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• I really think it depends on his age. A year is not a long time, in the grand scheme of things, to be in prelim. It also represents the biggest comps he is likely to ever be in again... -- mom 2, 19:23:46 08/30/07 Thu
• I feel pretty srongly on this one... -- Irishmama, 19:56:18 08/30/07 Thu
  • Wrote above message when tired-yikes, where was my spellcheck??? (NT) -- Irishmama, 04:33:54 08/31/07 Fri
  • I agree - Let him fix what he needs to and move on when he wins. There is no reason to push up if he isn't getting the firsts (or even seconds). Why push? (NT) -- i have 2 boys, 08:10:20 08/31/07 Fri
• I believe that is is a clear violation of existing rules ( more ) -- boys do have it much easier, 05:17:08 08/31/07 Fri
  • Obviously written by a disgruntled parent of a female dancer. Here in the UK the boys dance against the girls in most competitions, even open championships. You have to look at what is best for your son. Does he have the confidence to move up. I take it that the open championships he will compete in are for boys only. Sometimes boys improve immensley by getting lots of confidence by placing in slightly smaller competitions. Keeping him in the PC might be detrimental to his progression as a dancer. I am sure your teacher will advise. My son won through all the different grades competing against girls. He continually danced against the girls winning many competitions very justly. (NT) -- Take your teachers advice., 05:28:58 08/31/07 Fri
    • It's very clear that the boys and boys and parents of them support each other. We'd all like to keep them dancing, and generally the comraderie is great. No one looking to take the easy way or step on toes. (NT) -- Refreshing, 07:42:38 08/31/07 Fri
  • Don't know where u dance but you are making some sweeping statements that just are not true. (mroe inside) -- Western Region Mom, 08:04:35 08/31/07 Fri
  • TC's have discretion in moving up a dancer of either gender. (NT) -- just depends, 14:58:55 10/06/07 Sat
• I have a PC ds who has 4 first this year but all with less than 5 competitors so TCRG has said no moving up for him. (NT) -- desperately seeking 5 or more, 07:11:48 08/31/07 Fri
  • So, if you really believe that a lot of judges give boys a "by" in judging, -- Irishmama, 08:32:34 08/31/07 Fri
• My DS spent a few years in PC. When he finally earned his 2 first places, they were at 2 feis in a row. I believe he had just figured out all the bits, feet out, etc. Even then, his teacher wasn't thrilled with him moving up to OC; they are much smaller comps and the comp is very competitive. I also get a bit tired of the "boys have it easy". I took a poll of the girls in his age group, as to how long it took them to move from PC to OC. Guess what? All the girls moved up in the exact same amount of time as my son. So, I think that really negates the "boys have it easy" because wouldn't he have sailed through PC in a year, if that was really true? My 2 cents. (NT) -- mom of DS, 13:05:45 08/31/07 Fri
• Thanks,everyone, for your input. Your reply, Irishmama , was so lovely and reminded me how we mommies of boys must stick together. My son works really hard and I'm sure his firsts will come with time. He wouldn't be comfortable winning any other way. (NT) -- just curious, 14:17:06 08/31/07 Fri
• Interesting reading so far .. Maybe sometimes we think that boys get it easy because they don't have to wear a wig or a stiff hot dress...lol... but then again, boys get a lot of grief from 'non dancing makes' outside of dance... so it probably all evens out in the long run. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 20:57:56 08/31/07 Fri
• He'll get those 1st and he'll be all the more happy. Resist the TC and keep him where he's at. -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 18:19:14 09/01/07 Sat
• Moving to OC vs. staying in PC...more inside -- ID Dad, 09:41:37 09/03/07 Mon
  • We live in the MW also, and our TC really prefers not to move boys directly to OC -- Irishmama, 18:59:17 09/03/07 Mon
    • I don't necessarily agree with our TCRG's position, that's just what we were told. -- ID Dad, 20:11:24 09/03/07 Mon
  • This is going to be a very naiive question, but don't boys always compete with the girls? They do in our area except for the Oireachtas and majors. It didn't occur to me that they didn't. (NT) -- curious, 07:55:59 09/05/07 Wed
    • In the US Midwest region boys do not compete with girls at the OC level. They do, however, compete together at PC. As the OP mentioned and has been discussed, some TCRGs prefer their boy dancers to skip PC and go straight into OC. (NT) -- ID Dad, 11:50:58 09/05/07 Wed
• I have two dancing sons and both recieved their firsts in prelim before moving up. I would highliy recommend waiting until he gets those firsts. The boys in open are very good and the competition is tough. (NT) -- my opinion, 23:54:08 09/04/07 Tue
• most boys still wait until 2nd 1st in prelim, some schools make all prelim wait till next new year after the 2nd. My son moved up after 2nd 1st place. He had to work hard for it. Took a while. But boy was he happy. Also, he looked like he belonged w/the boys in Open, although still needed a lot of work. Now, 1yr later, he's right in the action. (NT) -- usa ct mom, 00:51:44 09/16/07 Sun

