2013 Goals and Aspirations

It's amazing how far I have come in the world of Irish dance.  When I started in 2007 as an adult beginner, my only goal was to simply learn anything and everything about this amazing dance form I have admired for so many years.  A year later, my goals shifted to the realm of competitive dance; something I swore to myself I'd never do after spending nearly a decade as a competitive gymnast.  Little by little, I upped the ante for myself from getting to novice, to preparing for prizewinner, to competing at my first Oireachtas and moving to the champ levels.  Now that I'm at the top level of dance, it's weird to me that my goals have hardly changed at all.

Granted, I did spend 75% of last year injured or recovering from an injury.

For 2013, my goals include to:

1. Continue to improve my turnout and cross technique in my dancing,
2. Begin to place more consistently in my competitions at feiseanna,
3. Recall at nationals, and ultimately
4. Qualify for the world championships as a soloist.

I aspire to be the best team member I can be by coming to practice with a pleasant and helpful attitude.  I aspire for good health and stamina.

In other news for this year...

• Feiseanna and majors I will be present at:
• World Championships (March)
• CCE Feis (May)
• Old Dominion Feis (June)
• North American Nationals (July)
• Rhythm of Ireland Feis (October)
• Feis Culkin (November)
• Southern Region Oireachtas (December)
• New dress, new dress by Elevation Designs!
• If you're wondering where the Shut the Feis Up posts disappeared to, the author (my boyfriend) has enlisted in the Army.  He is currently at basic training in Georgia, so he is unable to continue to write blog posts.

Goals: Work through new hornpipes and reels

Days till NANs: 179

STFU about Riverdance

June 24th was Sara's birthday, so she decided that for her present she'd like Riverdance tickets.  We decided to go to their very last performance on the last day at the very last time so we'd have bragging rights to saying we've been to the final performance in the United States.  This ended up being a special night partly because it was them saying good bye to American performances and because of Sara's passion towards Irish dancing and being able to see it live... even though this was the fourth show she was going to see.

Anyways, back to me. 

So, I rarely get goosebumps from something being really good or really exciting, especially when it comes to dancing or to music... I have to admit it does not happen too often.  For me to get goosebumps, it has to be something spectacular, something draw dropping and phenomenal.  As the whole company came out onto the stage and began dancing simultaneously, that thunderous pounding of their hard shoes onto the stage created the most awesome noise I have ever heard when it comes to live performances.  The booming of every dancers feet slamming down on the ground along with the background music was amazing.  Even when the cast went a capella it was just as well done.  What do you know, at the end I was shivering and had goosebumps everywhere.  Seeing that in person was 10^1,000,000 times better than seeing it on a screen at home.  Reel Around the Sun, Riverdance, the finale were my favorite parts of the show.

I give Riverdance: The Show (live) two thumbs up!  It truly is an event you need to witness in person.  Go buy your tickets, schedule a date and go see it live... Oh wait!  You can't!  Because Sara and I went to their last show in the United States!!!!  Uh!  What!?  What now!?

STFU about the Oireachtas

This month's Shut the Feis Up post recaps the Oireachtas from a boyfriend's point of view. Better two months late than never!

All fall long I was anticipating the arrival of December 2nd, the morning when Sara and I would fly down to Orlando for her Oireachtas of 2011. Knowing that I'd be in Florida during winter was an amazing image to keep in mind while I waited for that date to approach. Goodbye cold DC, and welcome to beautiful, warm weather Orlando! It truly was paradise there. Oh, and did I mention that we got to stay in the Ritz Carlton!? Truly an incredible experience filled with gorgeous scenery, exotic cars, the nicest hotel room I've ever been in my whole life and great tasting food!

...But our trip to Orlando wasn't all about the weather, hotel, the cars or the food, it was time to get focused on the dance competition. Day one was full of relaxation, (which was highly needed after the morning we had experienced: I left my wallet in the car that morning and almost didn't make the flight because airports require IDs.) We walked around the two connecting hotels scoping out the ballrooms where she'd be performing, buying the obligatory Oireachtas t-shirts and other valuable items that were necessary for the Oireachtas.

