Saturday:
I had to miss "town's" St. Patrick's Day parade with my main dance group. I hated missing it, but I hear it went real well. I did join many of them briefly for the after-parade party.
It was thee best "Big Show" ever, and I've seen them all! It's priceless, really, to see them all onstage, as professionals, looking awesome and having a good time. As TCRG Ma said, "The kids were on fire." Too bad that this particular show was not taped; oh well. That's the beauty of a live production.
Sunday:
It did rain on "the" parade, but did it dampen spirits? Heck no! M's Irish stepdance school could only obtain one flatbed / float for this year, but, M still made the cut. The TCRG's decided to base it on who'd performed at the most gigs this past year. M was thrilled, and it showed in her face. They donned their solo dresses, then as the drizzle turned to rain, they changed back out of their solo dresses, into dance-school logo'd attire. The crowd was less, but these were the die-hards. A Baltimore television station zoomed in on their hardshoe dancing on the float, people would bring out their cameras, point out the dancers to their young children, and smile and clap and sometimes try to dance along. It's a really great and exciting feeling, and I'm SOO glad M's on a better asthma management plan this year, so it all worked out well.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
the heralding of Spring
I smiled to greet two Robin birds this morning, then a couple cardinals flittered about. I've been hearing woodpeckers lately, too. "Good morning, Robin, and good morning, to you, too, Robin."
It may have "snow showered" near me during the day today.
Last Saturday was a gorgeous day for the Old Town Alexandria St. Patrick's Day parade -- practically 70 F degrees outside. Many of us ditched our dance group's uniform sweatshirts, and donned our uniform t-shirts instead. It was my first day feeling more well than sick. This tradition meant I missed M's gig that day -- an hour long show at a retirement community. My favorite year "dancing" in this particular parade was in March 2002 -- when the flag from the Pentagon during 9-11-01 was brought out for the first time since, and flew / marched in the parade with us. What a huge honour.
This tradition of spending a day in Old Town, for we always eat as a group and then tour about, meant I missed M's gig. I rarely miss her gigs, and this one was a really good one. They danced an hour-long program at a retirement community. They even pulled out a couple good numbers from a while ago, in part because some props were in a warehouse between "Big Show" number 1, and tomorrow's "Big Show" number 2. Unfortunately, M's umbrella prop was taken by another dancer -- thankfully, she won't need it tomorrow as they'll do the rainstick number instead. She had a real good time performing for the crowd, and being with her friends.
The Sunday previous to that gave us our biggest snow accumulations all winter, frigid temperatures, and, well, me fighting an "attenuated" version of the flu. I was so ill that day, I thought I'd miss M's "Big Show" (professional Irish stepdance choreographed performance w/ her auditioned-for performing troupes combined w/ great professional photography). Phew, I made it, and they were awesome! Even if, oops, one of the rainstick props broke, and b-b's went all over the stage. As an audience member, I didn't notice it, nor did others around me. I was very proud, and I think that all the numbers worked out wonderfully. Of course. But, it's still great to see it all come to fruition.
This past week, M asked me why it was going to be a low of 37 F and a high of 67 F degrees, in one day.
Tis the season:)
Four Provinces Feis announced earlier this week that they have closed. M hasn't been to that one previously. Her 4-hand team will go, plus other friends from her dance school. I hear it's a nice one, so we're excited. Even if it's the last weekend in April, i.e., the same weekend as the Southern Maryland Celtic Festival (awesome with a Scottish bent), and Maryland Day (University of Maryland, College Park, which I hope to get to one year). Four Provinces Feis is in Pennsylvania, but I always thought it was in New Jersey. Oh. I hear it's near Philly. And I need to see about adding traditional set to M's list of competitions.....
Comhaltas / CCE Feis announced their tentative date for opening for registration, i.e., March 28th. Most likely, whatever date that feis does open, will also be the date it closes, based upon past years. Which is also the weekend that M's dance school will have a Riverdance star give master workshops (how exciting!) I need to get her signed up for THIS week, and the same weekend as one of my ceili/set dance group's annual Spring Fling dance weekend away in Shepardstown (sp), West Virginia.