• Really? we just septembers! It was Tyler Schwartz-seen him dance-great! it was great to read more about him. (NT) -- love the man of the month!, 18:49:38 09/28/07 Fri
• 6 Worlds in a row!!!!!!! Congratulations to him and his teachers (NT) -- gh, 14:55:56 10/04/07 Thu

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• Thanks Tallagirl... anyone know anything about Worlds being held in USA in 2009 as well? Just heard about it today..anyone know where or where would be most likely? (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 02:57:37 09/02/07 Sun
  • I believe its Philadelphia although I heard it was up in the air regarding venue there. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 05:06:02 09/02/07 Sun
    • Ohh that would be cool cause I have friends there! We had heard that Chicago and New York were also in the running...and I have friends in both of them too...lol -- Lee in Darwin, 19:43:12 09/02/07 Sun
    • I had heard it was to be held at the Kimmel Center in Phila. Maybe call them since reservation would have already been made. It's an amazing venue and would have been booked well in advance. (NT) -- Love Philadelphia!!!, 21:09:21 09/06/07 Thu
    • From the CLRG website - The following venues will host upcoming Oireachtaisi - subject to contracts. INEC - Killarney = All Ireland 08, 09, 10. The Waterfront Theatre, Belfast = World 2008 Philidelphia, USA, = World 2009 Glasgow, Scotland, = World 2010 - http://www.clrg.ie/english/preview.php?src=18 (NT) -- Go to the source, 08:02:30 10/04/07 Thu

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• Look at last year's results on feisworx. U13 had 5 competitors last year, but you never know who else will show up. Have your TC check for you closer to the event or they may publish (on-line) the competitor counts after the entry deadline. (NT) -- WR mom of ds/dd, 23:09:22 10/01/07 Mon

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• I meant FUNNY---sorry (NT) -- me, 09:21:16 09/29/07 Sat
• We've had great luck in the girls and now juniors departments. (NT) -- bc, 13:05:51 09/29/07 Sat
• Well, cute name anyway, your post caught my eye! (NT) -- :o)), 19:14:07 09/29/07 Sat
• I sell flat front pants, have some in stock what size are you looking for? e-mail me at reelfunds@aol.com (NT) -- reelfunds@aol.com, 18:58:23 10/01/07 Mon

• This seems a little obsessive to me IMHO. Let your ds do what he wants ( more ) -- all I can say is wow, 15:42:33 09/14/07 Fri
  • I disagree with you. My dancer has been cross-training in various ways to improve irish dance, this is no different. (more inside) -- just a thought -- positive thinker here, 21:50:59 09/15/07 Sat
    • sometimes with the weight training as the neck and upper back start to bulk up the shoulders start to 'drop' and they look a little round shouldered so I know what he is trying to say... although personally, I like a broad shouldered man in vest - very classy!..just have to learn how to stand with his shoulders more squared I guess. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 23:35:58 09/16/07 Sun
• It's unfortunate that you chose to give your opinion in such a patronizing way. Hopefully that will be an exception on this otherwise friendly, helpful board. (NT) -- but thanks anyway, 16:53:13 09/14/07 Fri
• My son does not wear vests because they make him look heavy. (NT) -- Mom, 11:51:44 09/23/07 Sun

