• Well, I would say whenever they choose to, or when they outgrow it. We usally have a new shirt/vest made prior to the O or Nationals. Maybe once a year for us. Loved his last outfit so much he wore it for both Nan and O. (NT) -- Irishmama, 20:21:28 12/17/07 Mon
• I bought ds a new shirt/tie before his O and when he put it on, he said it wasn't comfortable (maybe since it was new and a little stiff)so he wore what he's been wearing for over the last year. It still looks good on him, so it'll get replaced when it's outgrown (soon!). (NT) -- WR mom, 10:35:56 12/18/07 Tue
• Ummm when the pizza stain doesn't come out? (NT) -- dark colors are wonderful, 06:36:12 12/19/07 Wed
  • LOL - I agree though. My son's has drink stains on the tie and the sleeve where he wipes his mouth. (NT) -- so uncouth, 08:03:07 12/19/07 Wed
• I tend to change my feis outfits with each coming year; each to their own, I suppose. I guess I'm just a stickler who doesn't like changing too often. :) (NT) -- Ealain, 06:16:50 12/21/07 Fri
  • Nothing wrong with that, unless you outgrow things, you certainly wouldn't want to be wearing pants too short some people might ask you (NT) -- "where's the flood"? lolololol, anybody here remember that one?, 06:45:33 12/21/07 Fri
    • Actually short pants let the judge see ankles better goes with black socks usually (NT) -- not to be accurate about it, 07:45:27 12/21/07 Fri
      • Remember the sock glue then. DS always has socks slipping down (even new ones, but he hates the glue) and having skin show on a high kick doesn't look so good. (NT) -- Wr mom, 09:19:46 12/21/07 Fri
        • Low riders don't have that problem thanks (NT) -- keep it low like the vehicles do, 15:27:06 12/21/07 Fri
    • That's so funny I remember that. I've said it many's a time also (NT) -- thanks for the memory, 08:29:25 12/21/07 Fri
      • Eww, you are so right. The pale legs look awful We did a show yesterday and my ds seems to have lost all the long black socks. His were kind of short. High kicks=big strip of pale skin. We bought new ones today! (NT) -- Irishmama, 12:13:34 12/21/07 Fri

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• its a cute photo but I don't think they are holding hands... it looks to me like they are both about to clap hands and the camera just happened to click as their hands were on that angle. Optical illusion. But it does look like they are encouraging each other. Nice photo, thanks for sharing. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 16:44:47 12/02/07 Sun
• I think they did grab hands in the excitement of the moment. The young man on the left danced at the Baltimore feis, his mom told us he usually gets fifth, Looks like he outdid himself this year-only two of them left. Anyone know what he got? He was a nice kid. (NT) -- Southern dad, 17:55:44 12/02/07 Sun
• good on them anyway.. love to see boys enjoying themselves... we have so few boys in dance in comparison to girls, so it is great to see them enjoying their moment! (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 20:20:10 12/02/07 Sun
  • The one on the left is my ds-he took second and was over the moon! Thanks for your kind words, Southern Dad. I think I know who you are. We were chatting together in Baltimore. And I do love the picture. (NT) -- Irishmama, 04:45:32 12/03/07 Mon
    • What a great photo!! I'm so happy for you and him!! I wish I could see pictures of my little one. There are none on the website for his age and we didn't get any. I'm so disappointeed about it. (NT) -- reelmom, 07:48:25 12/03/07 Mon
      • No photos!!! That stinks! I'd be disappointed too (NT) -- congrats on doing well, 09:11:09 12/05/07 Wed
        • After many unreturned phone calls and e-mail, I finally spoke with someone at Universalevent. Thankfully, they do have photos and put them up yesterday. (NT) -- Happy!, 05:32:40 12/06/07 Thu
• Another from the midwest. "Please let me win!" (NT) -- http://www.scott-photography.com/photoind_irish.cfm, 02:16:01 12/05/07 Wed
  • That has to be the cutest picture I have ever seen. Fingers crossed, looks like he is saying a prayer. The next pic or two shows him with a huge smile then on the podium as the 1st place winner. (NT) -- Congratulations to Jake Sieve from the Clarkson School in MO!, 04:37:30 12/05/07 Wed
  • Irish Dance Photos - Sun-Nov-25-07 - Picture Number: 0284 (NT) -- No name, 04:40:00 12/05/07 Wed
• Thank you for this link, I've been looking to see how friends did. (NT) -- appreciative mama, 21:54:12 12/05/07 Wed
  • I recall seeing this same shirt on a young boy from the UK but can't remember his name, think he was a top placer at worlds this year. I love this shirt and lad is so cute with his little fingers crossed. (NT) -- uk mum, 12:37:49 12/13/07 Thu

