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
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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!
4, 3 (we are so proud of you)
M wanted Oireachtas (SRO 08) gear to be sweatpants, grey sweats when she has grey sweats already. Don't you want this really nice blue colored sweatshirt, or pink? "I have a pink one." (She likes blues, purples, and sometimes pinks, but her pink t-shirt is from a feis.) No, she wanted grey sweatpants that are the really baggy kind. Fine. The beautiful sun logo and the Oireachtas name down the leg.
And, on the butt? A 4 on the left side, and a 3 on the other. LOL.
4, 3
First night, Friday: Z&B met L, L's mom, M, and me, at the airport with his lovely daughter, and we drove to the Oireachtas hotel to check it out. This is it? Wow. How, well, resort-like. Correction, this IS a resort. Palm trees, arches, warm weather. The Oireachtas hotel, J.W. Marriot in Orlando, was an excellent location, of sufficient size, with room price arrangements comparable to others (normally much more). Quick in to get the (great, spiral-bound) program, looked at vendors where M found a foundation for her glitter makeup but we were whisked away before we could purchase it. Okay, admittedly, I was also chatting with the woman who I coordinated the dress buying with, her daughter in M and L's competitions. The ballrooms themselves were locked, so the three girls peeked into their respective ballrooms.
Day 1, Saturday:
Way too early Saturday morning, I told M and L to get up on the stage to practice their steps. Really, primarily, I wanted them to get a feel for THAT stage, and to get moving. They stood with big eyes, still behind the others who were on there already, practicing. They've danced for large audiences, they've danced on big stages, yet, this was IT. Ultimately, L loved how she could just travel on the Oireachtas champion-sized stage, so nice and large.
TCRG was there, w/ her breakfast, at 7:50 a.m., ready to watch M and L. TCRG is NOT a morning person; I really appreciate that she made that effort for her girls. I asked about M wearing buckles on her hardshoes, as TCRG wanted M to (M has natural turn out, usually), but M resisted (L isn't to wear buckles, as she has great drive and lift, but not natural turn out). TCRG said that at this point, let M do what she feels more comfortable with, so fine. "FiguresTeacher" (FT) was there, also, whom I also really appreciate, and who also truly cares about the dancers. M was nervous for her hardshoe (hornpipe), I as her mom could tell that, no smiles while dancing, but she really did well. Such a flood of relief; this round is over; L danced it, M danced it, they are not Oireachtas solo virgins any more. The teachers had other dancers to watch, gave specific comments for both girls (including "perfect," albeit no dancer is, and both girls missed a click, but it's quite positive and means the girls danced their own version of perfect to their capabilities, I assume).
Preparation for Round 2, softshoe reels. An experienced Oireachtas dancer sat in our row. I hadn't remembered her hardshoe being I tried to watch 124 dancers (out of 134 registered), but her reel looked fantastic to me, and I told her so. TCRG and FT returned in time for each girls reel. (Texting is a very useful and utilized form of communication at such an event -- no rings going off during a competition, and "M is up in 3 groups, Stage B" gives teachers up to date info to be there to watch, and pep talk as needed.) All TCRG's have the front row reserved and both M's TCRG and FT moved there. L's reel looked great. M was more comfortable than she'd been for her first round, and danced beautifully. She didn't know until afterwards that she'd danced with the young woman who placed 2nd last year, and who had placed 1st in previous years (yet M's rotation did not have her dancing with the young woman who won 1st the past 2 years, and again this year). TCRG and FT were beaming, and told M, "We are so proud of you."
No matter how M places, she did well for herself, and yes, I'm so proud, also. Just as L should be. Just as I told SO's youngest, "Congratulations simply on the honor of being chosen to be here." Yes, I confused the girl by saying congratulations previous to her dancing, but her dad was pleased with the message I was giving. "Did I get my lifts," M asked? "Yes, you got your lifts," she was told. At least, admirably enough and to the best of M's ability. What more can anyone ask of a dance competitor, than to try to take what or her (or his) teacher recommends, and dance her (or his) heart out?