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• I found this link - lots of different options: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/TieKnots/tieknots.tem (NT) -- WR mom/dancer, 21:00:53 09/09/07 Sun
  • Thank you but I saw a boy with a wider knot and none of them look like it - hmmm I will send the link to the TC though! -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 23:25:43 09/09/07 Sun
• I might be wrong but I thought wider knots came from the tie itself being wider at the point where it ties... been a long time since I had to tie one too..lol (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 05:09:53 09/10/07 Mon
• I think it might be a double windsor so you might do a search for that. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 06:52:25 09/10/07 Mon
  • I think I have a regular Windsor on it now. Thank you all for the wonderful links - he loves his new tie and the "wide knot" was a new thing from TC (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 11:12:12 09/10/07 Mon
• Here is a good site "www.tie-a-tie.net" It walks you though each knot (NT) -- I use it, 10:39:44 09/10/07 Mon
  • great site! (NT) -- thanks for sharing, 11:44:35 09/10/07 Mon
• If you use a men's tie instead of a boy's tie, it has no choice but to end up wider. You'll have to stick the ends into his slacks but it gives you so many more tie options! (NT) -- mom of ds, 11:15:21 09/10/07 Mon
  • Oh he's in Men's medium shirts and has had the men's ties for almost two years now - tall boyo - (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 12:29:23 09/11/07 Tue
    • And when those get too short, you can always go to the tall men's store for extra long ties (NT) -- mom of 6'5" teenager, 17:42:23 09/17/07 Mon
      • OMG don't scare me like that! I remember doing that height estimator thing for him and he was estimated to be 6'6" - yikes! (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 22:17:41 09/18/07 Tue

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• My son is also starting middle school this year. He keeps what he does to himself, but typically when his friends see what he can do, they think that is so cool. Especially the boy to girl ratio! (NT) -- best of luck, 12:12:55 08/07/07 Tue
• Unless he's danced at his elementary school those kids would be the only ones who know. Tell him not to worry, he may be thinking a lot about it but the other kids won't be...and if asked (NT) -- think of clever response, 15:37:44 08/07/07 Tue
• My son is 15 (from U.S.). All the kids at his school are amazed at how he dances. He actually gets paid by his friends to dance at school - not right I know, but they actually pay him!! (NT) -- He is very proud!, 16:23:49 08/07/07 Tue
• Good question, Our experience inside... -- UK mum, 05:12:36 08/08/07 Wed
  • WOW that is fabulous. Great farsighted teacher too. Definately something to keep in mind for when the time comes for my son to move on to middle school too. Thanks! (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 06:01:25 08/08/07 Wed
• DS in high school dances and plays all sports with no problem. His linemen buddies come to watch him and think he is amazing. Do not hide what you do as it can create a problem when there was no problem to begin with. If son was dancing ballet could be a little different. (NT) -- Good Luck in Middle School., 07:58:14 08/08/07 Wed
• Our DS started dance @ 13. Did fabulously, but @ 14 non-dancing, "jock" friend started razzing him & he wanted to quit. We wouldn't allow it--told him to stick it out for 1 year. (Also pointed out that many pro-ball players take ballet for agility, and that his "friend" could no way do what our DS did). Within 1 year, he realized how "cool" it had become and that all the girls flocked around him @ events & non-dancing girls all thought it was cool that he danced. Decided it was pretty cool after all, and no longer worried about others' uneducated opinions. More inside... -- :-), 08:18:41 08/08/07 Wed
• Girls will flock to him! (NT) -- it's just a guy thing, 15:49:04 08/08/07 Wed
• My son is going into 7th this year and hasn't had any problems that I know about. Most of his friends knows he dances and I know that last year one of his teachers had him dance in class one day. So far, so good. (NT) -- Understand your concern, 22:16:26 08/08/07 Wed
• I have to agree with the above posters - my son is going into high school, and overall his dancing has earned him respect and honor from his schoolmates - middle school was no different. the image of Irish dancing, especially for boys, has been greatly enhanced by LOTD, Riverdance, and Michael Flatley - Tell your son to (NT) -- hold his head proud and enjoy!, 05:23:42 08/09/07 Thu
  • I really believe that dancing, since it was something my son has done independently from the "school" crowd and sports teams, (he does a few of those as well), has made him more confident to step up and try new things in general. He is def. not.... (NT) -- ...a follower., 11:58:02 08/09/07 Thu
• won't he be in middle school with many of same chaps as was in his elementary school? don't they already know of his extracurricular activity? shouldn't be a problem (NT) -- good luck, 05:18:51 08/11/07 Sat
• Sons high school football coach said ID has helped turn him into star football player. Best kicker in the school. (NT) -- keep on dancing, 12:10:52 08/12/07 Sun
• I don't think peers laugh at the dancing talent and ability, it's if they perceive a boy dancer is tied to mommy's apron strings and the flashy tight costumes that bring on the teasing. Middle schoolers are very harsh on their peers. (NT) -- sad but true, 15:12:07 08/12/07 Sun
• We also have a 15 y.o. son who dances in the US. His experience has been very positive in middle and high school so far. He also has a great group of similar-aged boys to train with, which has helped quite a bit. (NT) -- good luck to your son, 15:42:49 08/12/07 Sun
• My ds started middle school at a brand new school last year & he was worried. Turned out the kids were mostly great and seemed interested and positive. Early on one boy said something kind of snotty/rude about dance but the brother of a girl dancer said "what's wrong with dance?" and that put an end to it. Good luck - we'll be thinking good thoughts! (NT) -- MW mom, 12:22:11 08/31/07 Fri
• Here in Eastern Ontario, our school hasn't been able to keep any boys into their teens. (NT) -- Denise (Hockey's too popular!), 10:45:17 09/13/07 Thu
• Currently boy of 16, had difficulty in Middle school w/boys in grade, teasing/calling him names. Unfortunately it is a possibility. However, we supported our dancer, told him he needed to be happy with himself, everyone else was secondary, even though it hurt. He even had comments from Principle "if you are going to dance, you should expect this type of thing", Currently in high school, World Qualifier x2 yrs, still dances ballet/tapp/jazz/irish, most of the guys who gave him trouble think its "cool" and wish him well. others still give him a little trouble, but he is proud of himself and has given speaches about "Being true to yourself against pier pressure" to kids. (NT) -- usa NE, 01:01:14 09/16/07 Sun