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• Yes, that is usually the case and I don't think it's fair. I know a family of boys who quit and one of their points was that it was very frustrating and discouraging to always go first or last. The only time when... -- Anyone have an explanation?, 05:46:50 11/13/07 Tue
• Been there and have done that, had times where he'd be firs alone, first w/another boy or last the same. He also danced w/girls through out the 2 1/2 years in Prelim. Just the way it is. They also end up alone or with small group in "o' so might as well learn to get used to it. We *my he & I* did (NT) -- way it goes., 06:32:11 11/13/07 Tue
  • My ds always looks at it as a good thing. No chance of running into another dancer, no problem with not being able to use the whole stage. If your ds is nervous, it might be a bit more anxiety producing, but sometimes it can work to his advantage. (NT) -- Irishmama, 17:23:07 11/13/07 Tue
• Boys have more than enough advantages as compared to girls in ID. This seems very minor. -- Try relaxing and take deep breaths, 18:35:10 11/13/07 Tue
  • Dont really understand your post. The OP was saying that this was hard for her ds, it wasn't about "being easier for the boys" Boys may have it easier thru the ranks, but it can be just as hard for them as anyone else once they reach PC (NT) -- You need to take deep breaths too, 04:56:03 11/14/07 Wed
    • whatever (NT) -- so your point is?, 18:26:32 11/14/07 Wed
      • how do you figure that boys have it easier thru the ranks? (NT) -- curious, 04:25:33 12/04/07 Tue
• dancing alone -- ..., 06:12:58 12/05/07 Wed
• What do you mean by "boys do the opposite dance"? -- forgive my ignorance, 18:03:44 12/12/07 Wed

• see it is a drug - just can't get enough... lol (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 05:55:11 12/12/07 Wed
• Same here, glad we did a Christmas feis, great way to end the year but now feeling the bug addiction again. (NT) -- guess I better start saving up, 07:04:38 12/12/07 Wed
  • We just did a Christmas feis, which is always great because everyone seems so relaxed since the O is over, but DS danced terribly (but was brilliant at his O). A new year is coming... (NT) -- WR mom/dancer, 15:41:31 12/12/07 Wed
    • We were going to take a break, but decided to do a close one at the end of the year. Want to see some of my ds friends dance. (NT) -- Irishmama, 17:06:26 12/12/07 Wed

• That's life and you can perhaps look at it as a form of admiration. It has happened to me a lot over the past 2 years. I am back to the plain black vest now. See if everyone copies - then I'll think of something new again!!! (NT) -- US mom, 06:33:23 11/28/07 Wed
• then go for the kilt and see who follows eh? (NT) -- life is too short, 07:05:41 11/28/07 Wed
• I know of older boys who routinely come to comps with several shirts and vests so that they can make a change if needed due to potential duplications - planned or not (NT) -- they happen, 07:51:57 11/28/07 Wed
• Try not to be annoyed, people run out of ideas and take bits from here or there for their own creation. Try to look at it as flattery, but with so many color combos to choose from I wouldn't worry. Find the creative "uniqueness" that will fit your son. (NT) -- and then don't send his photo anywhere :oS, 18:38:21 11/28/07 Wed
• We have gone completely "out there". No one would copy it, and not many forget it! Seems to have worked. (NT) -- ., 03:34:23 11/29/07 Thu
• Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. . . . it can and does happen, deal with it as you can! (NT) -- save the fussing for real problems, 10:22:54 11/29/07 Thu
• It happens all the time with the girls. At least we aren't paying $3000 and then seeing it being copied! (NT) -- No name, 22:27:08 11/29/07 Thu
  • I have to agree with you there - much easier to swap out a tie or shirt or vest than a $3000 dress (NT) -- --, 09:18:50 11/30/07 Fri
• A few times I found fabric for vest or shirt and seamstress is working on it for ds. Then, during this time, we go to a feis, and there is another boy with pretty similar shirt/tie/vest combo. I've often wanted to got to that boys's mom and tell her we didn't copy her! On occasion it has already been made up but we didn't bring it. Or, it was made and he is wearing it and now the 2 boys are alike. So, be kind to other moms and mums--they may have made it first but it shows up later and they didn't copy you. (NT) -- got one now at seamstress....., 11:13:20 12/05/07 Wed
  • another good point! always good to bring (NT) -- alternates!, 20:01:21 12/10/07 Mon

