World 2012

I am feeling a little overwhelmed... I have qualified for Worlds and this is my first time going. Everyone at my school says "do not expect to recall at your first Worlds"... is it unrealistic to even think I can recall? If my Mom and I want to go into the hall and watch some dancing and check out the vendors does it cost to do this? How big is the stage? Any information that you think is helpful to know then please fill me in... thanks everyone :))

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Permalink Reply by Francesca on January 16, 2012 at 5:27pm

Congratulations! It is not impossible that you can recall at your first Worlds, but many champions have been going for years and years and not recalled yet. If you are determined and work hard, it can be done. But go with the mindset that if it doesn't happen you will still have the time of your life just being there - "wow, I am good enough to dance with the best in the world!" The vibe is unbelievable. To go and watch dancing and visit vendors your mum will have to pay, but you will get in free every day with your dancer ID. Your mum will get a bracelet to wear so that she can go in and out as she pleases all day. A different colour each day. It's quite expensive - last year it was 15 Euro a day if I remember correctly. Make sure you buy a programme (a thick book!) so that you can mark when to watch whom. The vendors are fantastic and often have Worlds Specials. The shoe vendors are also willing to help with last minute crises like broken straps. I have not been to Worlds in Belfast but have heard that all the stages are lovely and the seating is tiered, which means that everyone can see well. Usually recalls are in a seperate, smaller hall. The surfaces are proper dance floors and very professional. Have a wonderful time!

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Permalink Reply by Heather Lesh on January 16, 2012 at 7:15pm

Thanks so much for the info Francesca. I will pass along to my Mom about the entry cost. If anyone else has suggestions please do tell...

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Permalink Reply by Sara on January 17, 2012 at 11:42pm

Congratulations Heather!!! I had similar questions so thanks for asking and posting. Unlike you we are not performing, however we are planning on making the expensive trip to go and watch. I was wondering what the cost was for Admission, do you have to buy tickets in advance or can it be at the door and can anyone (spectator) go in and out watching the dancers and also buy from the Vendors? If you have anymore info on this.... much appreciated :)

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Permalink Reply by Francesca on January 18, 2012 at 6:33am

Lucky you, Sara! No, you don't have to buy tickets in advance. Every morning you buy your bracelet for that day - they are sold at the entrance to the halls and sometimes also in the hotel lobby. Sometimes there are specials if you plan to go every day for many days. Whether you can go to the vendors depends on the layout of the building - at last year's Worlds in Dublin you could get to them without having to pay, (and I was there often!) and your bracelet was only checked at the entrance to the dance halls. But at All Irelands in Killarney you could not get into the building at all without a bracelet. Perhaps someone who has been to the Waterfront Hall in Belfast can help here?

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Permalink Reply by Jessie on January 22, 2012 at 8:59am

At your first Worlds I think first and formost, the most important thing is to go there and enjoy the experience, and realise no matter what else happens that you have made a huge achievement in qualifying.

Worlds is another league compared to other competitions. The overall standard is amazing, and everyone there has absolutely worked their backsides off to dance their best there that day. There are also fewer recalls - at NAN's etc, they generally recall 50%. At Worlds, it's only a third! And they have a max of 50 recalls too. So you really have to be on form to get the recall.

With regards recalling first time - it's not common, but not unheard of either. Some dancers go to Worlds for years and never recall, some it takes a couple years, others have been known to make it first time. If you are a good dancer and work your butt off between now and Easter, it's possible. But you need to dance to perfection - strong all the way through, good stamina, eyecatching, excellent technique.

Belfast Waterfront is a lovely venue. It has tiered seating in a great auditorium for the main rounds. It's a major concert venue in the area so it really is awe-inspiring just seeing it! From memory (and it could have changed) the stage is AMPLE, and nice to dance on. The venue website (http://www.waterfront.co.uk/visitor/) has pictures and a virtual tour to give you an idea of what it's like. The virtual tour even shows the view FROM the stage looking out to the seats.

I am not sure how they are working it this year, as it looks like the comp is being split between two venues. But there are two halls in the Waterfront. The main hall is huge - shouldn't be any issues with seating unless you need to be up close to see. The other smaller hall (used to be used for Sets) is quite... intimate in comparison!!! It's pretty small and far fewer seats so it usually fills up QUICK after recall numbers are announced, so if they are running a comp in there you want to watch, get there early!

If they set it up as in past years, you can acces vendors without paying to get in. As mentioned, you will have a competitor card which will give you access to competition halls for free. Any non-dancers have to pay admission. Again, depending on how it's set up, you can probably access practice areas without paying as well. And yes, anyone can watch. In past years I have seen random tourists wandering around the competition venue :-S

The only thing you really should buy tickets for in advance is the Dance Drama competition. This is usually run as a "stand alone" event and tickets go on sale online in advance and at the venue and they often sell out before the night. You cannot get in to watch the Dance Drama unless you have a pre-purchased ticket. It's a great competition to watch - very spectator orientated, so well worth seeing if you can.

I'd also suggest making sure you go to the venue before your competition. Suss it out, work out where everything is, and watch a few competitions to get an idea of the standard, you can learn a lot just by watching other competitors.

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Permalink Reply by Nic Cionnaith on February 6, 2012 at 4:33am

First of all, congratulations on qualifying for Worlds! I've never been myself, so I can't offer much advice there. But I can share an interesting video about two top dancers from my school and their experience at the 2010 Worlds in Glasgow. I think it's primarily aimed at the average person who knows nothing about Irish dance, but it's also a peek into the amazing experience of Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne. Hope it helps... http://youtu.be/nDtoZDlpPA4

Good luck and remember to have fun!