Recalls would be after lunch. Um, okay. Lunch had started late, but no indication that it'd still be the full hour. It was much much longer than that hour (I will assume that correct tabulations took longer in part as U-14 girls was the largest group in the entire Oireachtas). I could not find anything adequate (boxed sandwich lunches were $20., and famous coffee shop didn't have their full selection of real food offerings at this spot. I also got TCRG a glass of wine that evening, for, get this, $14. yikes!). Yeah, dance school "team" friends had gotten to a grocery story, and M and (vegetarian) L could EAT something real. FINALLY, the competitor's #'s were being announced. L's was skipped over. Oh. Um, she didn't recall. Three judges each for Round 1 and Round 2, someone caught something and didn't catch something, I guess. We felt badly. M's competitor # was thee last one called. She recalled. Yeah, M's first Oireachtas and she recalled! Very exciting for her! The girl in the row with us, did not recall. Her mother said it was a surprise (I think she'd qualified for NANs previously even), but that's how it is sometimes. Some dancers had looked so fantastic, it was not a surprise to hear their competitor #'s announced.
Now, for M's set. It took SO long of a wait, FT told M to get out of line for a while (M had been called up to confirm her set dance, and the speed, so the live musicians could play it accurately). Another long wait, her 8-hand team (including L) was not only preparing and checking in next door, but needed to go on soon. FT (and others) told me to be sure M is not worried about making the 8-hand, but to concentrate on her solo's, i.e., set. The 8-hand stage had been informed of the conflict and juggled the order of those teams (and, I suspect, others from U-14 solo's also had a conflict with their U-15 8-hand figures teams). More waiting, so another inhaler break time, just in case, as consultations with M's pulmonologist has M currently taking her asthma medicine approximately 10 minutes previous to dancing, so she doesn't "die." M was the third to last competitor to dance her set, Drunken Gauger, which was only danced by two others in her entire competition. (One of these was the girl who won first place again for the third year in a row, and yes, danced fabulously all three rounds.) M's set looked good, to ME, anyway. TCRG and FT both ran in from watching (repeated World Qualifier cannot miss his round dancer) with his set, to catch the ending of M's. "She looked strong." Good. She did NOT "die," which is sometimes our biggest goal for M. There are three new adjudicators (judges) for Round 3, for nine judges total. One of her set dance judges actually ranked M as 16th, her highest ranking out of all nine judges.
M's 8-hand, Trip to the Cottage, well, they looked really good but with such height differences........ M had to change from poodle socks, to tights, and take out her wig, and un-braid her hair for the natural wavy (vice curly) look, and change dresses, and retake her inhaler as I followed her team up to next to dance lineups to take the inhaler and chamber from her. They did not recall, but they'd looked good, and danced it cleanly. They can be proud.
M not only recalled in her solo competitions, but she got 43rd place out of 124 dancers / competitors, WOW, amazing us all (two spots away from qualifying for NANs even). One of her dance friends got 4th, and truly deserved it just one of those absolutely consistently amazing dancers. M was so very happy up on stage there during awards. I'm so happy for her.
Day 2, Sunday:
I'd braided M and L's hair in preparation for their 4-hand dance, Humours of Bandon, in the afternoon. FT / TCRG decided curled hair, not wavy, so L's mom pulled out a curling iron and spent time curling their hair. The four girls danced in O-15 category, i.e., an age group up for three of them, but they are a good team. Being able to dance well solo is not the same thing as being able to dance well as a team member, and even those who can dance well as a figures team member may not gell well with that particular grouping of people. M was so tired waiting, having never caught up on rest from being sick earlier in the week (okay, I was still tired, too).
THIS IS NOT LETTING ME PARAGRAPH ANY MORE UGH UGH UGH. I tried to watch SO's daughter, albeit had missed her Round 1 (also hornpipe), and Round 2 (also reel). I just couldn't get a ride earlier, and needed a real breakfast, and the shuttle was going to cost I hear $19. per person each way. But, I'd called SO, and he said F had recalled. Wow, that's awesome, and I paused. "You didn't expect this, did you?" He expressed some relief along with pride, surprise, and happiness, "No." She'd just moved up to all Prizewinner dances in her regular feiseanna competitions, so this Oireachtas solos for her was thought of as being for the experience and to learn from it. Awesome, I'd catch her set, then, and kept checking her room and SO was to text me but did not. Between watching our dance school's dancers, and helping M get ready for her 4-hand, and trying to reserve seats, I missed F's set. Daggnabbit. I caught her just after, however, and told her how happy I was for her, and visually her makeup and demeanor and everything looked good, so I told her she'd looked really good. (I complained to SO later that he did not text me!)