• It is a hard situation, and a part of growing up. You have to let him work it out himself, and I know that is hard! You can point out how proud of him you are, for all the dedication and hard work he has put in. ID is a very dependant sport: dependant on 1)how your body is functioning, 2) how your mind is functioning 3) how the judges are assessing 4) adrenalin, sleep etc. What a dancer can do one day may not be how he will perform another day. Unfortunately, if love of ID is true these variables are all "Part of the game". Nothing you can say will make him "snap" out of the disappointment. See inside for what we did -- been there, feel your pain watching him work through it (ne mom 16 yo now), 07:57:55 12/04/07 Tue
• I agree with the poster above in that it is very subjective. What one judge loves another will not love so much. Does your dancer know where he went wrong (so to speak). Did he give it his best shot? If he knows where he went wrong, then he can work on fixing it. If he wasn't on par then there is always next time. Were the judges scores consistent. There are so many reasons in this sport to stay and so many reason why one wouldn't do well on the day. Do tell him though that boys are needed so badly that it would be a shame for him to quit - (no pressure or anything LOL) (NT) -- Tallagirl, 10:46:35 12/04/07 Tue
  • Another suggestion...is there a senior boy dancer at his school that might be able to give him a little help/attention. I know my son looked up to the older guys, wanted to be like them, they were great, now he's an older dancer...or if no older boys...maybe a (NT) -- ,.."pen pal" from another school?, 15:11:12 12/04/07 Tue
    • This is a great suggestion and does a lot for boys this age. (NT) -- No name, 05:33:46 12/06/07 Thu
• Its a tough one for any parent- -- Irishmama, 17:16:33 12/04/07 Tue
• How about just get over it ... life goes on? (NT) -- losing is a part of life, 18:10:46 12/04/07 Tue
  • Wow, I think thst is a pretty shi**y comment to make to a mother of an 11 yr old child who came here for advice. Yes, you and I both know that we need to "get over" things, but we are adults, not children I think that saying that to your child is really devaluing him and how he feels. Empathy goes a long way with kids.. (NT) -- Irishmama, 18:23:31 12/04/07 Tue
    • Have to agree - get over it is a bit harsh so soon after. I would ask him to evaluate what his strengths and weaknesses are in his dance and see if he thinks there is anything he can improve for next time. Chalk it up to a learning experience - pointing out the positive things he got from competing this time - more stage time, more confidence etc.. and that he will have more time to perfect his dances before his next feis..We can't all be winners all the time - else winning would have no joy to it. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 23:49:33 12/04/07 Tue
• Life goes on lady...glad your not my mom. I'll take Irishmama anyday! (NT) -- teen dancer, 18:24:43 12/04/07 Tue
• thank you everyone for your kind responses, well, almost everyone! He talked to his teachers tonight about what happened and his scores. He was 2nd going into his set, it was it set that did it. He'll have to work through it, but he is so mad it may do some good! (NT) -- sr mom, 19:37:09 12/04/07 Tue
  • Sure, everyone has their own opinion but you don't feel it unless you're in their shoes or the parent. Knowing the scores, especially getting them from his tc makes a huge difference from our experiences. It can be motivating, he can also find where his weaknesses are. Good luck to his improvements and (NT) -- happy dancing!, 20:48:38 12/04/07 Tue
  • Being mad may be the motivator for him. For my ds I think it's "I want the BIG trophy" next year to motivate him. Keep dancing and have fun! (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 20:52:12 12/07/07 Fri
• what we did.. -- xc, 07:33:30 12/08/07 Sat

