Kids Singles Event - Competing without partners!

[DanceScientist]

So, I was curious what the singles events were at the NorCal competition. Indeed, there were little girls without partners who were competing in the latin division by themselves! :o

7n146e_w7mI

I've never seen this type of event before. Makes me wonder if there will be adult singles events in the upcoming future!? :lol:

[SlowDancer]

Wow...how great for them to learn how to do basic movement without a partner. I would think learning this way would make dancing with a partner easier...or maybe not?

[ChaChaMama]

Huh! I have never seen it done that way.

I have seen events where girls without amateur partners in their age brackets dance with an older male amateur dancer and ONLY THE GIRL IS JUDGED. (Thus, you might have a 9-11 year old girl dancing with a 15-17 year old boy, a 12-14 year old girl dancing with an 18-21 year old young man, etc.) I know both Philly Festival and Yankee Classic offer this. I liked it, and was impressed that some top amateur competitors were participating in these events. It comes off seeming like good "school spirit." (I'm aware that compensation of one sort or another may be involved, but even so....) I also liked that the competition organizers were providing this option. It seemed like it might be more fun for some of the young competitors than dancing pro-am.

Still trying to sort out how I feel about the no partner option compared to this.

[Laura]

The format was suggested by the director of a very successful local kids dancesport program. There is also a singles Standard (W/Q) event offered, but this time no one entered it.

[samina]

pretty interesting... nice opportunity for the girls to show their stuff without having to wait for an appropriate partner.

[LindyKeya]

It seems like the singles format isn't quite so. . . geared to standard, no?

(But maybe that's just because I've never really done that, whereas I have Latin - Utah State University runs ballroom team tryouts in a singles fashion. Everyone learns a little Chacha routine, and then you dance in groups while judges whittle the group down.)

At any rate, I don't see this being adopted for adults. It seems that it would cut into the abilities of pros/studios to make money off of pro-am (although I'm sure plenty of ladies would still dance pro/am, because dancing alone is not the point).

[waltzgirl]

As I always say (especially when someone choreographing a group routine puts in a whole bunch of solo work), if I'd wanted to dance by myself, I'd have taken tap!

But it does seem like a nice option for little girls, given how few little boys dance.

[quixotedlm]

pretty interesting... nice opportunity for the girls to show their stuff without having to wait for an appropriate partner.


ooh! nice picture there samina!

[samina]

ooh! nice picture there samina!

why thank you, quixote...
:cool:

[SlowDancer]

Yes, Samina, you look very pretty!!!

I'm sure you've posted about it somewhere and I've just missed it, but how did your first comp go?

(Sorry for the mini-hijack).

[ThisIsNotMe]

I know I'm bringing back a pretty long-dead topic here, but I actually know of adult individual events.

They take place pretty commonly at comps here in Australia. As I don't have a partner (and am having a lot of trouble finding one), thet's what I'll be competing in, with a guy who's in my group class. You both dance, but only the individual who's entered is judged. It's seen as a good way to get an idea of whether you're really interested in competing 'properly' or not. What's really frustrating me atm though, is that at the private lessons that the guy and I take together, I'm forever hearing about his latest try out, how this girl's from here and the next one's from there and how he really hopes that a try out works soon...when I'm right there in front of him.

But yeah, there's individual comps here for adults (for the record, i'm 17, almost 18, so could compete in youth, but he's 22-ish, and apparently we both have to be from the same age division). They're a great idea, as I wouldn't be able to compete nearly as soon without them, and i think it's the same for a lot of people.

Are there similar 'individual' events there? Or is that kind of where the pro-am thing happens? I don't think that we have much (any?) pro-am here...

[Laura]

As for Pro/Am in Australia, I have competed against a woman from Melbourne who brought her teacher to the US to dance with her in some Pro/Am competitions here. So it does exist, but on a very small scale.