ANOTHER PARAGRAPH SIGH!!!!!!! There were either 46 or 44 teams dancing the O 15 (over 15) 4-hand. TCRG went up to our girls, and let them know that her Irish dance teacher was watching, so don't embarrass her in front of him. Actually, we all know that these girls wouldn't, and that they'd take that as an extra push. FT talked with them, also. They saw some other real good teams, and when they went up, then danced their best. Yeah for them, as FT said, "Not perfect, but..." and something about how awesome it was.
ANOTHER PARAGRAPH Now, to prepare for Dance Drama, which L's mom was a major parent helper with so I stayed as seat holder. Their team went second out of three teams, and the audience really seemed to enjoy it. TCRG's goal was to allow her dancers to end on a good note, have a positive experience, and entertain with a good dance show. People laughed with little angel flipped her hair like a harumpf to the little devil, they laughed when the disc jockey came out in his get up, and when wife and mistress pretended to be upset with philandering husband. It was fun, it was really good, just technically they missed a couple things so got third out of three. They still cheered, they were still so proud as a team. Yes, TCRG, you accomplished your goal with this.
ARGH ON THE PARAGRAPHS!!!!!! My adult friend, LF, and his mixed-ceili team successfully defended their first place title, yeah! SO's daughter not only recalled, but placed well at 23rd; M thinks that F may have even qualified for NANs! Just amazing.
And, the 4-hand team? They huddled linked together, bouncing up and down as team # and team # were called for placement, from 22nd place (or 23rd?), down to top 10 teams, to top 5 teams. They screamed and cheered and eagerly went onstage when their team was called as 4th place. "I don't even know if they realize how big this is," FT said. Eh, maybe, maybe not, but they are thrilled. :)
PARAGRAPH Long weekend, pricier as we couldn't just walk back and forth from Oireachtas hotel to Overflow hotel nor get readily to affordable food options like we could in Atlanta, but eh, life goes on. My daughter is very, very happy to have been 43rd (solos), and 4th (4-hand), and enjoyed the experience of getting 3rd (dance drama). So, 43, 4, and 3rd, with a good team of dancers and parents and teachers.
TO ADD EARLIER IN THE POST ONCE BLOGGER ALLOWS ME TO DO THAT OY OY OY: I found out on the flight to Orlando, that a costume piece I'd purposefully removed from M's dress bags, a piece used more typically for dance performances with her performing troupe, is also one of the costume pieces she must have for the dance drama performance. Oh. We did not tell M this. I did reach the dog walker, and E. "I was about to go shopping for the (his 3rd dance group) gift exchange tomorrow morning, how important is this?" "Critical." He did meet up with dog walker, who'd gone in to retrieve said dress, and found the "overnight delivery" location, which of course was to close within about 20-45 minutes after our plane landed. I went ahead and asked him to send down M's eyeglasses, also, somehow left in her school bag. M described it as the Vera Bradley........ um, E, just look for an eyeglass case. The package made it, and not until Sunday night, when FT was nice enough to drive M and me, along w/ FT's daughter and herself, to dance school party, that M knew that this costume piece / dress had not flown down with us. At one point of the dance drama, M is in front of that section of dancers wearing that particular dress. As SO said, him also a sometimes member of that 3rd dance group, "Yes, I can tell E that it was critical."
ALSO TO ADD AS I CAN'T EDIT THIS ENTRY PROPERLY RIGHT NOW: M and L's dance friend E who I'll need to get a nickname for, didn't dance her solo's! We were worried, had finally found her name in the program book, but oh, she'd had a stress fracture. She couldn't dance in her school's choreography, but she did dance in one or two figures teams, and I think one placed. It was good to see M's various dance friends, even C boy, who danced really well for himself and talks with M and L at this point.
MORE: and, M's new solo dress? I had no problem zipping it up her back anytime this past weekend; it fit fine again. phew:) Very nicely, the woman whose daughter won 1st place in U 14 last year wearing the gold sequined solo dress, watched M dance in it this year. Admittedly, her daughter is good friends with another competitor in this year's U 14 solo competitions (who WQ'd I think, yeah). Still, this woman came up to me after awards Saturday night, introduced herself to us and spoke well of M, congratulating her. It is nice to meet others, and I'm please to know she did this. Her daughter still placed quite highly in her (U-15 ) competition, but not as highly. I hope she's still pleased.
