*Home Irish Dance Central Fiona's Exchange Penpals Links
Gallery Dancer's Dictionary The Dance Bag About Fiona Feis Diary
Free Graphics Message Board Site Awards Dancer's Moments
E-cards Kids Activities Webrings Email Fiona


                 

Here is an extensive list of things that all dancers should carry with with them, if possible, to dance practice, feises and performances. Some are not as important as others, you be the judge and decide according to your own means and common sense! You don't need to buy all these things at a feis, lots of this stuff can be bought online quite reasonably. I've included some quick links to my favorite sites where you can buy the things mentioned throughout the page. For more, visit the links page and scroll down to Vendors & Supplies for seller's sites. For first-aid stuff, try Wal*Mart or other drugstores.

For all dance occasions:

  • Both types of shoes

  • Duct tape

  • Sock glue/gluestick

  • Deodorant

  • Ankle brace/ace bandage

  • Bandaids, tape, scissors etc

  • Snack/sports drink

  • For feises/performances only:
    (in addition to the above, not necessary at dance lessons)

  • Costume

  • Girls: bloomers

  • Poodle socks

  • Makeup

  • Headband/hairspray/hair pins/rubberbands

  • Both types of shoes:

    Very obvious, but these should be at the top of the list! The two most popular brands are Rutherford and Antonio Pacelli, which you can order online. Or if you have an Irish store nearby, you can see if they have them and actually try them on before you buy.

    Return to Top

    Duct tape:

    Seriously, a dancer's best friend. If you haven't already heard or found out for yourself, you can apply two layers to the toe and heel pieces of your hard shoes to prevent you from slipping on smooth slippery floors. If you cover the pieces entirely however, you might get a dull sound, so look at the picture to the left for an example of how I tape mine and can still get the good sound while keeping a good grip on the floor. I first lay two strips across the flat of it then cut a strip in half for the tip (this helps toestands). You should always buy the black kind, silver is actually "not permitted" at some feises. It can be bought at a hardware store, or even at a Walmart.

    Return to Top

    Sock glue/gluestick:

    Keeps your poodle socks from sliding down while you dance. Gluestick works just the same as sock glue, and costs a fraction of the cost of the real "sock glue for dancers". If you still want the real thing, you can buy it at a number of places, my choice would be the CeltiCottage because they sell it for the cheapest I've ever seen, and have a whole variety of other neat stuff for dancers too. Gluestick...well, you prolly know this can be bought just about anywhere! My favorite brand that grips extra-hard is RossGelStik - its in a blue and yellow tube.

    Return to Top

    Deodorant:

    Self explanatory. Apply it about 10 hours before you dance and also immediately before getting into your costume.

    Return to Top

    Ankle brace/ace bandage:

    If you have weak ankles, buy a stretchy thin nylon ankle brace which you can wear under your socks and won't show. Always carry an Ace bandage in the event you get shin splints or other minor injuries.

    Return to Top

    Bandaids, tape, scissors, etc:

    Bandaids for sudden blisters (the gel brand by Band-Aid with the whole through the center works great on blisters!), tape, scissors, gauze, anything that will help a dancer's injury. Unless you have an extra pouch in your dance bag, I've found it easiest to put all this type of stuff in a Ziploc bag.

    Return to Top

    Snack/sports drink:

    You should always have a snack and either a sports drink or bottled watered with you. Stay away from anything sticky or gooey, especially if you are wearing your costume! You will need a snack for a spurt of energy, and water....stay hydrated!

    Return to Top

    Costume:

    Another no-brainer, but its gotta be mentioned....buy them used at Fiona's Exchange or you can have it custom made. There are many dressmakers out there...see the below links for some popular dressmakers, and for more check out the links page. Dress at left made by The Best Dressed, Ltd.

    Quick links:
    Paddy Kelleher
    Paul Keith
    Lindasfarne Designs

    Return to Top

    Girls: bloomers:

    If you buy a costume and it doesn't come with bloomers, try to buy a pair that matches the lining/underskirt or is a similar color. If you do a kick...well, just wear the bloomers, girlies. If your costume didn't come with them, you can purchase them at feises or at Carousel Dancewear.

    Return to Top

    Poodle socks:

    These are required for feises. For performances, your teacher may allow tights or black stockings. Hardshoe.com offers the cheapest poodle socks out there, made by Feis Mates for only $4.99 a pair. Your next best bet for long-lasting socks would be Pacelli's (championship length) socks or, the latest super-long socks, Eire Bubbles. You can buy these in several places, one place (for online shoppers) would be Steele Celtic Dancewear

    Return to Top

    Makeup:

    I suggest to just bring along the few things you will need to do a quick touch-up job, you should always apply makeup before leaving for a feis/performance. Things like lipstick, glitter (for eyes) and powder...

    Return to Top

    Headband/hairspray/hair pins/rubberbands:

    Headband or crown, whatever you have that goes with your costume...you can buy crowns and tiaras in lots of places such as online, Irish shops or at feis vendors, but a few good sites are Head For The World and Mrs. Mac.
    Hairspray for the annoying fly-a-ways, hair pins to tuck that one strand in place, rubberbands to put your hair up in 'ponies' before putting a wig on or to put your hair up after a long day...and any other hair accessories you can think to bring along, bring them, you never know what you'll need and when/why you will need them!

    Return to Top

    Site layout, design and all content © Blanche Kern unless stated. Do not copy or reproduce any part of this website
    without my express consent. Thanks to Dancer Doll Clique for the doll graphics and to Ashe's Shop for the dance-bag graphics.
    1