Celtic Fling Feis has opened for registration -- even if the outdoors feis combined with a Celtic Festival is still 3 months away, i.e., June 27th with a kickoff concert always held the night previous, i.e., June 26th this year.
I've looked at having M attend the Grand Canyon Feis, in Arizona, but the weekend conflicts with the graduation of the class below M at her former Intermediate (middle / junior high) school. I've heard good things about the Cream City Feis coming up -- if only we could travel more to feis. Heck, if we could, the new feis in Hawaii sounds awfully lovely.......
In the interim, I'm checking out details for various gigs, and trying to keep track of costumes. Not all greens match, and when does she need black tights and when her white bubble socks, or her solo dress, and when do I need black socks and black top, or thick red sweatshirt? Oh, and does SO need to pick up the gold tiara for his daughter to borrow? She's between dresses, and is borrowing M's "old" green solo dress with gold sleeves. Elegant, older-styled velvet. She'll dance at Shamrock Fest, at RFK Stadium. I should see if he's going to "the" ceili tonight....... he often does. I'll get there after M's technical rehearsal at the theatre..... oh, and I need to wash her black jazz pants as she'd needed them for a school dance production. For some reason, google isn't letting me do paragraphs any more GRRRRRR! There are two big parades this weekend, a local town one that's so cute and special, and grown a bit each year, to a really large one, Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day parade. M danced on a moving float last year, and we're waiting to hear if floats are confirmed for this year, too. Three ceili's, one each tonight, Saturday, and Sunday. I heard that there's a fourth, but it's not fitting in. We know where different friends have gigs -- "Mom, do you remember [SR]?" He's a boy M and L used to call Cboy, nothing negative just descriptive, but a fellow feiser, who's progressed to being a feis friend and facebook friend. "Of course." "He's dancing for Obama." We're happy for him:) M is being asked to dance at her half-sister's school, and the timing seems to be better, but unfortunately, M can't -- she's having a test at the SAME time. (Ack, a test Monday? Okay, maybe she can study some backstage tonight or tomorrow, as she'll be there ALL day tomorrow for dress rehearsal before the show, nah, she won't study then........ tomorrow night, then. She wasn't going to that ceili, anyway, just the cast party. "Just." And a gig Tuesday along with a mini-ceili, and I think she won't join me at a gig on Wednesday at a senior center..... Other dancers in the school will cover the "big" country club gig this year, so, good. This is busy enough, but with balance, it's a lot of fun. Wishing you a very merry green season, and the joy of being able to celebrate our ethnic heritage (Irish were not always well thought of here in the states), or just a dance form / music style, we enjoy no matter the heritage. Cheers!
It may have "snow showered" near me during the day today.
Last Saturday was a gorgeous day for the Old Town Alexandria St. Patrick's Day parade -- practically 70 F degrees outside. Many of us ditched our dance group's uniform sweatshirts, and donned our uniform t-shirts instead. It was my first day feeling more well than sick. This tradition meant I missed M's gig that day -- an hour long show at a retirement community. My favorite year "dancing" in this particular parade was in March 2002 -- when the flag from the Pentagon during 9-11-01 was brought out for the first time since, and flew / marched in the parade with us. What a huge honour.
This tradition of spending a day in Old Town, for we always eat as a group and then tour about, meant I missed M's gig. I rarely miss her gigs, and this one was a really good one. They danced an hour-long program at a retirement community. They even pulled out a couple good numbers from a while ago, in part because some props were in a warehouse between "Big Show" number 1, and tomorrow's "Big Show" number 2. Unfortunately, M's umbrella prop was taken by another dancer -- thankfully, she won't need it tomorrow as they'll do the rainstick number instead. She had a real good time performing for the crowd, and being with her friends.