[QQS_Girl]

I know it is thought of a "redneck" thing, but linedance is actually really popular among young girls in the UK. (competitive line is actually much more sophisticated) This video reminded me of this. Those girl have some attitude! =)

[star_gazer]

I noticed in the heat lists for the Philadelphia Festival this weekend that some very high level amateur youth competitors were dancing in lower level events with different partners. I looked at the entry forms and its listed as "FOR LADIES SINGLE Dances, Just Place an L in front of the AGE i.e. LJ, LJ1, LJ2, LJ3, LJ4, LY." Its the first time I've seen that.

[mummsie]

I know I'm bringing back a pretty long-dead topic here, but I actually know of adult individual events.

They take place pretty commonly at comps here in Australia. As I don't have a partner (and am having a lot of trouble finding one), thet's what I'll be competing in, with a guy who's in my group class. You both dance, but only the individual who's entered is judged. It's seen as a good way to get an idea of whether you're really interested in competing 'properly' or not. What's really frustrating me atm though, is that at the private lessons that the guy and I take together, I'm forever hearing about his latest try out, how this girl's from here and the next one's from there and how he really hopes that a try out works soon...when I'm right there in front of him.

But yeah, there's individual comps here for adults (for the record, i'm 17, almost 18, so could compete in youth, but he's 22-ish, and apparently we both have to be from the same age division). They're a great idea, as I wouldn't be able to compete nearly as soon without them, and i think it's the same for a lot of people.

Are there similar 'individual' events there? Or is that kind of where the pro-am thing happens? I don't think that we have much (any?) pro-am here...
Hi This is Not me. We do inded have pro-am events in Australia these days although not to the extent of the USA. At the Qld Open on the weekend there were pro-ams in all age brackets. Granted there were only 1 or 2 entries in each event but they were there if you wanted to enter. Individual events are always very full as there is always a lot more ladies who want to dance than men.
My son has the same age problem with his partner. He is 22 and she is 17. They have to dance adult which is no big deal. It works out well as otherwise his partner would have to dance against her brother who dances youth. Mummsie

[wooh]

They take place pretty commonly at comps here in Australia. As I don't have a partner (and am having a lot of trouble finding one), thet's what I'll be competing in, with a guy who's in my group class. You both dance, but only the individual who's entered is judged. It's seen as a good way to get an idea of whether you're really interested in competing 'properly' or not. What's really frustrating me atm though, is that at the private lessons that the guy and I take together, I'm forever hearing about his latest try out, how this girl's from here and the next one's from there and how he really hopes that a try out works soon...when I'm right there in front of him.
Isn't this the plot for Strictly Ballroom?:) Does he insist on dancing his own steps?
That would be quite frustrating though. What is he looking for in "real" partner that he doesn't think you have?

[White Chacha]

Granted there were only 1 or 2 entries in each event but they were there if you wanted to enter.

It's not uncommon for pro-am events in the US to be that small as well.

[FeetwithaBeat]

Acutally I think is kind of a cool idea for several reasons. One, it would allow judges to see pure technique and styling for the person involved. The ability to dance on time to the music, balance, technique etc. The true ability of the person on the floor. Two, what a great boon to those who complain about the cost of bringing a pro along to a competition. No longer would they have to pay over inflated fees and put up with the crap so often described on this board. AND no pressure to dance with a "pro name" on the floor. Three, this would be great for those without partners, between partners or those who just wish to dance without the headache of a partner.

On a side note, I once saw Michael Mead and Toni Redpath to a show in which she danced their entire Viennese Waltz routine ALONE with the music. Was really impressive.

[ThisIsNotMe]

Isn't this the plot for Strictly Ballroom?:) Does he insist on dancing his own steps?
That would be quite frustrating though. What is he looking for in "real" partner that he doesn't think you have?

lol, yeah I guess it is the plot for Strictly Ballroom, though it didn't occur to me like that before you said it. Got no idea what he's looking for in a 'real' partner that I don't have, and I don't think that asking him would go down terribly well...;)