Congrats to our 3 Newest Open Dancers!

We would like to congratulate NPIDA's 3 newest Open Championship dancers! Caitlin B, Shannon G, and Ellen D all won first place in their respective Preliminary Championship competitions last weekend at the Penk O'Donnell Feis.

For each of them this was their second 1st-place result in Prelim, which means all 3 of them now advance to Open Championships. These dancers are also training to compete at the 2010 North American Championships in Orlando Florida in early July.

Congratulations on your wins Caitlin, Shannon and Ellen, and good luck in Open Championships!

Photos by Cheryl and Connie. Check back here soon for many more photos from the Penk O'Donnell Feis; thanks to those parents who have submitted photos.

Light Jig Trophy Winners

My apologies to the following dancers who placed in the Light Jig Special Trophy yesterday at the POD Feis; I inadvertantly missed your results when I posted the other trophy dance results last night. (Ooops; I didn't scroll down far enough on feisworx; this result is listed below the Adult and Figure Dance results !)

Big congratulations to these dancers:

U-11 Novice-Prizewinner Light Jig Trophy (34 competitors!)

Olivia A: 2nd

Jenny McC: 3rd

Meghan L: 4th

11+ Novice-Prizewinner Light Jig Trophy (31 competitors!)

Rhiannon M: 2nd

POD Feis Results: Sunday

NPIDA dancers had some great successes at the Penk O'Donnell Feis today in Pre-Beginner to Prizewinner solos and trophy dances. Congratulations!

Here are the NPIDA trophy results:

U-7 Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy:

Stella P: 1st

Julia R: 2nd

Cameron I: 9th

U-9 Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy:

Jade W: 3rd

Amalie W: 6th

U-11 Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy:

Georgia G: 6th

U-7 Beginner/Advanced Beginner Reel Trophy

Leila J: 4th

U-11 Beginner/Advanced Beginner Reel Trophy

Catharine A: 1st

U-13 Beginner/Advanced Beginner Reel Trophy

Orlagh T: 4th

Advanced Beginner Slip Jig Special

Aishlin H: 3rd

Sarah A: 5th

Novice Slip Jig Special

Alannah C: 1st

Mary M: 4th

U-8 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy

Aishlin H: 3rd

U-10 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy

Thea M: 4th

Alannah C: 5th

Julia M: 5th

U-10 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel Trophy

Sophie R: 2nd

Emma H: 3rd

U-11 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy

Meghan L: 4th

U-12 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel Trophy

Meghan L: 2nd

12+ Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel Trophy

Lauren N: 1st

U-11 Prizewinner Slip Jig Special

Olivia A: 1st

Sophie R: 3rd

POD Feis Photos

Thanks to Claudia G and Sheryl J for sending these photos taken yesterday at the Penk O'Donnell Feis. Parents, please send more photos and I will add them to this post.

1. Mackenzie, Caitlin, Catalina, Macaela, Lauren, Camryn, Shannon, Jadyn, Anna M and Jessie.

2. Mackenzie, Caitlin, Macaela, Catalina, Lauren, Camryn, Courtney, Shannon, Jadyn, Anna M, Jessie and Raven.

3. Catalina and Shannon

4. Catalina, Caitlin, Jadyn, Shannon, Macaela

5. Caitlin, Catalina, and Shannon.

6. Back; Cara, Catalina, and Shannon.
Front: Anna M, Macaela, Jadyn, Jessie, and Caitlin.

A Great Day for NPIDA at the POD Feis!

NPIDA Championship dancers had an outstanding (and record-breaking) day at the Penk O'Donnell Feis today! We had 3 1st-place Prelim wins (Caitlin, Shannon and Ellen), with all 3 of those winners now advancing to Open, as well as a 1st-place Open win (Macaela). Several other Prelim dancers placed in their solos and championships as well! Congratulations!

Here are all the Prelim and Open results:

U-10 Prelim Championships

Caitlin B: 1st in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 1st overall. Congratulations and welcome to Open Championships!

Jessie H: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance, 4th overall.

