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Date Posted: 09:39:47 09/19/18 Wed
Author: Bring to life
Subject: Discussion?

With the "main" board under another onslaught of porn spam, someone mentioned this board. I haven't been in awhile so I hopped over.

Looks like it's full of advertisements for feiseanna... good info, but nothing to draw traffic over.

We need some discussions going. I'll see what I can post, but please join in if we want this moderated board to take off.

I'll start.

What does everyone think of the new podcast by Martin Percival?

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-irish-dance-podcast/id1370412642?mt=2

He's already interviewed quite a variety of Irish dance teachers, performers, adjudicators and choreographers.

I find it very interesting how the sentiments about how ostentatious and cost-prohibitive costuming has become are pretty universal (with a few exceptions), but it seems everyone acknowledges that they have no idea how to stop the speeding train.

Take a listen. What do you think?

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Replies:

Thanks for this link, I had never seen/heard these podcasts. I will have to work out how to do it on my phone! (I' old lol). My thoughts on costumes inside... -- -, 13:43:30 09/19/18 Wed
As a general concept, I like the look. Wigs are great, I love bling, tan and make up fine. But I like the look at the Worlds, at the top level. I don't think prelim kids need the same level of costuming. I don't think PW need anywhere near the same level. I think there's a level of age-appropriateness too - I don't think it's sensible to spend $2000 on a Gavin for a four year old. Or even a seven year old for that matter. I don't get to spend other people's money for them, but I do think "the look" should be reserved for the top levels and filter down the grades and ages accordingly. The trouble is there is NO WAY to police levels of blinginess because it's all subjective. You couldn't even count diamantes because a taller child would need more than a smaller child. I don't have the answer either! But I know that all black outfits will NEVER be the answer. (NT) -- ., 06:08:18 09/20/18 Thu
I think it would take an multi-podium champ paring down her look to have a real impact. If there were a dancer or two hoisting a globe in a $1200 dress instead of a $3500 dress it might have an impact on the 'keeping up with the Joneses' craziness we see. (NT) -- I don't know what else might change it, 10:30:41 09/20/18 Thu
- Completely agree with your view. I think the look has become too extreme. Every element of it is pushed to the limit. Dresses that are more bling than dress, oversized wigs, too much make up, spray tan that could be used on the garden gate. And those gross eye lashes on some kids! (NT) -- I think less is more, 11:15:41 09/20/18 Thu
- That’s exactly my thoughts. They tried to address from the bottom up, when it needs done from the top down. Especially with social media playing a huge role, and certain dd’s promoted incessantly, THEY are the ones kids follow (on social media as well as for trends). (NT) -- A “celeb” must start it., 11:31:04 09/20/18 Thu
The powers that be just need to do a cut and dry rule like the Midwest “no bling” U10 rule—something along the lines of no-bling/no make-up(U12?)/no tanner(?) until Preliminary/Open champs in ANY competition world-wide. And then feis/major folks need to enforce it! It’s not that hard really?? More: -- Broke mom, 11:59:10 09/20/18 Thu
- Completely agree. Apart from the added expense I think it looks inappropriate on young kids. Many folk outside the world of ID look on our dance kids in the same way as they do beauty pageant kids. Sadly that’s often with ridicule. Parents are becoming desensitised to how extreme “the look” has become (NT) -- I hope the tide turns again, 12:41:39 09/20/18 Thu
  - I agree it needs to be toned down for grades and younger children, but I've never understood why the opinion of the outside world matters. (NT) -- ., 03:39:26 09/21/18 Fri