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• I don't think it matters. My pc DS has always had square toes since that's usually what's more available. I just ordered his last pair direct from Rutherford - I'd call them to hear what they think. (NT) -- WR mom, 20:28:17 09/10/07 Mon
  • My son always had rounded toes. Don't need squared off as they dont do toe stands. (NT) -- Proud mother., 05:30:46 09/11/07 Tue
• My ds has a toe stand in one of his steps (not a girly walk, just a stand followed by a bang). He prefers the squared tip, but says it really doesn't matter either way. (NT) -- dancer mom, 06:21:24 09/11/07 Tue
• I get the shaved tips just because you have to wait with Rutherford if you want rounded. The shaved tips makes no difference and it's actually pretty small, so I don't really even notice the difference anymore. (NT) -- --, 20:33:48 09/11/07 Tue
• Resale is easier with shaved tips and really doesn't make a difference with dancing. (NT) -- No name, 05:39:16 09/12/07 Wed
• It really depends on how the vendors stock. If they have Rutherfords with rounded toes, go for those immediately; if they have square ones and it's urgent, square's just as good. I have Ruthers with the toe-pieces squared off, and I've found them easier to dance in because I have toework in my dances, so it makes things a lot easier. (NT) -- Ealain, 09:03:00 09/13/07 Thu

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• sorry this should have been below (NT) -- Momof3IDs, 09:26:05 08/31/07 Fri
• Actually I was being honest and am a male dancer (NT) -- sorry you go so excited, 16:44:29 09/02/07 Sun
  • You think that comment sounds like I was excited? Actually I was calm as could be writing it. As I stated in the first sentence you were trying to yank our chains. Not that you were successful. I only capitalized the words at the end to emphasize my point that Irish dance is subjective. There really is very little concrete criteria from judge to judge. So to make a blanket statement that all male dancers have it easier is wrong. (NT) -- No name, 13:28:46 09/05/07 Wed
    • Sorry. Forgot my name (NT) -- Momof 3IDs, 13:30:14 09/05/07 Wed
• As a male dancer, my experience is that they have a tendency to look at you more (NT) -- Everyone has their style, 11:41:56 09/11/07 Tue

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• did you hear what the commentators said aobut hteir performance... lol.. funny thinig is both Mick and Nicola actually dance with Riverdance... lol. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 18:50:05 09/03/07 Mon
• lol... did you listen to the commentators comments? ..funnily enough, both Nicola and Mick dance with Riverdance, so 'young and needing experience' is not what springs to mind.. lol. -- Lee in Darwin, 18:59:19 09/03/07 Mon
• hmm, that was weird - how did it reply twice and with different words.... twilight zone??? (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 19:00:42 09/03/07 Mon
  • According to my sister in Ireland the UK judges lambasted them and yet they still came 3rd. They also said that you could tell they were ID'ers as their upper bodies were stiff (this was Ballroom after all). (NT) -- Tallagirl, 03:52:35 09/04/07 Tue

