Eire Born at the Olympic Irish House

After performing at the BC Olympic Pavilion yesterday, Eire Born headed over to the official Olympic Irish House, which is a huge temporary pavilion behind Doolin's Irish Pub. It's hard to describe the atmosphere inside - something like the largest St. Patrick's Day party you could imagine! The venue was absolutely overflowing with people, and there was a 2-1/2 hour line-up down the sidewalk outside!

When the dancers began their show, it was standing-room-only and the revved up crowd was extremely enthusiastic. Thanks to all the dancers and parents who came to Irish House last night!

1. Kali and Margaret showing their Olympic spirit. Go Canada!

2. This is just a partial view of the enormous crowd at Irish House!

3. Hanna, Kimberly, Rachel, Maria and Jessi waiting backstage.

4. Anna Z, Emma and Cara.

5. Getting pumped up just before the show: Hanna, Kimberly, Margaret, Kali, Catalina, Courtney and Lauren.

6. Laurel, Mackenzie and Nicole.

7. Lauren and Catalina.

8. Maria and Anna M.

9. Shannon and Jessica.

10. Camryn with parents Andrea and David.

11. Dancers ready to perform for the lively Irish House crowd.

Eire Born at the BC Olympic Pavilion

Yesterday more than 25 Eire Born dancers performed in the first of several Olympic shows. Despite the rain, the crowds downtown were enormous and enthusiastic ! All the photos above were taken at the BC Olympic Pavilion performance at Robson Square. Special thanks to Courtney for being such a great show captain, and Vic and Connie for managing the technical aspects of both Vancouver shows in two rather loud and chaotic venues! In West Vancouver, Rachel was the capable show captain and Chris C. was the Sound Guy; thanks! Eire Born is lucky to have such a dedicated team.

Check back later today for photos from our show at Irish House at Doolin's, and more candid/backstage/street shots. Cheryl G. will also be providing some of her excellent photos over the next few days. If any parents have some good photos from the West Van show yesterday morning, please send me a few for the blog!

1. Walking through downtown with curly wigs elicits LOTS of curious stares and inquires! Check out the two passersby in red jackets on the left (click to enlarge); the guy looks particularly puzzled!

2. Backstage at the BC Olympic Pavilion: Gemma, Camryn, Jadyn and Anna M.

3. Backstage at the BC Olympic Pavilion: Hanna, Margaret, Kimberly and Alex.

4-11. Eire Born in action at the BC Olympic Pavilion.

Macaela at All-Irelands

No recall for Macaela this morning at the All-Irelands. She danced a soft shoe round and hard shoe round and unfortunately did not recall in either dance nor overall. You can read about her experiences on her own blog, "Get Jiggy With Mac" (scroll down the sidebar at right and click on the direct link). Congratulations Macaela on your first overseas "Major". We are all proud of you!

Check back here tomorrow for photos and updates of the Eire Born Olympic shows taking place today!

Photo from Macaela's own blog; in front of Mac's in Killarney.

Harolyn and the Olympic Torch

NPIDA parent Harolyn proudly carried the Olympic torch as it passed through Richmond yesterday! It was a very memorable day for her - and especially because Brianna surprised her mom by flying in from Prince George to witness the torch relay. Thanks for sharing this photo with us Harolyn, and again, congratulations!

Updates: Olympic Shows + 2010 Ceili

Nora has sent along the following updates:

1. Eire Born has an additional show during the Olympics: it will take place at the Candahar Pub on Granville Island this Friday night, February 12, 8:30pm. Address: PTC Studios, 3rd Floor, 1398 Cartwright St, Granville Island, Vancouver.

2. The 11th Annual Ceili will take place on Sunday April 18th at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver, beginning at 4:00pm. There will be a full day rehearsal on the day of the Ceili (morning and afternoon; exact times to be announced). Food will be provided for the dancers during the rehearsal. More info to follow!

Photo from Google Images.

Olympic Torch Bearer

The Olympic Torch is coming to Richmond on Tuesday February 9, and NPIDA parent Harolyn (mom of Brianna) is going to be one of the proud torch bearers! The Olympic Torch Relay organizers offered the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel (where Harolyn works) to select one staff member to be a torch bearer, and Harolyn was the lucky nominee. Harolyn will be extra-busy this month as she is responsible for overseeing the arrangements for 400 members of the media and press who are staying at the Sheraton during the Olympics.

