Dance! - The Road to Heavies: February 5, 2012. The Kilkenny Feis
Prosper beginning of our journey
Together with a (now) ex-student and a friend of hers I'm on my way to the Feis in a schoolbuilding in Voorburg. The journey to it starts good with the train to Leiden already at the platform, allthough being 15 minutes late. Who cares: the train is warm and we can sit down. The busy Central Station (yes, even on a sunday) is now unnaturally quiet and hardly any travellers are to be found.
After sitting down in the train that was already present when we got to the platform, announcements on the platform state that the train won't leave at all anymore and a train from platform 1 will take us to Leiden and indeed, almost spot on, a train arrives and leaves with minor delay.
Here there be trouble...
From that point on, the journey became a big hassle. We got off the train at the wrong station, got on to the wrong bus, that took us to the wrong Wellant College. Little did I know that there were only like 20 different Wellant College buildings in this area!
After making a few telephone calls with home, we get directions to get there eventually.
After another hour and 15 minutes of transport by bus, we finally make it to Voorburg. After another 20 minutes walking and - to make things worse - in the wrong direction at first as well, we find a passer-by that luckily knows where we need to be.
After plowing through the snow for another 10 minutes, we reach a lively Wellant College. Just after our entrance, the public applauds one of the dancers that has just finished. I feel a little awkward and try to enter as quiet and inconspicuous as possible. I search for a table or desk to pay my spectator fee, but can't find it.
What the hell is this!?...
When I walk into the hall, two classmates great me, allthough I don't notice that on first instance. I recognize the voices and somewhere in the back of my mind, their appearance does ring a bell, but who are they exactly?
After a few seconds, I see who they are. I didn't recognize them at first because they are both wearing the official KSID-uniform, and she is wearing a wig.
Tie that with all the other dresses that, how shall I put this 'attract the attention' and the many wigs and I really feel like 'what the hell did I visit?'. For my understandings, I walked into a well-hidden world and never could I have imagined that what I see now, really existed. Besides that, I strangely enough feel like I'm being watched, because I probably stand out as a new-comer.
The applaud we just heard turns out to be the lead-up to a break, so we stroll along the small market and we can try out the 'catering area': all kinds of (mainly homemade) pastry and cake can be bought. The ex-student's friend hears from her that the lemoncake is really worth the money, tips me about it and before we know it we all three ate a slice of lemoncake.
During the break, the teacher tells me that only the highest levels are left to take the stage, which means we will get to see top-level dancing. Due to the snowy weather, many dancers couldn't make it to the Feis which in turn shortened the program and we are already entering the final competitions.
This is also the reason there is no one to collect the spectator fees anymore.
Taking our seats quickly for 'Dance to the bell'
With a mere 5 minutes to spare, I already take up one of the available seats, curious as I am to find out what 'All dancers will dance to the bell' means. I read that in the syllabus, but couldn't make an impression of what that would mean.
I did see a rather large bell on the table of the adjudicator, but haven't heard it being used so far.
It isn't busy at all by the way, allthough I catch that this competition is also low on spectators because of the weather. Evenso, I don't think you should expect a big crowd to be there.
While waiting for the competitions to enter their final stage, we are 'inspecting' the loads of dresses we see. Some of them are a feast for the eyes and with the three of us we pick the most beautiful one.
The very few male competitors are almost insignificant with their far more modest appearance.
When the first 2 dancers have started their routine and the adjudicator is watching them closely, I'm awaiting the bell eagerly, as I haven't heard it yet! I also try to keep up with the amount of bars of music already played. Though the level is far higher, I can count along and I hear when the dancers have to start.
With admiration I mainly look at the feet and completely to my surprise, there is suddenly a loud 'ding': The dancers immediately stop dancing, take 5th position and don't move a muscle. The adjudicator writes something down and after she hits the bell for a second time the dancers take a few bows and can leave the stage (or better: they have to)
Negative surprise...
'What a formal fuss!' Is the first thing that springs to my mind. Nothing like me, such tight 'controlled' nonsense. I'm being honest when I say this comes as a surprise, but one with not such a nice taste.
That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the dancers. Especially a guy from Norway does his dance in such a way it doesn't seem to take him any effort at all. He also stands out from the rest (in a positive manner) an opinion we share all three. Though his uniform is the simplest, being only a black shirt with a blue necktie, he goes on to win eventually, which we think is completely justified.
The set-dance (or something) is a nice piece to watch because the crowd gets involved. Under rhythmical applauding by members of the public, the dancers perform a short piece solo one by one.
* 28-5-2017: Some further 'research' proves that this was the 'Treble Reel Competition', where the use of arms can be allowed.
What is waiting for me...
After watching about 90 minutes of this Feis, the competition ends. Because we are running out of time, we immediately commence with the return-journey back home. I just experienced almost everything I have to 'endure' in October and even by now, I get some light pins and needles....
The negative side of this story is that bell. This is probably also down to the fact that when I started, I didn't think about the competitive side of Irish dance at all. First, let's see how far I could take it. I could always take on a competition later.
That's why I found this to be rather formal and directed. Ah well, let's see what October brings.