And, on the butt? A 4 on the left side, and a 3 on the other. LOL.
4, 3
First night, Friday: Z&B met L, L's mom, M, and me, at the airport with his lovely daughter, and we drove to the Oireachtas hotel to check it out. This is it? Wow. How, well, resort-like. Correction, this IS a resort. Palm trees, arches, warm weather. The Oireachtas hotel, J.W. Marriot in Orlando, was an excellent location, of sufficient size, with room price arrangements comparable to others (normally much more). Quick in to get the (great, spiral-bound) program, looked at vendors where M found a foundation for her glitter makeup but we were whisked away before we could purchase it. Okay, admittedly, I was also chatting with the woman who I coordinated the dress buying with, her daughter in M and L's competitions. The ballrooms themselves were locked, so the three girls peeked into their respective ballrooms.
Day 1, Saturday:
Way too early Saturday morning, I told M and L to get up on the stage to practice their steps. Really, primarily, I wanted them to get a feel for THAT stage, and to get moving. They stood with big eyes, still behind the others who were on there already, practicing. They've danced for large audiences, they've danced on big stages, yet, this was IT. Ultimately, L loved how she could just travel on the Oireachtas champion-sized stage, so nice and large.
TCRG was there, w/ her breakfast, at 7:50 a.m., ready to watch M and L. TCRG is NOT a morning person; I really appreciate that she made that effort for her girls. I asked about M wearing buckles on her hardshoes, as TCRG wanted M to (M has natural turn out, usually), but M resisted (L isn't to wear buckles, as she has great drive and lift, but not natural turn out). TCRG said that at this point, let M do what she feels more comfortable with, so fine. "FiguresTeacher" (FT) was there, also, whom I also really appreciate, and who also truly cares about the dancers. M was nervous for her hardshoe (hornpipe), I as her mom could tell that, no smiles while dancing, but she really did well. Such a flood of relief; this round is over; L danced it, M danced it, they are not Oireachtas solo virgins any more. The teachers had other dancers to watch, gave specific comments for both girls (including "perfect," albeit no dancer is, and both girls missed a click, but it's quite positive and means the girls danced their own version of perfect to their capabilities, I assume).
Preparation for Round 2, softshoe reels. An experienced Oireachtas dancer sat in our row. I hadn't remembered her hardshoe being I tried to watch 124 dancers (out of 134 registered), but her reel looked fantastic to me, and I told her so. TCRG and FT returned in time for each girls reel. (Texting is a very useful and utilized form of communication at such an event -- no rings going off during a competition, and "M is up in 3 groups, Stage B" gives teachers up to date info to be there to watch, and pep talk as needed.) All TCRG's have the front row reserved and both M's TCRG and FT moved there. L's reel looked great. M was more comfortable than she'd been for her first round, and danced beautifully. She didn't know until afterwards that she'd danced with the young woman who placed 2nd last year, and who had placed 1st in previous years (yet M's rotation did not have her dancing with the young woman who won 1st the past 2 years, and again this year). TCRG and FT were beaming, and told M, "We are so proud of you."
No matter how M places, she did well for herself, and yes, I'm so proud, also. Just as L should be. Just as I told SO's youngest, "Congratulations simply on the honor of being chosen to be here." Yes, I confused the girl by saying congratulations previous to her dancing, but her dad was pleased with the message I was giving. "Did I get my lifts," M asked? "Yes, you got your lifts," she was told. At least, admirably enough and to the best of M's ability. What more can anyone ask of a dance competitor, than to try to take what or her (or his) teacher recommends, and dance her (or his) heart out?
Recalls would be after lunch. Um, okay. Lunch had started late, but no indication that it'd still be the full hour. It was much much longer than that hour (I will assume that correct tabulations took longer in part as U-14 girls was the largest group in the entire Oireachtas). I could not find anything adequate (boxed sandwich lunches were $20., and famous coffee shop didn't have their full selection of real food offerings at this spot. I also got TCRG a glass of wine that evening, for, get this, $14. yikes!). Yeah, dance school "team" friends had gotten to a grocery story, and M and (vegetarian) L could EAT something real. FINALLY, the competitor's #'s were being announced. L's was skipped over. Oh. Um, she didn't recall. Three judges each for Round 1 and Round 2, someone caught something and didn't catch something, I guess. We felt badly. M's competitor # was thee last one called. She recalled. Yeah, M's first Oireachtas and she recalled! Very exciting for her! The girl in the row with us, did not recall. Her mother said it was a surprise (I think she'd qualified for NANs previously even), but that's how it is sometimes. Some dancers had looked so fantastic, it was not a surprise to hear their competitor #'s announced.
