Summer Dance Plans

[pygmalion]

Just out of curiosity, what are your summer dance plans? Anything special? There are camps and intensives all over the place. Are you planning to take advantage? If so, please give details.

I plan to attend two camps -- one local, the other a mere plane ride away.

Recommendations, anyone?

(P.S. I know that down under, summer is NOW. If you're up to anything special, please give us the scoop. 8) :D )

[Spitfire]

I want to travel to San Diego this summer and check out the dancing at the Champion Ballroom while I'm there. I know a number of people here who have been there and give it a high rating. 8)

[MadamSamba]

Yes, Jenn...good spotting...we're smack-damn in the middle of summer here. Many of us are on holidays or have just finished...I spent my entire hols dancing...Monday nights ballroom, Tuesday salsa, Wednesday night Argentine Tango and salsa, Thursdays salsa and ballroom, Friday Tango (ballroom), Saturday ballroom and Sunday rock 'n roll...hmm...come to think of it that's still my schedule despite returning to work!!!

No, actually, hols were different, I had private lessons during the day and attended daytime group classes at several studios!!! It was heaven...of course, my feet pained, but a nice pain... :)

Unfortunately, like everyone else most of the dance teachers and clubs go on holidays during our summer break (which is really only for school kids for about six weeks), so there's less dancing if anything...I only know of two dance camps down here, but there are a number of weekend cruises (rock 'n roll and, I believe the odd salsa cruise).

[NeoDevin]

You can all come visit me for dancing... I'll make sure there's some sort of event on. Other than that, I'll probably be training to be a TA for next year.

[tasche]

Well I just sighend up for one in vegas and am looking forward to that

[SDsalsaguy]

Well I just sighend up for one in vegas and am looking forward to that
The Dance Vision one tasche?

[d nice]

I'm all about the Eastern Canadian Swing Championships at the end of May. Just outside of Montreal. They really know how to party.

[MacMoto]

It's been announced that the first Scottish Salsa Congress is going to be held at the beginning of August, so that will be the highlight of summer for me this year. :)

[pygmalion]

Well I just sighend up for one in vegas and am looking forward to that

Dancevision? Has anybody here been to that one before? The schedule looks interesting.

[Sagitta]

Just used up all my vacation time to go to India in March!! Guess can't really plan many away activities!! :(

[cl5814]

I am also curious about the DanceVision week ...... was planning on going last year but didn't make it, maybe this year is it.

[tasche]

Yeah the dancevision one. Anyone been/going?

[pygmalion]

I haven't yet, tasche. But the schedule looks really good, especially since they revamped it, added levels of difficulty and changed the slate of teachers last year.

And they only have 300 slots this year (versus 500 last summer), so, if you're going, you should probably pay the deposit ASAP. It's going to sell out.

Have you finalized your plans yet?

Oh yeah, and what's your strategy on which classes to attend? If I go, I'll probably do all beginner classes.

[tasche]

I'm already booked and ready to go. They called to confirm this morning. I didn't know that they made it smaller. Good thing though.

I'm not sure about the levels. I'd probably go all beginner but that all depends on the other people in the classes. Alot of people it seems or so I've noticed are very good at self promoting regarding their actual level of dance. I think they ahve a guidline of how many figure syou nee dot know before hand.

"What level should I choose?
If you know three patterns or less, then you should start with the beginning class. If you know approximately five patterns, you may want to try the intermediate (Bronze) class, or you can stay in the beginning class. If you know at least 13 patterns, then try the advanced (Silver) class or, if you’re more comfortable, stick with the intermediate class.

Keep in mind that this is only a guideline – make sure to take other factors into consideration, including whether you learn fast or slow and what are your goals for this camp. Learning a multitude of patterns is not the most important part of dancing. Remember that professionals practice their basics everyday!"

The gold coast is right next to the rio which has the BEST buffet :D

[ballroomboilergirl]

No big dancing plans for the summer as of yet...I'm still wrapped up in dancing this semester! :-P Probably just taking a lot of rhythm and latin lessons back home in Indy with Dan and Nicole, and hopefully a few standard and smooth lessons with Gert Roslender as well, since I won't be all wrapped up with school and the team. Will probably drive back up here to Lafayette once a week or so to help out with the summer team, which is typically smaller and more low-key than the team during the regular school year, plus I know I'll start missing everyone :oops: I'm sure there will be studio and team parties and a few team road trips/outings as well...might go to USABDA Nationals in August, depending on who from my team decides to compete, and how much time and $$ I have to spare :lol:

[pygmalion]

I'm already booked and ready to go. They called to confirm this morning. I didn't know that they made it smaller. Good thing though.

I'm not sure about the levels. I'd probably go all beginner but that all depends on the other people in the classes. Alot of people it seems or so I've noticed are very good at self promoting regarding their actual level of dance. I think they ahve a guidline of how many figure syou nee dot know before hand.

"What level should I choose?
If you know three patterns or less, then you should start with the beginning class. If you know approximately five patterns, you may want to try the intermediate (Bronze) class, or you can stay in the beginning class. If you know at least 13 patterns, then try the advanced (Silver) class or, if you’re more comfortable, stick with the intermediate class.

Keep in mind that this is only a guideline – make sure to take other factors into consideration, including whether you learn fast or slow and what are your goals for this camp. Learning a multitude of patterns is not the most important part of dancing. Remember that professionals practice their basics everyday!"

The gold coast is right next to the rio which has the BEST buffet :D

Sounds like fun. Hmm. Maybe I'll send in the deposit to hold a space for me.

I think I'd probably do the beginner classes. If they're being taught by good instructors, I'd probably learn more by focusing on technique rather than patterns.

[SDsalsaguy]

I've been to the Las Vegas dnace camp before (two years ago I think). On the whole I consider it to be a good camp. What I liked best was that couples taught the classes, allowing for both lead and follow input simultaneously and for the leads and follows to be taught their respective parts simultaneously. Not the most economical camp, but not too bad either... especially if you share a room (which, unfortunately, I wasn't able to do at the time).

Jenn, unless this has changed, all of the instructors teach all of the levels.

[pygmalion]

World Dance Arts Foundation spnsored a camp in Orlando last June, and I'm hoping they'll bring it back this year. I'll try emailing them, and post here when I get a response.

[pygmalion]

For ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern people. I strongly suggest you get a copy of Dance Teacher or Dance Spirit Magazine January issue. Both have huge numbers of listings for summer dance camps all over the US.

[pygmalion]

For ballroom people. Check out the BYU dance camps. The slate of instructors for either camp is world class. And the price is right -- $375 for a week of instruction -- 32 hours. And the housing is on campus, so it's really inexpensive. Wow!

Edit. Oops. That was a commercial link. Hmm. How do I do this?

BYU ballroom dance camp


Follow the links to adult ballroom camp

[pygmalion]

You know. It occurs to me that this is a great business opportunity for those of you who live in non-major metropolitan areas. Arranging a camp or conference is not that hard, and if there are only a few ballroom or salsa camps out there, you can make some serious cash if you bring a camp to your hometown. IF you plan it right. 8) :D

And oh btw, are there camps and intensives in Europe or Asia that we should know about?

[tasche]

Well Jen if you decide to go lmk.

[NeoDevin]

That BYU camp sounds really interesting. If I can find the money and the time off, I might have to go to that one. Does anyone know of any north of the border? I'll ask around at school, and see if anyone here knows anything going on.

[Swing Kitten]

well ... d nice mentioned one in Montreal. I think it's the second post in the thread.