Jadyn M: 2nd in Set Dance.

U-12 Prelim Championships

Shannon G: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 1st overall. 1st in Prelim Traditional Set Trophy; 4th in U-13 Prelim Slip Jig Trophy. Congratulations and welcome to Open Championships!

Cara J: 2nd in Set Dance, 3rd overall.

Raven G: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 5th overall. Congratulations on placing in your first Prelim competition!

U-14 Prelim Championships

Emma B: 5th in Set Dance, 6th overall.

Nicole M: 4th in Set Dance. 2nd in Prelim Traditional Set Trophy, 5th in 13+ Prelim Slip Jig Trophy, 3rd in 13+ Prelim Hornpipe Trophy.

Shelby R: 3rd in Set Dance

U-16 Prelim Championships

Ellen D: 1st in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 1st overall. Congratulations and welcome to Open Championships!

Kiera S: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 4th overall.

Jessi B: 4th in Soft Shoe, 5th overall.

18+ Prelim Championships

Alex M: 3rd in Hard Shoe, 4th in Set Dance, 4th overall.

Margaret E: 2nd in Soft Shoe

U-10 Open Championships

Macaela B: 1st in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance, 1st overall. Congratulations!

Camryn C: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 3rd overall.

U-12 Open Championships

Lauren M: 4th in Set Dance. 6th in U-12 Open Treble Reel.

U-14 Open Championships

Mackenzie C: 5th in Set Dance. 6th in U-15 Open Hornpipe Trophy.

Parents; please submit some photos! I will also post further congratulations and photos of our 3 new Open dancers in the near future. Good luck to all the Pre-Beginner to Prizewinner dancers tomorrow !

Fundraisers for NPIDA Nationals Dancers

The NPIDA dancers and parents who are going to the North American Championships in July are holding two upcoming fundraisers:

1. On Monday May 24 (Victoria Day holiday) the dancers will be performing at the Steveston Docks at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00pm. Cross your fingers for good weather, and please come out to support the dancers!

2. On Saturday June 12, the families are hosting a Pub Night at Taylor's Crossing in North Vancouver beginning at 5:00pm. The NAN's dancers will be performing 2 shows during the evening. This event is open to families (not just adults) and the cost of tickets is as follows:

Adults: $20

Children 6-12 years: $15

Children 5 and under: $12

NAN's qualifiers: $11.

Your ticket gets you a burger meal (or veggie burger) and a beer or bottomless pop. For further information and to arrange to buy your tickets, please contact Andrea C at davidandthegirlsATuniserve.com

Thanks for supporting the NPIDA NAN's dancers!

Welcome to Prelim, Raven!

Raven G, age 12 , has advanced to Preliminary Championships based on her results at the Victoria Feis. Raven won 4 2nd-place medals and a 4th place medal in her Prizewinner solo dances last weekend, and placed 2nd in the Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy.
Congratulations Raven, and welcome to Prelim Championships!

Photo: Raven at the 2009 Oireachtas in Edmonton.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!
... to all the NPIDA moms and grandma's who provide so much support, energy, time and love (oh, and $$$ too!) to their dancing daughters and sons. Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Heading to Orlando Florida in July

Now that the registration deadline for the 2010 North American Championships has passed, Nora has advised that the following 18 eligible NPIDA dancers have confirmed that they will be attending this major competition at the Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando Florida, July 3-7. Good luck with your training over the next 2 months!

Caitlin B

Macaela B

Camryn C

Mackenzie C

Jayne D

Shannon G

Catalina G

Jessie H

Jessica H

Cara J

Stephanie M

Jadyn M

Lauren M

Nicole M

Courtney R

Natalie S

Alex W

Michael Y

Photo of the Swan and Dolphin Resort from Google Images.

Eire Born in Feis America Magazine

Eire Born is featured in the new issue (May-June 2010) of Feis America Magazine, along with Scoil Rince DeDanaan, in an article highlighting the performances of both schools during the 2010 Winter Olympics! 4 photos by Cheryl and Moira are included in the article, along with information provided by Nora and the DeDanaan school. (Click two times to enlarge to readable size).