Now, for M's set. It took SO long of a wait, FT told M to get out of line for a while (M had been called up to confirm her set dance, and the speed, so the live musicians could play it accurately). Another long wait, her 8-hand team (including L) was not only preparing and checking in next door, but needed to go on soon. FT (and others) told me to be sure M is not worried about making the 8-hand, but to concentrate on her solo's, i.e., set. The 8-hand stage had been informed of the conflict and juggled the order of those teams (and, I suspect, others from U-14 solo's also had a conflict with their U-15 8-hand figures teams). More waiting, so another inhaler break time, just in case, as consultations with M's pulmonologist has M currently taking her asthma medicine approximately 10 minutes previous to dancing, so she doesn't "die." M was the third to last competitor to dance her set, Drunken Gauger, which was only danced by two others in her entire competition. (One of these was the girl who won first place again for the third year in a row, and yes, danced fabulously all three rounds.) M's set looked good, to ME, anyway. TCRG and FT both ran in from watching (repeated World Qualifier cannot miss his round dancer) with his set, to catch the ending of M's. "She looked strong." Good. She did NOT "die," which is sometimes our biggest goal for M. There are three new adjudicators (judges) for Round 3, for nine judges total. One of her set dance judges actually ranked M as 16th, her highest ranking out of all nine judges.
M's 8-hand, Trip to the Cottage, well, they looked really good but with such height differences........ M had to change from poodle socks, to tights, and take out her wig, and un-braid her hair for the natural wavy (vice curly) look, and change dresses, and retake her inhaler as I followed her team up to next to dance lineups to take the inhaler and chamber from her. They did not recall, but they'd looked good, and danced it cleanly. They can be proud.
M not only recalled in her solo competitions, but she got 43rd place out of 124 dancers / competitors, WOW, amazing us all (two spots away from qualifying for NANs even). One of her dance friends got 4th, and truly deserved it just one of those absolutely consistently amazing dancers. M was so very happy up on stage there during awards. I'm so happy for her.
Day 2, Sunday:
I'd braided M and L's hair in preparation for their 4-hand dance, Humours of Bandon, in the afternoon. FT / TCRG decided curled hair, not wavy, so L's mom pulled out a curling iron and spent time curling their hair. The four girls danced in O-15 category, i.e., an age group up for three of them, but they are a good team. Being able to dance well solo is not the same thing as being able to dance well as a team member, and even those who can dance well as a figures team member may not gell well with that particular grouping of people. M was so tired waiting, having never caught up on rest from being sick earlier in the week (okay, I was still tired, too).
THIS IS NOT LETTING ME PARAGRAPH ANY MORE UGH UGH UGH. I tried to watch SO's daughter, albeit had missed her Round 1 (also hornpipe), and Round 2 (also reel). I just couldn't get a ride earlier, and needed a real breakfast, and the shuttle was going to cost I hear $19. per person each way. But, I'd called SO, and he said F had recalled. Wow, that's awesome, and I paused. "You didn't expect this, did you?" He expressed some relief along with pride, surprise, and happiness, "No." She'd just moved up to all Prizewinner dances in her regular feiseanna competitions, so this Oireachtas solos for her was thought of as being for the experience and to learn from it. Awesome, I'd catch her set, then, and kept checking her room and SO was to text me but did not. Between watching our dance school's dancers, and helping M get ready for her 4-hand, and trying to reserve seats, I missed F's set. Daggnabbit. I caught her just after, however, and told her how happy I was for her, and visually her makeup and demeanor and everything looked good, so I told her she'd looked really good. (I complained to SO later that he did not text me!)
ANOTHER PARAGRAPH SIGH!!!!!!! There were either 46 or 44 teams dancing the O 15 (over 15) 4-hand. TCRG went up to our girls, and let them know that her Irish dance teacher was watching, so don't embarrass her in front of him. Actually, we all know that these girls wouldn't, and that they'd take that as an extra push. FT talked with them, also. They saw some other real good teams, and when they went up, then danced their best. Yeah for them, as FT said, "Not perfect, but..." and something about how awesome it was.
