Happy Canada Day!

Happpy Canada Day from Steveston, where this group of Eire Born dancers has assembled to participate in the annual Steveston Salmon Festival Parade. Big thanks to Courtney who has sent these 4 photos directly from the scene this morning! NPIDA parents: if you have some parade photos, please send them to me !

1/Lauren adjusting Morgan's festive hat.

2/Aishlin (center) and the NPIDA parade car (right)

3/The whole gang - thanks for coming!

4/Mckenna and Holly

Christine B contacted me from Orlando last night to let me know that she has set up a blog for NPIDA NAN's 2010 (North American Championships). We have 18 dancers competing in Orlando July 3-7, and Christine will do her best during her busy days in Orlando to update the blog with information and photos! The Pickett Line Blog will also be updated as frequently as possible with Orlando news, recalls and results.

Below is a direct link to the new NPIDA NAN's 2010 Blog. I have also added it as a clickable link on the sidebar under "Website List: Alphabetical Links" (scroll down under the little calendar on the right). Thanks for setting up the Orlando Blog Christine!
Click here: www.npidanans2010.blogspot.com

IDTANA 2010 Scholarship Winners Announced

As posted here last month, Hanna S and the other 2010 IDTANA scholarship winners were personally notified by e-mail on May 31. A full list of the winners has now been officially announced on the NAN's website. (The scholarships will be presented in Orlando on July 3).

Click here to view the list of 2010 scholarship winners, who were selected from 193 applicants from across North America. The announcement includes photos and brief details about their hometowns, dance schools, and university plans: www.nanationals.net/2010/scholarship.php

200th Post! And... A Contest for NPIDA Dancers

This is my 200th post on the Pickett Line Blog since it's inception back in October 2009! I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of the NPIDA dancers and parents who have supported the blog and provided positive feedback, suggestions, and encouragement :) Special thanks to those parents who have generously shared their photos; particularly frequent contributors Cheryl, Connie, Nicole and Christine.

I hope that the blog is serving it's intended purpose, which is to keep all NPIDA families informed of the "goings-on" within our school, and to acknowledge and celebrate the big and small achievements of our fantastic dancers! (Are you checking the blog on a regular basis? Do you feel up to date about what's going on within NPIDA? Is there a topic you would like to see covered? Please leave me a comment...)

To celebrate this 200th post, we are having a contest for NPIDA dancers (no parents please! And yes, Hanna is exempt!) All correct entries to the quiz (below) will be entered into a drawing for a $25 iTunes gift card! One entry per dancer please. Hint: You will need to search the "Blog Post Labels" and/or the "Blog Archives" in order to narrow down the categories to find the correct answers to the quiz questions. Scroll down on the right below the little calendar. (Parents of very young dancers: your discretionary technical assistance is permitted on a limited as-needed basis!)

Please submit your answers by e-mail, NOT as a comment on the blog (so that other dancers can't read and copy your answers!) E-mail: pickettlineblogAThotmail.com (replace AT with @). The deadline to submit your quiz answers is Friday July 2. Ready? Go!

1. At the 2009 Oireachtas last November, which 5 NPIDA dancers qualified for the 2010 World Championships?

2. Which 2 NPIDA dancers performed in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics?

3. Which famous fashion designer hosted 7 senior Eire Born dancers and Coco at a performance in her New York City store during "Fashion's Night Out"?

4. Which Richmond NPIDA dancer is a highly accomplished pianist and has performed with the Vancouver Symphony?

5. What is the first name of Sara H's new baby, born on June 13/10?

6. Which 2 NPIDA dancers are the only Western Canadian dancers to win university scholarships from IDTANA (Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America) in 2009 and 2010?

7. In what country did Coco's wedding take place on June 9/10?

8. Which 3 NPIDA dancers all advanced to Open Championships on the same day, based on their results at the 2010 Penk O'Donnell Feis?

9. Which NPIDA parent should you contact to order a 2010 Ceili DVD?

10. What are the dates of the 2010 North American Championships, and in what city is it being held?

11. At the 2009 Oireachtas, in what age group did NPIDA have 7 dancers recall and place in the top 10?

12. Who is the current reigning Western Canadian Senior Ladies (21+) Champion?

13. Which 5 dancers were awarded the "Eire Born Participation Award" at the 2010 Ceili, for dancing in the most Eire Born shows this past year?