The Sunday previous to that gave us our biggest snow accumulations all winter, frigid temperatures, and, well, me fighting an "attenuated" version of the flu. I was so ill that day, I thought I'd miss M's "Big Show" (professional Irish stepdance choreographed performance w/ her auditioned-for performing troupes combined w/ great professional photography). Phew, I made it, and they were awesome! Even if, oops, one of the rainstick props broke, and b-b's went all over the stage. As an audience member, I didn't notice it, nor did others around me. I was very proud, and I think that all the numbers worked out wonderfully. Of course. But, it's still great to see it all come to fruition.
This past week, M asked me why it was going to be a low of 37 F and a high of 67 F degrees, in one day.
Tis the season:)
Four Provinces Feis announced earlier this week that they have closed. M hasn't been to that one previously. Her 4-hand team will go, plus other friends from her dance school. I hear it's a nice one, so we're excited. Even if it's the last weekend in April, i.e., the same weekend as the Southern Maryland Celtic Festival (awesome with a Scottish bent), and Maryland Day (University of Maryland, College Park, which I hope to get to one year). Four Provinces Feis is in Pennsylvania, but I always thought it was in New Jersey. Oh. I hear it's near Philly. And I need to see about adding traditional set to M's list of competitions.....
Comhaltas / CCE Feis announced their tentative date for opening for registration, i.e., March 28th. Most likely, whatever date that feis does open, will also be the date it closes, based upon past years. Which is also the weekend that M's dance school will have a Riverdance star give master workshops (how exciting!) I need to get her signed up for THIS week, and the same weekend as one of my ceili/set dance group's annual Spring Fling dance weekend away in Shepardstown (sp), West Virginia.
Celtic Fling Feis has opened for registration -- even if the outdoors feis combined with a Celtic Festival is still 3 months away, i.e., June 27th with a kickoff concert always held the night previous, i.e., June 26th this year.
I've looked at having M attend the Grand Canyon Feis, in Arizona, but the weekend conflicts with the graduation of the class below M at her former Intermediate (middle / junior high) school. I've heard good things about the Cream City Feis coming up -- if only we could travel more to feis. Heck, if we could, the new feis in Hawaii sounds awfully lovely.......
In the interim, I'm checking out details for various gigs, and trying to keep track of costumes. Not all greens match, and when does she need black tights and when her white bubble socks, or her solo dress, and when do I need black socks and black top, or thick red sweatshirt? Oh, and does SO need to pick up the gold tiara for his daughter to borrow? She's between dresses, and is borrowing M's "old" green solo dress with gold sleeves. Elegant, older-styled velvet. She'll dance at Shamrock Fest, at RFK Stadium. I should see if he's going to "the" ceili tonight....... he often does. I'll get there after M's technical rehearsal at the theatre..... oh, and I need to wash her black jazz pants as she'd needed them for a school dance production. For some reason, google isn't letting me do paragraphs any more GRRRRRR! There are two big parades this weekend, a local town one that's so cute and special, and grown a bit each year, to a really large one, Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day parade. M danced on a moving float last year, and we're waiting to hear if floats are confirmed for this year, too. Three ceili's, one each tonight, Saturday, and Sunday. I heard that there's a fourth, but it's not fitting in. We know where different friends have gigs -- "Mom, do you remember [SR]?" He's a boy M and L used to call Cboy, nothing negative just descriptive, but a fellow feiser, who's progressed to being a feis friend and facebook friend. "Of course." "He's dancing for Obama." We're happy for him:) M is being asked to dance at her half-sister's school, and the timing seems to be better, but unfortunately, M can't -- she's having a test at the SAME time. (Ack, a test Monday? Okay, maybe she can study some backstage tonight or tomorrow, as she'll be there ALL day tomorrow for dress rehearsal before the show, nah, she won't study then........ tomorrow night, then. She wasn't going to that ceili, anyway, just the cast party. "Just." And a gig Tuesday along with a mini-ceili, and I think she won't join me at a gig on Wednesday at a senior center..... Other dancers in the school will cover the "big" country club gig this year, so, good. This is busy enough, but with balance, it's a lot of fun. Wishing you a very merry green season, and the joy of being able to celebrate our ethnic heritage (Irish were not always well thought of here in the states), or just a dance form / music style, we enjoy no matter the heritage. Cheers!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas
Finally, I'm feeling more as if it IS Christmas time. With my DD, M, and I being away and sick, we haven't exactly gotten much done. We couldn't even visit my mother to help her get up her Christmas things, as she was too recently out of the hospital and couldn't risk catching what we had.
