Monday, October 31, 2011

ECRO 2011 - What you need to know, before you go.


There are a few changes to how things will work this year so please take note!

The Costume Consignment Room (Governor General I on the fourth floor) will also act as a Headquarters over the weekend.  The parents from Gilchrist-Canavan will once again volunteer their time to not only accept your dresses for re-sale and/or help you buy one, but to answer your questions as best as they can, and to assist with the distribution of competitor numbers, results sheets and programs.


THURSDAY
The CC/HQ room will open on Thursday at 5pm for people to drop off their dresses and will close at 8pm.  Browsing will not be permitted on Thursday due to an expected high volume of traffic dropping off dresses.

At 6pm, people may begin to collect their competitor number for all Friday competitions.  Each age group will start with a different number (under 8 will be in the 100s, under 9 will be in the 200s etc.) which is something new for this year too.  Please be aware that there will be a $10 cash fee for replacement numbers - therefore if you collect your number in advance - do not lose it. Having your number the night before takes off some pressure for the morning and means one does not need to check in as early as usual.  Numbers for Saturday's competitions will not be available for collection on Thursday.  Any competitor numbers not collected in advance on Thursday night will be available on Friday (see below for where/when).  Please have your own pins.

Programs will go on sale in the CC/HQ room (or just outside the room) from 6-8 pm at a cost of $15 each.  Exact change is appreciated.  Teachers may collect their programs here from 6-7 pm or wait until the end of the meeting.

The vendor room (Provinces I/II on the fourth floor) will open at 5pm and remain open until 11pm.  Please keep in mind some vendors may still be setting up their stall at 5pm so be patient if you arrive early.

Practice rooms (in various rooms named after assorted Canadian provinces opposite Governor General II/III on the fourth floor) will be open from 5-11pm.  The hotel will not allow practicing in the hallways of the various hotel room floors, by any elevators or in the common space outside the ballrooms.  Practicing on stage is not permitted at any time over the weekend in order to keep it as clean as possible.


FRIDAY
Dancers for all Friday competitions who did not collect their number on Thursday will collect them on Friday.  For 8am starts, dancers are to go to the stage manager inside their ballroom starting at 7:15am.  For 12:15pm starts, dancers are to go to the CC/HQ room (Governor General I on the fourth floor) between 11am and 12pm.  At 12pm, all numbers will be brought to the appropriate ballrooms for collection there.  Hopefully no one will leave it that late to collect their number. Please have your own pins.

The costume consignment room will open on Friday at 10am and close at 4pm.  We expect a lot of traffic in the room on Friday morning which is why there is a one hour delay between the room opening and when people can collect their numbers for Friday afternoon competitions.  Saturday dancers can collect their numbers in HQ from 2pm-4pm.  The staff at HQ won't have Saturday numbers prior to this assigned time slot.  Please be aware that there will be a $10 cash fee for replacement numbers - therefore if you collect your number in advance - do not lose it.

Programs will go on sale at 7:15am until 10:30am just outside the competition ballrooms (Confederation I which is Stage A and Confederation II/III which is Stage B on the fourth floor) at a cost of $15 each.  Exact change is appreciated.  Teachers collecting their programs at this time/location must sign for them.  At 10:30am, program sales will move to the CC/HQ room until 4pm.

The vendor room (Provinces I/II on the fourth floor) will open at 7am and remain open until 9pm.

Practice rooms (in various rooms named after assorted Canadian provinces opposite Governor General II/III on the fourth floor) will be open from 7am-11pm.  The hotel will not allow practicing in the hallways of the various hotel room floors, by any elevators or in the common space outside the ballrooms.  Practicing on stage is not permitted at any time over the weekend in order to keep it as clean as possible.

Results sheets will be handed out to dancers as they exit the stage following their awards presentation.  For those who forget or are not appearing on stage in the result, they can collect their sheets in the foyer outside the ballroom within about 10-15 minutes of the end of that competition's announcement.  Allow time for the sheets to be hand-delivered from the side-stage area to the foyer.  If these options don't suit, the sheets will be in the HQ room on Saturday during regular hours.  Results sheets are never available to those who do not recall before the competition is awarded.

SATURDAY
Dancers for all Saturday competitions who did not collect their number on Friday will collect them on Saturday.  For all solo competitions, dancers are to go to the stage manager inside their ballroom beginning at 7:15.  All adult teams should collect their number in Stage A (Confederation I) at or after 11am.  Since all solo competitions are scheduled to commence prior to the opening of HQ, Saturday competition numbers will only be available for pick-up at the stages.  Please have your own pins.

The costume consignment room will open on Saturday at 10am and close at 4pm.  The room will re-open for two hours after the end of the results ceremony in case Saturday dancers wish to register their costumes (at a reduced rate) for late Saturday and all-day Sunday browsing.  Several Sunday dancers were looking for dresses last year and there just wasn't the selection.

Dancers who did not collect their results sheet for Friday competitions can get their sheet from the HQ office during the hours posted above.  Please do not go to tabulation - they will not be able to help you.

