Hotlanta questions

[Laura]

I'm looking at the website for Hotlanta right now and am a bit confused. (We won't even go into how I feel about its usability issues.) Anyway, my question is what is the difference between the Rising Star/Newcomer's Ball and the "rest" of the competition? They seem to overlap, or do they? If you enter in one, can you enter in the other?

[SamanthaDance]

The "Rising Star" portion of Hotlanta is designed for new competitors and students that haven't competed very much before, if at all. It does run kind of parallel with the main competition, but usually different types are going on in each ballroom. For example last year on Friday morning, I believe Standard was running in the main ballroom, and Smooth in the "Rising Star" ballroom. And there were no evening sessions for the "Rising Star" events, so everyone could watch what was going on in the main ballroom. The "Rising Star" term is a little different than what a lot of people are used to I think.

Hope this is helpful.

SamanthaDance

[fascination]

uh...it seems very separate from my experience there last year...not in the same room etc....

[fascination]

will say this...i had more fun at this comp than any since...and I can't wait to go back

[SamanthaDance]

Forgot to answer your main question...... Yes I guess you can enter both events, although most people don't. Obviously the more advanced dancers enter the Hotlanta portion, and newcomers and dancers with less years of dance experience enter the other.

SamanthaDance

[Laura]

See, this is where I get confused...from looking at the entry forms and schedules, it seems that the comps are nearly duplicates of each other. Like, why do they offer Open Gold and Open Advanced in the Rising Star/Newcomers entry and also in the "regular" entry if the Rising Star/Newcomers is supposed to be for newbies? A lot of the forms look identical except some have a "Hotlanta" logo on them and others have a "Newcomer's Ball" logo on them.

Even stranger, I was looking at the "East - West Invitational Team Match" stuff and from the web site it seems that there is a RS version and a "regular" version -- but then they have the same people listed for each?

[waltzgirl]

Sounds like the "Rising Star/Newcomers" option is a way to increase business from people who wouldn't go to the regular comp because the competition is too stiff--so they can have fun and maybe place at the RS/N event. People who don't commpete much--whether beginners or people who've danced a while but don't compete often--would be the target audience.

[quixotedlm]

Hotlanta... is expensive. $115 + 14% tax per night hotel... :-|

[Laura]

Eh, it's not so bad...just depends on what you are used to I guess.

[Joe]

Yeah, Laura's from the Bay Area. :)

[fascination]

See, this is where I get confused...from looking at the entry forms and schedules, it seems that the comps are nearly duplicates of each other. Like, why do they offer Open Gold and Open Advanced in the Rising Star/Newcomers entry and also in the "regular" entry if the Rising Star/Newcomers is supposed to be for newbies? A lot of the forms look identical except some have a "Hotlanta" logo on them and others have a "Newcomer's Ball" logo on them.

Even stranger, I was looking at the "East - West Invitational Team Match" stuff and from the web site it seems that there is a RS version and a "regular" version -- but then they have the same people listed for each?nancy and eddie are great about emailing if you have questions

[fascination]

Hotlanta... is expensive. $115 + 14% tax per night hotel... :-|WRONG...my husband is a gold elite marriot member and that is a cheaper rate than we can get....that is a rennaisance hotel mind you...and a very nice one

[fascination]

lol, I have no affiliation with this comp btw... ;)

[mamboqueen]

It is probably the best room rate I've come across. However, it does cost $40 to shuttle to the hotel, so if it's just you and your pro, it's $80. Hadn't put that in last year's budget.

[fascination]

lol, I'm driving...and banking on him phoning a friend

[tj]

(pardon the intrusion...)

Regarding hotel rates - it all depends on how close you want to be to the venue. The Hilton and Holiday Inn out here in the 'burbs only charges my company around $35-50/night. Problem is that it's like a 1/2 hour drive to downtown (offhours).