• I am SO not looking forward to it. It means getting up an hour earlier for work, the insanity of evenings with homework, classes, and still getting him and myself to bed at a reasonable hour. It will be OK after a few weeks but the beginning of the year is a killer! He is ready to get back into a routine and to see all his buddies. (NT) -- Irishmama, 05:22:59 08/16/07 Thu
• I'm very much looking forward to school starting again, this is the first summer I didn't sleep in till noon so getting up and about for me is a cinch. (NT) -- missing friends too, 06:21:32 08/16/07 Thu
• Girls both started volleyball already -- ready or not, 17:03:31 08/16/07 Thu
• Mine are bored. There's only so much to do. When we were kids we left in the a.m. and found our own fun and didn't come back till dinner. Today, kids seem like they need to be taken to the fun which cost $$. (NT) -- ready for school and cleaner house, 06:24:01 08/18/07 Sat
• Mixed emotions - glad to be back on a regular schedule, but not looking forward to the the early mornings and high school stress... (NT) -- not to mention the six days a week of being a dance chauffeur, 12:32:32 08/18/07 Sat
  • goodness me - 6 days of dancing a week. (NT) -- wow, 15:44:51 08/18/07 Sat
    • Unfortunately, my son and daughter are at different levels and don't share a single day of dance class. (NT) -- Racking up those freeway miles, 16:35:32 08/18/07 Sat
      • It's a pity we don't get "freeway miles" like airmiles that we could cash in for feis hotels. We would all be so much richer. (NT) -- Broke, 18:42:35 08/18/07 Sat
      • I am SO with you - we have 5 days a week but only because my daughter and son overlap classes on 3 days. Thank goodness for small favors. (NT) -- Driving My Dancers. . . ., 14:25:26 08/24/07 Fri
• My two had dance all summer (2/week) while we weren't on vacation but I'm looking forward to school and a routine -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 17:49:00 08/26/07 Sun

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• Please do not worry about what your actual score is. Adjudicators mark completely differently. In a beginners competition I will start around low 60's to mid 70's. Primary grade would be similar, Intermediate level would be mid 70's to 80's and open championship would be mid 80's and above though if the competition was large could even mark down to 70's to get a spread of results. Look more at the difference between your marks and those of the person that wins and also look carefully at the comments to see where you can improve. Some adjudicators ( a rare few) don't mark above mid 70's. (NT) -- UK ADCRG, 00:53:18 08/22/07 Wed
• Well if what is important is the difference in scores between competitors then ... (NT) -- I was mauled by a pack of over 15 year old girls oh well, 12:11:34 08/24/07 Fri

• My son used to wear a black shirt(not satin) and a black vest with a white tie. Looked very smart. (NT) -- Several boys still have this look., 00:44:23 08/16/07 Thu
• I saw a lot of white ties at Nationals and they looked great. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 04:12:29 08/16/07 Thu
• Personally, I really like the sound of that combination. It would make him look quite distinct and distinguished on stage. :] In my experience, if you wear a white tie *and* white vest, go for a black shirt. All white above the border and black below is just ... *blinks* Tell him that he'll look great, because he will. :] (NT) -- Ealain, 05:04:15 08/16/07 Thu
  • My son is wearing a white satiny shirt and a black vest with a design on it. He adds a red tie and it looks great! I love white and black-very classy. (NT) -- Irishmama, 05:20:12 08/16/07 Thu
• I think I saw a white vest in the U16 Nationals comp in Canada and the boy had placed - he was on the podium. I can't remember the tie color. See if you can find the link and look at boys U16. (NT) -- I like the white vest, white tie idea., 13:55:14 08/16/07 Thu
• Oops I thought it said satin skirt at first (NT) -- old eyes, 17:06:31 08/16/07 Thu
• No, a white vest would be too much. I love the way black shirts, black vests and white ties look together. My son used to have that combo and I loved it. (NT) -- Mom, 18:14:10 08/17/07 Fri
• IMHO, I don't like white ties on anyone especially on a black shirt (black vest is okay). I know my fashion sense isn't up to par, but I like colored ties/shirts better with black. (NT) -- Mom of DS (royal blue w/black), 17:20:12 08/22/07 Wed

