitor number on the front of his/her costume.

*Point out a meeting place if you and your child get separated. There are HUNDREDS of people at these competitions.
Competing in an Event
  • Each stage will have a poster or white board stating the current event and next event.
  • Each stage will have a check-in person, a "launcher", a judge and a musician.
  • When your event is next, send your child to the check-in person.
  • The check-in person will check the competitor card to verify it's the right event.
  • The check-in person will direct your child to the standby chairs next to the stage.
  • When your event begins, the "launcher" will take a group of competitors onto the stage.
  • The competitors will then stand in a line at the end of the stage.
  • The "launcher" will tell the first 2 children to come forward.
  • The music will start.
  • At the beginning levels, the "launcher" will begin counting measures so the kids know when to start dancing.
  • The launcher will tell the next pair to get ready when the prior pair are almost done.
  • When all the competitors have danced, they will bow to the judge and walk off the stage.

*Do not stand next to another Dó Cairde dancer on the stage. Any differences in performance, intentional or not, will be apparent to the judge.

**Keep dancing even if you make a mistake - DON'T STOP!
After Competing:
  • Results from each event will be posted on large pieces of poster board, usually within an hour of the competition.
  • The location of these posters varies with each feis, but they will all be together.
  • Look for the competition number for your child's competition on the poster.
  • The competitor numbers of the dancers who placed first, second, third and possibly honorable mention will be listed under the competition number on the poster.
  • Depending on the level, there may be a few competitor numbers that place in each position.
  • If your child's number is listed, go to the trophy table with the competitor card.
  • The volunteer will verify things and present a trophy or medal.

Getting the Marks or Scores:
  • Once the results have been posted, you may get the scoring results. Many times individual dancer scores/results will be emailed to you within a few days of the feis.
  • These results will detail the score for each place and what your child scored.
  • Sometimes mistakes are made when listing the placements. Check your score.
  • In addition, the results may contain comments from the judge.