GREAT LAKES FEIS

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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v      What is camping?

v      Can I bring a cooler and food?

v      Registration issue

v      Can I make changes?

v      What stage am I dancing on?

v      I lost my competitor card!

v      Where can I practice?

v      Music problem

v      Arriving late

v      Can I talk to the judges?

v      Do I have to dance everything?

v      Results are incorrect!

v      I lost something!

v      Can I get individual results?

v      When can I register for next year?

 

 

 

 

What is camping?

 

Because feising is an all day event, almost everyone brings a picnic blanket and folding chairs to be more comfortable.  Also, this allows you to keep all your stuff together.  At outdoor feises, people also bring tents (make sure to check with that feis first!), but the Great Lakes Feis is held indoors, so no tents are needed J

 

At the Great Lakes Feis there will be some chairs set up in front of each stage.  Everyone is encouraged to use them only when their child is competing, and then let the other parents have a chance to sit there when their child is competing.

 

But for the most part, everyone brings a blanket and chairs, and basically “camps” for the day.  Your neighbor will put their blanket right next to yours - space it at a premium at a feis - so there will be little room between camping areas for walking.  So make sure to bring a blanket that you don’t mind having others walk on.

 

The other  nice thing about camping is that you get to know other feising families, exchange feising tips, notes, … So don’t be shy - introduce yourself and get to know your feis neighbor!

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Can I bring a cooler and food?

 

NO!  No coolers are allowed at the Great Lakes Feis.  No food is allowed.  You may only bring water.  The Lansing Center vendors will sell food and drinks. 

However, you can leave your cooler in the car if you like.

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Registration issue?

 

It is very important that BEFORE you come to the feis, you check your registration information on-line.  If you find any error before August, go to www.feisworx.com and you can make any correction for free.  Changes can still be made in August, but may incur a fee.  The day of the competition is not a good time to notice a mistake as it is VERY difficult for the feis volunteers to make corrections.  So we cannot encourage you enough to please make sure everything is correct BEFORE the day of the feis.

 

If, however, the day of the registration you find that something is wrong, please go to the “REGISTRATION” table.  Someone will assist you there.

 

If the error was made by you, it could end up costing $20 per correction.  If the error was by feisworx, or us, we will gladly make the change.  All we ask is that when you come up to us, please be patient!

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Can I make changes?

 

I want to add another competition - can I do this the day of the feis?

 

Per the NAFC ruling, no changes are allowed the day of the feis. 

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What stage am I dancing on?

 

Look at the back of your dancer card.  It has all your registration information, and what stage each competition is on.  Also, the stage assignment list given to you at registration lists all the competitions in order on each stage.

 

However, you should also pay attention to announcements and to the “Master Stage List” in the hall, as some competitions may be moved around to other stages.

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I lost my competitor card!

 

Don’t panic!  Go to the “REGISTRATION” table - they will issue you a new card.

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Where can I practice?

 

The hallway usually clears up after registration and is a good place to practice.  In the hall itself, we discourage you to practice as it is disruptive to the judges and dancers on stage.

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Music problems?

 

The musician is playing the wrong music / or the musician is playing at the wrong tempo - what should I do?

 

If you are on stage, and before you dance, you notice something wrong with the music - raise your hand and get the judge’s attention.  If the judge acknowledged you, go up to the judge and tell them what is wrong.  If the judge does nothing - ignores you - then just do your best with the music.  It is important to make your effort to let the judge know BEFORE you start to dance.

 

Also, in Novice and Open categories, the Hornpipe and Treble Jigs can be danced either “slow” or “fast”(Traditional).  The stage monitor should ask you what speed you want to dance at.  Make sure you know BEFORE you check in.  If you don’t know, go to the “QUESTION/PROBLEM” table and they will find someone to help you.

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Late?

 

I’m late for my dance, can I still compete?

 

Go up to the stage monitor.  They have the final say on whether or not you can compete.  If the stage monitor turns you away, you must respect their decision and just walk away.

 

It is very important to keep watching what competitions are coming up.  Be ready a couple of dances before yours, and as soon as your competition is listed under “Next” go sign in.  Do not wait to the last minute to sign in.  Competitions will not be re-opened for latecomers.

 

Also, The Great Lakes Feis has set up all the stages so that no one will be dancing on more than one stage.  The only exception is the final Treble Reel competition for Championship level - but that will be the last competition of the day.

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Can I talk to the judge?

 

I want to ask the judge a question - can I go up to them between dances?

 

NO!  Under no circumstances should anyone ever talk to the judges when they are sitting at their table.  In fact, talking to a judge can get you disqualified from the feis!

 

Go to the “REGISTRATION” table with all your questions - they will either have the answer for you, or will find someone who does.

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Do I have to dance all the dances?

 

Do I have to dance all the dances I registered for?

 

If you are unable or just don’t feel like competing in an event, you are not obliged to participate.  It is courteous to go up to the stage manager and let them know you will not take part - so they don’t wait for you or call for you before the start of the competition.

 

Not taking part in some or all your registered competitions will have NO effect on your ranking or scoring.  Each competition is judged completely separately, and no one keeps track of what exactly you competed in.

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Results are incorrect?

 

The winners listed on the posters aren’t right.  None of these people were even in that competition!

 

We are all human, and sometimes, we may make a mistake.  Please go to the “REGISTRATION” table and let them know exactly what the problem is.  Please do not talk to any of the other volunteers - they will likely be busy with other work.  This is important and we will do our best to correct it as quickly as possible.

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I lost something!

 

Go to the “REGISTRATION” table - it’s also the “lost and found” area.

 

If you lost a child - oh well - better luck next time J

Actually, just come to the REGISTRATION table, and they can make an announcement - hopefully your child will pay attention!

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Can I get individual results?

 

Championship dancer results will be given out during the awards ceremony at the stage.

 

Everyone else is encouraged to purchase their individual results the day of the feis.  Near the “REGISTRATION” area will be someone with a computer and printer selling individual result printouts for $3.  As results are posted, you can find out your individual scores, any comments the judge might have given you, and the top 5 scores in that event.  The volunteer can also let you know what results are available to you.  It is recommended you purchase your results after all your competitions have been posted, so you can have one sheet with all the results for the same price of $3.

 

However, if you didn’t purchase your results the day of the feis, you can mail a self-addressed STAMPED envelope with $3 cash to:       

 

                        Bettina Sohnigen

                        19114 Northridge Drive

                        Northville, MI  48167

 

Please include your name and your dancer number.  And don’t forget to put a stamp on your envelope!

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When can we register for next year?

 

Registration will open in the spring of next year.  Please visit the website for updates

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