[mamboqueen]

lol, I'm driving...and banking on him phoning a friend

Great. Pick me up at the airport ;)

[mamboqueen]

(pardon the intrusion...)

Regarding hotel rates - it all depends on how close you want to be to the venue. The Hilton and Holiday Inn out here in the 'burbs only charges my company around $35-50/night. Problem is that it's like a 1/2 hour drive to downtown (offhours).

The hotel this was at was not in downtown Atlanta. It was a bit of a drive. But I still think $115 is a good deal, especially if you share a room. I'm wondering if the salsa congress is going to be there again because I'd request a room a little further away from their action....they party long and they party loud!

[JANATHOME]

Right!! USADance's Atlanta regional in October for the Omni is $140.00 a night. Hotlanta's rate sounds great to me! (not that I am going!, but will go to the regional)

[tj]

The hotel this was at was not in downtown Atlanta. It was a bit of a drive. But I still think $115 is a good deal, especially if you share a room. I'm wondering if the salsa congress is going to be there again because I'd request a room a little further away from their action....they party long and they party loud!

Lol! This is true...

So if any of you are willing to be elsewhere in order to save money, I'd suggest trying one of the hotel websites like Hotwire. Just tried it and it came up at like $45/night for a 3 star hotel here in the 'burbs (Norcross) which is likely the Hilton or the Holiday Inn.

[quixotedlm]

looks like many of you are going... why not split the rooom by 4?

[mamboqueen]

looks like many of you are going... why not split the rooom by 4?

I'm afraid the amount of hairspray amongst 4 women would really make us severely over our carbon footprint allotment. By a lot!

[quixotedlm]

I'm afraid the amount of hairspray amongst 4 women would really make us severely over our carbon footprint allotment. By a lot!

maybe you could do each others hair too ;)

[fascination]

Lol! This is true...

So if any of you are willing to be elsewhere in order to save money, I'd suggest trying one of the hotel websites like Hotwire. Just tried it and it came up at like $45/night for a 3 star hotel here in the 'burbs (Norcross) which is likely the Hilton or the Holiday Inn.
man not me...this is the one comp, well okay and wisconsin and heritage and usdsc, that I am not going to book myself elsewhere....I am always down the street for ohio and for the local ones or driving from my home...and it is a royal PITA....

[fascination]

Great. Pick me up at the airport ;)
I suspect...and it is a good guess...that I will be dancing when you arrive...but maybe I can put dh on it if he comes along

[tj]

man not me...this is the one comp, well okay and wisconsin and heritage and usdsc, that I am not going to book myself elsewhere....I am always down the street for ohio and for the local ones or driving from my home...and it is a royal PITA....
Yes, driving in Atlanta can be a PitA any time near rush hour. Off hours it's fine IME.

Then again, YMMV - it's no worse than say rush hour on 495 (the Beltway) in DC or even I-90 during a storm in Seattle.

[Josh]

Yes, driving in Atlanta can be a PitA any time near rush hour.

Or any other time :-) (obligatory Atlanta resident's bash on traffic :-) )

Quix, as for your comment, what's so bad about $115? It's pretty cheap for here, and it's a comp. Check out prices for other comps and you'll see what a good deal that is.

As for rising star/newcomer's, yes, it's for students who are new to competing. For example, 4 of my girls will be competing in it who have only done a small local competition before. It's for new people who might otherwise be a bit intimidated (read: blown away) by some hotlanta competitors.

[FeetwithaBeat]

If things are the same as last year, there will be people competing in BOTH Rising Star/Newcomer's AND Hotlanta competition too. Was a bit disconcerting to some newcomers last year to compete against some folks who had just competed (and done well) in the main room.