A bit of Christmas shopping, a Winter Lights display nighttime drive, and, of course, Irish music, including Christmas music. That helps! Not that the Irish dance school holiday party and gift exchange didn't help, also, mind...... (and donating cans of food, etc.).
M had two gigs this December that were to highlight celtic music and a Christmas theme.
The first one I figured would help M remember that, no matter how she did or felt about the Oireachtas, her dancing is for the fun and joy of it. She likes performing, and this gig was with two of her friends (LCGirl, and L), really LCGirl's gig.
The musicians were awesome, three I'd known previously, and two new to me: Pat Egan, and Mike (Hall??). Mike's main job is playing music in the military along with Irish ceili musician, Josh Dukes, and a DAID I know as well. Mike played percussion with a box drum and bodhran. Pat hails from Ireland, and sang beautifully (and also played guitar), his wife, Laura Byrne Egan on flute (yes, she's one of my favorite musicians, classically trained and man oh man her airs..... think of "Secret of Roan Inish" if you're unfamiliar with what an air is), and good fiddle player Jimmy Eagan (not related), who also enjoys playing with O'Malley's March, and at a lot of ceili's.
The girls knew the set list in advance, including what type of music (reel, jig, etc.), and talked about what dance steps to do. They did one of their treble reels a few times, but that's alright. They also used some steps from their performance pieces that they all knew. LCGirl, always good with any type of show drama, had a special dance she does, also.
Ends up, we were feeling a bit burned out after the Oireachtas, but oh well; they had a lot of fun. Next day, M and I were really sick...... for days, unrelated to the dancing. I honestly didn't know that she'd have strength for this next gig and wasn't sure if she should do it.
I guess Laura and Pat enjoyed the dancers, as they contacted M's Irish dance school, and requested dancers for their upcoming Christmas gig as part of the Hedge Band. This concert was in downtown Baltimore, at a venue with a cozier almost nightclub feel yet wasn't a pub, and had interesting art displays. M danced this one with her friend, CV, and M's younger half-sister, Si, in only their simplier costumes and not their solo dresses. Strings of white lights made for a simple yet classy background. Well-known Baltimore area Billy McComiskey played great accordian, of course, and did most of the talking. Donna Long (of Cherish the Ladies), oh, she played such great keyboard, etc.. Pat did sing a few songs again, even with a cold. There were more Christmas songs this time, and seemed to be all celtic or celtic-inspired tunes (unless the Christmas one wasn't).
The girls had about 2 feet length for dancing, so sometimes the two older girls would dance reels up the aisles and around the intimate audience. The audience seemed to enjoy that. Remember that Irish stepdancing shows mostly in the lower body, so a closer unobstructed view is helpful. Si did one solo dance, Billy announcing that as, "Oh, you're going to enjoy this," and the three also did a dance together that they all knew. It was fun for the two older ones, M and CV, to choreograph just what they'd all dance, and Si was "with the big girls" and loves performing.
It was also fun for me to watch M and the others, enjoy such a fantastic (is this my new favorite???) band, as an outing with my boyfriend, E. We saw some people we knew, and even got asked where there are Irish stepdance schools around, and if there's any ceili dancing in the Baltimore area. Ha, um, yes. We gave that mom a lot of options for her and her daughter to check out. Having a relaxing Christmas-themed beautiful music outing was great.
The Hedge Band really should put together a Christmas cd....... they have others, and I'd bought one of Laura Byrne Egan's when I was at the "Cape May at Rehoboth" Ceili & Set Dance weekend this summer. The real test is if I enjoy the cd on its own, after the concert, all the way through and perhaps even again. Sometimes, not. This time? Yes.
