Stewart School Hosts Massive Feis
By DEREK TINNEY
VANCOUVER - On June 18 to 20, the Stewart School of Irish Dance held its annual feis at Bonsor Community Centre in Burnaby. The event and results were impressive with almost 800 dancers of all ages participating. They took to the stage in groups and solo dances, while adjudicators from across North America reviewed and assessed their every step.
Magdalene Stewart's school once again showed itself proud. The volunteer effort was amazing, from the construction of two massive stages, to the sizzling syncopation of Granny's kitchen, the efforts of families, friends and students of the Stewart School was inspiring.
Group dancers took to the stage on Friday night and the dancers put on a terrific show, from the beginner two-hands dances, through to the massive 20-member progressive, there was dancing for everyone, and the feis was off to a terrific start.
Saturday and Sunday saw the individual competitions underway and participants showed their dance steps, musical abilities and culinary skills. The judges were presented with an array of talent and the scoring and awards crew made sure that the trophies and medals found their way to the worthy recipients.
Regardless of whether it was the Under Nine beginner reel, or the hotly contested soda bread competition, the competition was keen and friendly.
The gym was truly rocking during the final step of the Treble Reel competition as all the stages erupted into dance in a fully coordinated final step. This forceful and percussive dance poignantly displayed the skill of the competitors as over 100 dancers spread across six stages danced out in perfect time.
That display was hard to top, but the feis then went into even higher gear as the top level dancers took to the stage in an attempt to qualify for higher levels.
By Sunday evening, even as the last strains of the fiddle and accordion faded away down the halls of the community centre, the stages were being struck, the sound system dismantled and the kitchen cleaned.
Bonsor Community Centre was returned to regular activities for another while, but take heed, next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Stewart School of Irish Dance feis and Magdalene Stewart is sure to make that one an even bigger and bolder event! See you then.
One final note: Shane Byrne of the Stewart school, a top level under-16 dancer who has worked hard all year participated in a recent Oireachtas and his results qualified him for this year's North American Championships in Philadelphia. The entire Stewart school is proud of Shane's accomplishments and wishes him good luck at the Championships.
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The Stewart School of Irish Dance offers classes for children and adults from beginner to championship level in Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Surrey and Richmond. For more information about the Stewart School of Irish Dance, call (604) 583-5183, or (604) 526-6602, or visit: www.stewart-irish-dancers.freeservers.com.
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