For those of you who live in Richmond, the details of Harolyn's segment of the torch relay are as follows: she will be running along No. 5 Road and turning on to Williams Road at approximately 4:30pm. The torch will wind it's way through Richmond, concluding at the Richmond "O-Zone" with Rick Hansen.

Harolyn will be purchasing her Olympic torch on behalf of the Sheraton, where it will be on display in the lobby following the relay. She has promised to send along a photo of herself in action during the torch relay, which I will post here. Congratulations on this big honour Harolyn, and enjoy your special day!

Heading to Ireland

Macaela has come a very long way during her few short years of dancing! She and her mom Christine are leaving on Monday for Killarney, where Macaela will be competing at the 2010 All-Ireland Championships on February 13. If you haven't already wished Macaela good luck, you can head over to her own blog "Get Jiggy With Mac" and leave a comment! (Scroll down to "Website Links" in the sidebar at right for a direct link).

Good luck Macaela (and Christine!); have a wonderful trip!

Pub Night Fundraiser

Please mark your calendars for Saturday March 20: our 4 NPIDA dancers who are heading to the 2010 All Irelands and Worlds are holding a pub night fundraiser at the Buck and Ear in Steveston. Please come out to support Michael, Courtney, Shannon and Macaela! The event begins at 6:30pm; food will be served 7:00-8:30pm.

Tickets are $15. each and include a cheddar burger, chips and beer or non-alcoholic drink. There will also be a fantastic dance show as well as a 50/50 draw and great raffle prizes! You can purchase your tickets directly from these 4 dancers (or their parents) and Nora.

Joining Courtney, Michael, Shannon and Macaela in performing at the Buck will be special guest dancers Mackenzie and Lauren, who are also both 2010 World Qualifiers but have opted not to attend this year.

Macaela is heading to the All Irelands in Killarney next week, and the other 3 dancers will be going to Worlds in Glasgow in early April.

2010 Board of Directors

At the Eire Born Irish Dance Society AGM held earlier today, the following NPIDA parents were elected as your 2010 Board of Directors:

Left to right in photo:
Jennifer R (mom of Anna M)
Aileen B (mom of Emma)
Jay D (dad of Jayne)
Kelly S (mom of Laurel)
Andrea C (mom of Mackenzie and Camryn)
Susan O (mom of Nicole and Lauren M)

Missing from photo: Sue M (mom of Jadyn).
Many thanks to outgoing Board member Rosalie D (mom of Jessie H) for all of her work with EBIDS over the past year !

Reminders for Sunday January 31

Two reminders for this Sunday January 31:

1. AGM for the Eire Born Irish Dance Society, 1:30 pm.
Location: Park Gate Community Center, 3625 Banff Court, North Van.

2. Coco is hosting the red carpet festivities at the Grammy Awards for ET Canada. The show will air at 7:00pm on Sunday night. Coco is presently in L.A. for Grammy rehearsals (photo from her Twitter account).

Haiti Fundraiser

Ten Eire Born dancers were at O'Hare's Pub in Richmond last night to perform in a very special show. O'Hare's was hosting a fundraising event to raise money for the Haiti earthquake victims and Eire Born dancers were the featured performers. We are proud to report that the dancers raised $450, 100% of which will be donated to Haiti relief efforts. Congratulations and thanks to all of the NPIDA dancers and parents who donated their time and talents to this successful event!

Dancers: Nicole, Catalina, Lauren N, Lauren M, Shannon, Anna M, Jadyn, Aishlin, Emma H, and Morgan.

Eire Born Production Crew: Vic and Connie.

Show Organizer: Christine.

More Blakey Calgary Feis Photos

Thanks to Connie for sending along these great photos from the Blakey Calgary Feis last weekend!

1. Mary and Morgan. In addition to their trophy wins, Mary and Morgan both won some 1st-place medals in their solo dances too (Mary: 1st in her Adv. Beginner Single Jig and Slip Jig, and 1st in her Novice Reel; Morgan: 1st in her Beginner Treble Jig). Congratulations "M&M"!

2. Shannon, Nicole, Jayne and Morgan.
3. Gemma, Anna M, Jayne, Shannon and Nicole.

4. Shannon, Gemma, Anna and Morgan.

Calgary Feis Photos

Many thanks to Jennifer R. and Nicole D. who sent along these photos from the Blakey Calgary Feis! It looks like our dancers had a very fun weekend.

