IDTANA Southern Region Dancing Competitions Rules

any reason.

The status of the dancer does not change unless there are five or more

Effective January 1, 2007

Open Championships:

dancers in a competition.

In the case of all solo and team competitions in all grades, the

a) Entrants in any Open Championship event may not enter in any other

Grade Category Definitions:

age of a competitor on the 1st of January of the year in which the

regular grade solo events, but may enter in Figure Dances and/or

Beginner Grade: A beginner is a competitor who has not yet taken a full

competition is held will determine the right of entry. For the

special competitions for which they are eligible (e.g. traditional set,

year of Irish Dance lessons, thereby giving beginners a full year with

purpose of this Rule a competitor whose birthday occurs on 1st of

treble reel, non-traditional set dance).

such status. A Beginner must move into the Advanced Beginner category

January shall be deemed to be under the age attained on that date.

b) Entrants in Open Championships should specify, on the entry form,

the next year.

Competitions are open to all but those holding a TMRF, TCRG, or

their choice of set dance.

Advanced Beginner Grade: An advanced beginner who wins 1st, 2nd,

ADCRG designation. All dancers must be pupils of a person

c) Open Championship competitions in the minimum required age

or 3rd place will advance to the Novice category in that particular dance.

currently registered with An Coimisiun as a Dancing Teacher of

groups must be offered separately in the syllabus, yet the feis committee

Novice Grade: A novice who wins 1st place will advance to the Open

any category.

may combine an age group with the next higher age group if there are

(Prizewinner) category in that particular dance.

A competitor may be disqualified for any of the following reasons:

fewer than 5 competitors entered in the lower age group. A feis

Open Grade (Prizewinner): A competitor who does not qualify as a

a) Conduct unbecoming a lady or gentleman.

committee is not permitted to combine dancers from one open

beginner, advanced beginner or as a novice.

b) Failure to report on time to compete. (Penalty: disqualification from

championship age group with any age group which is more than one

Adult Beginner: An adult beginner is a competitor sho never took Irish

said event)

age group higher than the age group in which the dancers are entered.

dancing lessons as a juvenile and is over 18 years of age.

c) Falsification of age or other important facts - i.e., teaching, award

d) A dancer is required to perform a light she dance (reel or slip jig for

Other Adult grades follow the descriptions provided above.

winning, competing under another competitor's name or number, etc.

ladies and reel only for men) and a set dance. A Feis can also opt to

Other:

Penalty for a) or c): Competitor will be disqualified from the Feis at

require a third dance (choice of jig/hornpipe).

(a) Competitors have the option to remain in the same category for

which the occurrence happened and from all NAFC - registered

e) Dancers must qualify for Open Championship via the method now in

the remainder of the Feis year (until the following January 1).

Feiseanna for a period of one year beginning at the date of the

place for Preliminary Championship i.e. two 1st place wins.

(b) The syllabus must contain all Grade Categories.

occurrence.

f) Dancers must compete in the Preliminary Championship competition

)c) Boys and girls enter the appropriate age group in the appropriate

Competitions may be closed if there are no competitors at the

in order to qualify for Open Championships.

grade for each dance; after entries have been closed, in any

assigned stage ready to compete when the competition is

Girls & Boys competition in Open Championships may be combined in

competition where five or more boys are entered, the feis committee

scheduled or announced. This will not pertain to situation where

the syllabus. If three or more boys are entered in a specific age group

will run a separate competition for these boys.

competitors are involved in stage conflicts; in that case, the

in a combined Open Championship competition, the boys and girls

(d) A feis committee may only combine two consecutive calendar year

competition(s) will remain open for a reasonable amount of time

must be split into separate competitions. If separate boys and girls

age groups (within that grade only) when fewer than five (5)

to allow the dancer(s) in question to arrive at the stage and compete.

competitions in Open Championships are offered in the syllabus, they

competitors are entered in either age group, with the exception of the

Solo competitors in Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice or

may not be combined under any circumstances on the day of the feis.

oldest age group listed.

Open (Prizewinner) competitions:

Preliminary Championships:

Musicians and adjudicators cannot be approached during a

a) Must compete in their own age group.

a) are open to those who, at any NAFC recognized Feis:

competition by anyone except the Feis Committee. No one can

b) Must be prepared to perform two steps in each event.