ANOTHER PARAGRAPH Now, to prepare for Dance Drama, which L's mom was a major parent helper with so I stayed as seat holder. Their team went second out of three teams, and the audience really seemed to enjoy it. TCRG's goal was to allow her dancers to end on a good note, have a positive experience, and entertain with a good dance show. People laughed with little angel flipped her hair like a harumpf to the little devil, they laughed when the disc jockey came out in his get up, and when wife and mistress pretended to be upset with philandering husband. It was fun, it was really good, just technically they missed a couple things so got third out of three. They still cheered, they were still so proud as a team. Yes, TCRG, you accomplished your goal with this.
ARGH ON THE PARAGRAPHS!!!!!! My adult friend, LF, and his mixed-ceili team successfully defended their first place title, yeah! SO's daughter not only recalled, but placed well at 23rd; M thinks that F may have even qualified for NANs! Just amazing.
And, the 4-hand team? They huddled linked together, bouncing up and down as team # and team # were called for placement, from 22nd place (or 23rd?), down to top 10 teams, to top 5 teams. They screamed and cheered and eagerly went onstage when their team was called as 4th place. "I don't even know if they realize how big this is," FT said. Eh, maybe, maybe not, but they are thrilled. :)
PARAGRAPH Long weekend, pricier as we couldn't just walk back and forth from Oireachtas hotel to Overflow hotel nor get readily to affordable food options like we could in Atlanta, but eh, life goes on. My daughter is very, very happy to have been 43rd (solos), and 4th (4-hand), and enjoyed the experience of getting 3rd (dance drama). So, 43, 4, and 3rd, with a good team of dancers and parents and teachers.
TO ADD EARLIER IN THE POST ONCE BLOGGER ALLOWS ME TO DO THAT OY OY OY: I found out on the flight to Orlando, that a costume piece I'd purposefully removed from M's dress bags, a piece used more typically for dance performances with her performing troupe, is also one of the costume pieces she must have for the dance drama performance. Oh. We did not tell M this. I did reach the dog walker, and E. "I was about to go shopping for the (his 3rd dance group) gift exchange tomorrow morning, how important is this?" "Critical." He did meet up with dog walker, who'd gone in to retrieve said dress, and found the "overnight delivery" location, which of course was to close within about 20-45 minutes after our plane landed. I went ahead and asked him to send down M's eyeglasses, also, somehow left in her school bag. M described it as the Vera Bradley........ um, E, just look for an eyeglass case. The package made it, and not until Sunday night, when FT was nice enough to drive M and me, along w/ FT's daughter and herself, to dance school party, that M knew that this costume piece / dress had not flown down with us. At one point of the dance drama, M is in front of that section of dancers wearing that particular dress. As SO said, him also a sometimes member of that 3rd dance group, "Yes, I can tell E that it was critical."
ALSO TO ADD AS I CAN'T EDIT THIS ENTRY PROPERLY RIGHT NOW: M and L's dance friend E who I'll need to get a nickname for, didn't dance her solo's! We were worried, had finally found her name in the program book, but oh, she'd had a stress fracture. She couldn't dance in her school's choreography, but she did dance in one or two figures teams, and I think one placed. It was good to see M's various dance friends, even C boy, who danced really well for himself and talks with M and L at this point.
MORE: and, M's new solo dress? I had no problem zipping it up her back anytime this past weekend; it fit fine again. phew:) Very nicely, the woman whose daughter won 1st place in U 14 last year wearing the gold sequined solo dress, watched M dance in it this year. Admittedly, her daughter is good friends with another competitor in this year's U 14 solo competitions (who WQ'd I think, yeah). Still, this woman came up to me after awards Saturday night, introduced herself to us and spoke well of M, congratulating her. It is nice to meet others, and I'm please to know she did this. Her daughter still placed quite highly in her (U-15 ) competition, but not as highly. I hope she's still pleased.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Prepping for SRO 08
2008 Southern Region Oireachtas: SRO Quick Links
This is a summary of links on their website. Note the addition of a link to results. I'm hoping "those following along at home," such as my mother, will be able to check there if I'm so busy racing M from (hopefully!) recalls (with wig) to her 8-hand (with natural hair, curled) 1/2 hour later, on Saturday. Or for her 4-hand Sunday that's only a couple competitions before her Dance Drama.
