Dear Teachers and Parents,

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the Third Annual

“City of Birmingham Championships” I have highlighted in red anything new for this year’s competition.

We have once again managed to secure the same amazing venue for the competition at the famous Edgbaston Cricket Ground. We will have 2 full size championship stages with a separate room for recalls to keep the competitions moving and running to time. We are running mixed championships in age groups U6 – Senior with a specially commissioned silver cup for the top boy and top girl in each age group. As well as sashes for the top 5 and specially commissioned Olympic style enamel medals for the top 10. We are also running separate Preliminary Championships from U10 – U15, U17 and Senior. If there are 5 boys in any one Championship, we will run a separate boys competition.

The Championships and Preliminary Championships are pre-entry, The grades will all be enter on the day.

The Championships from U10- Senior will be adjudicated by 6 adjudicators. 3 will adjudicate the first 2 rounds and a separate 3 will adjudicate the set dance. There will be a 50% recall for competitions with more than 20 competitors. We will once again be doing a competition for the non recallers in the championship. They will perform 1 step down the line in the HEAVY SHOE dance adjudicated by one judge, then an overall result will be given.

The U6-U9 Championships will be adjudicated by a panel of 3 judges and there will be 100% recall. The Preliminary Championships will also be adjudicated by a panel of 3 and there will be a 50% recall if there are more than 15 competitors.

In the Grades, we have removed the light and heavy trophy competitions and are offering a trophy for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all dances. This will save a lot of time on the timetable and also gives the children more opportunity to win a trophy.

We are also offering 2, 3, 4, 6 hand competitions as well as Ceili and Figure Championships which will be adjudicated by a panel of 3.

We have negotiated a group rate with The Holiday Inn Express Hotel Snow Hill in Birmingham City Centre which is only 2 miles from the venue, and close to restaurants bars and shops. For those flying in to Birmingham Airport you can take a train from Birmingham International Station (At the airport) to Birmingham New Street in 15 minutes.

Hot and cold food and drinks will be available to purchase throughout the day from the venue’s catering team.

The Irish Dancer - www.theirishdancer.co.uk - will be selling shoes, socks, glue, hair accessories and all your other feis requirements.Once again we will be holding our 3 Champion of Champions Competitions, the top 3 placers in each Championship are invited to take part in this to win a fabulous trophy.

We look forward to welcoming you to Birmingham in February and wish you all a successful weekend of dancing.

John Carey A.D.C.R.G, Catriona Hale T.C.R.G, Caroline Fahy T.C.R.G,Roisin Conway T.C.R.G, Kelly Stephens T.C.R.G

All Enquires to info@careyacademy.co.uk

RULES

General

1. Age to be taken from 1st January of the current year. 2. Adjudicator’s decision is final. 3. Committee members only may approach adjudicators. 4. Any protest against breach of rules must be made in writing to the feis organiser within one hour of conclusion of a competition, with a fee of £10.00. Should the objection be upheld the fee will be refunded.5. Entries will only be accepted from schools registered with An Coimisiun. 6. Lodgement of entries at a feis implies that you accept the rules relating to the feis in their entirety as laid down by the An Coimisiún le Rinci Gaelacha & Midland Regional Council. 7. Artificial Carriage Aids : health and safety requires all dancers to be able to raise their arms to shoulder level unhindered-effective March 2014 8. Any form of unauthorised photography which has the capability to capture a dancers image whilst in motion, using electronic or manual means e.g. mobile phone, standard camera, video camcorder, cine recorder or commercial film with or without flash enhancement is expressly forbidden in competition9. Make-up (including false eyelashes and tan on face) is not to be permitted for any dancer in solo or team competitions, up to and including the under 10 age group. Nor in first two grades up to and including under 12 age group. Leg tan is NOT part of this rule.10. A solo competition cannot be held with only 1 competitor11. Costume rule – Novice competitors in all age groups, up to under 12 must only wear traditional class costume or long/short blouses/polo tops and skirts/tunics, bodysuits/leotards, which conform to the regular costume length as per An Coimisiun rules. As from Jan 2015 all forms of dance school identification on SOLO costumes, be it sign, shape, logo, initials or name are banned 12. Primary competitors in the Midland Region ARE NOW ALLOWED to wear solo costumes

Grades:

1. Novice & Primary Grades are open to ALL areas 2. In Novice Grades only basic steps are to be performed i.e. no intricate movements, clicks, rocks, twists, etc.,. 3. Competitors must dance in their own age group for solo competitions except where there is no provision for that dance in that age group.4. No competitor may compete twice in the same competition. 5. Novice and Primary grades results –grade progression will be as follows - This includes all trophy competitions. 5 or less competitors – no dancer moves up to the next grade in that dance. 6 – 10 competitors – 1 dancer moves up to the next grade in that dance 11 – 20 competitors – 2 dancers move up to the next grade in that dance 21 and over competitors – 3 dancers move up to the next grade in that dance. 6. In a trophy competition a dancer must have performed their choice of dance in the solo

competition.7. A Novice dancer is one who has not progressed out of novice grade for that particular dance in any age group. This includes Trophy Competitions – see rule 16. 8. A Primary dancer is one who has not progressed out of Primary grade for that particular dance in his/her present age group. This includes Trophy Competitions – see rule 16.9. An Intermediate dancer is one who has not won first place for that particular dance in his/her present age group ( an intermediate dancer will only progress to open grade if there are more than 5 dancers in that particular dance) This includes Trophy Competitions.