And, if anyone is wondering, yes, Jingle Bells can be danced to with Irish stepdance steps.
Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it.
Oh, a quick search pulled up this grainy video someone I don't know took the night my daughter, M, danced for the Hedge Band (she's not shown):
Videos from YouTube - The Hedge Band
A bit of Christmas shopping, a Winter Lights display nighttime drive, and, of course, Irish music, including Christmas music. That helps! Not that the Irish dance school holiday party and gift exchange didn't help, also, mind...... (and donating cans of food, etc.).
M had two gigs this December that were to highlight celtic music and a Christmas theme.
The first one I figured would help M remember that, no matter how she did or felt about the Oireachtas, her dancing is for the fun and joy of it. She likes performing, and this gig was with two of her friends (LCGirl, and L), really LCGirl's gig.
The musicians were awesome, three I'd known previously, and two new to me: Pat Egan, and Mike (Hall??). Mike's main job is playing music in the military along with Irish ceili musician, Josh Dukes, and a DAID I know as well. Mike played percussion with a box drum and bodhran. Pat hails from Ireland, and sang beautifully (and also played guitar), his wife, Laura Byrne Egan on flute (yes, she's one of my favorite musicians, classically trained and man oh man her airs..... think of "Secret of Roan Inish" if you're unfamiliar with what an air is), and good fiddle player Jimmy Eagan (not related), who also enjoys playing with O'Malley's March, and at a lot of ceili's.
The girls knew the set list in advance, including what type of music (reel, jig, etc.), and talked about what dance steps to do. They did one of their treble reels a few times, but that's alright. They also used some steps from their performance pieces that they all knew. LCGirl, always good with any type of show drama, had a special dance she does, also.
Ends up, we were feeling a bit burned out after the Oireachtas, but oh well; they had a lot of fun. Next day, M and I were really sick...... for days, unrelated to the dancing. I honestly didn't know that she'd have strength for this next gig and wasn't sure if she should do it.
I guess Laura and Pat enjoyed the dancers, as they contacted M's Irish dance school, and requested dancers for their upcoming Christmas gig as part of the Hedge Band. This concert was in downtown Baltimore, at a venue with a cozier almost nightclub feel yet wasn't a pub, and had interesting art displays. M danced this one with her friend, CV, and M's younger half-sister, Si, in only their simplier costumes and not their solo dresses. Strings of white lights made for a simple yet classy background. Well-known Baltimore area Billy McComiskey played great accordian, of course, and did most of the talking. Donna Long (of Cherish the Ladies), oh, she played such great keyboard, etc.. Pat did sing a few songs again, even with a cold. There were more Christmas songs this time, and seemed to be all celtic or celtic-inspired tunes (unless the Christmas one wasn't).
The girls had about 2 feet length for dancing, so sometimes the two older girls would dance reels up the aisles and around the intimate audience. The audience seemed to enjoy that. Remember that Irish stepdancing shows mostly in the lower body, so a closer unobstructed view is helpful. Si did one solo dance, Billy announcing that as, "Oh, you're going to enjoy this," and the three also did a dance together that they all knew. It was fun for the two older ones, M and CV, to choreograph just what they'd all dance, and Si was "with the big girls" and loves performing.
It was also fun for me to watch M and the others, enjoy such a fantastic (is this my new favorite???) band, as an outing with my boyfriend, E. We saw some people we knew, and even got asked where there are Irish stepdance schools around, and if there's any ceili dancing in the Baltimore area. Ha, um, yes. We gave that mom a lot of options for her and her daughter to check out. Having a relaxing Christmas-themed beautiful music outing was great.
The Hedge Band really should put together a Christmas cd....... they have others, and I'd bought one of Laura Byrne Egan's when I was at the "Cape May at Rehoboth" Ceili & Set Dance weekend this summer. The real test is if I enjoy the cd on its own, after the concert, all the way through and perhaps even again. Sometimes, not. This time? Yes.
And, if anyone is wondering, yes, Jingle Bells can be danced to with Irish stepdance steps.
Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it.
Oh, a quick search pulled up this grainy video someone I don't know took the night my daughter, M, danced for the Hedge Band (she's not shown):
Videos from YouTube - The Hedge Band
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Congrats to the new TCRG's! and one in particular
I am so happy for the new TCRG, i.e., certified Irish stepdance teacher, in our Irish dance school, the woman I've referred to here as FT (for Figures Teacher). She is so good, and so qualified, and was one of the more "mature" applicants taking the test. (She's most likely younger than I am, just that most TRCG hopefuls are those who are just moving on from their own dancing endeavors and might be just over the minimum age to apply which I believe is approximately 21 or 25 years old.)
FT received her letter from the Irish Dancing Commission in Ireland, stating that she had indeed passed all four sections of the sometimes in parts grueling certification test. Many do not pass it the first time, albeit if passing some sections, those sections do not need to be retaken if retaking the test within a certain timeframe, yadda yadda. (All of which I find analogous to the certified public accounting exams (hey, my dad was a CPA who sometimes mentored others.) It's only offered twice a year, and sometimes people have to fly quite a distance to take it. Nicely, the most recent certification examination was held comparatively local for us, in the Arlington, Virginia, area.
There is a written portion, music recognition, teaching demonstration, and dance performance. FT danced on what I recall as being a broken foot (then drove herself to the hospital). Perhaps it was a different injury; it was quite painful and she wouldn't have been allowed to put any pressure on it, never mind dance on it, if she'd gone to the hospital previous to that portion of the TCRG examination. The dance performance section is the one she said was the most difficult for her, understandably, and the one she figured is the one she was most likely to not pass. Phew, but, she apparently did, passing all four sections this first time she took it.
For the teaching demonstration portion, she'd practiced weekly with some of us adults. She had to know every set dance out there in the traditional Irish dance world, and how to teach it properly, along with showing appropriate teaching ability. (Not sure if applicants need to know all about the ceili dances as well. What I usually refer to as set dances, being my personal dancing areas are more ceili and set dancing, are more typically referred to as figures dances in the stepdancing area of Irish dancing.) FT is a World Qualifying (she may have placed at worlds with her team???) figures dancer herself, from her youthful days, and her expertise is a nice mix with TCRG's expertise. She's assistant taught for many years since then. Once she started the teaching portion of the exam, she said she just zoned into focus and taught, "I know how to do this." A younger applicant with less experience may have had more difficulty in this portion of the exam.
FT, our new TCRG so deserves this recognition, and we're all very happy and proud for her.
Congratulations to all who took this certification examination, and passed any portions of it, but especially to those who passed all four and are now new TCRG's. If I find a complete listing of new TCRG's posted anywhere, I will either list them, or post a link, on here.
And, fyi, as I had to look it up myself, the Irish Dancing Commission is also known as An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha. Very cool, eh?
FT received her letter from the Irish Dancing Commission in Ireland, stating that she had indeed passed all four sections of the sometimes in parts grueling certification test. Many do not pass it the first time, albeit if passing some sections, those sections do not need to be retaken if retaking the test within a certain timeframe, yadda yadda. (All of which I find analogous to the certified public accounting exams (hey, my dad was a CPA who sometimes mentored others.) It's only offered twice a year, and sometimes people have to fly quite a distance to take it. Nicely, the most recent certification examination was held comparatively local for us, in the Arlington, Virginia, area.
There is a written portion, music recognition, teaching demonstration, and dance performance. FT danced on what I recall as being a broken foot (then drove herself to the hospital). Perhaps it was a different injury; it was quite painful and she wouldn't have been allowed to put any pressure on it, never mind dance on it, if she'd gone to the hospital previous to that portion of the TCRG examination. The dance performance section is the one she said was the most difficult for her, understandably, and the one she figured is the one she was most likely to not pass. Phew, but, she apparently did, passing all four sections this first time she took it.