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• My son is exactly the same. I have tried everything and he absolutely hates it tucked in the button of his shirt. Says it itches. I haven't tried pinning it near the belt - that might work. Other than that I have gotten over it and now I try to close my eyes to the little bit of colour sticking out at the bottom! (NT) -- Tallagirl, 08:47:07 11/13/07 Tue
• one word - VELCRO. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 21:28:52 11/13/07 Tue
• shorter tie or longer vest (NT) -- mom, 07:56:27 11/14/07 Wed
  • If this is the only time he wears that particular tie why don't you just cut so it won't show beneath the vest? (NT) -- Mom O'2, 20:05:30 11/15/07 Thu
• Tie problem -- dancingmom, 09:00:44 12/04/07 Tue

• I use Corr's champ shoes size 12 men they work well for me -- they may be measured metric though, 16:06:25 11/25/07 Sun
• I have very wide feet and Pacellis are the only ones that work for me. and they look great too, no clown feet. (NT) -- CP, 21:47:54 11/26/07 Mon
• Fays are a very good shoe. It will depend on what side he buys. I had a pair of Irish Size 7 Fays before my current hardshoes, which are an Irish Size 6 1/2 - people say Fays are more narrow, but my Rutherfords are actually more so. Try on different shoes and ask your DS which one feels best. My Fays endured a lot before they finally snapped. Also, bear in mind that some - if not most - shoe companies will be willing to have shoes custom-made on order, or you can find a cobbler to stretch the leather if your son purchases shoes and finds them still a little tight after breaking them in. (NT) -- Ealain., 15:09:51 11/27/07 Tue
  • Whoops! Meant to type "size", not "side". :) And to add on, Fays have a very nice pointed toe and look quite nice. (NT) -- Ealain., 15:11:24 11/27/07 Tue
  • Find a cobbler? Did you say find a cobbler? (NT) -- wow ... that's saying something I guess, 15:11:52 11/27/07 Tue
    • A cobbler is a shoe repair person. A peach cobbler is something else, ever made one? (NT) -- smiley, 06:58:39 11/28/07 Wed
      • Peach Cobbler? Is that someone who makes shoes out of fruit? (NT) -- ;-), 18:33:40 11/28/07 Wed
        • Yum, my mouth is watering! (NT) -- kid dancer, 21:47:36 11/28/07 Wed
• My brother wears Fay's. I wear Fay's too, because I have wide feet, but dont go by me im a girl=P Fay's is grat for wide feet though. (NT) -- Dance Chick =P, 17:00:28 12/01/07 Sat

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• What does the "flash of a Gavin design" mean? -- dress maker maybe?, 12:56:01 11/23/07 Fri
  • The glitter and sparkle of the Gavin Doherty dress at about $2500 a pop!! (NT) -- Tallagirl, 15:28:28 11/23/07 Fri
    • I don't see many boys wearing something like that and hopefully not the men either (NT) -- who knows?, 17:58:52 11/23/07 Fri
      • I think you probably need to read the entire post. The OP said that the boys do not have the flash of the gavins. (NT) -- LOL, 05:25:19 11/24/07 Sat
• All this post meant was that the boys need to win with their DANCING - not the flash of a costume and to wish them luck! (NT) -- don't read into everything so much, 05:30:58 11/24/07 Sat

• I saw a nice black shirt with turquoise stripes. Loved it! (NT) -- Mom, 16:42:28 11/21/07 Wed