Figure:

1. In Figure and Ceili competitions - rules regarding age and re-dancing as laid out by An Coimisiun apply. 2. In Ceili 8 Hand competitions any 8 Hand may be performed in accordance with Ar Rince Foirne. 3. Figure Championship in the U7’s year group may be a 6 hand dance, 8 hand Ceili or Figure Dance of 6 or more

Championships and Premier competitions:

1. Competitors can only dance in either Preliminary or Open Championship; they may not compete in both. Intermediate competitors can dance their grade dances and either the Preliminary or Open Championship.2. PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIP RULE -To compete in a Preliminary Championship a competitor cannot have been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Open championship or 1st in a Preliminary Championship in this current year, providing there were 10 or more competitors.3. Championship/Premier Competitions - Only Intermediate and Open dancers are eligible to compete (except under 6 and 7 – see below). 4. Under 6s & under 7s Championships will dance Reel, Light Jig and Hop Jig. All grades are allowed to compete but must have performed these dances on the day of the feis. 5. Under 8s and Under 9s will dance Reel and Heavy Jig and Traditional set. To be eligible to compete, dancers must perform 2 dances in the solo rounds on the day of the feis.6. Under 10 and up. All dancers should be given a choice of Reel or Slip Jig and Jig or Hornpipe and recall set dance.

Competitions

Age Groups

Novice Under 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Primary Under 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and over 12 Intermediate Under 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, Over 14

Solo (Trophy) Competitions

Novice Reel, Slip Jig, Hop Jig, Light Jig, Heavy Jig & Hornpipe, Traditional Set DancePrimary Reel, Slip Jig, Hop Jig, Light Jig, Heavy Jig & Hornpipe, Traditional Set DanceIntermediate Reel, Slip Jig, Hop Jig, Light Jig, Heavy Jig & Hornpipe, Traditional Set DanceOpen U6-U9 Reel, Slip Jig, Hop Jig, Light Jig, Heavy Jig & Hornpipe, Traditional Set Dance

Figure Dancing

2 Hand, 3 Hand, 4 Hand, 6 Hand, 8 Hand Ceili, Figure Choreography

Figure Age Groups

Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 16, Seniors

Preliminary Championships

Reel or Slip Jig, Heavy Jig or Hornpipe, Recall Open Set Dance.

Mixed Open Championship U6 & U7 (Prize for Top Girl and Top Boy, or separate boys if more than 5)

Reel, Light Jig and Hop Jig

Mixed Open Championship U8 & U9 (Prize for Top Girl and Top Boy, or separate boys if more than 5)

Reel, Heavy Jig and Traditional Set Dance

Open Championship U10 (Prize for Top Girl and Top Boy, or separate boys if more than 5)

Reel or Slip Jig, Heavy Jig or Hornpipe, Recall for TRADITIONAL or OPEN set (Choice)

Open Championships (U11 Upwards) (Prize for Top Girl and Top Boy, or separate boys if more than 5)

Reel or Slip Jig, Heavy Jig or Hornpipe, Recall Open Set Dance.

STAGE 1 (DOWNSTAIRS) STAGE 2 (DOWNSTAIRS) SET DANCE HALL (UPSTAIRS)

8am U10 Champ Rounds 1 & 2 U11 Champ Rounds 1 & 2U12 Champ Rounds 1 & 2 U14 Champ Rounds 1 & 2 U10 Non Recallers step down the

line & Set DancesU13 Champ Rounds 1 & 2 U15 Champ Rounds 1 & 2 U11 Non Recallers step down the

line & Set DancesU14 Non Recallers step down the line & Set Dances

U12 Non Recallers step down the line & Set Dances

U13 Non Recallers step down the line & Set Dances

U15 Non Recallers step down the line & Set Dances

U16 Champ Rounds 1 & 2 Senior Champ Rounds 1 & 2U11 Ceili & Figure U13 Ceili & Figure U16 Non Recallers step down the

line & Set DancesU17 Champ Rounds 1 & 2 U19 Champ Rounds 1 & 2 Senior Non Recallers step down

the line & Set DancesU19 Non Recallers step down the line & Set Dances

U12 PRIMARY

U16 Ceili & FigureSenior Ceili & FigureJunior and Senior Champion of Champions

SATURDAY 25th February Order of Competitions

DOWNSTAIRS STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4

8am U8 NOVICE U8 PRIMARY U8 INTERMEDIATE U8 OPEN9-45am U9 NOVICE U9 PRIMARY U9 INTERMEDIATE U9 OPEN11-30am U6 NOVICE U6 PRIMARY U6 INTERMEDIATE U6 OPEN12-30pm U7 NOVICE U7 PRIMARY U7 INTERMEDIATE U7 OPEN1-30pm U10 NOVICE U10 PRIMARY U10