For the teaching demonstration portion, she'd practiced weekly with some of us adults. She had to know every set dance out there in the traditional Irish dance world, and how to teach it properly, along with showing appropriate teaching ability. (Not sure if applicants need to know all about the ceili dances as well. What I usually refer to as set dances, being my personal dancing areas are more ceili and set dancing, are more typically referred to as figures dances in the stepdancing area of Irish dancing.) FT is a World Qualifying (she may have placed at worlds with her team???) figures dancer herself, from her youthful days, and her expertise is a nice mix with TCRG's expertise. She's assistant taught for many years since then. Once she started the teaching portion of the exam, she said she just zoned into focus and taught, "I know how to do this." A younger applicant with less experience may have had more difficulty in this portion of the exam.
FT, our new TCRG so deserves this recognition, and we're all very happy and proud for her.
Congratulations to all who took this certification examination, and passed any portions of it, but especially to those who passed all four and are now new TCRG's. If I find a complete listing of new TCRG's posted anywhere, I will either list them, or post a link, on here.
And, fyi, as I had to look it up myself, the Irish Dancing Commission is also known as An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha. Very cool, eh?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
South America is now part of the Southern Region
Well, this is news indeed. Russell Beaton, a well-respected teacher (TCRG) and judge (ADCRG ?), was the speaker for Sunday evening's dance dramas and awards. I loved how he asked people to pretend that they are at the theatre. He also stated that South America is now part of the Southern Region. (My mind quickly wondered if Central America was also included, now, but I don't know if any certified Irish dance schools are located there, as presumably that's a qualification. Hmmm, or Puerto Rico, or the Caribbean........)
The Irish Dance Teacher's Association of North America (IDTANA), North America Southern Region, had included: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Mexico.
When a dancer from one of the regions qualifies for NANs, that's short for North American Irish Dance Championship. That still worked when including only those in North America, as Mexico, and Canada (in other regions, not Southern Region), are included, even if some people refer to that competition as "nationals." Adding an entire continent is really big news, and I look forward for hearing more about this.
UPDATE: According to anonymous posters to the Southern Region (voy) message board, meaning the source could be incorrect, it's possible that there is a certified Irish dance school in San Paolo, Brazil. If so, then congratulations, and welcome aboard!
The Irish Dance Teacher's Association of North America (IDTANA), North America Southern Region, had included: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Mexico.
When a dancer from one of the regions qualifies for NANs, that's short for North American Irish Dance Championship. That still worked when including only those in North America, as Mexico, and Canada (in other regions, not Southern Region), are included, even if some people refer to that competition as "nationals." Adding an entire continent is really big news, and I look forward for hearing more about this.
UPDATE: According to anonymous posters to the Southern Region (voy) message board, meaning the source could be incorrect, it's possible that there is a certified Irish dance school in San Paolo, Brazil. If so, then congratulations, and welcome aboard!
SRO 08 Results
Most results were posted on blogs "live," which was very helpful for my paternal aunt, and my mother, especially as I'd forgotten my cell phone charger and sometimes communicating got difficult.
Check out:
2008 Southern Region Oireachtas: Solo Results for Saturday, December 6 (I'll have to figure out if they have a post for Sunday's, also -- certainly as important a day for the SRO 08.)
and
FeisWorx Blog
and, some more complete results here: Southern Region Oireachtas - 2008
Check out:
2008 Southern Region Oireachtas: Solo Results for Saturday, December 6 (I'll have to figure out if they have a post for Sunday's, also -- certainly as important a day for the SRO 08.)
and
FeisWorx Blog
and, some more complete results here: Southern Region Oireachtas - 2008
the shorter version (SRO 08)
The shorter, cleaned-up version of my last post entry (sorry, all, but blogpost isn't letting me edit well, nor cut and paste, or anything.....):
"We are so proud of you," said M's TCRG, and "Figures Teacher," aka, FT, after M had danced her Round 2 (reel).
Yes, me, too:) No matter how M placed, or even if she recalled, I was so proud of her for having danced so well for herself.
