More Ceili Photos

Here are some more photos taken at the Ceili last night. None of these pictures are technically great - I was shooting with no flash - but I wanted to share some of the clearer ones here. As always, click on any photo to see a larger image. By the way, the beautiful solo dress worn by Natalie P in the 4th photo is available for purchase (brand new, made by Hannah P).

Check back tomorrow; more Ceili photos to come !

Ceili 2010 Photos

Big Thanks to all the dancers, volunteers, parents, sound guys, and Nora and Courtney for making the Ceili such a success last night ! Here are a few random photos from the Ceili; check back here over the next couple of days for some more. (Click any photo to enlarge).

World Champions of Senior Mixed Figure

Here is a performance by the winners of the Senior Mixed Figure team at the 2010 World Championships earlier this month. (Note this video was recorded during a performance of their gold-medal-winning routine after they had won, not during the actual competition). This winning team is from the Doherty School in Belfast. Several of the individual dancers in this group are also 2010 solo World Champions.

Enjoy their incredible precision, and we'll see you all at the Ceili tomorrow for more beautiful dancing!

Wanted: Silent Auction Items for the Ceili

The second annual Silent Auction will take place at the Ceili on Sunday, and EBIDS is in need of donations. If you are able to contribute an item for the auction, or if you know of a business which may be able to contribute, please contact Barb P, volunteer Silent Auction Coordinator via e-mail at: b7parkerATtelus.net (replace "AT" with @).

If you would like to contribute but are not sure what type of item to donate, please contact Barb for suggestions! If possible, Barb would like to collect all silent auction items on Thursday at the North Vancouver church. If you have an item for donation but cannot get it to Barb on Thursday, please contact her directly to advise her and bring your item to the Ceili on Sunday.

Don't forget to tell your Ceili guests about the Silent Auction so that they can come prepared to make bids on Sunday (cash or cheques accepted). Thank you for assisting with EBIDS fundraising!

Ceili Program Ads

As you know, the 11th annual NPIDA/EBIDS Ceili is next weekend, Sunday April 18. Parents: If you would like to submit a small personal ad for your dancer(s), please do so no later than Monday April 12. Note: the Ceili program will be printed in black-and-white, and photos generally do not reproduce well unless they are very high resolution. (Even then, colour photos will print in greyish tones).

Please submit any print-ready ads to me at:

pickettlineblogAThotmail.com (replace AT with "@").

Cost is $10 for a business card size ad, or $15 for a 1/4 page ad. (No half-page or full-page personal ads). Please bring your cash or cheque (payable to EBIDS, not NPIDA) to the Ceili, and give it to Jay or Nicole Dent (Jay is the new EBIDS Treasurer).

Photo of Centennial Theatre from Google Images.

Parade of Champions from Worlds

Click directly on the video above to see the "Parade of Champions" from the final day at the World Championships in Glasgow. Dancing are 6 of the 2010 Ladies World Champions age U-16 and older, and 2 of the older 2010 Mens World Champions. Inspirational!

Courtney at Worlds: Update

Recalls for the Senior Ladies 21+ have just been announced in Glasgow and unfortunately Courtney has not been recalled. We know she gave it 110% of her best effort as she always does, and represented NPIDA beautifully! We share in her disappointment. Congratulations from all of us Courtney - we are more proud than you know! NPIDA was rooting for you! Now have a wonderful Easter, and enjoy the rest of your very well-deserved holiday!

Photo by Cheryl at the 2009 Oireachtas

Photos from Worlds (Michael)

Michael e-mailed some photos from Glasgow this morning; thanks Michael!

1. Michael at the Worlds venue: the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall

2. Michael with Lisa and Courtney

3. The stage before the award ceremony

4, Michael receiving his recall medal from Deidre P

5. Family photo after the awards: Suzanne, Michael, Lisa and John

6. Michael with Courtney and Lisa

7. Michael: 18th in the World! Congratulations!!!

Michael: 18th at Worlds!

Michael has placed 18th at the World Championships today.

Congratulations Michael !!!!!!!

Recall for Michael at Worlds!

Just minutes ago, Michael was announced as a RECALLER at the World Championships after completing his hard shoe and soft shoe rounds! He will soon be doing his Set Dance, along with the other 17 competitors who recalled in the Mens 18-19 group. I will post here once the final results have been awarded.
Congratulations Michael - NPIDA is proud of you!

Photo: Michael and Mom Suzanne in Nashville, July/09.

Good Luck at Worlds Michael and Courtney!

Shannon has already competed and returned from the World Championships in Glasgow, but all of the older groups have continued to compete throughout the week. Tomorrow (Saturday), Michael will be dancing in the Mens 18-19 group, and on Sunday, Courtney will be dancing in the Ladies 21+ group. Check back here both days for updates on recalls and results!

You can leave your comment below to send your good luck wishes to Michael and Courtney.

Claddagh photo from Googe Images.

No Foolin' - NPIDA Maternity Wear!

