2008 Hawai'i Star Ball: You KNOW you want to!

[Laura]

So I was just posting on the "lessons" thread, and came up with the idea that it would be tres' cool (tres' froid?) if as many DF'ers as possible came to the HSB next year.

Never been? Well, it's in Hawai'i! The hotel is very fine, right on the beach. It has a small but nice pool with a great outdoor bar that makes all kinds of delicious frozen drinks. The Sheraton is on the Waikiki strip, so you can walk along the beach to other hotels to go out for dinner, or see hula dancing, or hear Hawaiian music, or whatever.

The comp is not huge--but it could be! Really! If we started saving our pennies and/or frequent flyer miles now, and started lobbying our teachers and/or partners now...wouldn't it be so cool if a big bunch of us from DF showed up to meet and compete?

So think about it.

I went last year, so if you have any questions about the comp, the organizers, the venue, or whatever I'm happy to try to help.

By the way, Southwest Airlines now flies to Hawai'i, so airfares might not be as nasty as the have been in the past.

The only downside is that Hawai'i is 6 hours earlier than New York (3 hours earlier than San Francisco), but still...oh come on people, it's a nice mellow comp and it's in HAWAI'I!

(Hee hee hee heee.)

[ballroomdancertoo]

Hey Laura,
Just to add some kick to the offer, I have a friend who manages many vacation rental properties in Waikiki. May be I can have her offer a DF members discount.

[Laura]

Wow. That rocks.

By the way, and I know this is blasphemy to some organizers, but when I went last year I booked the AAA rate at the Sheraton Waikiki. It was lower than the competition rate, and was easier to cancel in the event of an emergency. I actually had another AAA-rate room booked for this year, but then decided not to go.

There are so many hotels and condos etc. etc. in the area, it's like Vegas.

The one weird thing about this comp is that if you're doing Pro/Am, the organizers REALLY WANT your pro to handle the paperwork. I did all the paperwork last year, and it caused some friction. So, if you're a do-it-yourself student, do it all for your pro, but make it look like it all came from him/her. It's vaguely annoying, but that's the way the game is played there.

[fascination]

not enough anti-anxiety drugs to get me through an entire year of thinking about flying and then actually doing it....could drive out west and then boat?????? ;)

[fascination]

Wow. That rocks.

The one weird thing about this comp is that if you're doing Pro/Am, the organizers REALLY WANT your pro to handle the paperwork. I did all the paperwork last year, and it caused some friction. So, if you're a do-it-yourself student, do it all for your pro, but make it look like it all came from him/her. It's vaguely annoying, but that's the way the game is played there.
lol....that could also be a problem;)

[samina]

.could drive out west and then boat?????? ;)

or swim? imagine the great shoulders after that one... course, the shark bites might not look fetching in your latest gown...

[Laura]

not enough anti-anxiety drugs to get me through an entire year of thinking about flying and then actually doing it....could drive out west and then boat?????? ;)
Unfortunately there is no passenger boat service, other than cruise ships, and due to a complex web of laws known as "the Jones Act" you can't just get on one in California and get off and stay in Hawaii and then catch another back to the mainland.

I had no idea you had flying issues. Interesting, that...I have a friend with severe flight anxiety issues, and I'm going to Vegas with her next week so she can practice flying. She thought that doing a short trip or so would help her get over her fear enough so she could fly more. She got some book from the library that she says is really helping her, but I don't recall the name, something like "Fearless Flyer". (Oh wait, that's the Trader Joe's circular!)

(And Joe, before you humorously ask if it's "Fear of Flying," the answer is no. :) )

[mamboqueen]

You know, I am convinced if I signed on to do this comp, I'd never make it into the ballroom. Except for SFO and LV, I don't know that I've been outside of a hotel during a comp weekend at all (well, and when I checked out a wig store in Brooklyn *LOL*).

Is this one generally attened predominantly by locals? I would love to go to Hawaii -- probably about a day of travel for me, though. Some day...

[etp777]

Heh, I can just picture look on pro's face after she had to chase down to the beach to find me and get me back into ballroom for a heat. Scary. :)

[mamboqueen]

And try to convince the pro that the sand all over your clothes are a new breed of stones for your dress.

Just looked at expedia for the heck of it. Quickest from Boston-Honolulu is 13 hrs 8 minutes; tack on another 1.5 hours for transport/early arrival at airport and it's close to a 15-hour day. All for $1875. Yeow!

[Laura]

You know, I am convinced if I signed on to do this comp, I'd never make it into the ballroom.

