Rules

Here is a synopsis: full rules available on the NAFC website
Adopted By The North American Feis Commission, Updated 11/13/06
1) In the case of all solo and team competitions in all grades, the age of a competitor on 1st January of the year in which the competition is held will determine the right of entry. For the purposes of this Rule a competitor whose birthday occurs on 1st January shall be deemed to be under the age attained on that date.

4) Competitions may be closed if there are no competitors at the assigned stage ready to compete when the competition is scheduled or announced. May not pertain to situation where competitors are involved in stage conflicts.

6). Steel taps or “bubble” heels on dancing shoes, display of awards, wearing of shorts or other unconventional dress is prohibited. Authentic Gaelic dress is desired. First Feis (if offered), Beginner and Advanced Beginner, aka Beginner I and II, must wear a class costume, or a skirt and blouse. All other categories are excluded from this rule. Modest attire is encouraged when a competitor is not dancing.

7) Competitor’s number must be worn and visible to adjudicators when performing in all competitions, except in Championships; use of plastic number covers is discouraged.

9) Complaints must be in writing stating names and other factual information and signed by the complainant. A ten-dollar fee must be enclosed and presented to the Feis Chairman within one hour of the occurrence. The fee will be returned if the complaint is upheld.

10) The Feis Committee, FNEAOS, Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance, The St.George Theatre or any person or organization affiliated with same, will not be held responsible for personal injury, property loss or damage. Destruction of Feis property or rental property will be punishable by law.

11) The Feis reserves the right to reject any entry for cause, to cancel all or part of the Feis and to limit competitor’s performing time. The decision of the Feis committee is final in all matters connected with the Feis.

12) Competitors must answer all questions as required by the Feis Entry committee, including teacher’s name, and enclose the entry fee when mailing. Failure to do so will result in a rejected entry. Entries must be postmarked on or before the closing date or they will be subject to a late fee of $10.

18) The status of the dancer does not change unless there are five or more dancers in a competition.

19) Each region may determine the system for moving dancers from one grade to another, as they see appropriate for their region. The syllabus is to contain all grade categories. A Feis Committee may combine two consecutive age categories into the higher of the two categories within that grade when less than five (5) competitors are entered.
Beginner Grade: A beginner is a competitor who has not yet taken a full year of Irish Dance lessons, thereby giving beginners a full year with such status. A Beginner must move into the Advanced Beginner category the next year.
Advanced Beginner Grade: An advanced beginner who wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd place will advance to the Novice category in that particular dance. Competition dances are reel, light jig, slip jig, traditional treble jig and traditional hornpipe, as a minimum requirement.
Novice Grade: A novice who wins a 1 st place will advance to the Open (Prizewinner) category in that particular dance.
Open Grade (Prizewinner): A competitor who does not qualify as a beginner, advanced beginner or as a novice.
Adult Beginner: An adult beginner is a competitor who never took Irish dancing lessons from a registered teacher prior to 9/1 of the previous year and is over 18 years of age.

20)Musicians and adjudicators cannot be approached during a competition by anyone except the Feis Committee. No one can approach them while a competitor is performing.

22) Figure Dancing: Teachers or team captains are responsible that their teams are complete and in position when the competition is announced. Competitors may compete in the next higher age group; however, a competitor may compete in only one age group.

23) In matters pertaining to adjudication, the decision of the adjudicators is final.

24) Adjudicators are to monitor the quality of music at the stage(s) to which they are assigned.

26) Any form of unauthorized photography which has the capability to capture a dancer’s image while in motion, using electronic or manual means, i.e. mobile phone, standard camera, video camera, or commercial film, with or without enhancement is expressively forbidden in competition, except for press use or Feis Committee documentation.

27) No block, en Pointe, toe walking movements, stationary or moving is allowed to be performed for all ages up to and including the under 12 age group. However, after September 1 of each year an exception is made for those dancers who are 11 dancing in the under 12 age group.

28) Make up is prohibited on a dancer in the first three grades (First Feis (if  offered), Beginner and Advance Beginner or their equivalent) up to and including the under 12 age group.

29) Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refuses to remove same, will be subject to disqualification from that particular competition. Medically prescribed aids (proof of which may be required) will be exempt from this rule.

30) Music Competitions: Beginner: Any student who has been taking lessons for less than two years

31) No coolers allowed at the feis. Food and beverages will be available all day.

32) ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS.

33) By entering the feis, all dancers parents and legal guardians agree to abide by the rules of the feis, the NAFC, and the IDTANA.