14. Which NPIDA senior dancer graduated from UBC last month, and what degree did she complete?

15. What magazine recently featured NPIDA/Eire Born in an article about the 2010 Olympics?

Buck Show - June 26

Thanks to these dancers who came out to perform at the Buck & Ear last night in Steveston!

Photos from Connie; thanks!

1. Left to right: Catalina G, Shannon G, Catharine A, Jadyn M, Morgan G, Lauren M, Mikaela P, and Nicole M.

2. Leila J.

3-7: Friends, backstage and outside the Buck!

Eire Born also performed at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver yesterday; parents; if you have any photos from those shows, please send them to me!

Little Pub Dancers

Thanks to these dancers (and their parents) who came through on short notice and committed to dancing at OHare's and the Buck & Ear last night, after hearing from Nora that the shows might have to be cancelled due to low sign-up of dancers.

THANK YOU Lauren N, Catalina G, Shannon G, Morgan G, Macaela B, Caitlin B, and our 3 newest little guest dancers: Emma B, Mckenna L, and Leila J! Extra thanks to Catalina, Lauren and Shannon for providing great team leadership last night, and as always, the Sound Guys (Pat and Vic).

Photo submitted by Christine B - thank you! Left to right: Shannon, Leila, Mckenna, Emma, Morgan and Caitlin.

More First Feis Success

NPIDA dancer Tomas M competed in his first feis last Sunday at the Stewart Feis. He won 5 medals in his solo dances, including three 1st-place medals. He also won 1st place in the Boys Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy Dance. Congratulations Tomas for doing so well at your first feis! Thanks to Cheryl G for this photo of Tomas on the podium.

More Sunday Photos from the Stewart Feis

Thanks to Cheryl once again for these photos, which were taken on Sunday at the Stewart Feis!

1. Lauren G and Krista R - this was the first feis for both of them. Lauren placed 6th in her Pre-Beginner Reel and 3rd in the U-9 Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy Dance. Krista won several solo medals including 1st place in the U-8 Beginner Single Jig, and also placed 4th in the U-9 Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy Dance.

2. Urvee M and her little sister. Urvee won 3 solo medals including 1st place in the U-8 Advanced Beginner Reel.

3. Mckenna L at her first feis. Mckenna won 5 medals (1sts, 2nds and 3rds) in all 5 of her solo dances, and won 1st place in the U-7 Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy Dance.

4. Josie S at her first feis. Josie placed 6th in her Pre-Beginner Reel, and 4th in the U-7 Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy Dance.

5. Alannah C won several solo medals including 1st in her Novice Hornpipe and 1st in her Prizewinner Light Jig. She then won 1st place out of 26 dancers in the U-10 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy Dance.

6. Leila J won several solo medals and placed 2nd in the U-7 Beginner Reel Trophy Dance.

7. Krista R and Amalie W: feis friends!

3 More Stewart Feis Photos

Here are 3 more of Cheryl's photos from Saturday at the Stewart Feis. Thanks Cheryl!

1. Jessi B: 2nd place in U-16 Prelim Championships! Jessi also won two 1st-place medals and one 2nd-place medal in her solo dances.

2. Camryn and Macaela: 2nd and 1st place in U-10 Open Championships! Macaela won two 1st-place solo medals; Camryn won one 1st-place medal and one 2nd-place solo medal.

3. Sisters: Cailtin and Macaela. Caitlin won 1st place in the U-10 Prelim/Open Treble Reel; Macaela placed 4th.

Stewart Feis Photos

Many thanks to Connie G, Claudia G, and Gillian S for submitting these photos from the Stewart Feis! Photo #1 is from Gillian; #2-10 are from Connie, and #11-13 are from Claudia. More photos from parents welcome!

1. (*Added Monday afternoon): Megan S with her 4 medals and trophy. She placed 2nd in the Advanced Beginner Light Jig Trophy for all ages.

2. Catharine A, Emma H, Aishlin H and Morgan G. All 4 of them placed in their Novice/Prizewinner Trophy dances! Catharine and Morgan also placed 4th in the U-11 Open 2-Hand; their first time doing a figure dance in competition!

3. First Feis dancers Mckenna and Holly. Mckenna won 1st place in the U-7 Pre-Beginner Reel Trophy dance.

4. Gemma C, Alannah C and Jenny M. Alannah won 1st place out of 26 dancers in the U-10 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy dance.

