What is a feis?

I came across this excellent article (below) about what a feis entails.

First of all, it is pronounced fesh. A feis is an Irish Dance Competition, usually part of a weekend event.They take place all over the World and the USA. Look out for one near you, and go along.....just to see the time, work, and dedication that goes into being a top Irish dancer.
The plural is feiseanna. (feshanna)

This was written by Pat Friend, and she credits Tír Na Greine School of Irish Dance, owned by my good friend Laura O'Sullivan.

It is long but informative.

"What is a feis"? An Irish step-dancing competition. Sounds simple enough, right? Think again!
Before looking at the modern feis it's important to recall a little history. Irish step-dancing as we know it in the 21st century can be traced back to travelling dance masters of 18th century rural Ireland. They each developed their own "steps" (footwork danced to eight measures or bars of music) and competed against each other for the opportunity to teach in different regions.

Interest in many traditional Irish sports and arts rebounded after the formation of the Gaelic League 1893. In 1929 the Irish Dancing Commission (An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha) was formed to establish rules for the teaching, judging and competitions. That body continues to function in that role. Regional Commissions, such as the North American Feis Commission that was established in 1968, provide oversight in their geographic areas.

After decades when Irish step-dancing remained relatively unknown outside of its inner circle, Riverdance hit the world stage in the 1990s. Suddenly, Irish step-dancing became the "rage", not just in Ireland but around the world. Families who had never even heard of a "step" or a "ghillie" were enrolling their children in step-dancing classes and assembling at feiseanna to watch them compete.
The road to a feis starts with enrollment in a step-dancing school run by a teacher who is certified by the Irish Dancing Commission. The first level of certification a teacher receives is T.C.R.G., Teasgicoir Choimisiuin Le Rinci Gaelacha, or Irish Commission Dancing Teacher. Some teachers go on to be certified as A.D.C.R.G., Ard Diploma Choimisiuin Le Rinci Gaelacha, or Highest Diploma in Gaelic Dancing. Those who have achieved the A.D.C.R.G. certification are also eligible to serve as adjudicators for competitions.
Depending on the size and organization of the school, students are broken into classes base on experience and age. And, as if in the spirit of the original dance masters, many of the teachers travel to teach classes in several areas. The schools are often called up to perform at cultural events and in parades. At the same time, many students chose to compete. That's where the feis comes in.
A school or other cultural organization sponsors each feis. While rules for each feis will vary slightly, as outlined in a "syllabus", general organization of all feiseanna is similar.
Competitors are broken into several groups. The first division assigns them according to their experience level. There are five solo categories:
•   Beginner: A beginner is a competitor who has not taken Irish dancing lessons from a registered teacher prior to September 1 of the previous year. A Beginner must move into the Advanced Beginner category the next year.
•   Advanced Beginner: An advanced beginner who wins 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place will advance to the Novice category in that particular dance. Competition dances are limited to reel, light jig, slip jig, treble jig, and traditional hornpipe.
•   Novice: A novice who wins a 1st place will advance to the Open (Prizewinner) category in that particular dance.
•   Open (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 as a juvenile and is over 18 years of age.

When a dancer has placed first, second, or third in each dance in the Open (Prizewinner) solo categories, s/he advances to Preliminary Championship competition.
Once in their categories, the dancers are divided according to their ages so a six-year-old will not compete directly against a 14-year-old. Each dancer usually competes in several dances, possibly in different solo categories if they advance more quickly in one dance than another.
Through the Open (Prizewinner) level, the competitors dance on a "stage" (actually a hard dance floor) in front of a single judge who grades each dancer independently. (In Preliminary Championship and Championship competitions dancers compete for a panel of three judges.) Scores are ranked and places assigned for each competition within a solo category and age. Medals are generally given through third place, sometimes through fourth and fifth places. Trophies may be presented at the Prizewinner, Preliminary, and Championship levels.
Once dancers have reached the Championship levels they compete in regional competitions, known as "Oireachtas", and ultimately at the World Championships held annually in Ireland.
There's a simple statement in every feis syllabus that has led to the development of an industry in its own right. "Authentic Gaelic dress is desired." By the latter part of the 20th century that had translated into a system of school dresses and very elaborate solo dresses that would never have been seen in Celtic Ireland.
Each school has a dress of unique design that is worn by its Beginner and Novice dancers, and by all dancers who compete in the Figure Dances where two, three, four, or more dancers perform as a team. Boys, at all levels of competition, often where black trousers and white or black shirts, with or without a vest. Girls who haven't been dancing long enough to have their school dresses generally wear a pleated skirt or kilt and white blouse. The solo dresses are often heavily and embroidered and appliquéd with Celtic designs reminiscent of the Book of Kells.
It would be nice to close this piece with the news that each feis is a smooth-running affair with the precision of an Olympic event. But, unfortunately, that's hardly the case. Put more than 500 youthful competitors, each with at least one adult in tow, in a confined area and it's almost a guarantee that someone won't understand what's going on. Especially for first-timers, what appears on the surface as pure mayhem can be quite frustrating. Somehow, though, it all works out and as the day moves on and those who competed early head for home it becomes a pleasure to see the results of hard work and the smiling faces of dancers who love their art.
Does this competition detract from the art of Irish dancing? Have the dress designs and curled hair lost the true Gaelic spirit of the dance as some say a dancer's appearance becomes almost as important as the quality of their dancing? I think not. The smiles of the dancers shown here say it all to me. As long as a child enjoys
step-dancing and finds fun in the competition, it's OK.
And, for those not in Ireland, step-dancing becomes a living link to their Irish heritage."

Thanks to: http://www.tirnagreine.com/
and the great dance teacher, Laura O'Sullivan, A.D.C.R.G.

Here's Laura on the left, with some of her World-Class dancers: