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Written by Greta Gothard
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008
We were all really tired after such a long day, but excited to be back in Ireland!
Written by Greta Gothard
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008
We were all really tired after such a long day, but excited to be back in Ireland!
When we got to Belfast and the waterfront hall, we found our friends from our dance school who also traveled to Worlds and started taping our feet so we could practice our steps for Tony.
We stayed at a lovely B&B called “Hargreaves House” in Bangor with our friend Pauline Mendez.
We stayed here last time we were in Ireland and liked it so much that we decided to come back. Pauline was really friendly and took good care of us during the entire week that we were there.
We stayed here last time we were in Ireland and liked it so much that we decided to come back. Pauline was really friendly and took good care of us during the entire week that we were there.
The first day we got there was Easter, so Pauline had some lovely daffodils out. We also each got a chocolate easter egg at breakfast.
Day one of dressing up in fancy clothes also begins, so out comes my new yellow scarf!
Day one of dressing up in fancy clothes also begins, so out comes my new yellow scarf!
Monday, March 24th, 2008
Willow and I spent a lot of time reading on this trip since we had to take a 30 minute train in and out of Belfast every day.
I was reading “House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende.
Willow and I spent a lot of time reading on this trip since we had to take a 30 minute train in and out of Belfast every day.
I was reading “House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende.
Meanwhile, Solana spent a lot of time sleeping.
Yay! It’s time to hop on our train to Portadown.
It’s time to see some Irish dancing!
It’s time to see some Irish dancing!
The waterfront hall’s main theater is packed with people ready to watch the competition.
The stage is huge, and in the back sits the worlds trophy, ready for whoever dances the best today.
Lined up on the floor at their separate tables are the seven judges chosen to place the 140 dancers in this age group.
The stage is huge, and in the back sits the worlds trophy, ready for whoever dances the best today.
Lined up on the floor at their separate tables are the seven judges chosen to place the 140 dancers in this age group.
Tony watched each of us practice and made sure to tell us what was important to practice for the week before we compete.
What we needed to do most was to work on building up endurance by doing the dance over and over again.
What we needed to do most was to work on building up endurance by doing the dance over and over again.
We met up with Tori and Chris from Tony’s California school, and together we all went through our steps on the practice stages.
We all watched each other dance and gave tips to make it look better.
We all watched each other dance and gave tips to make it look better.
Here we are with our friend Owen Barrington. He’s from Alaska, but now he dances with our teacher, Tony Comerford, in Seattle.
He placed second in his competition last year, so we’re all hoping he’s going to win it this time around!!
He placed second in his competition last year, so we’re all hoping he’s going to win it this time around!!
Solana has to compete first, so she puts in some extra practice time.
Last year she got sick on the day of her competition, so she’s making sure to drink lots of water and take lots of airborne to make sure she is healthy when she competes.
Last year she got sick on the day of her competition, so she’s making sure to drink lots of water and take lots of airborne to make sure she is healthy when she competes.
As soon as she’s got her feet all taped, Solana meets up with Michala, another dancer of Tony’s, who comes from his school in California.
They are in the same age group, so Tony works with the two of them together.
Solana does her steps all the way through on the practice stage, and gets some last-minute pointers from Tony - cross your feet, watch your posture, fly around the stage, get your leaps high.
Keep your shoulders back and smile!
They are in the same age group, so Tony works with the two of them together.
Solana does her steps all the way through on the practice stage, and gets some last-minute pointers from Tony - cross your feet, watch your posture, fly around the stage, get your leaps high.
Keep your shoulders back and smile!
Tuesday, March 25th
Solana’s competition day dawns and we get up at 4 AM to start getting her wig on and doing her makeup.
We take a lot of time to make her look perfect. These are the world championships, after all.
When we get to the waterfront hall, Solana carefully tapes her feet and ankles so she won’t hurt herself.
Solana’s competition day dawns and we get up at 4 AM to start getting her wig on and doing her makeup.
We take a lot of time to make her look perfect. These are the world championships, after all.
When we get to the waterfront hall, Solana carefully tapes her feet and ankles so she won’t hurt herself.
Solana puts on her brand new dress, glues up her socks, tries to remember everything that Tony told her, and heads backstage to await her turn onstage for her first round - hard shoe.
Solana is dancing the hornpipe and will need to do three perfect steps onstage. Everyone we’ve talked to that has competed already has said that the stage is huge, and that it is really hard to make it all the way around it, but Solana is going to try!