1. Have placed 1st in both an open/prizewinner light and heavy shoe

approach them while a competitor is performing.

c) Cannot change competition on the day of the Feis.

competition, and

Musicians employed by the Feis Committee will be solely under the

Steel taps or "bubble" heels on dancing shoes, display of

2. Have never won 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Open Championship.

direction and management of the Feis Committee on Feis day.

awards, wearing of shorts or other unconventional dress is

b) A dancer who wins two first Preliminary Championship awards in

Teachers or team captains are responsible that their teams are

prohibited. Authentic Gaelic dress is desired. Dancers competing

one calendar year will move on to Open Championship the following

complete and in position when the competition is announced.

in First Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advanced Beginner, aka

year (as of Jan1); if the second first-place win does not occur within the

Competitors may compete in the next higher age group; however a

Beginner I and II, must wear a class costume, or a skirt and blouse.

same feis year as the first win, as soon as the second win is achieved

competitor may compete in only one age group.

All other categories are excluded from this rule. Modest attire is

in a age category, the dancer must move up to Open Championship

In matters pertaining to adjudication, the decision of the

encouraged when a competitor is not dancing.

level immediately. Only in the case of back-to-back Feiseanna

adjudicators is final.

Competitor's number must be worn and visible to adjudicators

(successive days), the first win in the first Feis will not change the

Adjudicators are to monitor the quality of music at the stage(s)

when performing in all competitions, except in Championships;

dancer's status for the second Feis.

to which they are assigned.

use of clear reflective plastic number covers is discouraged.

c) A dancer in Preliminary Championship is required to perform a light

First Feis (if offered), Beginner, Advanced Beginner and Adult dancers

Awards will be determined in proportion to the number of entries

shoe dance (reel or slip jig for ladies and reel only for men) and a hard

are required to dance at traditional speeds only . Novice and Open/

in each competition and to the degree of proficiency shown.

shoe dance. A Feis can opt to offer either (a) a set dance or (b) a jig/

Prizewinner dancers may choose between traditional and Oireachtas

Complaints must be in writing stating names and other

hornpipe or (c) both a set dance and jig/hornpipe.

speeds.

factual information and signed by the complainant. A ten-dollar fee

d) Boys and girls will be combined in preliminary championships.

Any form of unauthorized photography which has the capability to

(cash) must be enclosed and presented to the Feis Chairman within

e) Preliminary Championship competitions must be offered separately

capture a dancer's image while in motion, using electronic or manual

one hour of the occurrence. The fee will be returned if the complaint

in the syllabus for the minimum required age groups, yet the feis

means, i.e. mobile phones, standard camera, video camera, or

is upheld.

committee may combine an age group with the next higher age group if

commercial film, with or without enhancement is expressively

The Feis Committee, the Rondeau School, Kathleen Rondeau

there are fewer than 5 competitors entered in the lower age group. A

forbidden in competition.

individually, and any organization affiliated with same, will not be

feis committee is not permitted to combine dancers from one

No block, en Pointe, toe walking movements, stationary or moving is

held responsible for personal injury, property loss or damage.

preliminary championship age group with any age group which is more

allowed to be performed for all ages up to and including the under 12

Destruction of Feis or rental property will be punishable by law.

than one age group higher than the age group in which the dancers are

age group. However, after September 1 of each year and exception is

The Feis reserves the right to reject any entry for cause, to cancel all

entered.

made for those dancers who are 11 dancing in the under 12 age group.

or part of the Feis and to limit competitor's performing time. The

Open Championships and Preliminary Championships require at least

Make up is prohibited on a dancer in the first three grades (First

decision of the Feis Committee is final in all matters connected with

three adjudicators.

Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advanced Beginner or their

the Feis.

First place winners in the Open Championship category cannot return to

equivalent) up to and including the under 12 age group.

Competitors must answer all questions as required by the Feis Entry

a Preliminary or Open(Prizewinner) competition. Placing in a Regional

Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and

committee, including teacher's name, and enclose the entry fee when

or National Oireachtas does not change the status of a competitor. If,

subsequently refuses to remove same, will be subject to

mailing. Failure to do so will result in a rejected entry. Entries must be

after competing for two full feis years at the Open Championship level,

disqualification from that particular competition. Medically prescribed

postmarked on or before the closing date or they will be subject to a

a dancer has not placed first, second or third, he/she may opt to return

aids (proof of which may be required) will be exempt from this rule.

late fee as determined by the Feis Committee and published on the

to Preliminary Championship status.

No substance than can become airborne should be used on any

syllabus and/or entry form. There will be no refunds of entry fees for

dance floor in an attempt to improve traction.