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• Wow! That's some incredible dancing, I've never seen him before so thanks for sharing. Hard to believe he started at age 12 isn't it? (NT) -- bb, 08:12:56 08/04/07 Sat
  • Owen is a great role model for my son who is in OC and has been soooo close to qualifig for Worlds, but just missed it last year. He loves to watch him. It helps him to work harder. (NT) -- Irishmama, 17:45:47 08/06/07 Mon
• Thanks, nice to see boys getting some attention. (NT) -- Mom to dancing son., 18:10:33 08/04/07 Sat
• Anyone know how I can save that to my hard drive so I can show it at class? It would be such an inspiration to the boys. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 00:52:24 08/05/07 Sun
  • That's a great idea! Sorry,, I don't know besides taking in a laptop. (NT) -- not computer savvy, 07:48:13 08/05/07 Sun
  • Lee, I think Owen will be geting a copy of the video from the reporters. -- Owen's mom, 12:47:34 08/05/07 Sun
    • That would be fabulous!! Please do let us know if he does. Ohhh that break sounds painful. My DD broke two bones in her foot last year and spent nine weeks in plaster... I think she thought it was going to kill her to not be able to dance for 16 weeks! But she got there in the end...almost back to full strength now 18 mths later. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 06:03:23 08/06/07 Mon
      • Your dancer is an inspiration to anyone who has to take time off, just knowing she was able to make a comeback after all that time..says a lot! (NT) -- glad to hear she's well again. xo Abbey, 06:36:44 08/07/07 Tue
        • thank you. Part of her inspiration was that two weeks after she got out of plaster we were able to go watch all the exceptionally talented dancers at the San Diego NANs. Then she went to cheerleading camp for three weeks. But just being at NANs inspired her to get up and work through it. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 18:37:29 08/07/07 Tue
• Thank you for posting! WOW! (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 08:44:23 08/05/07 Sun
  • Lee, posted on You Tube - type in Irish Dancer Owen Barrington.. Other than the missed clicks, not too shabby. -- He was tired after an hour b/4 they started filming, 10:59:05 08/08/07 Wed
    • Excellent!! Will go check it out now. Thanks (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 17:16:14 08/08/07 Wed
    • Thanks Owen's Mom for posting! My ds thinks he's very "cool" & loved watching him dance after reading about him a few months back as the IDM man of the month! (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds (12) & dd, 21:14:23 08/11/07 Sat

• School if really important and you may want to do a bit more studying for that essay you will have to write!! (NT) -- Tallagirl, 04:38:03 07/28/07 Sat
  • Of course I should be doing a bit more proof-reading too!! It should say "school is very important" (NT) -- LOL, 04:39:08 07/28/07 Sat
• Does anyone have any idea what this post is trying to say? -- I don't get it sorry, 13:26:12 07/29/07 Sun
• As a Year 12 student of 2007, my advice inside ... -- Ealain, 06:08:49 08/02/07 Thu
  • Just curious, how did you get your post to print smaller like that? (NT) -- Abbey, 06:38:30 08/07/07 Tue
    • I think it was a cut and past job (NT) -- Tallagirl, 10:14:34 08/07/07 Tue

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• Well I'm insanely late with this reply, but preparation is going ... let's say adequately. In other words, I am only barely ready. :) But yes, I am over the jitters, as I have more important things to worry about; trial exams start the day after States. Crapsticks. And sure ... only thing is, my Gmail appears to have lost your email address ... oh, wait no, it's there. Email coming your way, Lee. :) (NT) -- Ealain, 06:12:49 08/02/07 Thu
• Have you danced yet? Did you have fun? (NT) -- Tallagirl, 06:52:02 08/03/07 Fri
  • Lol, no - all the little kids plus the U18's were scheduled for today; I don't dance until Sunday. And I decided to go off and be an arse and bang my knee on the floor during my jig! Here's to hoping the pulsing pain will fade by Sunday ... hah. But I will let all of you know - loudly and excitedly - how I go after Sunday. :) (NT) -- Ealain, 08:34:00 08/03/07 Fri
    • Ealain - banging your knee on the floor during your jig - interesting steps eh. Good luck on Sunday and I hope it goes well. Get better. We are all cheering for you. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 09:11:01 08/03/07 Fri
• Okay, aside from the fact that I am officially buggered from yesterday, and my trials start today, I'm happy to say I came third. Out of three. Haha. But I honestly didn't expect anything higher, my section is a tough one, even though we only had three competitors in total; I believe the result was that I was two points away from second. Ah well - there's always next year! I stuffed up my set big-time; the step part was good, but the set was ... improvised and bleargh. Heh. But I'm happy - I got a sash and a trophy. (NT) -- Ealain, 15:06:53 08/05/07 Sun
  • Well done in the dancing and the very best of luck in your exams. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 19:33:29 08/05/07 Sun
• Well done!! We were cheering for you from up here. Fletcher was busy telling all the kids in class on Sunday that 'his mate' was competing in State finals. At least you know where you lost points so thats a good start point for next year. Great effort and now good luck with your trials!! (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 06:07:30 08/06/07 Mon