Longtime NPIDA dancer Sara H is presently 7 months pregnant with her second child - and Nora is trying hard to find a red dress for Sara to wear at the Ceili less than 3 weeks from now!

This brings back fond memories of Sara during her first pregnancy, when she competed at the 2007 Emerald City Feis in Seattle while noticeably several months pregnant! (Baby Lewis - now nearly 3 years old - was born to Sara and her husband Ian in June 2007).

Good luck during the final couple of months of your pregnancy Sara; and we hope you find a suitable "maternity-sized" red dress to wear at the Ceili later this month!

Photo by Margaret E.

Good Luck Today at Worlds Shannon!

The 2010 World Championships begin today in Glasgow, Scotland, and Shannon is competing. Courtney is there now too and is assisting Shannon (and Connie!) with their preparations for the big day.
Good luck and have fun Shannon! NPIDA is rooting for you!

Birthday Greetings

Happy Birthday Nora!!!

Photo by Cheryl G.

New Red Dress Qualifiers

Two more young NPIDA dancers have qualified for red school dresses, based on their results at the Comerford Seattle Feis earlier this month. Congratulations to Sarah A and Catharine A!

Top photo: Sarah during St. Pat's (photo by Leanne)

Bottom photo: Catharine during St. Pat's (photo by Rosalie).

Unclaimed Raffle Prizes!

At the Worlds Pub Night fundraiser at the Buck & Ear last Saturday night, 3 raffle prizes went unclaimed. Are YOU the ticket holder of one of these awesome prizes ?

Prize #5: $150. NPIDA gift certificate: winning ticket #48661
Prize #7: English Bay Boathouse Gift basket and $50. gift certificate: winning ticket #48765
Prize #12: Allranell Spa $60 Gift Certificate: winning ticket #48778

The NPIDA Pub Night organizers have decided to give the 3 unknown raffle winners 30 days to claim their prizes (ie... April 19). After that, any unclaimed prizes will be rolled over into a 2010 Nationals fundraising event. If you have one of these prize-winning ticket stubs (they're green), please contact Christine to claim your prize by e-mailing her at cbradleytseATtelus.net (replace AT with @).

Pub Night photo by Cheryl

3 More St. Pat's Photos

Here are 3 more St. Pat's photos;

1. Last night at the Bahai Church in Coquitlam. The organizers gave each of the dancers a rose after their performance. Back row: Laurel, Mackenzie, Emma and Nicole. Front row: Lauren, Jenny, Jadyn and Camryn (photo by Sue McI-T).

2. Senior girls at the Dr. Peter Center on Saturday. Margaret, Hanna, Lisa and Rachel (photo by Cheryl).

3. Backstage at the Buck on St. Patrick's Eve. Shannon, Catharine, Morgan and Jadyn (photo by Moira).

Shannon is off to Glasgow tonight; don't forget to check her blog this week and send her lots of well-wishes by leaving her a comment! Click here for a direct link: www.shannoninglasgow.blogspot.com

Even More St. Pat's Photos

Here's another selection of St. Pat's photos submitted by parents:

1. Senior girls at the Dr. Peter AIDS Center in downtown Vancouver. Lisa, Devon, Rachel, Alex, Margaret, Kimberly and Hanna (photo by Cheryl).

2. At the Dr. Peter show: Hanna, Kimberly, Alex, Lisa, and Devon (photo by Cheryl).

3. Troupe 1 at Adanac Lodge: Mackenzie, Anna Z, Camryn, Laurel and Emma (photo by Nicole D).

4. Here comes Troupe B! Lauren, Nicole, Catharine, Jessie, Shannon and Jadyn (photo by Connie).

5. Troupe B: Morgan, Nicole, Jadyn, Jessie and Catharine (photo by Connie).

6. Vic and Pat with Lauren and Shannon (photo by Connie).

7. Cara, Gemma K and Anna M at Little Mountain House with guest dancers Sabine and Leila J. (photo by Jennifer).

8. Sophie and Olivia (photo by Leanne).

9. Troupe B: Nicole, Shannon, Lauren, Catharine, Jessie, Jadyn and Morgan (photo by Rosalie).

10. Troupe B: Nicole, Shannon, Lauren, Jessie and Jadyn at the Buck (photo by Rosalie).

11. Troupe B: Nicole, Jessie, Lauren, Catalina and Jadyn at the Buck (photo by Rosalie).

Fundraiser at the Buck

Earlier tonight our Worlds and All Irelands dancers held their fundraising "Pub Night" at the Buck & Ear. The event was very well-attended with lots of friends and family members of the dancers. Thanks to everyone for their support! Shannon, Courtney and Michael are heading to Glasgow this week - we wish them the best of luck! Macaela attended All Irelands last month; Mackenzie and Lauren are World Qualifiers but not attending.

Photo taken across the street from the Buck, in front of the Steveston Cannery Museum.
Back: Macaela, Shannon, and Lauren.
Front: Mackenzie, Michael, and Courtney.