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• Glad it worked out.. can we see pics???? what pattern did you end up going with? (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 21:29:31 11/12/07 Mon
  • We used the McCall's pattern and I think the seamstress lengthened it just a little. I'll try to get a picture organized. (NT) -- AZ mom, 10:32:08 11/13/07 Tue
    • Cool. That would be fabulous. I am going to make my ds some 'funky' vests fro Christmas this year. Similar to the ones with designs and stuff on that English site .. there was one with waves and stuff. Very upmarket looking. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 21:30:17 11/13/07 Tue
      • Glad the vest pattern worked for you. We're using the same ones again this year but tc is adding some sort of material to match the color of the school dresses..fancy them up a bit! (NT) -- Mom O'two, 22:45:25 11/13/07 Tue
    • vest pictures (the shirt looks like it's plastic though) http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd87/azfiddle/ (NT) -- AZ mom, 22:00:04 11/14/07 Wed
      • You are right she did match it up perfectly. It looks great. I have to make one today because my son did a show last night and his vest is just too short. He went ahead and grew on me. We have a feis tomorrow. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 03:50:14 11/16/07 Fri
        • HAHAHAHA .. I feel for you... was just lamenting to my Mum about my sons growing feet ( 2 pairs of sandshoes / ruinners in four weeks).. she said ever so sagely, Well what do you expect - you keep feeding them, they are gonna grow. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 04:39:34 11/18/07 Sun

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• Interested! Hope it goes well for you. (NT) -- xo, 06:16:05 11/10/07 Sat
• Boys ECR Results - not complete -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 06:01:48 11/12/07 Mon
  • My DS placed 2nd & he's very happy with his marks & that he danced great for his very 1st solos at the O's. Marks were very good and he received his 1st sash and a really nice glass trophy -- Proud - ecr mom to a ds & dd, 06:05:12 11/12/07 Mon
    • Congrats to both of you. My dancer loves the sashes, recently we had to evacuate and her sashes were the only things from ID she took...not even her dress! (NT) -- they must be better than any trophy!, 07:04:14 11/12/07 Mon
      • Oh my not even her dress wow but the sashes! Are you back home now? I hope all is well. (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 18:06:37 11/12/07 Mon
        • Yes, thank you. Lesson learned--when it's time to run for your life the costume doesn't cross your mind. (NT) -- xo, 06:43:27 11/13/07 Tue
  • That's great news - by the way how did your daughter do? (NT) -- Tallagirl, 07:50:53 11/12/07 Mon
    • Thank you! My dd is only 9 and still in AB an just missed qualifying for ceilis. Next year it'll be her turn too! -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 17:59:21 11/12/07 Mon
• More resultsU8-1st Liam Grant, 2nd-G Schwartz U9- 1st Nyles Church, 2nd Jeremy Seed (NT) -- fyi, 10:49:53 11/12/07 Mon
  • Thank you for posting the little ones results! We didn't make it to the results Saturday as I promised a trip to the waterpark. Did see them walking around in their sashes -too cute (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 18:04:43 11/12/07 Mon
  • Sorry, slight correction 2nd U9 was C. Bulman (J Seed is older age bracket) (NT) -- sorry.., 06:45:09 11/13/07 Tue
• Full Results from ECR in here - copied from another bb -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 12:47:33 11/17/07 Sat

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• Great pics...love to see all the different colors and styles of costumes,, couldn't find the button to turn them right side up though.... (NT) -- ouch my neck, 05:02:29 10/30/07 Tue
• Any ideas on where I can find shirts like that for young boy? -- Pics are great!, 04:02:55 11/04/07 Sun
  • Sigh...I don't think you'll find ready-made. Maybe find some funky fabric and have one made. (NT) -- my ds FINALLY can wear a men's small!, 10:52:16 11/13/07 Tue

• Lubin's in White Plains, phone 914-683-1900 can def. help! (NT) -- mom 2, 05:30:28 11/13/07 Tue
• Not in the area, but am making pants similar to the ones in Ireland for Champ dancers. You may email me for pictures and more info (NT) -- 7kids4us, 10:15:59 11/13/07 Tue

• U11 Boys will dance their reel at 9:00am on Stage C and then dance their HP at 9:45 on stage E. They are competition number 23. (NT) -- There are 9 competitors in the U11 Boys competition, 17:11:27 11/07/07 Wed
• Thamnks so much. I see it is posted on the site now. I was just curiuos. thanks again (NT) -- Irishmama, 04:48:15 11/08/07 Thu
• FYI I hear there may be some revision to the Saturday schedule - keep an eye on the Oireachtas website (NT) -- to be sure. TImes may change, 17:46:28 11/11/07 Sun
• New Sat schedule is now on the MW Oireachtas website - most of the changes are just to teams, not so much to the boys (NT) -- hope that helps, 07:38:13 11/13/07 Tue