[Laura]

Isn't there a difference between a Rising Star and a Newcomer? Without seeing any explanatory information on the web site, and just going by what these words usually mean, I'd think that while I'm definitely NOT a newcomer, I could be considered a Rising Star in that I haven't gotten out of the initial round of the Open Pro/AM Standard for the last two big comps I did (San Francisco Open, Embassy Ball). These comps had each three rounds for the Open Pro/AM Standard, so it's not like I'm someone who does well at my level (yet). I saw on the entry form that the Rising Star/Newcomer's ball does offer events at my level, and I was thinking of entering them, but if it's really for complete newbies then I won't...but then I don't see how someone entering Open Gold as offered at the Rising Star/Newcomers ball could be considered a newbie anyway.

So you can see why I am confused.

[liz]

The way i understand, is the rising star ball is for dancers
who don't place in the finals at some of the other larger comps.
it is very nonthreating and friendly. Last year i was on the
The rising star east/west team for smooth and rhythm. I think
rising star is smooth and rhythm. The regular east/west for hotlanta
is the latin and standard. They just put it all together on the site.
also, they schedule the events so that they do not over lap.
I danced at hotlanta on wed.,thurs. Then, danced the rising star
comp. On friday and saturday. I was very new then,that was my
first year at the event. I didn't get in the finals in hotlanta. But,
i did wonderful in the other ballroom. Also,the prize money is
the same and the trophies are beautiful .hope this can help.
if you want me to ask eddie anything, i will be glad too. I will
be helping out this year, no dancing.t

[fascination]

Isn't there a difference between a Rising Star and a Newcomer? Without seeing any explanatory information on the web site, and just going by what these words usually mean, I'd think that while I'm definitely NOT a newcomer, I could be considered a Rising Star in that I haven't gotten out of the initial round of the Open Pro/AM Standard for the last two big comps I did (San Francisco Open, Embassy Ball). These comps had each three rounds for the Open Pro/AM Standard, so it's not like I'm someone who does well at my level (yet). I saw on the entry form that the Rising Star/Newcomer's ball does offer events at my level, and I was thinking of entering them, but if it's really for complete newbies then I won't...but then I don't see how someone entering Open Gold as offered at the Rising Star/Newcomers ball could be considered a newbie anyway.

So you can see why I am confused.Laura...the sense I get is that it wouldn't be appropriate for you

[liz]

I think you should think about it. I feel you are the
Kind of dancer that the rising star comp. Is about.

[reb]

For the main events, be ready for the big screen projection of the finalists (not the place to adjust uh, . . . anything!);)

[fascination]

yea but very cool if you are a finalist....I hope to re-visit that scenario

[9dncr]

yea but very cool if you are a finalist....I hope to re-visit that scenario


That is really cool huh- what a rush to be part of it all! What is weird is catching a glimpse of yourself on the projector AS you are dancing on the floor. I almost broke concentration out there - like hey - there i am, in my 5 min of fame! :D

[Laura]

The way i understand, is the rising star ball is for dancers
who don't place in the finals at some of the other larger comps.
That's totally me, but then fascination says she thinks it's not for me. In the absence of any guidelines on the organizer's web site, it's hard to know. I should probably email Eddie & Nancy and ask.

[fascination]

they are prompt in returnign emails...I'll pm you as well

[samina]

Hotlanta... is expensive. $115 + 14% tax per night hotel... :-|

that's the cheapest i've ever seen...

[samina]

For the main events, be ready for the big screen projection of the finalists (not the place to adjust uh, . . . anything!);)

big-screen projection??? you mean like, real-time, or later one as a recap of events? holy cow...

[liz]

That's totally me, but then fascination says she thinks it's not for me. In the absence of any guidelines on the organizer's web site, it's hard to know. I should probably email Eddie & Nancy and ask.I sent you a PM, making sure it made it to you. Talked to Eddie and he wanted me to get you to call him.

[Laura]

You both said you PMed me, but I have no unread PMs in my account this morning....