Programs will go on sale at 7:15am until at least 9:00.  Everyone competing on Saturday will have started dancing by this point and should already have a program if they want one.  If the demand is there, sales will continue for a few more minutes, otherwise sales will resume in the CC/HQ room at 10:00am.

The vendor room (Provinces I/II on the fourth floor) will open at 7am until 5pm.

Practice rooms (in various rooms named after assorted Canadian provinces and are opposite Governor General II/III on the fourth floor) will be open from 7am-11pm.  The hotel will not allow practicing in the hallways of the various hotel room floors, by any elevators or in the common space outside the ballrooms.  Practicing on stage is not permitted at any time over the weekend in order to keep it as clean as possible.

Results sheets will be handed out to dancers as they exit the stage following their awards presentation.  For those who forget or are not appearing on stage in the result, they can collect their sheets in the foyer outside the ballroom within about 10-15 minutes of the end of that competition's announcement.  Allow time for the sheets to be hand-delivered from the side-stage area to the foyer.  If these options don't suit, the sheets will be in the HQ room on Saturday and Sunday during regular hours.  Results sheets are never available to those who do not recall before the competition is awarded.

SUNDAY
Dancers for all Sunday competitions will collect their numbers on Sunday morning in the ballroom where they will compete, beginning at 7:45.  One representative from each team can collect their team's number as of 10:30 in their ballroom.  Please have your own pins.

The costume consignment room will open on Sunday at 9:30am and close promptly at 1pm.  All unsold dresses not collected at this point will be sent to hotel security for the owners to collect at their own expense.

Dancers who did not collect their results sheet for Friday or Saturday competitions can get their sheet from the HQ office during the hours posted above.  Please do not go to tabulation - they will not be able to help you.  Results for Treble Reels, Premieres and Team events go to teachers in the form of a master list.  Check with them once you get back to class.

Since most Sunday-only dancers usually do not purchase programs, we are going to print out the competitor lists on regular paper (stapled together) for the Premiere and team events, and sell them for $5.  Leftover programs (plus these lists) will go on sale at 7:45am until at least 9:00 in the foyer just outside the ballrooms on the fourth floor.  Being the last day, programs will be discounted.

The vendor room (Provinces I/II on the fourth floor) will open at 7:30am and remain open until no later than 2pm.

Practice rooms (in various rooms named after assorted Canadian provinces and are opposite Governor General II/III on the fourth floor) will be open from 7am-12pm.  The hotel will not allow practicing in the hallways of the various hotel room floors, by any elevators or in the common space outside the ballrooms.  Practicing on stage is not permitted at any time over the weekend in order to keep it as clean as possible.



DO NOT BE LATE.  ONCE THE FIRST DANCERS STEP FOOT ON THE STAGE, CHECK-IN IS CLOSED AND ANY DANCERS NOT YET CHECKED-IN WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DANCE.  ANY DANCERS WHO MISS THEIR ROTATION WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DANCE EITHER.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Timetable Information - Starting Times of First Round in Running Order
(Version 2 - corrections to Premiere age groups have been made) - October 31.

FRIDAY

FRI Hall A - 8am BU10, BU8, GU10, GU8
FRI Hall B - 8am BU11, BU9, GU11, GU9
FRI Hall A - 1215pm BU14, GU14, GU15
FRI Hall B - 1215pm BU12, BU13, GU12, GU13
Champ Treble Reels - Hall A - U9, U11 and Hall B - U15, U13 - will follow the light rounds
RESULTS IN HALL B - aiming for about 630/645 and lasting approximately 1.5-2 hrs
SATURDAY

SAT Hall A - 8am BU16, M20&O, GU16
SAT Hall B - 8am BU17, MU18, M18-20, GU17
SAT Hall A - 845am LU20, L20&O
SAT Hall B - 9am LU18, LU19
SAT Hall A - Adult 4H at 1115am and 8H at 145pm
Champ Treble Reels 18&O (Hall A) and U18 (Hall B) will follow the light rounds.
RESULTS IN HALL B - aiming for about 215/230pm and lasting approximately 60-90 mins
Dinner Dance - Black and White Masquerade Party - Cocktails at 7pm in foyer outside competition ballrooms, Dinner at 730pm.
SUNDAY

SUN - Governor General Room II, 4th floor - 8-830am Mass
SUN Hall A - 830am Premiere 13&O, U11, U8 for R1 (R2 should start about 930)
SUN Hall B - 830am Premiere U13, U10, U9 for R1 (R2 should also start about 930)
SUN Hall A - 1030am Premiere Treble Reel 13&O, U11
SUN Hall B - 1030am Premiere Treble Reel U13, U10
SUN Hall A - 11am 4H U15 and 15&O
SUN Hall B - 11am 4H U9 and U12
SUN Hall A - 12pm 8H U15 and 15&O
SUN Hall B - 12pm 8H  U9 and U12
RESULTS IN HALL B - aiming for about 115/130 and lasting approximately 60-90 mins




Competitions will run in blocks.  The boys sections are very small and will take only a few minutes.  Hard shoe will go first.  Start times for each age group within the block are not posted because it is impossible to exactly predict a timetable and we want the freedom to keep things going and/or not to worry that we are running late.  While it would be nice to know the number of dancers in a competition NOW, it is not necessary.  You will find out once you arrive on site and buy your program.