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• we need more clips like this to encourage guys to get back into dance...fabulous clip of John Nygard from Ohio in action...you need to read the blog that goes with it though to really appreciate it. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 05:21:19 07/19/07 Thu
• Thank you, thank you, thank you! (NT) -- Awesome video, 14:24:46 07/19/07 Thu
• That was great. (NT) -- Mom to dancing son, 18:16:33 08/04/07 Sat

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• DS likes his black soles (Rutherfords), dd likes the stiffer tan ones (Fays). I guess its just a preference issue. (NT) -- WR mom/dancer, 20:13:43 07/20/07 Fri
• My ds wears fays ultra flexis but they do stretch quickly - a bit too quickly - we are in the market yet again for a new pair - same size. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 05:20:53 07/22/07 Sun
  • My ds switched from Rutherford suede to the tan leather soles after experiencing pain under big toes. Physio told him he needed more support. But he dances 12 to 18 hours per week so she said that was the reason for problem. I think the suede soles are much easier to fit the foot and no break in time. It really depends on how much they dance as to what level of support. (NT) -- UK mum, 08:27:54 07/22/07 Sun
    • Tan soles for both my DS and DD for that little bit of extra support. (NT) -- Not much but every bit helps. Another UK mum., 08:35:19 07/22/07 Sun
      • My ds prefers the Fays black suede bottoms (open), but we take them to a pedorthist and have a small foam arch insert put in to give some support... (NT) -- as there really isn't any, 19:55:37 07/22/07 Sun
• One of each is my preference (NT) -- keep em guessing, 11:09:04 07/23/07 Mon
  • LOL - that way if they're not pointing you may or may not see tan! (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 18:10:51 07/23/07 Mon
• I guess I should have said that my DS wears tan soled Rutherfords, Pacelli golds before this pair (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 18:12:09 07/23/07 Mon
• tan soled- no reason to have the black soled shoes (NT) -- boys dont have to do toe stands, 20:33:57 07/27/07 Fri
  • I switched my son last Dec. to the black soled Rutherfords. Was hoping his point would look better. Now the point looks better but the balls of his feet are hurting him. He's an open champ. (NT) -- may switch back to tan soles, 10:39:05 07/31/07 Tue
    • I think whatever shoe suits his foot and doesn't cause undue pain is the way to go. (NT) -- j, 06:02:36 08/01/07 Wed

• Must say I have never seen one.. what if you could photocopy the line drawings off the back of a boys wedding outfit sewing pattern and then have it blown up a bit? That might be a good place to start. I will see if I can find one in the meantime. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 23:12:51 07/19/07 Thu
  • THANKS! (NT) -- appreciate it, 06:53:27 07/20/07 Fri
• just wondering, did you find one in the end? (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 15:47:11 07/23/07 Mon
  • Nope. Son's colored in outline of a dress is up on the wall. (NT) -- he wasn't the only one tho. oh, well what can ya do?, 16:49:06 07/23/07 Mon
    • Maybe one day he will be a brilliant designer - like Gavin - or any of the other myriad of male dress designers out there.... either that or one of us better get an outline up there somewhere..lol (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 07:19:07 07/27/07 Fri
      • Love the positive spin! Great point! Thanks for the response and smile. (NT) -- OP, 12:22:11 07/27/07 Fri
• Gavin does make boys costumes. He made gerard carsons. Go to his website. (NT) -- Dom, 12:58:11 07/29/07 Sun
  • I must say I haven't been to Gavins website for a while... thaks for the update. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 18:02:28 07/30/07 Mon

