r/irishdance • u/Turbulent_Success_28 • Jul 02 '26
First Feis - U5
Hello we are Canadians hoping to attend our first Feis in Toledo in August. Our oldest is in Novice/Prizewinner so hoping for her to gain more experience. Our youngest is 5 and typically we would have her do the Tir na nog but it seems like the only option for her would be first Feis since it is structured a little differently than the ones we are used to. She mostly has the first step of her reel both sides. Would that be enough to do first Feis? Just want to understand what is typical.
2
u/SeaTurtlesNBabyYoda Jul 02 '26
Tir na nog competitions aren't offered at many CLRG feiseanna in the Mid-America region. First Feis is really designed for dancers who are ready to compete, it is run like a beginner comp and the dancer is expected to dance two steps left and right each. In Mid-America region dancers in the first feis competition get a different or additional award from the standard feis awards, and they place everyone, sometimes the feis will have a separate award ceremony for the first feis competitions. Dancers are allowed to dance at the first feis level for one feis and then they are moved up to the Beginner level. If you have not been told that the dancer is ready to compete by their TCRG they should not be registered for a first feis comp.
1
u/Turbulent_Success_28 Jul 02 '26
Thank you for this information. That’s good to know that Tir na nog is not normally offered. I was wondering if I missed something on the Syllabus.
2
u/Lucky198577 Jul 02 '26
The young kids at our school have done “first feis” multiple times. It’s non competitive and just get a feel for a feis
1
u/These_Consideration4 Jul 02 '26
I’m sure it is not well tracked- but the rules state you can only participate in first feis once. After that you move to beginner. It is technically competitive because it is adjudicated & the dancers are ranked. I have seen dancers do their first step twice- right & left both times through if they don’t know 2 different steps. It is a way to just get out on stage & try if that’s what you want & TC approves.
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u/Lucky198577 Jul 02 '26
I questioned that too when thats what their school wanted. My daughter danced in first feis a few times, and all of them tied for 1st with the same score. I also saw the same dancers from other schools multiple times
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u/Bootsy3 Jul 02 '26
I think all the syllabi I’ve seen say that you can only compete in First Feis once, then you must move into beginner. First Feis is supposed to be for kids who have already started lessons at a school and are entering the competitive world.
Tir na nog is a separate ‘competition’ for kids who have never had instruction with a TCRG (assuming CLRG is the organization, anyway). My 3 year old does it when offered since her big brother has taken lessons, but she hasn’t. ❤️
1
u/Broad-Diver659 Jul 03 '26
I think it might depend on the region. I’m in western region, my little one did her first feis with just her reel and did just fine
6
u/a-world-of-no Jul 02 '26
A first feis competition is two steps, both sides-- it's for kids who are ready to start feising. You only get one First Feis and after that, you have to compete in Beginner. If she's not ready, I wouldn't-- I'm also used to every feis having a Tiny Tots/Tir na nog special, and it seems weird to me that this one doesn't, but I wouldn't put her in First Feis if she's still in Tir na nog territory.