Tuesday, 16 May 2017

Annual Recital - DVD Orders

Annual Recital - DVD Orders

Pre-Orders for the 2017 Recital DVD’s are now being accepted. Please fill out attached Order Form and drop off, along with payment  in the McConnell School of Dance box in the waiting room at the studio.
Pre-Order Price $25
Order Deadline:  Wednesday May 24th 2017
Pre-ordered copies will be ready during the 1st or 2nd week back in September.  Additional copies will be available in the fall.
For more information please contact Simon Havens simon@havens.ca
Thank you,

McConnell School of Irish Dance
32 Barberry Rd, Wpg Canada R2J2G9
Phone(204) 793-8557

                   

Monday, 15 May 2017

Annual Recital Tickets & Information

69th Annual Recital Information    
Thursday, May 25th, 2017
Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange (3rd Floor Portage Place)
Dancer Arrival Time 5:30 PM
Performance Time  6:45  – 10:00 PM  *please note recital length is estimated for the latest possible scenario,  end time may vary
Dancers are asked to stay for the entire recital to take part in the Finale. 

RECITAL TICKETS
All tickets will be sold on-line through Eventbrite.  To purchase tickets, please visit the following link;

Tickets $15 Adult  $10 Child (12 & Under))
·         Infants who do not require  a seat are  free admission
·         Dancers do not require a ticket
·         All Sales Finale - No refunds or exchanges on  tickets
·         Special Seating Requirements -  The first two rows will be reserved for individuals with special seating requirements.  If you require special seating, please arrive 10 minutes prior to Doors Opening


CHECK IN
Dancers will need to check in at the performer entrance door at the West end of the lobby.  Parents should accompany dancers under 12 for check-in.  Parents are not permitted in the back stage or dressing room area due to issues of space and privacy.  If you have concerns for your younger child, please contact us in advance to arrange for assistance.
Check in opens 5:30 PM
Please note, with only 1 hour for check-in we will be very pressed to get dancers ready for a 6:45 PM performance time.   Please assist us in keeping to our schedule by;
1) Arriving on time, please allow for delays with traffic and parking.
2) All Beginner, Novice, and Preliminary dancers are asked to arrive in costume wearing socks, with wig & make-up applied.  There is a restroom in the lobby for parents to change dancers prior to check-in (arrive earlier than 5:30  PM if you plan to change your dancer at PTE) .  Please have dancers fully ready and in costume for check-in at 5:30 PM

RECITAL PICK-UPS
Please allow 15  minutes after the recital is over before you pick up dancers at the performer entrance.  Children under 12 will not be excused without a parent.  If someone other than a parent/guardian (as per your registration form) will be picking your child up, please let the check -in volunteer know. 

DRESSING ROOMS    
The dressing room is co-ed due to venue constraints.  Parents are not allowed in dressing rooms due to limitations of space and privacy issues. 

COSTUMES
Beginner, Novice, Preliminary Dancers should  arrive in costume, wearing  socks with wigs and make-up applied. 
*Novice, Preliminary, Intermediate, Adult should dancers bringing a basket or box (preferably collapsible) clearly labeled with their name to keep their hard shoes and costume accessories.
*Make sure all shoes/costume pieces and garment bags are clearly labeled with first and last name for dressing room and backstage help.

MAKE-UP
Make-up is recommended for all dancers as stage lighting washes out natural colour and makes performers look pale. All make-up should be applied prior to check in.
FULL STAGE MAKE-UP is suggested for all dancers at recital.  Full stage make-up is applied heavier than daily use make-up.
MAKE-UP RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Foundation (to match skin tone) and powder to prevent shine
  • Eye-shadow (brown, beige, copper shades)
  • Mascara (brown or black) ,
  • Blush (pink)
  • Lip Stick
  • Dancers wearing poodle socks should cover up unsightly bruises on legs and knees with foundation and make-up.  
  • Nail Polish is not allowed for performances and should be removed at home. Jewellery (rings, bracelets, earrings) may not be worn for performances with the exception of wedding rings and medical alert bracelets

PERSONAL ITEMS
  • Deodorant should be worn by all Novice, Preliminary, Intermediate, Adult and Advanced dancers. Crowded dressings rooms can get extremely smelly when filled with sweaty dancers and can rapidly become unpleasant for all concerned.
  • Please assist us by making sure dancers are clean and freshly washed for performances.
  • It is important that all developing female and adult dancers wear maximum support bras and /or sports bras while dancing, to prevent bounce and injury.
  • Dress shields should be used by all dancers, regardless of age. Dress shields help prevent odour and stains from sweating when pinned in the underarms of costumes. Removable / washable dress shields are available at sewing and fabric stores in the city.

IRISH DANCE WIGS
Wigs are optional for all dancers.  Dancers who choose not to wear a wig should have their hair pulled back off their face and curled, if possible.
All dancers should arrive with wigs on.  Dressing-room volunteers do not have time to assist dancers apply wigs. 

IRISH DANCE SHOES
Soft & Hard Shoes should be cleaned prior to the performance and polished so they shine. 
  • All dancers with shoe changes (with the exception of beginners) should have a folding dance box to keep their shoes and water bottles organized back stage

SOCKS & TIGHTS
Poodle socks should be clean and bright white.  If you use your poodle socks for practice and they are looking grey, please bleach them or purchase a new pair before the performance.
  • Sock Glue will be provided to all dancers courtesy of MSDSA. 
  • Dancers who would prefer not to share sock glue for hygiene reasons may choose to purchase their own bottle
Tights (Performance Division & Adult) must be Mondor brand (no exceptions) and free from runs or holes.  We recommend you have an extra pair handy in case they run at the show. 