Now I have had previous experiences of Irish dance competitions, (I've attended two feiseanna) so I somewhat knew what to expect when it came to regionals. To my surprise I didn't end up being overwhelmed thanks to the many warnings from Sara saying how long it'll be and how crowded and loud the rooms will be (complete chaos), but just like before I was able to man up and pull through with very little complaints and mostly a smile on my face for the whole weekend we spent there.

The day was long, but I had the most important person in my life at my side to get me through it, and of course I loved every minute of being there for her. I stayed by her side to help motivate and calm her nerves down, because even I could tell that she was nervous when I'm usually the one being nervous for her. When it was time for her to wait in line for her competition, or when she was off stretching or watching others dance, I did get the chance to meet her dance class mates. It was an enjoyable experience to be able to talk with them and get to know everyone.

Almost all her friends decided in literally a minute that they liked me a lot when they found out I had bought her the new dress that she premiered at the Oireachtas . She received many compliments about the dress, and in return I received many compliments from her friends about how awesome I am. I was very happy for her that she finally got a new dress to wear, because I knew how badly she wanted one, so I decided since the Oireachtas is a huge competition, she deserved a brand new dress to show off in one of the most important competitions of the year.

It was a long and expensive weekend, but when it came to money I did not care one bit, because all of everything spent was worth it just to see my girl dance. I am so happy I went to go watch her; it was the best part of the weekend when I got to see her up on stage throwing down her dance moves! And especially showing off that new dress! Let me tell you, man did she look great out there! I would by far and without hesitation and question attend another Oireachtas, and escape the regular world to run off to the world of Irish dance. Its uniqueness is great and interesting. I still have so much more to learn, so much more to experience, and I can't wait to keep on going through this epic journey with Sara through the Irish dance world.

Days till NANs: 143

STFU about Solo Dresses

I recently sold my blue solo dress on Dance-Again. While I was planning on writing about saying good bye to a dress that has seen me move to open championships and travel with me to my first world championship in Ireland, I feel that the author of the Shut the Feis Up posts nailed it better than I could have. Onward to his post.

There comes a day in a mother's life where they have to learn how to let go of what's dearest to them: that moment when their only child grows up and is his/her time to move on through life, leave the house, and to go explore the world. In this case, Sara, mother of the blue solo dress, must courageously gather her strength to let her dress experience life with a new owner.

The solo dress is finally leaving its home with Sara, which has been loved for many years. The duckling separates from the flock and flies off on her way to Australia. Oh, the heart break that occurs when something so dear says their good byes. Her last image of Sara was of her sealing up the crack of the box she was placed in. The burst of light suddenly coming from the ceiling light, being eclipsed by the beautiful face of her mother Sara as she looks down upon her precious dress. But then the light slowly fades away at the collapsing of the flaps folding over, she was now alone and in complete darkness.

Sara put her child of many years up for adoption, when I say child I mean solo dress. She's shipping the dress off to her new home where hopefully she'll be just as loved as before. But with great loss comes great happiness, for a new dress has shown up into her life, but the old one will always be in her memories.

Like a son or daughter going off to college, she released her dress to go experience the world. Quite saddened by this tragedy that has suddenly struck her, Sara texted me for some moral support. I responded with, "Sara, it's ok, you had to let her go sometime, you should be happy for her. It is now time for her to go out on her own and explore the world. She's on her way to the great land of Australia to learn their culture and learn their way of Irish Dance."

Hopefully the blue solo dress stays in contact with her mother. A relationship like they had should never end.

Days till NANs: 158

The 2012 breakdown

Happy new year to all! After a month's hiatus from both dance and blogging, I'm ready to get back into it! I have big plans for this year, including finding a real job now that I'm a college graduate, and also a few new things for the blog!

Goals for the year:

Most people are coming up with new dance goals for the year, however, mine stay the same this time! Those goals are...

1. Improve turnout
2. Place at least once in opens
3. Place higher at nationals (60th in 2010)
4. Qualify for worlds

I ended 2011 with only accomplishing two of my goals: improving turn out and placing once in opens. I would like to continue to improve my turn out this year, especially in my hard shoe dances. As for placements, I would like to improve from placing last to some where near placing, if not placing. Doing this, I know I need to turn out more and just find that championship sharpness every time I go out to compete. The biggest goal for the year is to qualify for worlds. I have spent the last two years now on the cusp of being a WQ, just one place shy. I was lucky in 2011; there was an adjudicating conflict. Not so much this year. I would like to say I have qualified for worlds at the Oireachtas, and compete in worlds on American soil before I retire.

