Competitions (feiseanna in Irish) and performances have been an intrinsic part of Irish dance culture for centuries. And of course we are happy to continue this tradition in Belgium.

We usually perform at the request of external organisations that want to exhibit or see Irish dance for various reasons. Every few years there is also a very own dance show, in which we provide a full evening programme. Our three previous shows, Aithne, An Irish Folk Night and Tara Hill were sold out.

 

Performances

Of course, performances are never compulsory for dancers and dancers. And, of course, you always choose which performances you will or will not participate in. However, it is often possible to take part as early as the first dance year. But of course we depend a bit on the question here.
We mainly perform to finance all kinds of necessary costs. But it can also relieve distant and expensive trips. Of course, performing is also just a lot of fun. Performing can be stressful, but rehearsals, group dancing, the atmosphere backstage, the pride and the teamwork make it all unique experiences.

 

Competitions (feiseanna)

Feiseanna are of course never mandatory. At these competitions you can participate in different categories. By far the best known category is that of solo dances. Every dancer or dancer within an age group dances his or her solo dances. If you win a certain dance, you may not perform it in your current level, but you have to raise one level. This often means a whole bookkeeping process, but here the dance teachers like to help you keep track of everything.
You can also participate in the ceili-competition. In that case you will perform traditional group dances as a group of two to sixteen dancers. The least known category is that of choreographies and stage dances. In that case, group dances will be performed that have been created by the teachers of different dance schools. Each category can bring you to the world championships.
Feiseanna always requires quite some rehearsal and preparation, but they are an enormously instructive and pleasant addition. However, there are no feiseanna organised in Belgium, so there’s always a bit of traveling involved, for example to the Netherlands, Germany, France or even Ireland. These stressful weekends abroad always strengthen the mutual bond enormously and are also just as much fun.

 

Dance organisation

The Irish dance world has become fragmented into four major organisations, each of which has its own competitions and world championships. Taradance is a member of An Comhdhail. This Irish organisation is smaller than its more well-known counterpart An Coimisiun, but is more accessible and does not exclude other organisations. For example, our feiseanna is usually part of another organisation called WIDA.