Clarification of Recent CLRG Make-up Rules

Further to our blog post of January 28, Nora would like to bring to your attention the following clarification of the recent CLRG rules regarding costumes and make-up. Clarification has been provided regarding the use of tanner, as well as how the new make-up rule will be applied to U-10 dancers (solo or team) who are dancing in a higher age category.

Please note that tanner on the face is considered make-up and is thus not permitted; but leg tan is not part of the new rule.

From CLRG:

Rules Regarding Make-up (4.5 in CLRG Rule Book)
- Make-up will not be permitted for any dancer in the first two grades (Bungrad and Tusgrad or equivalent) up to and including the Under 12 age group worldwide.
(Note from Nora: Bungrad and Tusgrad are the equivalent of Pre-Beginner to Advanced Beginner).

- Make-up (including false eyelashes and tanner on the face) is not permitted for dancers, in either solo or team competitions, up to and including the Under 10 age group. Effective March 1 2014.

Clarifications as of February 3 2014:
- Both make-up rules refer to the age group of the competition, not the actual age of the dancer. For example, 9 year old dancers competing in a team that is entered Under 12 may wear make-up. Or at a feis where the youngest Open Championship age group is Under 11, then all dancers in that age group may wear make-up.

- Leg tan is not part of Rule 4.5.2

New CLRG Rules: Costumes and Make-Up

The CLRG has recently approved 3 new rules regarding costuming and make-up at Irish dance competitions. Parents of all dancers under age 10 (regardless of dance level) should make particular note of the 3rd rule below regarding a ban of make-up on ALL U-10 dancers effective March 1 2014.

Artificial Carriage Aids (4.3 in CLRG Rule Book)
4.3.3 In order to comply with health and safety measures, all dancers lining up side stage prior to any round at any competition will be required to perform the simple exercise of raising their arms to shoulder level unhindered. If unable to do this by the time of their rotation due to costume stitching or arm attachments, these competitors will not be permitted to perform. Effective immediately.

Note: This rule above appears in the 2014 World syllabus and will be enforced at the 2014 World Championships.

Costume Rules (4.4 in CLRG Rule Book)
4.4.9. All forms of dance school identification, be it by sign, shape, colour-piece, logo or symbol be banned from all solo costumes worn by any competitor in any competition.

AMENDMENT: 'Initials' and 'name' will be added to this rule, effective January 1, 2015.

Make-up Rules (4.5 in CLRG Rule Book)
4.5.2 Make-up (including false eyelashes) is not permitted for dancers, in either solo or team competitions, up to and including the Under 10 age group. Effective March 1, 2014.

CLRG Costume Rules

Nora has asked me to post this information about CLRG costume rules, which is available as a downloadable pdf directly from the CLRG website. Here is a direct link to the full costume rules:
http://www.clrg.ie/admin/downloads/costumes2012.pdf

All NPIDA solo and school dresses currently comply with the CLRG rules. What is CLRG ? They are the governing body for Irish dance; An Coimisiun Le Rince Gaelacha. I have highlighted a sampling of the costume rules below. Please refer to the full document for other details, including sketches illustrating acceptable and unacceptable styles of bodysuits and underwear/bloomers.

- All costumes, both for solo and team dancers, must be no shorter than mid-thigh, in the back of the dress.
- Necklines must be at collarbone level or above.
- Appropriate underwear, covering the midriff, must be worn. Where tights are worn, they must be of a denier of not less than 70.
- Sleeves on solo costumes must start at the shoulder line and end at the cuff.
- Costumes must consist of full front, side and back section. Cut away styles, without a full skirt backing, are not acceptable.
- In order to protect dancers from hazardous objects on stage while competing, costumes may not be decorated with feathers.

How's Your Dress Length?

If you've ever wondered if your solo dress is getting a little too short, the CLRG has passed a new rule this week regarding dress length. (CLRG = An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha; ie... the Irish Dance Commission in Dublin Ireland). The announcement has been directed to dress-makers and the exact wording is as follows:

"Further to recent discussions at meetings of An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha the costume rule in respect of the length of girls costumes has been amended as follows: 'The length of girls dresses / costumes must be no shorter than mid-thigh at the back'. Can you please advise your (An Coimisiun) customers that this amendment rule will come into effect after Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2010. Please also place note on your own website for those customers who shop online".

The new rule will be in effect following the 2010 World Championships (which end on April 4/10).