It's not a huge comp, but it's not too tiny either, so you can get out of the ballroom and have some fun. When I went last year I flew in Thursday morning, watched the Pro Rising Star events in the afternoon, and danced the next morning in my Pro/Am events. Then I had Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday to enjoy the outside :)

It's mostly mainlanders coming for a comp/vacation, with a good sprinkling of people (Pros and Amateur couples) coming over from Japan for the same reason, and of course the local dance community turns out for it as it's the only big competition there each year.

When I went last year there was a semi-final in the Open Standard Pro-Am Scholarship. They played the theme from Hawaii 5-0 as a quickstep, it was very fun :)

[Laura]

Quickest from Boston-Honolulu is 13 hrs 8 minutes; tack on another 1.5 hours for transport/early arrival at airport and it's close to a 15-hour day. All for $1875. Yeow!

What dates did you put in? If it was a date in the winter time, the flights are a lot more expensive then. I just checked as far out into the future as Expedia would let me, and I got $644 on Continental for the last week in August. Looking in mid-March, which might be analogous to the prices in early October, it's $768.

I'm seeing $397 from San Francisco.

Airfares for next October will probably be available in December, so I'll check again then.

[VTDancer]

Laura, you are a wicked temptress.

[elisedance]

I know this might sound rediculous at first but maybe it woulod be cheaper to charter a plane? The Hawaii dancesport special....

I'm tempted Laura - but the cost of flying your coach out there too would make this a 5K or more competition. Have to be Am!

[madmaximus]

not enough anti-anxiety drugs to get me through an entire year of thinking about flying and then actually doing it....could drive out west and then boat?????? ;)

::imagining::

Long outrigger boat.
Big white sails.
Sailing off towards Hawaii...
Big bare-chested men (or wo..., never mind) paddling in cadence to a drum...

[cue the music: Faint strains of Bali Hai...]

Deckmaster to paddlers:
"I have some good news and some bad news."

"First, the good news: Triple food rations for lunch today!!"

Crew yells in approval: "YEYYY!!! Woohoo!!! You Da Man Boss!!!".

"Now the bad news:"

[palpable silence]


"The Queen has decided to go water skiing..."


[yeah, I know... really need some strong brew this morning...]





m

[fascination]

love it...will drive out and catch that boat...and I love to water ski...bare-chested men are also good

[fascination]

or swim? imagine the great shoulders after that one... course, the shark bites might not look fetching in your latest gown...:cool:I already have great shoulders...and I need my feet;)

[fascination]

Unfortunately there is no passenger boat service, other than cruise ships, and due to a complex web of laws known as "the Jones Act" you can't just get on one in California and get off and stay in Hawaii and then catch another back to the mainland.

I had no idea you had flying issues. Interesting, that...I have a friend with severe flight anxiety issues, and I'm going to Vegas with her next week so she can practice flying. She thought that doing a short trip or so would help her get over her fear enough so she could fly more. She got some book from the library that she says is really helping her, but I don't recall the name, something like "Fearless Flyer". (Oh wait, that's the Trader Joe's circular!)

(And Joe, before you humorously ask if it's "Fear of Flying," the answer is no. :) )
it would take alot of meds...but I am going to have to bite the bullet sooner or later

[Laura]

Laura, you are a wicked temptress.
That I am! That's the whole point of this thread!

[danceflower]

anyone knows the results?

[Laura]

anyone knows the results?
For 2007? The only thing I know is that Ikaika Dowsett & Katia Afanaseva won the Rising Star Standard the night before last.

[reb]

For 2007? The only thing I know is that Ikaika Dowsett & Katia Afanaseva won the Rising Star Standard the night before last.
Fortunate that many years ago his parents named him appropriately for the the competition he would win . . . ;)

Congrats Ikaika!

[JANATHOME]

what are the dates of this comp??

[Laura]

I'm not sure exactly what they are for next year, Jan. It's usually the first weekend in October. As soon as I know for sure I'll post them here. It would be fun if you came!

I have a tiny bit more results, this time from the Open Pro Standard

1) Blaz Pocajt & Inna Berlizyeva
2) Slavek Sockacki & Marjena Stachura
3) Ikaika Dowsett & Katia Afanaseva

I think there were six couples, two of them coming from Japan.

[danceflower]

thank you. Afanaseva and Ikaika a new pro couple now.Good luck to them.

[dressgirl]

I just got back. It was worth the time in the air. A lovely comp, well-run, well attended and had an enthusiastic audience. I was surprised in some ways as at a lot of "resort comps" people leave the ballroom never to be seen again. But the locals have Hawaii year round and ballroom only once a year, so when you dance, there is someone clapping. Plus Jeffrey did a lovely job with local talent - a real luau, and each night had a different theme. When I get over the jet lag, I will go sit in the sun to keep my new tan.