5. Sisters Halle and Lauren N with Leila J. Lauren won 1st place in the 12+ Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel. Leila placed 2nd in the U-7 Beginner Reel Trophy dance.

6. Sisters Morgan and Shannon G with Leila J.

7. Julia M wearing her beautiful new solo dress.

8. Courtney with Halle and Morgan. Halle won several solo medals including 1sts in both her Advanced Beginner Treble Jig and Traditional Set. Morgan also won several solo medals and placed 3rd in the U-10 Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy dance.

9. Shannon and Leila.

10. Back Row: Emma, Catharine, Aishlin and Morgan. Front Row: Alannah and Jenny.

11. Catalina G with her 4th place Treble Reel trophy.

12. Mackenzie C and Catalina.

13. Catalina, Camryn C, Jessie H and Mackenzie with their Championship and Treble Reel trophies on Saturday.

Stewart Feis Results: Sunday

NPIDA Pre-Beginner to Prizewinner dancers had an excellent day at the Stewart Feis! In addition to lots of solo dance medals, here are the trophy results:

Pre-Beginner Reel Trophies

Mckenna L: 1st in U-7

Cara B: 2nd in U-7

Josephine S: 4th in U-7

Kyla F: 6th in U-7

Lauren G: 3rd in U-9

Krista R: 4th in U-9

Tomas M: 1st in Boys

Beginner Reel Trophies

Leila J: 2nd in U-7

Georgia G: 5th in U-11

Advanced Beginner Light Jig Trophy, all ages

Megan S: 2nd

Novice Light Jig Trophy, all ages

Mary M: 3rd

Catharine A: 4th

Emma H: 5th

Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophies

Alannah C: 1st in U-10

Morgan G: 3rd in U-10

Alison I: 4th in U-11

Nicole (Nikki) L: 1st in 13+

Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel Trophies

Aishlin H: 2nd in U-8

Emma H: 5th in U-10

Meghan L: 5th in U-12

Lauren N: 1st in 12+

Congratulations to all of our dancers today for their many successes! Parents; please submit your Stewart Feis photos!

Cheryl's Photos: Stewart Feis (Saturday)

Cheryl G has kindly submitted a few of her Stewart Feis photos, taken yesterday during the Prelim and Open Championships. Thanks Cheryl! Good luck to all the dancers today, and Happy Father's Day to all the NPIDA dads!

Photos:

1. NPIDA Championship dancers waiting for results. Back row: Alex, Cara, Gemma, Shannon, Jessie, Macaela, Catalina and Mackenzie. Front row: Lauren, Caitlin, Camryn, Jadyn and Jayne.

2. Michael and Margaret. Michael won 3 solo medals and placed 2nd overall in U-20 Open Championships; Margaret won a 3rd-place medal in her Prelim 18+ Set Dance.

3. Jessie won 3 solo medals and placed 4th overall in U-10 Prelim Championships. Happy 10th birthday!

4. Anna Z, Catalina, Mackenzie and Nicole. Anna won 2 solo medals in U-14 Prelim Championships, and placed 5th in the 12+ Prelim Slip Jig Trophy dance. In the U-16 Prelim/Open Treble Reel, Catalina placed 4th and Mackenzie placed 5th. Nicole won 2 solo medals and placed 4th overall in U-14 Prelim Championships.

5. Mackenzie won 1st place in her Soft Shoe dance and placed 5th overall in U-14 Open Championships.

6. Last week I posted photos that Connie took of our Richmond dancers who are going to the North American Championships in July. Cheryl took this photo yesterday of our North Van dancers who are going. Left to right: Stephanie, Cara, Alex, Jayne, Mackenzie and Camryn.

Championship Results from the Stewart Feis

Congratulations to all the NPIDA Prelim and Open dancers who competed at the Stewart Feis today! Here are their results:

Prelim U-10
Jessie H: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Hard Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 4th overall.
Jadyn M: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Set Dance.

Prelim U-12
Cara J: 5th overall.
Gemma K: 3rd in Set Dance.

Prelim U-14
Nicole M: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 4th overall
Anna Z: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 5th in Set Dance. 5th in 12+ Prelim Slip Jig Trophy.
Shelby R: 3rd in Set Dance.