1. Mary M. and Anna Z.

2. Gemma, Anna and Shannon.

3. Jayne, Shannon and Nicole M.

4. Jayne: 3rd place in U-10 Prelim.

5. Anna, Gemma, Shannon, Jayne and Nicole.

Sunday Results: Blakey Calgary Feis

Today all of the non-Championship competitions took place at the Blakey Calgary Feis. Congratulations to these 2 NPIDA trophy winners;

Morgan: 4th in U-9 Novice-Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy.
Mary M: 4th in U-11 Beginner Reel Trophy.

Dancers and parents; please note that these 4 upcoming feis are now open for registration at http://www.feisworx.com/:

1. Knock School Edmonton Feis: February 12-14
2. Possak Calgary Feis: March 5-7
3. Comerford Seattle (PNW) Feis: March 6-7
4. Victoria Feis: May 1-2

Blakey Calgary Feis: Championship Results

Several NPIDA dancers are in Calgary this weekend competing at the Blakey Feis. Congratulations to all of our Preliminary Championship dancers who competed today, especially these dancers who placed:

U-10 Prelim

Jayne: 3rd in Hard Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 3rd overall.

U-12 Prelim

Shannon: 4th in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 4th in Set Dance, 3rd overall.

Anna M: 7th in Soft Shoe.

Gemma: 2nd in U-12 Prelim/Open Treble Reel Trophy; 7th in U-12 Prelim/Open Traditional Set Trophy.

U-14 Prelim

Nicole: 4th in Hard Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance. 2nd in U-14 Prelim/Open Traditional Set Trophy.

Congratulations girls ! NPIDA parents in Calgary this weekend: after you return, I will welcome any clear photos you may have taken of your dancers at this feis.

Calgary Photo from Google Images.

Eire Born at the Olympics

Did you know that some senior Eire Born dancers have been waiting and hoping for the past 7 years to be part of the 2010 Olympics? Way back in March 2003 when Vancouver was still a "candidate city", Eire Born was invited to perform at 2 special Olympic Bid events.

The first one (top photo) was the "Rally on Robson", a huge outdoor street performance in downtown Vancouver in support of Vancouver's official 2010 Olympic Bid. The second one (bottom photo) was the next evening, at an invitation-only event at Queen Elizabeth Theatre for the IOC (International Olympic Committee) members, who were in Vancouver and Whistler assessing the Vancouver Olympic Bid.

In following years after Vancouver won the 2010 Olympic bid, Eire Born also performed at the official unveiling of the Vancouver Olympic symbol (the Inukshuk) at GM Place, and the official handing-over of the Olympic flag ceremony in Whistler.

Now here it is 7 years later and just weeks away from the opening of the 2010 Olympics ! We are pleased to announce that Eire Born has been invited to perform at 8 special events in conjunction with the 2010 Olympics:

Sat. Feb. 13, 11:00AM: Olympic Celebration at the West Vancouver Community Center.

Sat. Feb. 13, 2:00PM: BC Olympic Pavillion at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.

Sat. Feb. 13, 5:20PM: Irish Olympic Council Pavillion, Doolin's Pub (Official Irish House during the Olympics), 654 Nelson St. at Granville.

Sun. Feb. 14, 5:20PM: Irish Olympic Council Pavillion, Doolin's Pub (Official Irish House during the Olympics), 654 Nelson St. at Granville.

Fri. Feb. 19, 8:00PM: Olympic Celebration at the River Rock Casino Theatre in Richmond.

Sat. Feb. 20, 8:00PM: Olympic Celebration at the River Rock Casino Theatre in Richmond.

Wed. Feb. 24, 7:00PM: BC Olympic Pavillion at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.

Sat. Feb. 27, 2:00PM: Olympic Celebration at the West Vancouver Community Center.

Photos:

1. Eire Born at the Rally on Robson, March 2/03. Left to right: Courtney, Natalie P, Lisa, Napiili, Hanna, Kali.

2. Olympic Performance for the IOC at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, March 4/03 (photo by the Vancouver Sun).

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).