INTERMEDIATEU14/OVER 14 INTERMEDIATE (ALTERNATING)

3-30pm U9 CEILIMINOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

4-15pm U11 NOVICE U11 PRIMARY U11 INTERMEDIATE

OVER 12 PRIMARY

5-45pm U12 NOVICE U12 PRIMARY U12 INTERMEDIATE

SUNDAY 26th February Timetable

UPSTAIRS HALL B

8am U14 & SENIOR PRELIM ALTERNATING9-15am U15 & U17 PRELIM ALTERNATING10-30am U8 CHAMPIONSHIP ALL 3 ROUNDS11-30am U11 & U13 PRELIM ALTERNATING1-30pm U9 CHAMPIONSHIP ALL 3 ROUNDS2-15pm U6 & U7 CHAMPIONSHIP ALL 3 ROUNDS3-00pm U12 PRELIM4-30pm U10 PRELIM

TABLE 1

PLEASE NOTE – VERY IMPORTANT TO TEACHERS, DANCERS AND PARENTS

WE ARE GOING TO USE THE 32 BAR SYSTEM IN GRADE SOLO DANCES

We are using the system from the USA for ALL grade dances (Novice, Primary, Intermediate and Open solo dances in U6, 7, 8 and 9s). It is called the 32 bar system.

ALL dancers in the competition will be lined up at the back of the stage at the start of the competition. The adjudicator will take down the numbers of all competitors.

The first two dancers walk to the starting positions and get ready to dance. After the 8 bar introduction the dancers will begin their dance and dance for 32 bars*.After 32 bars* they bow (quickly) and return to their original place in the line at the back of the stage whilst the next two dancers step commence their performance of 32 bars*.

NB There will be no gap of 8 bars in between each performance.* The content of the 32 bar performance is at the discretion of individual teachers. i.e. it could be leadround and step or 2 steps.

There will be stage stewards on each stage counting the next 2 dancers in and dancers will not be penalised for starting late or continuing after 32 bars as this system is relatively new in this country and some dancers may not be used to it.

We are using this system at our feis for all graded dances (Except the Traditional Set). The reasons for using this system are twofold.

1. TIME SAVING - Time is not spent walking on, off and bowing for each set of 3. 2. ALL dancers will be on the stage at the same time. This will reduce the amount of children in the audience during competitions and will also capture the attention of the whole audience – thereby ensuring a quieter and more orderly reception for all dancers.

ENTRIES

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP AND PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIPS.

GRADE ENTRIES WILL BE TAKEN ON THE DAY

All Cheques should be made payable to:

“The Friends of the Carey Academy”

Please post Entries to:

John Carey“The City of Birmingham Championships”417 Amazon LoftsTenby StreetBirminghamB1 3AJ

ENTRY FEES

All Solo (Trophy) Dances £4-50Figure (2,3,4,6 Hands) £2-50Ceili Championships £20-00 per teamFigure Championships £40-00 per teamSolo Championships (U6 & U7) £22-00 (Including 2 solo tickets)*Solo Championships (U8 & U9) £25-00 (Including 2 solo tickets)*Preliminary Championships £30-00 (Including 2 solo results)Open Championships (U10+) £30-00 (Including 2 solo results)Family Fee £70-00

Door entry payable on day £5-00 per person (If coming both days second day is half price)

* U6-U9 Championship includes 2 tickets for solo rounds which are compulsory to be eligible to dance in the championship. Extra solo tickets can be purchased for £4-50 each if more than 2 solos wish to be danced.

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS FEBRUARY 3rd 2017Late entries are accepted between February 3rd and February 10th but will be subject to £10 late fee per dancer.

Any entries received after February 10th up to and including on the day will be subject to DOUBLE FEES penalty. I have included the running order for Saturday’s competitions and a timetable for Sunday’s competitions based on last years entries. A final timetable for Saturday will be published on February 13th once we have received entries, however the running order for the day will not change.

HOTEL DETAILS

Our base hotel is:

Holiday Inn Express, Birmingham - Snow HillSnow Hill PlazaBirminghamB4 6HY

We have negotiated a rate of £65 per night for the Friday and £99 for the Saturday night, if booked before the 27th January. This is a substantial reduction on the regular room rate that is on sale at the minute. The rooms sleep up to 2 adults and 2 children and include breakfast and free wifi

To book, call 0121 647 3999, ask for Katie Mansell and quote “CAE”

Other Hotels in the area are:

Premier Inn, Birmingham City Centre, Waterloo Street

Travelodge, Birmingham Bull Ring

Holiday Inn, Birmingham City centre

All above Hotels are approximately a 5 minute drive from the venue.

GETTING THERE

Edgbaston Cricket Ground is located 2 miles south of Birmingham City Centre.

Birmingham New Street is the nearest train Station approximately 2 miles away.

Birmingham International Airport is about 20 minutes in a taxi away.

East Midlands Airport is about 50 minutes away.

If you need any help don’t hesitate to contact us on info@careyacademy.co.uk