Competitions – What is a Feis?

What is a Feis?

A Feis (pronounced fesh) is an Irish dancing competition. Feiseanna (plural) were traditionally cultural gatherings with events and competitions in music, dancing, singing and other aspects of Irish culture. 

Competitors are split into age-groups, usually with one for each year (e.g. Under 9, Under 10, Under 11, etc.) They are then split into levels. The levels are based on their ability and success at previous feiseanna. Dancers move through the levels by fulfilling certain criteria, such as winning a first place in a dance against at least 5 other dancers per calendar year. A dancer’s progression through the levels of competition also qualifies a dancer to compete at Regional and National competitions, which in turn, qualify a dancer to compete at the World Championships.

Levels

Grade Levels

First Feis (100 level) – Dancers who are competing for the first time enter this competition. Typically the Light Jig and Reel.

Beginner 1 (200 level) - Upon completing their first feis, dancers then move to Beginner. When you place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a dance, your dancer can move to advanced beginner. Dancers must move up after a year, even if they have not yet placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

Beginner 2 (300 level) - Dancers automatically move to this level after competing for 1 calendar year at the Beginner level, regardless of having won a medal or not. Your dancer stays in this
category until they win a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. Your dancer may stay in this category for the remainder of the year before moving up to the next level or they may move up at the next competition.
You only move up in the dance that you won the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.

Novice (400 level) - In order to move up to the next level, the dancer must place 1st. Your dancer may stay in this category for the remainder of the year, and they only move up in the dance/dances that they won the 1st place in.

Open/Prizewinner(500 level) - Dancers must place 1st in the four main dances (Reel, Slip Jig, Hornpipe and Treble Jig) in this level before they can move up. For the Light Jig and Traditional Set, this is the last level these dances are offered.

**Even if your dancer has placed a first in Open/Prizewinner they should continue to dance that
dance until they have all their firsts (i.e.: Have a first in reel, but not hp, tj or sj. Dancer should
still compete at feiseanna for the reel). Practice makes perfect and it's always a good chance to
get on stage. 

Championships

Preliminary Championships(600 level) - Open to those who have placed 1st in all of their dances in Open/Prizewinner at NAFC feiseanna. A dancer must win two 1st places to move up to Open
Championships. If both lst's are won in the same calendar year, your dancer is not required to move up until the January 1st of the following year. If you win one 1st place in one year and your second 1st place the following year, your dancer must move up at the next competition. 

Open Championships (700 level) - For dancers who have gained two 1st places in Preliminary Championships. This is the final / highest level for feis competitions.
In Beginner through Open/Prizewinner solo competitions, each dance is judged and awarded separately. The dancers perform two or three at a time. Judges identify dancers by the number pinned to their costume. Results are posted and those who place receive medals or ribbons.

In Preliminary Championship (PC), there are three judges, and the dancers perform 2 rounds:

1. Soft Shoe Round: 3 steps of a reel or 2 full steps & a 3rd step on right foot only for a slip jig
2. Hard Shoe Round: 3 steps of a treble jig or 2 full steps & a 3rd step on right foot only of a hornpipe.

A limited number of feiseanna have the PC dancers perform 3 rounds in the competition (soft shoe, hard shoe and set dance). Additionally, some feiseanna offer a separate set dance competition for the PC dancers.

In Open Championship, there are 3 judges, and the dancers perform 3 rounds:

1. Soft Shoe Round: 3 steps of a reel or 2 full steps & a 3rd step on right foot only for a slip jig
2. Hard Shoe Round: 3 steps of a treble jig or 2 full steps & a 3rd step on right foot only of a hornpipe
3. Set Dance Round

PC and OC competitions announce their awards and have a ceremony to present awards.

Each feis has their own specifications as regards to specials, so you should read each syllabus thoroughly.

Apart from the competitions, there are also other aspects of a feis. There are almost always vendors of shoes, socks, wigs, music and everything else a dancer might need.

Many people take their old and outgrown dresses to feiseanna, and hang them up for sale. It's a good place to go and buy a secondhand costume, especially seeing that some of them are nearly new. It is always
recommended that you get an opinion from one of the teachers or from a senior dancer if you see
something that you may like, before the purchase is completed. Lastly, a feis can be a place to meet
with other students from your school and lend moral support to each other, and just have a good time
together!

Feis Registration Websites

The Midwest Region uses 2 main websites for feis registration:


Both sites list upcoming feisanna. When initially registering, you will create log-in info that you will use for every registration. Each site is user-friendly, but make sure you remember your log-in and passwords. Other feis registration websites are www.efeis.com, www.feisweb.com

These websites also include links to the feis website, feis syllabus and feis hotel information.