McGough Feis Recap
Unfortunately I was not able to make the inaugural McGough Feis last year due to an overseas work trip, but I was very happy to be able to attend it this year, considering how close to home it is. It was a very close call, though - I very nearly had yet another work trip abroad scheduled. While I love traveling (it's the main perk of my job), I was starting to think the rest of the world was conspiring against me!
Thankfully, I was able to make it, and had a good time!
Venue
This feis was supposed to be held at a high school in Yonkers, which would have been a very easy trip on the subway, plus a short cab ride. Unfortunately, for some reason the feis had to be moved to a different high school further north in White Plains - a slightly longer trip via Metro North, but not altogether horrible. I ended up running into another dancer at the train station and sharing a cab, so things happened to work out fortuitously for the both of us!
The school was a pretty decent venue. Championship competitions were split between the downstairs cafeteria and the auditorium, with grades in the upstairs gymnasium. Despite the typical noise problems that can come with gymnasium competitions, it was actually great since the school had pulled out bleachers for seating. This led to a lot less camping on the floor, and a great view to watch all the other dancers.
The feis thankfully happened to be on an absolutely beautiful day, and they were able to have awards outside in front of the school (more on that in the awards section).
Competitions
Kudos to the McGough school for having a good amount of competitions! Considering the amount of schools with adult dancers in the greater NYC region, I've never understood why more feiseanna in the area don't offer adult competitions. If you list it, we will come!
This feis offered an adult championship, which got great numbers (as per usual in this area). For solos, they added on hardshoe solos after the fact due to a bunch of people asking (and great advocates within the school). There were no grades splits in solos, but it felt wonderfully competitive with at least 5 dancers in each competition (8 in reel, 5 in treble jig, and 10 in trad set!).
Unfortunately for me, this feis was not my best (and the start of a long funk for me competition-wise). I started getting shin splints halfway through the championship competition, and consequently didn't do great (i.e. no placement). I managed to rally for solos, placing in everything at least, which felt good considering my poorer performance earlier, and the high level of competition.
Awards
The championship awards were held outside on the front entrance to the school. They ended up having to rotate the podium later in the day due to the sun, but at least in the morning, it was a beautifully tree-lined backdrop!
They awarded individual rounds for championships with medals, as well as overall trophies and sashes (as can be seen in the photo).
For adult solos, we also got medals, on lovely pink ribbons, which is such a nice change from the traditional green and white ribbons!
Overall, I really enjoyed this feis - great competitors, great availability, and relatively easy location to get to (even after the change). I was really sad that they moved the location of this year's feis to Pennsylvania, since the arrangements for it would have been more involved and convoluted. My hope for the future is that they move it back to New York, and also that they settle on a permanent date - it's so hard to plan for the future when it keeps moving around!
(Finally, I have gotten so delayed with this blog it isn't funny, but at least it wasn't a full year before I got this published!)
Thankfully, I was able to make it, and had a good time!
Venue
This feis was supposed to be held at a high school in Yonkers, which would have been a very easy trip on the subway, plus a short cab ride. Unfortunately, for some reason the feis had to be moved to a different high school further north in White Plains - a slightly longer trip via Metro North, but not altogether horrible. I ended up running into another dancer at the train station and sharing a cab, so things happened to work out fortuitously for the both of us!
The school was a pretty decent venue. Championship competitions were split between the downstairs cafeteria and the auditorium, with grades in the upstairs gymnasium. Despite the typical noise problems that can come with gymnasium competitions, it was actually great since the school had pulled out bleachers for seating. This led to a lot less camping on the floor, and a great view to watch all the other dancers.
The feis thankfully happened to be on an absolutely beautiful day, and they were able to have awards outside in front of the school (more on that in the awards section).
Competitions
Kudos to the McGough school for having a good amount of competitions! Considering the amount of schools with adult dancers in the greater NYC region, I've never understood why more feiseanna in the area don't offer adult competitions. If you list it, we will come!
This feis offered an adult championship, which got great numbers (as per usual in this area). For solos, they added on hardshoe solos after the fact due to a bunch of people asking (and great advocates within the school). There were no grades splits in solos, but it felt wonderfully competitive with at least 5 dancers in each competition (8 in reel, 5 in treble jig, and 10 in trad set!).
Unfortunately for me, this feis was not my best (and the start of a long funk for me competition-wise). I started getting shin splints halfway through the championship competition, and consequently didn't do great (i.e. no placement). I managed to rally for solos, placing in everything at least, which felt good considering my poorer performance earlier, and the high level of competition.
Awards
The championship awards were held outside on the front entrance to the school. They ended up having to rotate the podium later in the day due to the sun, but at least in the morning, it was a beautifully tree-lined backdrop!
All of the adult championship competitors, via Facebook
They awarded individual rounds for championships with medals, as well as overall trophies and sashes (as can be seen in the photo).
For adult solos, we also got medals, on lovely pink ribbons, which is such a nice change from the traditional green and white ribbons!
Overall, I really enjoyed this feis - great competitors, great availability, and relatively easy location to get to (even after the change). I was really sad that they moved the location of this year's feis to Pennsylvania, since the arrangements for it would have been more involved and convoluted. My hope for the future is that they move it back to New York, and also that they settle on a permanent date - it's so hard to plan for the future when it keeps moving around!
(Finally, I have gotten so delayed with this blog it isn't funny, but at least it wasn't a full year before I got this published!)
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