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• Well, since I'm in Australia! =] I'd love to - and I'd like to get to know the 16-year-old one too. This is fantastic, there's a total of 4 guys in my section at State, hah. More inside ... -- Ealain, 05:57:52 06/22/07 Fri
• I'm a OC U13 dancer from Ohio. I would PenPal with them. Hey Ealain...I would love to chat with you as well !!!!! (NT) -- OCBoy dancer, 06:25:33 06/22/07 Fri
  • Whee, fantastic! =] Feel free to jab me with a stick (email's good too) and suchlike. (NT) -- Ealain, 06:43:36 06/22/07 Fri
• I'll ask my 11 yo DS -- Lorraine, 21:27:24 06/22/07 Fri
• Hey guys .. thanks heaps! All of these guys are so happy that people want to talk to them. I shall pass on your email addresses to them so they can get started. OR if you like you can email me and I can pass it on that way. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 02:30:44 06/23/07 Sat
• I will check with my son as well - he is OC U14 and loves to work with the younger boys. We don't have many though, so (NT) -- He may like to do a little pen-pal-ing., 05:56:01 06/25/07 Mon
• If someone is teasing them, they should say "Emmit Smith" - great football player who won that dance contest on tv! Or, they should say "600 girls in shorts and 2 boys - you figure it out". (NT) -- no teasing yet but hitting middle school next yr, 09:08:54 06/25/07 Mon
• My ds said he would love to (more) -- 7kids4us, 10:58:36 06/25/07 Mon
  • this could work out well for lots of young boys with little or no writing skills then..lol. it seems girls looove to write but boys are alittle more reserved...and one day they might even all get to meet up. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 20:07:56 06/25/07 Mon
• I can penpal someone if you would like...?? (NT) -- Dom, 10:39:12 07/01/07 Sun
• Show the boys the USAFA cadet dancing in combat boots! (If he hasn't already seen it) (NT) -- NTTM, 17:25:12 07/29/07 Sun

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• I believe you have to have qualified for prelim (1st in softshoe and 1st in hardshoe in PW) unless you are U8 or U9, then I believe it's teacher's discretion. (NT) -- some teachers are stricter then that tho, 13:19:13 07/18/07 Wed
• Actually, if you are under 14, you must have medalled in prizewinner in each dance (R, SJ, TJ, HP - 1, 2 or 3), and if you are over 14, you must place in the top 50% of prelim competition - if 14 and over, cannot qualify in prizewinner - and individual TCs may require more (NT) -- U8, U9 are teachers' discretion, 06:48:19 07/24/07 Tue
  • Thanks for the info! (NT) -- Ann, 18:04:55 07/24/07 Tue

• Do you mean PC? -- why split OC?, 17:02:30 07/19/07 Thu
• Now I can't find where I read that. I believe it was Prelim. (NT) -- hope I'm not losing my mind, 22:05:55 07/21/07 Sat
  • Okay, it isn't the AZ feis it is the Old Pueblo Feis in September and it says they will split the Open Champ (not Prizewinner) if there are 5 or more boys/men entered. (NT) -- sorry, 22:08:43 07/21/07 Sat

• I saw one young man with red celtic embroidery on the back top shoulders of his black vest. It looked really good. Too bad I didn't catch the front. (NT) -- Drew, 06:49:29 07/19/07 Thu
• all the photos of every competition are on www.universaleventphoto.com (NT) -- sr mum, 08:54:08 07/19/07 Thu
• any kilts? (NT) -- curious, 17:40:55 07/19/07 Thu
  • Saw some kilts in mixed ceili teams (NT) -- didn't see any in solos, 12:33:24 07/20/07 Fri

• You could go with a regular seamstress in your area; you can pick fabrics and design and get a custom fit. It isn't as intese as making a solo costume. (NT) -- =, 10:29:31 07/08/07 Sun
• vests -- Joe (Custom made shirts), 13:10:36 07/08/07 Sun
• Try Tom Sawyer Waistcoats in the UK.. check out their 'special waistcoats' some great stuff in there.. only about a dozen choices, but great...link inside and navigate to your hearts content -- Lee in Darwin, 22:02:31 07/08/07 Sun
  • I just ordered a vest for my son from them. They are really easy to work with, great with email. I think they will do just about anything you want! (NT) -- mjd, 09:19:52 07/09/07 Mon
    • Just emailed them myself. They are sending fabric swatches to me to pick the material. Would like to have a tailored vest with subtle bling! How would black crystals look on the front? Is everyone still doing the back just black? (NT) -- thanks, srmom, 10:46:28 07/11/07 Wed
      • Personally, I think the matching fabric in the back looks much better and more custom. Seen alot like that. It is worth the extra charge. (NT) -- - in my opinion, 09:06:01 07/16/07 Mon
        • have to agree there.. unles there is going to be a jacket worn over the vest, then it should be the same fabric all round...otherwise to me it looks like you ran out of fabric. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 20:00:51 07/17/07 Tue

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