Category Archives: Fort St. John Irish Dance Society

Fort St. John Irish Dance Society

Ladies Day Out

Join us for the biggest shopping event of the season! 🛍

Ladies Day Out is back in person! Come out on November 19th & 20th for an exciting two day shopping event. Shop local artisans and small business, while also supporting the FSJ Dance Society!

⏰10 am – 4 pm

đź“ŤNorth Peace Secondary

Admission: $5 (receive one door prize entry with every admission) *Kids are free

We will also be collecting non-perishable items for the Women’s Resource Centre! Every donation will receive an extra door prize entry!

If you are interested in applying to be a vendor, follow the link in bio! If you have any questions, email us at ladiesdayoutfsj@gmail.com.

Please make sure all questions are sent via email directly to our lovely coordinator, Christine.

TAG your favourite shopping pal, and favourite local artisan/business owner that you would love to see!

Follow the Ladies Day Out FSJ Facebook page for vendor features and event updates!

Fort St. John Irish Dance Society, Latest Member News

Watt School of Irish Dance Recital

Wednesday, June 6th @ 6:30pm
Adults $15. Children, Students, Seniors $11

Don’t miss the Watt School of Irish Dance’s year end recital, A Touch of Irish. Come out and see the intricate costumes and listen to both traditional Irish music, reels, jigs, hornpipes, and current music with an Irish twist. Whether floating across the stage in their soft shoes or creating their own percussion in hard shoes, they are sure to please.

Get tickets here

Fort St. John Irish Dance Society, Latest Member News

Success for Irish Dancer at World Championships

Melodie Kemp Irish Dance
MĂ©lodie Kemp, at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow, UK

Spring Break has been a whirlwind for 11 year old Mélodie Kemp of the Watt School of Irish Dance. She and teammates, Emalee Chapple, Jordan Crawford and Stevie Mazur have just returned from Glasgow, UK where they competed at the 46th annual World Irish Dancing Championships. The four local dancers earned their place in the international competition with top placings at the Western Canadian Qualifier last November. Since then, the girls have been training intensely in hopes of making it to the final round of the World Championships, and perhaps earning a world medal.

Kemp, who competed in the Girls 10-11 category, did just that, returning with a world medal and a smile to match it. Placing fifteenth overall amongst the top 200 dancers around the globe, Kemp also achieved the title of top Canadian competitor and was the fourth highest placing North American in the age group. Attaining a coveted world medal is a milestone achievement most work toward their entire career. Needless to say, it was completely unexpected for the first-timer. “Going in, my goal was to make it to the third round. It was such a surprise,” says Kemp, “I’m beyond happy.” After the week-long event, MĂ©lodie’s result left her with the fourth highest Western Canadian placement, ages 10 to 35.

Kemp celebrated with her teammates by attending Lord of the Dance at the EnCana Events Centre March 26. “The show was unbelievable; their feet were so impressive,” says Kemp, “I hope to do something like that when I’m older. I love to perform and travel the world!”

Now it is back to the studio for the Watt School of Irish Dance, this time in preparation for the North American Irish Dance Championships. Twelve members of the Fort St. John school will be competing in Orlando, FL this July: Kale Dietz (10), Naia Gibbons (10), Mélodie Kemp (11), Emalee Chapple (11), Haley Korfmann (11), Jade Gibbons (12), Gracie Chapple (13), Jordan Crawford (13), Courtney Cowger (15), Sarah Cowger (17), Marin White (21), and Stevie Mazur (23).

Tears of joy for MĂ©lodie as she realizes her result, with teachers Jo Watt and Hailey McGuire
Tears of joy for MĂ©lodie as she realizes her result, with teachers Jo Watt and Hailey McGuire

Fort St. John Irish Dance Society

Irish Dancers off to World Championships

Two Fort St John dancers from the Watt School of Irish Dance are at the height of preparation for the World Irish Dancing Championships. The event will take place in London, England April 13-20 and will welcome more than 5,000 competitors from across the globe.

Vancouver hosted the Western Canadian Qualifier in November, 2013. The city welcomed the highest caliber of dancers, from British Columbia to Manitoba, all vying for a place in London. Jordan Crawford, 11, earned a spot at the Championships with a third place podium finish & Lindsay Surerus, 16, secured one with a fifth place win. Patricia Robertson, 20, had a remarkable first place win in the Ladies U21 category, the fifth win in her competitive career. Patricia, not only a top international dancer, is a third year UBC student, and sadly due to scheduling conflicts will have to forego the Championships for the first time in 7 years.

After a smashing success in Vancouver, the girls have continued with a streak, bringing in multiple wins- Jordan, third place in Calgary, first place in Edmonton. Lindsay, second place in Edmonton, second in Seattle, and first place in Portland.

Following the World Championships, Jordan, Lindsay & Patricia will join six of their classmates at the North American Championships. Nine dancers from the Watt School have qualified for this weeklong event in July. Until then, they have their eyes on the prize that is a World medal. The girls look forward to representing Western Canada at the “Olympics” of Irish dance. It will be both a privilege & honor to dance on the prestigious World stage.

Watt Irish Dancers