Solana is dancing the hornpipe and will need to do three perfect steps onstage. Everyone we’ve talked to that has competed already has said that the stage is huge, and that it is really hard to make it all the way around it, but Solana is going to try!
We’re all watching intently.
Solana’s first round goes really well, even though she got a little bit tired on the last step of the hornpipe.
She used the stage and moved nicely, and kept her feet crossed. She’s happy with it, and changes into her soft shoes for her second round- the reel.
She used the stage and moved nicely, and kept her feet crossed. She’s happy with it, and changes into her soft shoes for her second round- the reel.
Here we are outside the merchant hotel, a picture of the $70,000 crystal chandelier inside the hotel, and the main room inside where you can pay a lot of money for a fine afternoon of tea and cakes.
At a major Irish dance competition like the regional, national or world championship, there is a recall.
This means that a certain percentage of dancers get called back after their first two rounds to perform a third round for the judges in a smaller theater. These dancers are the very best in the world, and the crowd inside the recall room is often extremely quiet as they watch each dancer do their set dance alone.
This means that a certain percentage of dancers get called back after their first two rounds to perform a third round for the judges in a smaller theater. These dancers are the very best in the world, and the crowd inside the recall room is often extremely quiet as they watch each dancer do their set dance alone.
At the regional competition that we went to in Los Angeles, they recalled half of the competition. All three of us recalled and placed in the top ten of our age groups, which is something we’ve been working towards for years and years. This meant that we qualified to try our luck at the world championships. However at the world championships, they recall even fewer dancers- only the top third of the competition will move on to the third round.
Unfortunately, Solana doesn’t get called back, but she isn’t bothered at all. “I did so much better than last year!” She says, happily.
Unfortunately, Solana doesn’t get called back, but she isn’t bothered at all. “I did so much better than last year!” She says, happily.
Wednesday, March 26th
The next day we take off into the city of Belfast to do some sight-seeing.
Our bed and breakfast host, Pauline, has recommended that we go and see a very fancy hotel in Belfast city called “The Merchant.” We eat lunch at the restaurant there, the “Cloth Ear” where Pauline’s son Jamie works.
The bathrooms were very odd, and the rest of the hotel was quite spooky with its authentic Victorian gothic flavor.
The next day we take off into the city of Belfast to do some sight-seeing.
Our bed and breakfast host, Pauline, has recommended that we go and see a very fancy hotel in Belfast city called “The Merchant.” We eat lunch at the restaurant there, the “Cloth Ear” where Pauline’s son Jamie works.
The bathrooms were very odd, and the rest of the hotel was quite spooky with its authentic Victorian gothic flavor.
The merchant is also home to two more items of interest. An instrument that is half harp, half piano, which we don’t know the real name of so we called it a “parp,” and the world’s most expensive cocktail. Here you can see we’re oggling the bottle holding only 3-4 more measures of the stuff needed to make the cocktail, which would explain why it sells for 750 pounds or $1500.
On the way back to our B&B in Bangor on the train, Willow and Solana work on writing postcards to everybody back home, and I work on reading my book.
Thursday, March 27th
We head back to the waterfront hall to watch a few more competitions, and say goodbye to our friend Luc who is done competing.
He’ll be heading back to his home in Vancouver, B.C.
We head back to the waterfront hall to watch a few more competitions, and say goodbye to our friend Luc who is done competing.
He’ll be heading back to his home in Vancouver, B.C.
Connor is not feeling very well, but he is determined to dance anyway.
Owen is very nervous, but he’s excited to compete again after many months away from the Irish dance world because of an injury.
Owen is very nervous, but he’s excited to compete again after many months away from the Irish dance world because of an injury.
Friday, March 28th
Willow’s competition day is here, and she is all wigged out and ready to go.
Solana’s catching a little last-minute sleep since it was another early morning.
Willow’s competition day is here, and she is all wigged out and ready to go.
Solana’s catching a little last-minute sleep since it was another early morning.
Willow’s new dress is all ready to go with her number (6) pinned onto the front where the judges will be able to see it.
She’s taping her ankles so she’ll dance safely on the huge stage.
She’s taping her ankles so she’ll dance safely on the huge stage.
Tony comes up to watch Willow’s steps one last time and...surprise!
He’s even dressed to match her!
This boosts Willow’s spirits considerably and she gets over her nerves right away.
He’s even dressed to match her!
This boosts Willow’s spirits considerably and she gets over her nerves right away.
Willow isn’t happy with her first dance, the hornpipe. It was really hard to keep up her energy for the entire dance.