[reb]

big-screen projection??? you mean like, real-time, or later one as a recap of events? holy cow...
Assuming they do the same this year . . . Eddie has a nice system where if you look UP, you'll see a very large screen showing whatever the camera is viewing. If you're coming out from behind the stage being introduced - then the camer's on you and you alone. You might be seen on the big screen throughout the dance, the line-ups, etc.

I was fortunate in that Eddie told us of a lady the night before who made adjustments which were projected on the screen bigger than life - as a word to the wise.

I assume recaps from the same camera?

[mamboqueen]

I was fortunate in that Eddie told us of a lady the night before who made adjustments which were projected on the screen bigger than life - as a word to the wise.



So it would be a really bad time for a, uh, chicken cutlet to fall out of the dress?? *LOL*

[reb]

:uplaugh:

[mamboqueen]

yeah...easy for you to say...it couldn't happen to you. right???

[and123]

Don't guys use rolled-up socks?

[mamboqueen]

Don't guys use rolled-up socks?

You mean tube socks?? har! Flashbacks to Robert Plant!

[reb]

yeah...easy for you to say...it couldn't happen to you. right???
can't say that it did. . . :D

[NielsenE]

you know, knowing the complete hams that a lot of dancers are... I'd be surprised if no one plays to the camera, now they they know its there..

[fascination]

You both said you PMed me, but I have no unread PMs in my account this morning....
have been out of town all day...I do occasionally leave my computer...will do my best....

[LucyDiamond]

I do occasionally leave my computer...
You do? I THOUGHT you lived on DF... :lol:

[samina]

If you're coming out from behind the stage being introduced - then the camer's on you and you alone. You might be seen on the big screen throughout the dance, the line-ups, etc.



wow. cool feature. i'm just... well, have always been... camera-shy, spotlight-shy. dancing sure is forcing me to get over that...

but very cool feature.

[samina]

So it would be a really bad time for a, uh, chicken cutlet to fall out of the dress?? *LOL*

:uplaugh:

omg... <<am remembering quite a few moments of self-adjustment this past weekend.>>
note to self: stop that *immediately*!!!
:)

[fascination]

Assuming they do the same this year . . . Eddie has a nice system where if you look UP, you'll see a very large screen showing whatever the camera is viewing. If you're coming out from behind the stage being introduced - then the camer's on you and you alone. You might be seen on the big screen throughout the dance, the line-ups, etc.

I was fortunate in that Eddie told us of a lady the night before who made adjustments which were projected on the screen bigger than life - as a word to the wise.

I assume recaps from the same camera?omg please lord dont let that have been me;)

[fascination]

sometimes sam we are so redundant

[Laura]

:uplaugh:

omg... <<am remembering quite a few moments of self-adjustment this past weekend.>>
note to self: stop that *immediately*!!!
:)
Yeah, I need to make triply sure that the leotard bottoms on my next dress fit perfectly 'cause I don't want to be tugging on something at the wrong time!

[Josh]

Speaking of making costuming adjustments... my partner and I did a show last week at Eddie's Knoxville, TN studio, and I forgot to button the button on my latin pants... well, about 40s into the rumba, my velcro that fastens the pants came undone, and I spent the rest of the song praying that my zipper would stay up, while trying to get them fastened in the meantime. It was quite funny, and at least during the closing number I had on non-velcro pants which stayed put :-) It was all in good fun and I hope I didn't scare anyone too badly :-) btw, I teach with Eddie at his studio here in Atlanta, if anyone wants me to ask him anything I'm sure he would be more than happy to oblige.

[liz]

Josh, have we meet???? I just left the Volunteer comp. I dance with Eddie.

[Josh]

Josh, have we meet???? I just left the Volunteer comp. I dance with Eddie.

I just started teaching there about a month and a half ago, after my old studio closed. I don't think we have. I'll PM you so as not to post public details, lest the paparazzi come after us. *cough cough* :cool:

[tj]

(takes out camera...)