Sunday at an excellent ceili, I was talking with a friend, LF, who will return to this year's SRO to defend his title. His team won first place in the adult 4-hand mixed last year. He pointed out to me that if I'm to (look on the schedule to find his comp to) watch them this year, that it's a MIXED team. Smiling, "Well, I didn't think it was all boys." "It's not all girls, either." LOL.
I also talked w/ DAID (Dad Addicted to Irish Dance), SO, whose daughter is a first-time "O" goer. She's in U-12, so will dance the same hardshoe (hornpipe) and softshoe (reel) as M does. I suggested that he may catch M and her Irish Dance school in their dance drama, as there are no other competitions held in conflict, and they are immediately before awards on Sunday, where he'll be, anyway. "And, what exactly is that?" Oh, he doesn't know. Dance Drama is when dancers all from the same Irish dance school, perform a story, all via dance. Music and props are allowed, but no talking by the dancers (only by the introducer). It was a bit odd to me that I was the one with more knowledge in something Irish stepdance related, as SO was our main mentor entering Irish stepdance. I'm extra thankful now that M had some experience on teams at Oireachtasi in previous years, to get that extra feel for an Oireachtas.
Yes, we're excited, no we're NOT ready as we're both under the weather blah I hate she's sick, I hate me being sick. E is counting the days and holds out hope for the weekend, wondering if she was just getting anxious while I was hoping she didn't throw up. It wasn't anxiety; they'd had 45 minutes of "stress management" pilates to end their official rehearsal time last night, and all give a rock. I think it was a play on the word Oireachtas (or-rock-tus, I think, roughly). She does get stressed over huge homework loads, and insisted on not missing any class time today even though she's not quite well. Nor am I but yes I came to work.
Hopefully she'll recoup her energy by Saturday bright and early check in at obscene hours of 7:00 a.m. for dancing 8:00 a.m. I'll just have to get our logistical stuff ready, yanno, that get to dance friends house to borrow a "flat cap" for M to use in dance drama, and I'm waiting for her inhaler refill to get approved and ready for pickup, oh, and finish laundry to pack. And double-check. And hope her "excuse letter" gets approved at school (thanks, Z&B), her biggest stressor. And verify that yes we do want SeaWorld tickets, promised to M 8 years ago.... At least I know where I'm taking the hermit crab, and who is watching our dog and cats, obtained a second pair of jazz pants as the first don't fit, that E is driving us to the airport, and who we're sharing a ride w/ to our hotel.
Last Friday, M had a gig at a charity event. Her tailbone hasn't been bothering her. She had hurt her calf running a 5K on Thanksgiving oy. I wasn't sure she should be dancing at this gig. ends up, she felt better dancing and moving it, than not, and worked it out by Monday, phew. M was w/ her dad over the long Thanksgiving weekend and this gig a lovely event particularly for younger children, so with M's half-sister, Si, scheduled to dance, why not have/ let M dance. Si, poor kid, was sick. I went to watch M and the others, and M had me stay backstage to help her get dressed and to talk. I was zipping up M's solo dress. "Oh, that feels a little tight." I paused. Wait, what'd M just say? "Oh, no, honey, this dress is going to fit you for another 2 weeks!" Someone else laughed, and suggested that perhaps it's from her Thanksgiving dinner. "I'm not wearing a shirt under it, either, Mom," M pointed out, as normally she also wears a cami or snug t-shirt. When Grandma bought M this dress not long ago, M had a shirt on under. I HOPE the dress fits through "Big Shows" in March. It HAS to fit through this weekend! It will, right?
It will all be an overall rewarding time, yes? I want her to feel well, I want her to do her best, no matter how that means against others (she needs to fell well and rested first, though). I'm so proud of her and how hard she's worked. She has REALLY worked hard, extra practices, etc. I hope she has a great time, no matter how she scores. Besides, TCRG said Dance Drama wasn't to win, albeit she wants it to look really good, it's to help insure that they all end up having a good time. It'll end their SRO 08 experience (well, then awards). Isn't enjoying it all, what dancing with friends should be?