Cheryl's Photos in Feis America Magazine

For most of you, it is a familiar sight to see Cheryl Galdert with her camera at local feiseanna, taking "podium photos" during award ceremonies over the past several years. Cheryl is a long time NPIDA parent and EBIDS volunteer, and although her daughter Kimberly retired from competition after the 2008 Oireachtas, Cheryl still enjoys travelling to feiseanna and the Oireachtas to take photos of all the award-winners. In November '09 Cheryl flew to Edmonton to take photos at the WCAN Oireachtas, and is proud to announce that Feis America magazine has published 12 of her photos in their current (January/February 2010) issue.

Feis America has published 6 colour pages about the 2009 Western Canadian Oireachtas results, and Cheryl's photo of Courtney on the podium (see above) was selected to be the opening full-page photo for this article! (Courtney won 1st place in the Senior Ladies division).

Feis America will sell single issues of their magazine for a cost of $10 (CAN). You can order directly through their website; I have added a direct link in the sidebar at right (scroll down to "Website Links"). You can also view more of Cheryl's photos by clicking on the link to her Shaw Photoshare site as well. Most of the NPIDA Oireachtas recallers/medallists have their photo in this issue of the magazine, so you can order a copy for a keepsake if you are interested.

Congratulations on this big honour Cheryl, and we will look forward to seeing many more of your feis photos in 2010!

Pat: Team Sweden NOCA

Pat McAndless, longtime NPIDA parent and Eire Born "Sound Guy", has been training for an exciting 2010 Olympics volunteer position. After several months of training sessions over the past year, Pat was recently advised that he has been assigned to be the NOCA - National Olympic Committee Assistant - for Team Sweden! His role is to be the official Team Sweden host, and to do whatever is needed to ensure that the needs of the entire Swedish Olympic Team are met.

Pat will be based in the Vancouver Olympic Village and will officially begin his duties on January 30, initially checking in all the Swedish team members and taking care of any issues and questions that arise. His training has included learning the dedicated travel routes to the various Olympic venues - he will be driving the Swedish athletes, coaches and trainers in an official VANOC vehicle (GMC Acadia). Pat's NOCA training has also included extensive sessions in communication and protocol requirements to serve in this important role. His Olympic duties will last more than 4 weeks - until March 3. His family agreed that although he will be using all of his vacation time, he should seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Pat has a long history of community service, including his years as Chair of EBIDS (Eire Born Irish Dance Society) and as a Board Member of Richmond's Gateway Theatre. Pat is excited to begin this new Olympic adventure and says "I have trained hard and prepared myself to be the best host possible, to make this the best Olympic experience for those that I get a chance to serve. Let the games begin!" Have fun Pat - we look forward to hearing about it!

Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Lisa and Michael, NPIDA sibling dancers, have recently added an extra activity to their already-busy lives: they have been attending rehearsals for the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies! After attending an open audition last summer, they were both selected to be part of a large group of performers at the opening ceremonies. The audition focused on tap dance, which Michael says was challenging; "we had difficulty with arm movements and unturned/uncrossed feet", but they were also assessed on the basis of their stage presence and how well they learned the new choreography.

Details of the opening ceremonies are completely top-secret; Michael and Lisa are not allowed to divulge any information at all about the event. They have been attending rehearsals once per week since November, which is soon to increase sharply to 2-4 times per week. Their parents John and Suzanne, as well as their grandparents in Singapore, have secured tickets to attend the Opening Ceremonies. This will no doubt be a very memorable event for the whole family !

Congratulations Michael and Lisa, and we'll be watching for you on February 12!

Photo: Lisa and Michael at the 2008 Oireachtas.

Coco at the Grammy Awards

NPIDA alumni and supermodel Coco was announced today as being a special correspondent for ET Canada at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Coco will be on the red carpet interviewing the stars and talking about fashion during the big event, which will air on CBS on Sunday January 31. Congratulations to Coco!

Photo from Google Images; Coco and her dog Peekaboo.

Macaela's New Blog

Macaela and her mom Christine are going to Killarney Ireland next month where Macaela will be competing at the 2010 All Irelands competition. They have created a new blog so that their family and friends can follow along on their journey. You are invited to view their blog, which is called "Get Jiggy With Mac".

I have added a direct link in the sidebar at right; scroll down to the "Website Links" (Macaela's blog is the first one on the list). Good luck in Ireland Macaela and thanks for sharing your blog with us!

Please note that I have also added a list of upcoming 2010 Western Canada and Western USA feis dates for 2010 in the sidebar. These dates reflect the most up-to-date information posted by the North American Feis Commission.

Happy New Year to all NPIDA dancers and families!