Where is he!?! :wink:

[Katarzyna]

So I am totally confused, it looks like hotlanta is same week as SRC.. we could make it to both than... I think.. does anyone know where to find entries and schedule for HOtlanta as their site is just a total mess

[Katarzyna]

Nevermind, I think I found it.. :)
I think we will try to squeeze both comps in on the same weekend

[syncopationator]

Does anyone know the deadline for entries? I can't seem to locate that on the site.

[mamboqueen]

I asked someone at a local studio last night and was told September 15. I do wish the website were a little easier on the eyes...I probably couldn't have found it even if it was there.

[reb]

MQ is right - one of the hardest websites to deal with visually

On the other hand - the hotel is pretty nice!

[mamboqueen]

I actually liked it at the Westin...nothing could match those blankets and pillows!

[syncopationator]

I asked someone at a local studio last night and was told September 15. I do wish the website were a little easier on the eyes...I probably couldn't have found it even if it was there.

Thanks! and you're right about the website, very confusing.

[samina]

Thanks! and you're right about the website, very confusing.

wow... when i finally found it (took three attempts to google it...), i find i don't even want to bother figuring it out, it's so chaotic.

why on earth did they do that? who runs this event? making information easy to access is not rocket science... what on earth are they thinking...

[mamboqueen]

Go easy; the organizers are GREAT peeps...just need to find some web-savvy friends :).

[samina]

sorry... don't mean to disparage. :) let's hook them up asap...

[mamboqueen]

No...I didn't take it as such. It is unusual to find a comp website that isn't fairly easy to view/navigate. They do seem to be getting better every year...I guess some just take a little longer than others to catch up.

[samina]

there's already a common format out there they can use as a guide... or at least as a pointer of the kinds of links people will be looking for.

anyway... you goin' to hotlanta, queenie?

[mamboqueen]

there's already a common format out there they can use as a guide... or at least as a pointer of the kinds of links people will be looking for.

anyway... you goin' to hotlanta, queenie?

90% sure. Wish you were going. Lotsa fun! :together:

[samina]

wish i were goin', too...:together:

[latingal]

Someday I'll make it to this comp.... *sigh*

[liz]

I called the boss man about the site not being user friendly...Would like any ideas to pass on to make the site better... they want to make everyone HAPPY....True they need a new web site guy...

[mamboqueen]

Hi Liz...they can probably just use whatever software most of the others use (although Manhattan is a different style and one I like a bit better personally). I think some of the posters here know exactly what it is -- Access Dance maybe? But, if nothng else, one piece of advice I'd pass along is that if they had a e-mailing list (like many of them also do), it would help people at least know when the deadlines are. And please tell Eddie that this is just all constructive -- I don't want him to think we're all a bunch of whiners. Winers, yes, whiners, no!

Edit: one quick fix would be to get rid of the background and just put up a plain one. It would make it a bit easier to read:

http://www.hotlantadance.com/2007/default.htm

[samina]

liz, thanks for reaching out with feedback to the comp organizers!

if there's software available, that might be the most inexpensive method to improve the site's organization, but i do find that format frustrating at times as well. i agree with MQ in liking the manhattan site better than the more common format.

perhaps it would be helpful to create a thread aimed at gathering a helpful wishlist of features, or describing those features that commonly frustration... if the organizers do decide to modify their site, the place to start is to get detailed feedback from the users so they can give informed & practical requirements to their site designers... i know the community here could give lots of helpful recommendations.

:)

[Laura]

I don't think they need to move to Access Dance, or even copy what is done there. It's more that the main page comes across as chaotic and difficult on the eyes. The information people need is there, it's just that there are a lot of visual distractions.

I used to work as a UI designer on high traffic/high performance web sites like Infoseek (a big search engine back in the day before AltaVista, which was the big search engine back in the day before Google), and on a free web-based email provider. So, what I say comes from my experience in that. Please take this as my professional opinion, and not as being overly critical. Overall, I don't really think much needs to be done or changed. A few changes can make a huge difference, though.