However, it wasn’t as bad as she thinks it was, and it took a whole army of people (our family, Tony, Kelly and Owen) to convince her.
However, it wasn’t as bad as she thinks it was, and it took a whole army of people (our family, Tony, Kelly and Owen) to convince her.
Willow’s second round in soft shoe goes much better, and although she doesn’t get a recall, she is excited to read her printed results to see if she has done better this year than last year.
Every dancer’s results are printed in Irish points so the dancer can look up what placement they received even if they weren’t part of the recalled portion of dancers.
Every dancer’s results are printed in Irish points so the dancer can look up what placement they received even if they weren’t part of the recalled portion of dancers.
Willow carefully reads her results on the train ride back to Bangor, and adds up the points to find out that she has done very well this year. She placed in front of everyone else from the Pacific Northwest in her age group, placed nearly 20 places higher than last year, and was only 18 places away from recalling.
She placed 49th of 93 dancers in her age group. Willow is very pleased.
She placed 49th of 93 dancers in her age group. Willow is very pleased.
I try to concentrate and not to get too intimidated watching the other dancers on the practice stage- several of them are people I’ve only ever heard about or read about in “Irish Dancer Magazine” since they are former and current world champions.
Tony tells me that my steps look good, and that all I can do is my best. The rest is up to the judges. He also reminds me that I have nothing to lose, as this is my first time competing solos at the world championships.
Tony tells me that my steps look good, and that all I can do is my best. The rest is up to the judges. He also reminds me that I have nothing to lose, as this is my first time competing solos at the world championships.
Since Willow and Solana have both competed, now I’m the only one left.
I join Tony, Owen and Connor on the practice stage and run through different parts of my steps.
I join Tony, Owen and Connor on the practice stage and run through different parts of my steps.
Saturday, March 29th
We take the train in to the waterfront hall again very early in the morning so we’ll be there in time to practice and watch Owen and Connor’s competitions.
We take the train in to the waterfront hall again very early in the morning so we’ll be there in time to practice and watch Owen and Connor’s competitions.
But I don’t compete until tomorrow. Today is the boys’ day- and Owen and Connor are both warming up and getting ready to go.
Solana gives Owen and Connor a special massage to help them perform better.
Solana gives Owen and Connor a special massage to help them perform better.
And the winner of the Senior Men’s competition, and champion of the world for 2008 is....
Owen Barrington!!
Owen Barrington!!
After they’ve been competing hard all day, everyone gathers in the main hall to hear Owen and Connor’s results.
Everyone from our dance school groups together in one section of the auditorium to hear the results being read on a big scoreboard.
Everyone from our dance school groups together in one section of the auditorium to hear the results being read on a big scoreboard.
Following years of tradition, Owen is honored with the belt which holds the names of previous world champions like Colin Dunne, star of Riverdance. Tony receives a crystal bowl.
Owen also gets a medal of solid gold, a silver ring, an orange flag holding the worlds coat of arms, and finally the big, shiny trophy.
This is the realization of a lifelong dream for Owen.
Owen also gets a medal of solid gold, a silver ring, an orange flag holding the worlds coat of arms, and finally the big, shiny trophy.
This is the realization of a lifelong dream for Owen.
Everyone is so happy, we can’t stop smiling!
Everyone congratulates Owen and his parents, plus his family and friends which are also here to cheer him on. We take a million pictures before heading home.
I need to get some sleep.
Everyone congratulates Owen and his parents, plus his family and friends which are also here to cheer him on. We take a million pictures before heading home.
I need to get some sleep.
Even though he was feeling badly, Connor performed really well in his first two rounds and was called back to do his set dance.
He places 8th overall and walks onstage to receive one of the coveted world championships medals.
He places 8th overall and walks onstage to receive one of the coveted world championships medals.
Who will be this year’s world champion?
Last year Michael Flatley (the lead dancer in Riverdance and the creator of Lord of the Dance) donated an entire set of new worlds trophies that are shaped like globes.
These are perpetual trophies, so the winner’s name is engraved on the trophy and it is handed to a new dancer every year.
Last year Michael Flatley (the lead dancer in Riverdance and the creator of Lord of the Dance) donated an entire set of new worlds trophies that are shaped like globes.
These are perpetual trophies, so the winner’s name is engraved on the trophy and it is handed to a new dancer every year.
Everyone in the crowd goes crazy, and everyone from our school is screaming and jumping up and down for joy.
Owen is the first world champion from our school, and Tony’s first world champion ever.
This is an amazing day not only for our school, but also the western region of the United States.