[ballroomdancertoo]

Was there a show case with known professionals?

[elisedance]

I just got back. It was worth the time in the air. A lovely comp, well-run, well attended and had an enthusiastic audience. I was surprised in some ways as at a lot of "resort comps" people leave the ballroom never to be seen again. But the locals have Hawaii year round and ballroom only once a year, so when you dance, there is someone clapping. Plus Jeffrey did a lovely job with local talent - a real luau, and each night had a different theme. When I get over the jet lag, I will go sit in the sun to keep my new tan.


DG: how often does one come back from a comp both that positive and that 'vacationed'! Sounds like quite the event. Maybe we should have the Great DF Get Together in Hawaii instead of Columbus...

[Laura]

Was there a show case with known professionals?
Yes. This year it was Linas Korieva & Ieva Pauksena and Jukka Haapalainen & Sirpa Suutari. Last year it was Mirko Gozzoli & Alessia Betti (I forgot who the Latin couple was because I didn't go the evening of the Latin show).

[Laura]

Bumping this thread...okay, who is coming? I think entries are due September 13th. I'm definitely going. It's pretty much a requirement :) Unfortunately, I'm just going to go in, dance, and go home -- I've been traveling too much and can't really lollygag around Waikiki.

[contracheck]

I'm tempted Laura - but the cost of flying your coach out there too would make this a 5K or more competition. Have to be Am!

Thanks for defending my credibility. Nobody, especially mamboqueen, did not believe me when I said that a pro-am competition cost $5K easily.

[Laura]

Not for me. Airfares and flying time from Caifornia to Hawaii are like going from coast-to-coast.

[chachachacat]

Laura, no lollygagging in Waikiki??? What better place to do it?

I LOVE, love, love Hawaii!!! Must move there!

[Laura]

What better place to do it?
Australia (because that's my next big trip).

[mamboqueen]

Bumping this thread...okay, who is coming? I think entries are due September 13th. I'm definitely going. It's pretty much a requirement :) Unfortunately, I'm just going to go in, dance, and go home -- I've been traveling too much and can't really lollygag around Waikiki.

lordy, if there was one comp I'd want to lollygag at! Wish I could go.

[NoDayButToday]

Competition in Hawaii. Sounds so fun! Is this a big pro/am competition?

[chachachacat]

:DI've spent most of the day in Hawaii in my memories, thanks, Laura!

[Laura]

Competition in Hawaii. Sounds so fun! Is this a big pro/am competition?
I don't know how you define "big." But when I went two years ago I had a semi-final in my Scholarship (Open Pro/Am "B" Standard) so that was nice.

[Laura]

Mailed my entries yesterday...ok, who is going!?!?!

[Easy]

Wish I was, but right now I'm just trying to survive. I'm way in the red, but I'd rather get red in Hawaii :( Anyone need a stand in old pro? he he

So sad when you leave Hawaii to watch the islands disappear into the clouds.

[Laura]

So sad when you leave Hawaii to watch the islands disappear into the clouds.
Yes, but so thrilling when you descend for the first time and see them...green and beautiful...so much larger than you had imagined...blue sea and blue sky and white fluffy clouds....

[Laura]

Heat lists are posted, including who is actually in each event. I've got 10 couples in my Open Pro/Am Standard Scholarship, and 6 couples in my single-dance events. This is going to be fun!!!!!

Oh, and I should be done dancing by 2:15pm, which means I can hit the beach in the afternoon. Woo hoo!

[Standarddancer]

Heat lists are posted, including who is actually in each event. I've got 10 couples in my Open Pro/Am Standard Scholarship, and 6 couples in my single-dance events. This is going to be fun!!!!!



oh so nice big participations! lucky you! We would go if there are this size for open am participation. No big comps in September or October in Northeast, we are so bored. anyway, best luck to you!

[Ithink]

No big comps in September or October in Northeast!

Well, there is the Fall Frolic and it's as big as people who attend it make it:)

[Standarddancer]

Sorry haven't been clear, what I really want to say is that for the entire September there is no major comps in Northeast:(

NJ classic might be the only hope to be big comp in Oct

[contracheck]

Heat lists are posted, including who is actually in each event.

Posted where? I hope that it's not classified information for priviledged few.

[Laura]

Okay, I made it here! Really easy morning flight, took the shuttle to the hotel...and then was flabbergasted at how huge the resort complex is. The shuttle dropped me off and I started following the signs to the main lobby, and I had to ask for directions twice because I was convinced I had gotten lost amid the open-air network of shops, bars, pools, galleries, and so on. And then after I checked in I had to go half way back the way I came.