The Premiere on Sunday IS a proper competition.  The anonymous comment on the message board suggesting that these dancers are unjustifiably holding up teams is cowardly and rude.  Anonymous message board comments are why many regions choose to not release info in advance.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

2010 Perpetual Trophy Holders...

Attention 2010 Oireachtas champions. Please contact Patricia Finnegan (finneganpa@hotmail.com or 905-864-9239), as soon as possible, if you have any concerns regarding the condition of your 2010 perpetual trophy. 

All trophies should be returned to the Oireachtas Headquarters (aka the Costume Consignment Room) at The Westin on Thursday, November 10. 

If you will not be arriving on that date, please make appropriate arrangements to have the trophy returned on the Thursday evening by someone you know.

Every year we are in a mad panic to find such trophies to hand out on Friday night and/or some are returned dirty/unpolished.  We don't have volunteers to clean trophies, so kindly ensure everything is brought back in a presentable manner (and by Friday noon at the absolute latest).

Thank you.
2011 ECRO Costume Consignment Room Info

[New Pricing Scheme - see below for details.]


In response to feedback from families like you, we have made a few minor changes to the consignment room policies for 2011, to make it easier for you to sell or buy a dress!

The new (lowered) fee will be $20 for the whole weekend; a second dress from the same family will be $15 and each additional dress shall be a further $10 per dress provided all dresses are from the same family. 
 
A reduced rate of $15 shall be available if you register your dress for sale after Saturday awards!  Many Sunday-only dancers were looking last year (especially older dancers) but dresses were taken home before Sunday.  Try to arrange to leave your dress until Sunday at 1pm and have someone collect it for you.

Hours will be: Thursday (for intake only - from 5-8pm, Friday from 10-4pm, Saturday from 10-4pm (and for another two hours after Saturday's award ceremony), plus Sunday from 9:30-1pm
 
All dresses must be picked up by 1pm Sunday or they will be turned over to the hotel's lost and found for you to collect at your own expense.
 
Have as much information about the dress ready to add to the registration form such as measurements, suitable age category, age of the dress, dressmaker etc.
 
CASH ONLY!!!
-----------------------------------------------

The consignment room is located in the same room as last year (beside the escalators).  The room will also operate as "Oireachtas Headquarters" come and see us if you have any questions about the weekend's events.  
 
We'll try our best to help!

Monday, August 22, 2011

2011 ECRO Syllabus and other info is now available

Hello everyone. 

Below are links to some items recently sent to teachers regarding this year's Oireachtas including the main syllabus.  The entry form is not included since entries may only be submitted by teachers (however everyone should be familiar with the rules of the event which is why the syllabus has been posted).

The Mini-Feis (a competition for dancers who are not yet ready for the overall championship) has been overhauled to create a two-round competition called Premiere.  All of the rules and procedures are explained in the second document below. 

Lastly, advertising space is not limited to teachers, feises and vendors.  Why not advertise your business or wish your dancer/school well?  Rates and specifications are in the third attachment.  Submit your ad with payment to your teacher well before the deadline.  Direct any questions relating to the material below to your teacher.  Things like floor plans, start numbers and stage schedules will be available in the Journal which you can buy at the venue.

Good luck!

1 - Eastern Canada Oireachtas Syllabus

2 - Eastern Canada Premiere Competition

3 - How to Book Advertising Space in the Journal




Thursday, August 11, 2011

Novotel has fixed their online problem

The Novotel website link is now offering double rooms.  If you were given a king at the Novotel and would prefer a double, give them a call to sort it out. 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Hotel Update - August 10th

Hi everyone - here is the latest on the hotel situation.

Westin - I called this evening - king rooms are available in the block room rate for each night.  Doubles are not (in or out of the block).  We have booked everything they have.  Cots have all been allocated although it is possible an agent on the phone will tell you they can get one for you. As in ANY hotel, believe it when you see it.  Same goes for any other special requests.  Neither I, nor any IDTACE committee member or ECRO event planner can assist with obtaining cots or changing kings to doubles.  I'd love to help but that is not within our control, sorry.  You can still book rooms at the Westin using the info provided further down the blog.  It is possible that people who booked double rooms outside the block (for $289 or higher) might cancel all or part of their reservation, meaning doubles could come up.  There is no system to go on a waiting list but you may opt to try calling at random times.  Good luck!

Novotel - Alternatively, we have negotiated a rate with the Novotel which I believe is across the street?  The online page is only booking king rooms (today) but I called the hotel tonight and there are plenty of doubles in our inventory for the group rate.  I have asked our hotel contact to help to sort out the online glitch.  I recommend that you call the hotel directly at: 1-613-230-3033 or use this website to book a king room now or try in a day or two for a double: 

There is never going to be a perfect hotel which can hold all of us for a great rate without pre-paying one or two nights and with double rooms for all.  We try to negotiate the best options possible for everyone and appreciate your understanding.

Thanks,
Ryan Carroll