This is a summary of links on their website. Note the addition of a link to results. I'm hoping "those following along at home," such as my mother, will be able to check there if I'm so busy racing M from (hopefully!) recalls (with wig) to her 8-hand (with natural hair, curled) 1/2 hour later, on Saturday. Or for her 4-hand Sunday that's only a couple competitions before her Dance Drama.
Sunday at an excellent ceili, I was talking with a friend, LF, who will return to this year's SRO to defend his title. His team won first place in the adult 4-hand mixed last year. He pointed out to me that if I'm to (look on the schedule to find his comp to) watch them this year, that it's a MIXED team. Smiling, "Well, I didn't think it was all boys." "It's not all girls, either." LOL.
I also talked w/ DAID (Dad Addicted to Irish Dance), SO, whose daughter is a first-time "O" goer. She's in U-12, so will dance the same hardshoe (hornpipe) and softshoe (reel) as M does. I suggested that he may catch M and her Irish Dance school in their dance drama, as there are no other competitions held in conflict, and they are immediately before awards on Sunday, where he'll be, anyway. "And, what exactly is that?" Oh, he doesn't know. Dance Drama is when dancers all from the same Irish dance school, perform a story, all via dance. Music and props are allowed, but no talking by the dancers (only by the introducer). It was a bit odd to me that I was the one with more knowledge in something Irish stepdance related, as SO was our main mentor entering Irish stepdance. I'm extra thankful now that M had some experience on teams at Oireachtasi in previous years, to get that extra feel for an Oireachtas.
Yes, we're excited, no we're NOT ready as we're both under the weather blah I hate she's sick, I hate me being sick. E is counting the days and holds out hope for the weekend, wondering if she was just getting anxious while I was hoping she didn't throw up. It wasn't anxiety; they'd had 45 minutes of "stress management" pilates to end their official rehearsal time last night, and all give a rock. I think it was a play on the word Oireachtas (or-rock-tus, I think, roughly). She does get stressed over huge homework loads, and insisted on not missing any class time today even though she's not quite well. Nor am I but yes I came to work.
Hopefully she'll recoup her energy by Saturday bright and early check in at obscene hours of 7:00 a.m. for dancing 8:00 a.m. I'll just have to get our logistical stuff ready, yanno, that get to dance friends house to borrow a "flat cap" for M to use in dance drama, and I'm waiting for her inhaler refill to get approved and ready for pickup, oh, and finish laundry to pack. And double-check. And hope her "excuse letter" gets approved at school (thanks, Z&B), her biggest stressor. And verify that yes we do want SeaWorld tickets, promised to M 8 years ago.... At least I know where I'm taking the hermit crab, and who is watching our dog and cats, obtained a second pair of jazz pants as the first don't fit, that E is driving us to the airport, and who we're sharing a ride w/ to our hotel.
Last Friday, M had a gig at a charity event. Her tailbone hasn't been bothering her. She had hurt her calf running a 5K on Thanksgiving oy. I wasn't sure she should be dancing at this gig. ends up, she felt better dancing and moving it, than not, and worked it out by Monday, phew. M was w/ her dad over the long Thanksgiving weekend and this gig a lovely event particularly for younger children, so with M's half-sister, Si, scheduled to dance, why not have/ let M dance. Si, poor kid, was sick. I went to watch M and the others, and M had me stay backstage to help her get dressed and to talk. I was zipping up M's solo dress. "Oh, that feels a little tight." I paused. Wait, what'd M just say? "Oh, no, honey, this dress is going to fit you for another 2 weeks!" Someone else laughed, and suggested that perhaps it's from her Thanksgiving dinner. "I'm not wearing a shirt under it, either, Mom," M pointed out, as normally she also wears a cami or snug t-shirt. When Grandma bought M this dress not long ago, M had a shirt on under. I HOPE the dress fits through "Big Shows" in March. It HAS to fit through this weekend! It will, right?
It will all be an overall rewarding time, yes? I want her to feel well, I want her to do her best, no matter how that means against others (she needs to fell well and rested first, though). I'm so proud of her and how hard she's worked. She has REALLY worked hard, extra practices, etc. I hope she has a great time, no matter how she scores. Besides, TCRG said Dance Drama wasn't to win, albeit she wants it to look really good, it's to help insure that they all end up having a good time. It'll end their SRO 08 experience (well, then awards). Isn't enjoying it all, what dancing with friends should be?
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