Kathleen, the publisher of Feis America, has specifically requested that we advise you that this magazine article is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in any form without her explicit permission. Feis America offers single-issue sales of the magazine, as well as year-long subscriptions. Please check out their website at http://www.feisamerica.com/

Whistler Pub Show

Following their performance at a wedding in Whistler last Saturday night, the dancers also did a pub show later that evening. Thanks to Cheryl for these photos!

Whistler Wedding Photos

Here are a few of the photos that Cheryl took at the wedding in Whistler last Saturday. Thanks for these shots Cheryl! And thanks to the dancers: Margaret, Samantha, Kimberly, Hanna, Anna M, Lauren, Nicole, Shannon, and Jadyn.

Tomorrow I'll post a few of Cheryl's photos from the Whistler pub show.

Victoria Feis Photos

Thanks to Sheryl J and Andrea C for submitting these photos from the Victoria Feis! If any other NPIDA parents have photos from this feis, please e-mail them to me at: pickettlineblogAThotmail.com

1. Cara J with her silver platter. Cara placed 4th in U-12 Prelim Championships. Congratulations !

2. Anna Z, Camryn C, Mackenzie C and Emma B.

3. Mackenzie placed 3rd overall in U-14 Open Championships and won the U-14 Prelim/Open Treble Reel. Congratulations!

Check back tomorrow for some of Cheryl's photos taken at the Whistler wedding and pub show on Saturday.

Victoria Feis Results

Here are the NPIDA results from the Victoria Feis which took place this past weekend. (Parents: please send some photos!)

U-10 Prelim Championships

Jessie H: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 3rd overall.

U-12 Prelim Championships

Cara J: 1st in Soft Shoe, 5th in Set Dance, 4th overall.

U-14 Prelim Championships

Emma B: 3rd in Soft Shoe.

Anna Z: 3rd in Set Dance.

U-16 Prelim Championships

Kiera S: 1st in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 3rd overall.

U-18 Prelim Championships

Alex W: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance, 4th overall.

U-12 Open Championships

Camryn C: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance.

U-14 Open Championships

Mackenzie C: 3rd in Hard Shoe, 4th in Set Dance, 3rd overall. 1st in U-14 Prelim/Open Treble Reel.

Non-Championship Trophy Dances

Aishlin H: 1st in U-8 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy; 6th in U-10 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel.

Julia M: 3rd in U-9 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy.

Sophie R: 3rd in U-10 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy; 4th in U-10 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel.

Taigen G: 2nd in U-11 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy.

Meghan L: 5th in U-11 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy; 6th in U-12 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel.

Raven G: 2nd in U-12 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy.

Madelaine M: 6th in U-12 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy.

Lauren N: 3rd in U-16 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy.

Photo from Google Images.

Whistler Wedding

9 Eire Born dancers travelled to Whistler yesterday to perform at a wedding (and later that evening, a pub show). It was a very long day and evening, but enjoyable for everyone: dancers, parents, and especially the wedding party!

1. Kimberly, Margaret and Hanna: looking pretty happy to be finished university for the year. (It's definitely more fun to spend the day in Whistler rather than studying for exams!)

2. Outside the Nita Lake Lodge before the show. Back row: Lauren, Nicole and Shannon. Middle row: Samantha, Hanna, Kimberly and Margaret. Front row: Jadyn and Anna.

3. Jadyn and Shannon burning off a little energy while waiting to dance at the wedding.

4. Performing for the head table at the wedding.

Thanks to Nora for being in Whistler to oversee both shows! I'll post some of Cheryl's photos from the wedding and pub shows once they are available. Also pending: Victoria Feis results.

Caitlin's First at the Emerald City Feis

Last weekend at the Emerald City Feis in Seattle, Caitlin B placed 1st in a group of 8 competitors in U-10 Prelim Championships, which means she is now "half-way to Open". Caitlin has previously placed 1st in Prelim, but in a smaller group (a win only counts in Prelim if there are a minimum of 5 dancers in the group).

