Local dancers bring home 42 awards

Appeal Staff Writer

Local dancers from the Blanchette School of Irish Dance came home from their first out-of-state "feis," or competition, with 42 awards, according to pleased school director, Miriam Blanchette.

Competing in the recent John Kennelly Memorial Feis in Sacramento, Calif., 12 members of the troupe competed against hundreds of other dancers, judged on timing, carriage, construction of steps and execution of the dance.

"It's really quite an accomplishment for their first feis," said Blanchette.

One dancer, Dominic Martin, beat out 17 others to capture second place in a "treble reel," a flashy, hard-shoe dance.

Martin, who's been with the company for a couple of years, received a medal and a trophy for his efforts.

"The dancers really enjoyed themselves," reported Blanchette.

But they're not resting on their hard-earned Irish laurels. Blanchette says they're already preparing for their next feis, a western regional competition over President's Day weekend in San Francisco.

"We've got about nine to 10 students going to that competition," Blanchette said.

Once there, the locals will compete against 900 or so Irish dancers from schools in California, Arizona, Nevada and Oregon.

"I like our chances," she said. "I have a few students who seem like they'll be wanting to compete steadily so that's very exciting for me."

Though competition has been strong in Northern California for the past 10 years, Irish dancing is rather new to our area.

"But there's definitely a growing interest," she says.

n Contact reporter Peter Thompson at pthompson@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.

Blanchette School for Irish Dance

• The Blanchette School for Irish Dance was established in 1999 by Miriam Blanchette.

• The school offers beginner classes Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Carson City and Thursdays from 6:30-7:15 p.m. in Reno.

• A month's lessons cost $35

• For more information, call 267-0827