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• I have mine made (more inside) -- 7kids4us, 19:00:40 09/27/07 Thu
  • oops the email address should read dot net sorry!!! (NT) -- 7kids4us, 10:56:09 09/28/07 Fri
• I was at Burlington Coat FActory last week and they had a whole rack of black pants, dress shirts and even a few vests. Also, google 'zemskys uniform pants'. They have pleat-less for about $15. (NT) -- hi, 07:29:43 09/28/07 Fri
• If you need fabric, let me know (inside) -- 7kids4us, 13:52:59 09/29/07 Sat
• Has anyone tried the Zemsky no pleat pants? Did your ds like them? Were they the right texture for him to dance in? (NT) -- ?, 23:37:12 10/25/07 Thu
• We get our from here: http://www.uniformalwearhouse.com/ I love the metal sliders at the waistband for adjusting to fit the very slim boy. They come unhemmed. (NT) -- mom of slim boys!, 05:54:48 11/13/07 Tue

• My son has relatively wide feet, and used to dance in Pacellis, which came in a wide width. About 3 years ago, he switched to Rutherfords. He has had the tan soles until his current pair (black soles). His teacher at that time preferred the Rutherfords. (NT) -- Arizona mom, 06:52:48 10/27/07 Sat
• My son has wide feet. Fays does have wide. Our TC prefers that the boys wear Fays. (NT) -- Ask them!, 08:25:54 10/31/07 Wed
• The boys & men at our school mostly wear Rutherfords. (NT) -- CO dancer and mom, 15:06:52 10/31/07 Wed
• I found Fays much easier to break in than Rutherfords, but I prefer Rutherfords because they seem stronger - the strap on my Fays tore and is hanging on by a couple of threads, whilst my Ruthers are still going strong. (NT) -- Ealain, 03:39:49 11/03/07 Sat
• Its a matter of personal taste and past experience. My ds has always worn Fayes-loves them They have always held up great. Have a few friends who had major issues with Rutherfords splitting at the seams. (NT) -- Irishmama, 04:47:27 11/13/07 Tue

• Oooh, thanks for that. I was thinking my ds might like a new pair of pants for Christmas as he is at that awkward stage of growth where everything seems to be busting out everywhere. He is 10 years old and already 5foot 6. Guess he's another 6footer for my family. (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 06:05:18 11/08/07 Thu
  • Wow Lee he is tall - must be all that Australian good living. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 10:55:51 11/08/07 Thu
    • Must be .. my eldest dd is 6foot 1 and the other one is 5foot 10... I am the shrimp in the family at 5foot 6 ..lol (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 21:31:20 11/12/07 Mon

• Omg, congrats! I can't imagine a 3 hour drive to and from dance, that's twice what we do and I thought we had it bad. (NT) -- still pluggin' away, 19:24:08 11/04/07 Sun
• Congrats Luc great job. (NT) -- The "C" Family, 09:00:17 11/05/07 Mon

• reassure him that if his new TC sees enough in him to send him off to O's then he must have it in him...or is it a case of him worrying about running into his old team mates at the O's..might not be about his ability at all (NT) -- Lee in Darwin, 20:10:35 10/25/07 Thu
• My ds changed schools two years ago. The kids from his old school never say anything bad to him so he is ok. However, you can tell from their reaction he will never be accepted by the kids again, same with tcrg. So, just keep him on the surface with the others and all should be fine. Dont try to push it too far or him, like my son, might find out what they really think of him. (NT) -- been there, 12:40:49 10/26/07 Fri
• Why don't you just sit out a year then? -- sounds like you want it more than he does, 16:07:07 10/26/07 Fri
  • I strongly disagree. If the dancer takes a year off, it's very difficult to come back in the same shape and form. Stamina for one thing. I'd say just give him time to adjust at his own pace but don't go on sabbatical. (NT) -- my $0.02, 05:41:28 10/27/07 Sat
    • I think this person is just talking about taking the O off . Can you do a feis before the "O"? That would really help! (NT) -- Mom, 07:20:20 10/27/07 Sat
    • The post said ... "waiting until next year for the O" (NT) -- who said anything about taking a year off?, 12:30:01 10/27/07 Sat
      • Oops, sorry I misread it. (NT) -- peace, 08:58:16 10/28/07 Sun
        • Just typical of this board ... "strongly disagree" without really reading the post (NT) -- pretty typical, 16:34:30 10/28/07 Sun
• .We were just refering to being ready for "O". I couldn't keep him from going even if I wanted to, very driven. Just can see the nerves of not competing for 6 months only to come back 1 week before "O". I appreciate everyone's tips. -- original poster, 13:34:46 10/28/07 Sun
  • Tell him it's about having fun and loving what he's doing. The placement isn't what it's about and not to expect anything his first year at the new school. I know that's hard to do when you and he know the old school mates are watching to see if the switch was worth it. You must have a tough skin... -- Best of luck!, 08:30:31 10/31/07 Wed