Caitlin placed 1st in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance and 1st overall; she also won the U-10 Prelim Treble Reel. At the Western Canadian Oireachtas last November, Caitlin placed 3rd out of 38 dancers in the U-9 Pre-Oireachtas category; clearly she is well on her way to advancing to Open Championships. Congratulations on your accomplishments Caitlin !

Coco in Hello Canada Magazine

Former NPIDA dancer, longtime friend and current supermodel Coco is featured in the current issue of Hello Canada magazine. The editors have named her as one of their Women of the Year, in part for her well known voice in speaking out against "the fashion industry's size-zero mantra". Coco has been outspoken in the fashion world for generally promoting a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.

In other news; good luck to the 24 NPIDA dancers who are headed to the Victoria Feis this weekend!

St. Pat's Photos from NVan Troupe #4

Back in mid-March we posted lots of photos from the Eire Born troupes who were performing in St. Pat's shows. We had photos from 6 troupes but didn't receive any from North Van Troupe #4. Thanks to Cathy W. for now submitting the following photos !

1. Troupe # 4 (and young guest dancers):

Back row: Samantha L, Nikki L, Kayleigh C, Tori J and Alex W.

Front row: Thea M, Alannah C, Jenny M, and Sophie R.

2. Kayleigh, Alex,Tori, Nikki, and (front) Alannah at the Red Lion Pub.
3. Alex and Kayleigh at the Red Lion.

4. Samantha, Dana, Nikki, Tori, Alex, and Chanel C at Taylor's Crossing.

Teen Prelim Dancers at the Emerald City Feis

Thanks to Cathy W for this photo, taken Sunday at the Emerald City Feis in Seattle. Left to right: Kiera S, Ellen D, and Alex W.

Congratulations to all 3 girls for placing in the U-16 and U-17 Prelim Championships as well as the U-17 Prelim Treble Reel!

Kiera: 3rd in U-16 Prelim Championships, 5th in U-17 Treble Reel.
Ellen: 1st in U-16 Prelim Championships, 2nd in U-17 Treble Reel.
Alex: 4th in U-17 Prelim Championships, 4th in U-17 Treble Reel.

Ellen's First at the Emerald City Feis

Thanks to Anne D for sending this photo of Ellen D after her 1st-place win at the Emerald City Feis on Sunday. Ellen accomplished a clean sweep in a group of 14 dancers in Prelim U-16, placing 1st in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe and 1st in Set Dance, as well as 1st overall! She then placed 2nd in the U-7 Prelim Treble Reel.

Congratulations Ellen; we know you will soon get your second 1st and be an Open dancer!

More Emerald City Feis Photos

Thanks to Leanne for submitting these photos, taken Saturday in Seattle at the Emerald City Feis.

1. Julia M and Sarah A.

Julia placed 5th in the U-10 Novice-Prizewinner Reel and Treble Jig Trophy, and Sarah placed 3rd in the U-8 Advanced Beginner Reel Trophy.

2. Sisters Olivia A and Sarah A.

3. Olivia placed 2nd in the U-11 Novice-Prizewinner Reel and Treble Jig Trophy.

4. Sarah with her trophy.

Emerald City Feis Results: Sunday

Here are today's NPIDA feis results from the Emerald City Feis in Seattle (all ages 13+ and older).

U-14 Prelim Championships
Nicole M: 1st in Set Dance, 4th overall. 1st in Prelim U-15 Treble Reel.

U-16 Prelim Championships
Ellen D: 1st in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 1st overall; Congratulations! 2nd in U-17 Prelim Treble Reel.
Kiera S: 4th in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 3rd overall. 5th in Prelim U-17 Treble Reel.

U-18 Prelim Championships
Alex W: 1st in Set Dance, 4th overall. 4th in Prelim U-17 Treble Reel.

Hopefully some of these parents got some photos today! Please e-mail them to me at: pickettlineblogAThotmail.com. See the post directly undeneath this one for some more U-13 photos from Saturday.

Seattle photo from Google Images.