Feiseanna to attend:

1. Four Provinces or CCE (if held)
2. Old Dominion
3. Nationals
4. Rhythm of Ireland
5. Feis Culkin
6. SRO

Blog happenings:

• My biggest announcement is that this year, I plan to make 12 Irish Dance How-To videos/written tutorials. I will release one each month, and the subjects vary from warming up, to ab workouts, to crafting tutorials! I am really excited to get this under way and you should be too (because. . . )
• . . . Craft tutorials = giveaways!
• Shut the Feis Up (STFU): I will continue to pester my boyfriend to write about Irish dance this year, starting with his reaction of the Oireachtas.
• Of course, I will also continue to keep you updated on what's happening in the dance world from my perspective!

Goals: Nail down the first 8 bars of Kilkenny Races set

Days till NANs: 181

STFU about Feis Nightmares

So as I’m on my way to feis umber one at 8 in the morning, all I can think about in my mind is how cool and interesting it will be to witness my first feis. Another huge reason why I was excited for it is because this would also be the first time I’d get to see my girlfriend dance at a competition, so I was also very excited for her.

What I thought would be a fun, easy going day turned out to be a long, repetitive day of the same music and the same metronome tick-tocking over and over again. I managed to tough it out with minimal complaints. A quick run to McDonald's helped me recover from the hours of sitting on my butt, and the sweet tea gave me energy to make it through the last couple hours. ...Forgot to mention, the night before the feis I stayed up until 4 in the morning, woke up at 7, drove the two and a half hours to Williamsburg, and I still prevailed through the long day at the feis… Am I a beast? I think so.

Getting past all the negatives: Finally the time had come to watch Sara perform. I frequently asked her if she was nervous and always got the same answer, “No.” I can admit that I was nervous for her; honestly my heart was pounding when I saw her up there. It was like she mysteriously transferred all her nervousness to me through some strange girlfriend powers. I was a bit worried because she was sick and had pink eye. I just wanted her to perform well! Turns out, she placed for the first time (which I told her over and over again that she’d do)! I’m so very proud of her. It put a huge smile upon my face. After the feis, I crowned myself her “good luck charm” for since it was my first feis and her first time placing, I gave her the good luck! Being able to see her perform was absolutely worth it in the end, nothing made me happier than to see her dance, because I know it’s what she enjoys doing and what is currently her passion, so of course I’ll be there to support her.

THE NIGHTMARES BEGIN:

But oh it doesn't end there. After the long drive back home, Sara and I were both exhausted. I congratulated her one more time and we both went our separate ways off to bed. Finally laying down in my bed, after three hours of sleep the night before, I easily fell asleep in my bed. To my horror, not only did I have one dream nightmare, I had three of them. All about Irish dancing. Yes, in reality I did escape the feis, but in my head while I was sleeping, I could not. All throughout my sleep, I dreamt about being at the feis, hearing Irish music play constantly, and every time the metronome ticked it was like a woodpecker was pecking at my brain. I did manage to wake up and go to work after a very unsatisfying sleep. All day at work, I found myself humming most of the songs I heard at the feis. They were all permanently stuck in my head. Even to this day, I still find myself humming them (especially Planxty Drury).

STFU about Jig

Hi. My name is Josh. I’ve been dating an Irish dancer for almost four months now and have enjoyed every single day of it. I wasn’t very knowledgeable about the Irish dancing world until I started dating Sara. Back when I was a kid, I did fall in love with Riverdance. I watched it over and over again because I loved the music, and I especially loved the foot action. Now because of this relationship, I have learned so many new things. I have yet to attend a feis or Oireachtas but I am looking forward to my first feis October 15th and my first Oireachtas in December. I’m very excited and I can’t wait to see my girl up on stage throwing down her dance moves. Man do I love the legs on my Irish dancing girl!

When I visit her on weekends, she knocks me out cold, drags me to her basement, ties my hands and feet up to a chair, forces my eye lids open with duct tape as I watch Irish dancing video after Irish dancing video... I am then forced to watch her practice her reels, soft shoe, hard shoe, hornpipes, so on and so forth. I am only kidding though. Please don’t call the police, it was a joke, I’m just fine

This all lead to how and why I got to see Jig. Honestly, I came into this movie expecting it to be mildly entertaining, but didn’t really know what to expect. I decided to tough it out and watch the entire movie, and once the screen went black and the ending credits popped up, my finger nails were practically gone, because of the sheer suspense that is thrown at the audience. I already have a bad habit of biting my finger nails, but that ending destroyed my ability to stop.