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• Oh my-they are brilliant!!!!! (NT) -- Irishmama, 04:41:39 10/16/07 Tue
• Eee, that was fantastic! The pointe work was brief but well-integrated too ... and the routine was just amazing. (NT) -- Ealain, 05:07:57 10/19/07 Fri
  • They made it to the final and they will dance again on Irish TV on Sunday night. Let's hope that someone will pick it up and put ito on youtube. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 08:01:58 10/19/07 Fri
• Update. They danced tonight and won. Woohoo for ID. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 18:22:59 10/28/07 Sun

• Thank you. (NT) -- Derek, 21:23:31 10/27/07 Sat

• My dancer has several times .... I really don't think it matters that much (NT) -- especially since the groups are small, 11:11:23 10/16/07 Tue
• NE Dancer: has had 5 or 7 dancer, someone ends up dancing alone at his age. It rotates so usually if you dance Hard Shoe alone, someone else dances soft alone everyone obviously dances sets alone. Think of it this way, no one to collide with. It all works out (NT) -- dancemom, 07:53:21 10/18/07 Thu
• I'm not American, but at the State Championships (Australian equivalent of the Regional Oireachtas) this year, there were only three guys in my section. I luckily was on with someone else for both of my main rounds. But it's often the case here in Australia that guys dance alone at either normal feisanna or the Oireachtas. (NT) -- Ealain, 05:00:35 10/19/07 Fri
  • Great opportunity if he does dance alone! Look at it as a chance to shine, and let him know he's ... (NT) -- ..up to it!, 13:31:27 10/21/07 Sun
• No I mean that your DS was the ONLY dancer in his comp at the O's (NT) -- OP, 04:31:10 10/22/07 Mon
  • Oh, in that case, I'd say use it as an opportunity to just give great performance! (NT) -- Enjoy, 05:17:31 10/22/07 Mon
    • He's NOT dancing alone now! Oneother boy (NT) -- op mom of a ds & dd, 11:22:37 10/24/07 Wed

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• this could well be a good place to look if any of us were ever in need of something for a mens / boys team. Did you see the listings for four or five matching waistcoats at a time. Fantastic prices! (NT) -- Lee in Darwin - thanks for sharing, 03:54:31 10/22/07 Mon
• I have to take DS shopping for pants this week - at a dance out this weekend we found that the waist was tight and too short with just weeks before the Oireachtas (NT) -- ecr mom to a ds & dd, 04:33:23 10/22/07 Mon

• Thank you so much, going there now. (NT) -- r.m., 20:41:12 10/15/07 Mon

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• I've used Mccall's pattern 2447...more -- momO'two, 20:11:22 10/04/07 Thu
  • Thanks- I'm don't sew, but I found someone who does and I'll give her the info! (NT) -- op, 23:04:49 10/04/07 Thu
• Any fitting hints? Should it be a bit longer so shirt doesn't show at the waist? (NT) -- not op, 05:44:04 10/05/07 Fri
  • Yes, for our taller men, I had to cut the pattern and lengthen it before pinning on the material... -- momO'two, 19:01:42 10/05/07 Fri
  • I always make my sons' vests and I always have to lengthen the front to cover the belt buckle. I also use a combination of two patterns... -- with there was a better pattern!, 19:12:15 10/09/07 Tue