My major suggestion is that when you get to the default page for the current year's comp (http://www.hotlantadance.com/2007/default.htm) it's difficult to read the text against the photo background. If they really like having the photo as background, perhaps the photo could be used as the background for the left side of the page. The bottom line is that it would be easier to read if the navigation links going down the right side of the page were on a solid color.

My medium suggestion is that it also might be helpful to have some of the information that you get to from those links going down the right side be given as text pages and not just links to PDF files. For instance, if all I wanted to do was quickly glance at the Tentative Schedule, it would be nice to be able to click the link and immediately be on another web page rather than having to wait for the PDF file to download and for Adobe Reader to open up and so on. I'm just talking about the "simple" pages, like Rules & Regulations. That's not to say get rid of all the PDFs, though -- for complex pages, like the Entry Forms, it's actually necessary that they be PDFs, which is totally fine. On the HTML (i.e., web page) version of simple pages like the Tentative Schedule page, there could still be a link to the PDF version of the Tentative Schedule, so that people who need to print it out can do so nicely and neatly.

My small suggestion is there also be a page somewhere that answers my original question on this thread, which is what constitutes a Rising Star.

In general, this web site provides access to all the information a competitor would need to participate, which overall is the absolutely most important thing. So good job there. All it needs is a bit of a tune-up to make it easier on the eyes.

[Laura]

By the way, as it turns out for me, I unfortunately won't be able to go to Hotlanta this year after all. My teacher & I had a bunch of scheduling problems due to vacations and then injuries, so we ended up not dancing together for a couple of months. It will possibly be November or December before we do another comp. So, I'm going to stay home and work at a local comp that runs that same weekend.

Good luck to everyone going to Hotlanta, and maybe I'll see you there in 2008!

[mamboqueen]

As usual, your post is more useful than mine :). I'm glad we have some web savvy (read: geeks!) here.

Sorry I won't get to see you (again), but I'm sure it'll happen one of these days! Maybe Vegas? Maybe SF...we'll have to see!

[liz]

Made sure that I didn't sound like everyone was wining... Just said some are finding it hard to find information easily.Also, that it was hard to understand about the Rising Star Ball... The deadline for entries is Sept. 15th. But, they do take entries after that date, just makes things easier if they have a deadline :)
Samina, Eddie is my pro... He is really great...Just EXTREMELY Busy....
I two think the site is abit confusing and I look at it alot.
will pass on the info and lets cross our fingers.

[samina]

fwiw, i know i'm not a whiner, and don't find anyone else in this thread so... :)

yes, i've heard so many people say such nice things about eddie, liz.

am sure he can reach out for assistance to put out a better site for next year. it takes some time & focus to make changes like that... certainly not something he could do right now.

so... eddie is the organizer?

[mamboqueen]

eddie and nancy, his wife.

[fascination]

ya know...I have never had a problem with the site...then again lots of things that don't make sense to logical people make perfect sense to me

[Laura]

Excellent, Liz. From everything I've heard, Hotlanta is an awesome comp, too.

[Dancebug]

Thinking about going to this comp... How is it for amateurs? How many amateur couples last year, etc...?

[Katarzyna]

I think its small, but is a lot of fun. Nothing like doing dance ons with a spotlight.. wasnt there last year but the year before it was 4 couples.

[hereKittyKitty]

Thinking about going to this comp... How is it for amateurs? How many amateur couples last year, etc...?
I think there were only two couples in open amateur last year- Russ / Katusha Wilder & Claire Hansen / Richard Tonizzo,
So needless to say they could use a few more.

[Katarzyna]

I think there were only two couples in open amateur last year- Russ / Katusha Wilder & Claire Hansen / Richard Tonizzo,
So needless to say they could use a few more.
They will have one for sure :) I hope they have a full final, wouldnt' that be nice :) so do come and help make it happen :)