I think the director did a great job in the “thriller” factor. My heart was racing and I literally was caring about the Irish dancers and wanting them to win. I doubted that I’d have any feelings towards the dancers in this documentary, but when I saw the little girl at the end begin to cry because of how happy she was and how proud she was of herself, I broke down and felt a little tingly sensation in my heart that told me to care. In my mind I was shouting frequently. For example: “Oh my god! Just hurry up and give the scores! I’m dying here! The suspense is killing me! Stop it! Just skip to their scores already! Aaaaahhh!” I wish I would have screamed that out in theaters, but Sara would have been extremely embarrassed.

The first aspect that really stood out to me in the movie (other than the comedic accents) was how much parents sacrificed for their kids to be able to dance and enjoy doing what they truly love to do. It’s incredible how supportive the parents were, even if their income couldn’t keep up with the expenses that came with the sport of Irish dancing. Who would have ever known how expensive wigs could be and especially how expensive the solo dresses are. Some parents gave up their careers and even relocated to allow their child to follow their dreams. In this movie, the parents played a huge role and receive a standing ovation from me.

One thing that I found kind of unfair about the Irish dancing world is the fact that the dancers train so hard, practice rigorously and never give up on the big dream of winning Worlds, yet they share the stage with two other dancers. I tell you what, if I practiced my butt off the whole year that hard for a couple minutes of dancing, the judges had better be focusing on me and only me. Yes I know, it would take so much longer if dancers went one by one, but come on, give them the spotlight. They earned it by getting this far, let them have the stage to themselves so everybody else can witness what they have been working so hard on.

Overall, Jig was very satisfying. I actually did enjoy it, and now I better understand the world of Irish dancing. I definitely appreciate more of what Sara goes through. I think it’s an incredible talent and I’m very proud of her and will always be supportive. She is amazing, along with her talent of Irish dancing.

Quick Update

1. Saw Jig this past weekend in Maryland with my boyfriend (who I think enjoyed it...). It was awesome as well as inspiring.

2. Strictly Irish Dancing: if any of you fellow American dancers haven't seen it, there is a link on the Drake school's website. It is a lot like Jig, but gives more background on the history of Irish dance, costumes, etc. rather than the focus being solely on the dancers.

3. My first feis of the fall is coming up this weekend (Rhythm of Ireland). My hopes for this feis will be to place higher than second to last (because that's the highest I've placed at a feis ever in open champs), and to make it through all my steps without having any major stamina issues.

4. I have decided my big focus before the Oireachtas will be on crossing my legs, for two reasons. One: because it needs work, and two: when I'm crossing m legs, my turnout is better and doesn't look as terrible.

5. My 4-year anniversary in Irish dance passed this past week. Expect a post on that soon!

6. As for STFU (Shut the Feis Up), expect that first post coming up this week!

Goals: Stamina, cross

Days till Os: 53

Announcing: STFU (Shut the Feis Up)

Due to me being so busy, and to keep my blog being updated semi-regularly, I will be having a guest blogger come in and start a new chapter of Rince go Bragh: STFU (Shut the Feis Up).

A little about this new blogger:

1. He (yes, he) knows very little of the Irish dance world.
2. His only Irish dance background is of seeing Riverdance as a child. (Which he frequently confuses with and subsequently tries to convince me is the same as Lord of the Dance)
3. His first real foray into the Irish dance world will be seeing Jig the Film this weekend (as it's in theaters in my area) and attending the Rhythm of Ireland feis.
4. Last but certainly not least, he's my boyfriend.

I thought it'd be interesting to hear about Irish dance from the perspective of someone who's never been exposed to our world before. How many times has a significant other been brought to a dance function, only for you to sit and wonder what they're thinking of and what their reactions are? How many times have you bored your snookums with epic tales of Irish dancing? My hope is that it's humorous and enlightening for us hardcore dancers to see and remember what its like from a non-dancer's perspective.

Goals: Cross, stamina

Days till Os: 57