PARENT INFORMATION
Parents are not allowed in dressing rooms due to limitations of space and privacy issues. 
Please arrive on time as dancers need time to change, warm –up, and practice with their group.
Generally, there are line up’s at check in and check out, so please be understanding with your check in volunteer.  It is essential for our dancer’s safety that all precautions are taken when working with large groups of children at events open to the public.  Recitals can run late, so your patience is necessary should there be delays at pick up at the dressing room.

SNACKS & DRINKS
ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE THEATRE
Please send your child with adequate healthy snacks and drinks clear liquids only.   Dancers who bring sodas, juices, or drinks which may stain costumes will not be allowed to drink them in the dressing room. 
Avoid sticky or messy snacks as dancers will not be allowed to eat them back stage or in the dressing room.
Snacks to avoid –  Flavoured potato chips, buttered popcorn, chocolate bars, Danishes & pastries, chocolate covered granola bars, gum, juices, sodas, sugared or sweet candy. 
  • Please send nut free snacks as we do have students with serious anaphylactic allergies.


MSDSA FUNDRAISING

Bake Sale & Flowers
Our Performance and Competitive Division will be selling baking & congratulatory flowers for dancers at the recital. 

Stock Your Summer Raffle 2017
Proceeds supporting the Competitive Division
Tickets on sale now 3/$5
Prizes are Liquor Mart gift cards for $500, $300, $200
Draw Date: May 27th   (at the Canada Feile)

Thank you for your support of our Student’s Association!

Best wishes to all our dancers for a great performance at our 69th Annual Recital.   We know you’ll make us all very proud!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us


Thank you,

Friday, 12 May 2017

MSDSA - Stock your Summer Raffle 2017

McConnell School of Dance Student’s Association is pleased to announce our next Competitive Division fundraiser!

Stock Your Summer Raffle 2017
Proceeds supporting the Competitive Division
Tickets on sale now 3/$5
Prizes are Liquor Mart gift cards for $500, $300, $200
Draw Date: May 27th   (at the Canada Feile)
If interested in selling or purchasing – please contact us!

Tickets available for purchase during regular studio hours   


Tuesday, 2 May 2017

MSDSA Meeting - Sat May 6th, 2017

MSDSA Meeting Notice
MSDSA “McConnell School of Dance Student’s Association” will be holding a meeting on Saturday, May 6th 3:45 PM at the studio. 
All parents and +18 dancers  are welcome to attend!
Thank you,

McConnell School of Dance Student’s Association
32 Barberry Rd, Wpg MB   Canada  R2J2G9

(204) 793-8557   msdsa@mcconnelldancers.com

Saturday, 29 April 2017

World Fundraiser Party

Worlds Celebration 2017in support of our McConnell Irish Dancer
Bailey Cumming
In honour of Bailey going to Worlds, and representing McConnell Irish Dancers and Canada, we are hosting a Social Fundraiser and Send Off before she flies across the pond to Killarney, Ireland to compete in the CRN World Open Irish Dancing Championships on June 23-25, 2017.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
5:00 – 9:00 pm
Winakwa Community Centre
980 Winakwa Rd, Winnipeg, MB
Adults $15 Children U13 $10 Support Ticket $10
Silent Auction, 50/50 and more
We are also accepting donations for silent auction prizes. Donations can be left at the studio or contact Jacquie @ 204-771-9868

Friday, 28 April 2017

MSDSA - Value Villiage Fundraiser Update

Families of McConnell School of Dance,

I am very impressed with the support of all the families who have been bringing in their clothing, books and household items! We have earned over $500 toward our original goal of $1000!
We are planning another drop off date of June 10 at 1000am at the Pembina Value Village Location!

Please continue to collect your items and bring to the studio with you or save them up for our drop off date and join us at the location!

We also have printed flyers you can hand out to family or neighbors to help increase our collections-they are in the studio upon the trophy shelf. Help yourself!

Every bag is approx. 14 lbs of clothing or household items! For light items-clothing we will get 15 cents/pound and heavier things like cds, books, electronics, household items are 5 cents/pound. It will all add up very quickly! Then a cheque is mailed to the studio to MSDSA within 21-31 days! EASY, PEASY!!

When we support our own dancers, we also help out other community groups with this type of fundraiser as some of the money that is made from goods sold at Value Village goes back into our community for Diabetes, Boys and Girls Clubs!!

Does anyone in our group have a contact at a car/truck dealership that we can approach to try to reach further out into the community?
Our coordinator suggested  that if we had a contact at a car dealership, we might approach them to use an area of their showroom to build a mountain of donations and possibly donate a truck to haul everything to our drop location. Good advertising for them too as they are helping locally!


Jackie Naphin

Friday, 7 April 2017

Canada Feile 2017

Canada Feile 2017

Our 2nd Annual Canada Feile will be held on Saturday, May 27th at CanadInns,  Club Regent Casino.

The competitions are open to all McConnell School of Dance Students from our General Division, Performance Division, Brandon Division, and Competitive Division.
•             Competitions for all levels (Beginner – Advanced)
•             All ages, including Adults
•             Solo and  Team competitions

We STRONGLY recommend all students consider competing in our CRN Canada Feile as it is a wonderful opportunity for dancers to experience competitive Irish dance, in a healthy and supportive environment, without the commitment and expense of long distance travel.

In order to assist General & Brandon Division Dancers who are interested in participating, we are going to offer competitive practice at NO ADDITIONAL LESSON COST with competition practice during your regular class time.  DANCERS WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE COMPETITIVE PRACTICES ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE CLASSES FOR APRIL & MAY.  Additional fees will be applied.

Please confirm your attendance on the sign-up sheet at the studio this week!

Our instructors will work with dancers to determine which level and dances are best suited for them and competition registration is done through the school. 

More information will follow!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Thank you