• Yes, some years ago I used Dancepants for my son. I was pleased with out come and he seemed to be interested in how to get the right look but I was not quite as happy with dancepants as I was a mens tailor which I now use. The dancepants had a bit of iceskater look to them or salsa being a little tighter fit. (NT) -- mom of ds, 01:10:07 10/09/07 Tue

• I could be wrong but I think until you get to Open the boys usually have to dance with the girls because there isn't enough boys to dance by themselves. Usually to move up you need 5 in comp and it would be unusual to get 5 or more boys in comp. My son is u10 and he dances against the same boys in SR . But of course at Oireachtas and other Majors the comps are boys only. Perhaps in the NY or Boston areas there might be more boys as there are more schools. Good luck. (NT) -- Tallagirl, 08:06:10 09/19/07 Wed
• Most of the Midwest feiseanna have boys dance separately at all levels except PC. At the Novice/PW level, this usually means one competitor dancing by himself. It's idiotic. Even in OC, my son only dances against three or four other kids, three of whom he trains with. Consequently, we only go to very local competitions and the majors. And people wonder why there are relatively few boy dancers? This is one reason, unquestionably. (NT) -- Hooray for the Southern region, which ignores this "rule"!, 13:14:35 09/19/07 Wed
  • Just to add -- Southern Region will split boys out of a competition if there are 5 or more boys entered (in the mixed-gender competition). My DD dances with boys most of the time, currently all Open Prizewinner. (NT) -- northern SR mom, 14:55:04 10/06/07 Sat
• Here are some that are not mixed -- Ann, 16:06:49 09/19/07 Wed
• Come to any feis in the WR and your boys will have plenty of competition! (NT) -- Owen's mom, 17:08:56 09/19/07 Wed
  • In Colorado, there usually isn't enough boys for competitions to be split by gender. (NT) -- CO dancer and mom, 13:09:12 09/20/07 Thu
  • what? not in Nor. Cal. Boys are hardly EVERY split from girls at regular feises -- that goes for all 6 levels. (NT) -- ???, 13:53:17 10/08/07 Mon
• We're in the WR, but last year we did a trip to Ohio and dd and ds feised in Akron and Cleveland (same weekend). Boys and girls are separate. Cleveland is a big feis - DS was thrilled to have 11 boys in his Nov. reel comp (and he placed 2nd!). It was fun - we'd do it again sometime. (NT) -- WR mom/dancer, 20:26:57 09/19/07 Wed
  • Cleveland in May (last weekend) and Pat Roche in Chicago in October have a ton of boys. Also my son had a lot in Columbus in August, but this was a few years ago. (NT) -- Momof3ids, 10:00:19 09/20/07 Thu
• Thanks for the info! The kids are out of school by that last weekend in May. I'll look into it. (NT) -- OP, 10:25:19 09/21/07 Fri
• DS's novice groups keep getting bigger and bigger here in the midwest!!! (NT) -- catching on!!, 18:38:29 09/21/07 Fri
• They didn't used to combine in our region ER, but there would never be more that a couple boys in the comp. Mostly none. Never enough for 5. (NT) -- Glad some combine now., 20:34:46 09/26/07 Wed

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• I have been told that kilts are 1: very hard to find, 2: exceptionally expensive....(more) -- Lee in Darwin, 18:38:41 09/24/07 Mon
  • My husband has danced in a kilt and hates it. The extra fabric can be very awkward and takes quite a bit of getting used to. You also are supposed to wear a jacket for competition and this makes it very warm. It wasn't the kilt per say that he had a problem with; he wears a kilt often. (NT) -- just not for dancing, 07:58:18 09/25/07 Tue
• I wouldn't say "not for dancing" since that is Traditionally what was always worn, and the kilts are actually quite flattering for the overall look, but they do take getting used to; however, to answer the OP question (see inside) -- I hope that helps a little, 07:39:24 09/26/07 Wed
• Irish Dancing Costumes by John Cullinane talks about how kilts were not native to Ireland at all and was just a fad.... (NT) -- most men were glad to leave them to the Scots, 11:54:03 10/07/07 Sun