Prelim U-16
Jessi B: 1st in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 2nd overall.

Prelim U-18
Alex W: 4th in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Hard Shoe, 2nd in Set Dance, 2nd overall.

Prelim 18+
Margaret E: 3rd in Set Dance.

Open U-10
Macaela B: 1st in Soft Shoe, 1st in Hard Shoe, 1st overall. 4th in U-10 Prelim/Open Treble Reel.
Camryn C: 2nd in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 2nd overall.
Caitlin B: 2nd in Soft Shoe. 1st in U-10 Prelim/Open Treble Reel.

Open U-12
Lauren M: 3rd in Soft Shoe, 3rd in Hard Shoe, 1st in Set Dance, 3rd overall.
Shannon G: 2nd in Hard Shoe.

Open U-14
Mackenzie C: 1st in Soft Shoe, 5th overall. 5th in U-16 Prelim/Open Treble Reel.
Catalina G: 4th in U-16 Prelim/Open Treble Reel

Open U-20
Michael Y: 2nd in Soft Shoe, 2nd in Hard Shoe, 4th in Set Dance, 2nd overall. 6th in 16+ Prelim/Open Treble Reel; 2nd in Boys Prelim/Open Hornpipe Special.

Good Luck at the Stewart Feis!

Good luck to everyone dancing at the Stewart Feis this weekend! NPIDA has a whopping 74 dancers registered for this feis! A full listing of today's Championship results and tomorrow's Pre-Beginner to Prizewinner Trophy Dance results will be posted as soon as they are available on feisworx. Parents, please submit your feis photos via e-mail for the blog! pickettlineblogAThotmail.com (replace AT with @).

Ceili DVD's - Have You Ordered Yours?

Cheryl G will be creating a 2-disc set of 2010 Ceili DVD's this summer, as she has for the past several years. Don't miss your chance to purchase a copy! The DVD set will contain all the performances from the 11th annual NPIDA Ceili which was held in April at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.

If you don't have an order form, you need to obtain one from Cheryl. Please e-mail her to request a form, at cgaldertATshaw.ca (replace "AT" with "@"). Cheryl will send you a form, which you then can mail to her. Her home address is on the form. Please enclose your cheque for $15 (payable to Cheryl) with your order form.

Cheryl will not be burning additional copies of the Ceili DVD later in the year, so don't miss this final opportunity to order yours now!

It's a Girl for Sara!

We are delighted to announce that NPIDA dancer Sara H and her husband Ian P are the proud parents of a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Lily George P. Lily was born on Sunday June 13, weighing 7lbs 13oz. Sara says that Lily arrived "after 1 hour and 9 minutes of labour, only 24 minutes of which were spent at the hospital!" Older brother Lewis is happy and excited about his new baby sister. Sara can't wait to get Lily dancing and dressing her in "cute girly clothes".

Congratulations Sara and Ian!

Photos submitted by Sara.

Eire Born Shows: June-July

Eire Born dancers - have you checked the show schedule lately on the NPIDA website ? There are quite a few shows upcoming in June and July; please view the schedule and sign up for any shows that you may be available for.

Here are some of the scheduled performances:

Saturday June 19: Arts Connection 20th Anniversary Celebration at Gateway Theatre.

Friday June 25: O'Hare's Pub and Buck & Ear Pub.

Saturday June 26: Lonsdale Quay and Buck & Ear Pub.

Thursday July 1 (Canada Day): Buck & Ear Pub.

Saturday July 10: Vancouver Diamond Lions Club Gala for Richmond Hospital, at the Vancouver Four Seasons Hotel.

Friday July 30: Kitsilano Showboat.

Saturday July 31: Point Roberts Arts and Music Festival.

Photo: Senior Richmond Eire Born dancers, March 17 2010.

Richmond NAN's Dancers

The Richmond NPIDA dancers who are going to Orlando for the 2010 North American Championships next month had their photo taken yesterday outside the ballroom (soon to appear in the local paper). Thanks to Connie G for these beautiful shots! Hopefully we will also see some similar photos of our North Vancouver NAN'S dancers.

Back row, left to right: Nicole, Natalie, Michael, Catalina, Jessica and Courtney.

Front row, left to right: Jadyn, Jessie, Lauren, Shannon, Macaela and Caitlin.