For the dancing competitions, M had to dance a hornpipe for her Round 1, hardshoe. She was nervous for this. Then, she danced a reel for her Round 2, softshoe competition. She recalled!!!! the last competitor # called for recalls, which meant that she had to go on to Round 3, or, I should say, she got the honor of going on to Round 3. That took forever; M danced third to last out of the 62 dancers who recalled and then danced their set dance one at a time. (She had three different judges for each of her, ultimately, three rounds, for nine scores total.)
Unfortunately, her good dance friend, L, did NOT recall. So often, they place very close together in their competitions, so this was not expected that one girl would place / recall, and the other would not. (This means that L had six scores total, as she danced only the first two rounds.)
Ultimately, M placed 43rd out of 124 competitors (134 dancers were registered, but, for example, one of their dance friends had a stress fracture and could not compete, one dancer competed only in Round 1, and not Round 2, etc.) This is fantastic for a first time solo Oireachtas competitor.
Their 8-hand team, dancing Trip to the Cottage, well, it looked real good and was danced cleanly. No recall.
Their 4-hand team, dancing Humours of Bandon, WOW! The four girls (M, L, and two others) were so excited, bouncing up and down, arms linked, while team numbers were being called, and theirs was not. They danced up in age group as one girl is older, with a total of I think 44 teams. (I believe 46 teams were registered). They actually got 4th place. That is awesome:)
Their dance drama accomplished what TCRG had hoped for -- a great team feeling to end the Oireachtas with, and good show entertainment for the audience. It was good, and it was fun, for the audience and for all of the dancers. Unfortunately, a technicality had them placing third out of three dance drama teams, but oh well. They all proudly and happily went onstage for their earned third-place medals.
Ultimately, it's all good (except wishing L had recalled, also). And, if you see a teenage girl with the word Oireachtas going down the leg of her sweatpants, and a 4 and a 3 on her backside, that's my dancer. 43rd, 4th, and 3rd. LOL!
"We are so proud of you," said M's TCRG, and "Figures Teacher," aka, FT, after M had danced her Round 2 (reel).
Yes, me, too:) No matter how M placed, or even if she recalled, I was so proud of her for having danced so well for herself.
For the dancing competitions, M had to dance a hornpipe for her Round 1, hardshoe. She was nervous for this. Then, she danced a reel for her Round 2, softshoe competition. She recalled!!!! the last competitor # called for recalls, which meant that she had to go on to Round 3, or, I should say, she got the honor of going on to Round 3. That took forever; M danced third to last out of the 62 dancers who recalled and then danced their set dance one at a time. (She had three different judges for each of her, ultimately, three rounds, for nine scores total.)
Unfortunately, her good dance friend, L, did NOT recall. So often, they place very close together in their competitions, so this was not expected that one girl would place / recall, and the other would not. (This means that L had six scores total, as she danced only the first two rounds.)
Ultimately, M placed 43rd out of 124 competitors (134 dancers were registered, but, for example, one of their dance friends had a stress fracture and could not compete, one dancer competed only in Round 1, and not Round 2, etc.) This is fantastic for a first time solo Oireachtas competitor.
Their 8-hand team, dancing Trip to the Cottage, well, it looked real good and was danced cleanly. No recall.
Their 4-hand team, dancing Humours of Bandon, WOW! The four girls (M, L, and two others) were so excited, bouncing up and down, arms linked, while team numbers were being called, and theirs was not. They danced up in age group as one girl is older, with a total of I think 44 teams. (I believe 46 teams were registered). They actually got 4th place. That is awesome:)
Their dance drama accomplished what TCRG had hoped for -- a great team feeling to end the Oireachtas with, and good show entertainment for the audience. It was good, and it was fun, for the audience and for all of the dancers. Unfortunately, a technicality had them placing third out of three dance drama teams, but oh well. They all proudly and happily went onstage for their earned third-place medals.
Ultimately, it's all good (except wishing L had recalled, also). And, if you see a teenage girl with the word Oireachtas going down the leg of her sweatpants, and a 4 and a 3 on her backside, that's my dancer. 43rd, 4th, and 3rd. LOL!
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