Owen is the first world champion from our school, and Tony’s first world champion ever.
This is an amazing day not only for our school, but also the western region of the United States.
The next day we decide to see as much of Dublin as possible. We get on a bus tour that takes us to Malahide castle, where we also get to look at a huge miniature dollhouse, and then to the coast off of Dublin.
Sunday, March 30th
Finally, it’s my day to compete. We wake up really early, take the train in, and I meet up with Tony to work on my steps one last time.
I’m really glad to have been here the whole week watching dancers and practicing before I have to compete. I am a little worried, but I know if I can get through my hard shoe round I’ll be fine.
Finally, it’s my day to compete. We wake up really early, take the train in, and I meet up with Tony to work on my steps one last time.
I’m really glad to have been here the whole week watching dancers and practicing before I have to compete. I am a little worried, but I know if I can get through my hard shoe round I’ll be fine.
Tony tells me four things to remember: cross on the end, make the toes in the first step quicker, turn a little bit sooner than I need to on the second step, and move a lot.
Then he asks me if I like his shirt. Haha.
Then he asks me if I like his shirt. Haha.
I’m all ready to go on.
I spend a lot of time backstage, listening to everyone’s accents and trying to guess where they are from. I dance first with a girl from Birmingham England, and then with a girl from Australia.
My hard shoe goes well.
I spend a lot of time backstage, listening to everyone’s accents and trying to guess where they are from. I dance first with a girl from Birmingham England, and then with a girl from Australia.
My hard shoe goes well.
I tie on my soft shoes for the second round.
Luckily my friend Aileen has also qualified for worlds for the first time this year and she is backstage with me. It’s nice to have someone to talk to so I don’t get too nervous.
The musicians start playing a reel.
Luckily my friend Aileen has also qualified for worlds for the first time this year and she is backstage with me. It’s nice to have someone to talk to so I don’t get too nervous.
The musicians start playing a reel.
The reel is difficult, because the stage is huge. It’s hard to move so fast and keep thinking about the steps at the same time!
Monday, March 31st
Well, I didn’t recall either, but I am sincerely happy with my placement. 51st out of 105 is not bad considering I’ve never done this before!
Since the competing is over, we say goodbye to Belfast and take a bus to the famous Irish city of Dublin.
Well, I didn’t recall either, but I am sincerely happy with my placement. 51st out of 105 is not bad considering I’ve never done this before!
Since the competing is over, we say goodbye to Belfast and take a bus to the famous Irish city of Dublin.
We look through all the guidebooks and recommendations we can find when we get there, trying to find a place where we can see some real live Irish music being played and have a big dinner.
There are several places in Temple Bar that have live music, so we set out to find them.
There are several places in Temple Bar that have live music, so we set out to find them.
“I hear live music!” Says Willow, poking her ear inside a pub door.
Too bad we can’t go in because Solana isn’t old enough to go inside a bar.
But we keep looking for a good place to eat.
Too bad we can’t go in because Solana isn’t old enough to go inside a bar.
But we keep looking for a good place to eat.
Where is the top of the Dublin spire?
Of course, we also have to go along with Papa to tour the Guinness factory, which takes up a large portion of Dublin city.
We see what goes into a good pint o’ the “black stuff” and everything else that goes into Ireland’s famous drink.
We see what goes into a good pint o’ the “black stuff” and everything else that goes into Ireland’s famous drink.
We walk around the city as the sun goes down, and Solana pretends to be a viking warrior on a sculpture.
Since it’s our last night in Ireland, we finish off with a yummy dinner back in Temple Bar.
Since it’s our last night in Ireland, we finish off with a yummy dinner back in Temple Bar.
And since we’re done dancing, we finally get to indulge in a huge dessert of different flavored ice creams and cakes and pies to celebrate another successful world championships.
Yum!
-The End-
(for now.)
Yum!
-The End-
(for now.)
The reel also goes well and she manages to get all the way around the stage on her first step. The last step has a little bobble, but she ends with a smile, and leaves the stage. She’s happy with how she performed this year, much happier than she was last year.
The girl I’m dancing with stops before the dance is supposed to be over and walks back to her place to bow. I almost stop to ask her if she is OK, but then I remember that this is the world championships!
I push on through and finish my third step, return to my place and wait for the judge’s bell. When it rings I bow first to the judges, then to the musicians.
As soon as we’re backstage I ask the girl if she is alright.
Apparently she had something inside her shoe that was cutting into her foot and she actually couldn’t finish dancing. What a bummer.