    - ... because if we rely solely on generational irish dancers, the art form will die out... we have to have new blood, so we need to be sure we're not presenting ourselves as something reprehensible. Outsiders don't yet get the intricacy and training, all they can judge us by is the look. (NT) -- We have to care, 19:29:07 09/21/18 Fri
      - Agreed. It’s difficult for those not directly involved in ID to see beyond the bling and wigs. I am directly involved and sometimes I look around at a feis and think dear God am I in some kind of parallel universe here! (NT) -- -, 14:45:08 09/22/18 Sat
    - The opinion matters because of perspective -- you lose that when you're in the midst of something. It seems 'normal' if everyone around you is doing it. But if we want people to continue joining this activity, it has to not repel reasonable 'outside' parents. (NT) -- That's why., 11:09:44 09/24/18 Mon
- I agree it is out of hand and that it needs to change but I think it needs to be a grassroots effort. To me, a mandated rule is about having the org do your parenting for you. Sometimes it is hard but you have to (NT) -- just say no, 05:46:33 09/21/18 Fri
- The powers that be sell dresses and wigs so.... (NT) -- Dm, 05:46:44 09/21/18 Fri
  - Too True (NT) -- :(, 13:31:32 09/21/18 Fri
Like the other posters I also agree that it is out of hand especially for younger dancers. I'm in the midwest and the U10 no bling rule helps but it is not enough. I would love to see a requirement of school dresses only for grades dancers (or at least thru Novice). (NT) -- dm, 10:13:56 09/22/18 Sat
- That used be the policy of our TC. You had to "earn" a solo dress by making prelim. She caved under pressure from the "keep-up-with-the-jonses" moms (NT) -- Sad, 10:47:12 09/22/18 Sat
  - Sadly the “keeping up with the Jones” element is a big part. All the more prevalent now due to social media (NT) -- ., 14:49:22 09/22/18 Sat
Lol, saw today on Instagram about a dancer receiving their TENTH Gavin?? (I assume it meant the SAME dancer?) Yowza—I might be a bit jealous! We can’t even afford one! ;) (NT) -- That’s a lot—good for them!, 16:53:35 09/23/18 Sun
- And she didn’t look more than 11 or 12 years old! Lucky girl! (NT) -- Gorgeous dress!, 17:32:04 09/23/18 Sun
  - I saw that too! Maybe she is a very young looking 15/16 year old, could have had a Gavin every year since age 6 maybe. I was thinking wow, puts it into perspective how rich Gavin must be, approx 20K just from one family, he must be a multi millionaire by now! Good luck to him though, wish I had that talent! Love his dresses, have contributed to his bank balance several times! :) (NT) -- -, 22:32:20 09/23/18 Sun
    - He may be financially solvent, but keep in mind he has a staff now, so he has to pay them. He also has to contribute to his dance Studio's rent (aren't they in the floor above the studio?), the actual materials used for the dress, maintenance of horrifically expensive embroidery machines as well as replacement machine purchases... whew! (NT) -- Still a bit overpriced, 06:49:20 09/24/18 Mon
    - Ok, let's get some perspective here. Your $20k number fails to take into account the money you get back from resale. Anyone gettimg a dress a year, as I assume this dancer being discussed has, is reselling a nearly new dress every year which assists in paying for the next. g -- mom of OC, 06:50:34 09/24/18 Mon
      - Sorry, that should have said "within 2/3 to 3/4 of original cost" (NT) -- mom of OC, 06:51:51 09/24/18 Mon
        Oh yes, I agree, we always did the same and sold dress within the year, always got around $1800 so new dress was highly subsidized by the sale of the old. I meant that Gavin gets 20K, but also realize that he has many expenses to come out of that. (NT) -- -, 13:41:58 09/24/18 Mon
      - ... but Gavin is still getting full price. (NT) -- Need to be a globe holder, 19:17:11 09/24/18 Mon
  - She is U12 (NT) -- .., 21:26:45 09/24/18 Mon
- I don't get this, My DD has been in Gavins for 10 years and is only now due for her 4th. We always have plenty of let-out room, we get a lot of use out of our dresses. I think too many people are just showing off with a new dress every single year. (NT) -- It's more about mommies ego, 05:34:12 09/25/18 Tue