I stopped by the ballroom and it is HUGE and quite pretty. There's a dinner party and floor show going on down there right now -- they don't let the general admission (non-dinner party) people in until the evening competitive events start around 8:30. When I went by there were drummers and lion dancers and it looked like the ballroom was full. Since this is the only NDCA comp in Hawaii, it looks like everyone who is interested in ballroom dance makes it a point to come out for these evening sessions -- even on a week night!

Tonight will be the Open Rhythm and Open Latin. I'm not entirely sure I will be going, as there is a three hour time difference between California and Hawaii and I'm feeling pretty draggy since I've been up since 6am California time.

According to the program, Nik is dancing tonight, so good luck man!

[ChaChaMama]

You trying to make me crazy jealous, Laura? ;)

So you get Hawaii, a sumptuous hotel, gorgeous pools, and a chance to watch my teacher in the Open Latin.

Meanwhile, I got to spend a nice chunk of my Wednesday figuring out how to cope with angry mathematicians :rolleyes: and other arcane Curriculum Committee business. What is wrong with this picture?

I did get a surprise present in the mail from an alumna, a signed copy of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children and a very sweet note. Nice to think one has made a difference in someone's life. A big mood lifter that came at just the right moment, but...I'd still rather be in Hawaii!

Have fun!

CCM

[Purr]

Posted where? I hope that it's not classified information for priviledged few.

It's not classified. Go to the Hawaii Star Ball's main page (http://www.hawaiistarball.com/index.cfm/page.htm). Click on the Winner's Circle link, then click on the event you're interested in. Or, select the competitor's name from the drop down menu.

[Laura]

Yep, it was there when I looked yesterday.

I may have just made a mistake eating half a bag of chocolate and coconut covered macadamia nuts for breakfast, but it was good and cost less than ordering room service :) I also have some fruit, so I'm not being entirely unhealthy.

The weird thing about doing a comp in Hawai'i is the time lag. People who come from New York to California know what I mean because the time differences are the same. I wanted to sleep in, but ended up getting up at 5am Hawai'i time and I don't even dance until nearly 1pm.

[samina]

good luck, laura! will be thinking of you! let us know how it goes!

[Laura]

Interestingly enough, I don't care!

It's not that I don't want to dance, I do! It's not that I don't want to do my hair and makeup, which is sometimes the case the morning of the comp -- I do!

I just don't care what the result is. Like really! This is kind of fun, not caring. I'm just going to dance, and enjoy it, and then go home. And after the teachers get back, start lessons again and enjoy it. 'Cause you know what? I'm just here because I love to dance and because competing is fun!

I'm not sure when was the last time that I really felt this way about a comp.

(And hey, if it all goes wrong...there are fruity rum drinks by the pool.)

[chica latina]

Love your attitude Laura. Hope you enjoy it!!

[Standarddancer]

Great attitude Laura! so great you have so much fun at such beautiful place!

Would you take a glance of program? Any entries for open am? Just curious about the attendance of open am this comp for my future info.

Best of luck anyway (although I know you don't care about results):)

[Laura]

It's all on line, back up a few messages in this thread and you'll see where to go. I have not purchased a program and don't intend to.

[Standarddancer]

The weird thing about doing a comp in Hawai'i is the time lag. People who come from New York to California know what I mean because the time differences are the same. I wanted to sleep in, but ended up getting up at 5am Hawai'i time and I don't even dance until nearly 1pm.

so you mean if in NY now is 4pm, so in Hawaii is 1pm, 3 hours difference, same as time difference as NY to California?

[Standarddancer]

just checked online registration, only saw am multi dances in B & C, seems like no open am entries:(

[Laura]

so you mean if in NY now is 4pm, so in Hawaii is 1pm, 3 hours difference, same as time difference as NY to California?
No, I mean that if you are in New York and have gone to a comp in California, then you have experienced dealing with a -3 hour time difference. Since Hawai'i is yet another 3 hours earlier than California, the only way someone who lives in California will have the same type of experience is to go to Hawai'i.

The time difference between New York and Honolulu is six hours.

[Laura]

Ok kids, it's time...gotta get a move on and dance. I'm trying to hold that carefree joy mood I had earlier, but the butterflies just woke up and the competitive dragon is rustling her wings.

[njdancegirl]

Ok kids, it's time...gotta get a move on and dance. I'm trying to hold that carefree joy mood I had earlier, but the butterflies just woke up and the competitive dragon is rustling her wings.

Good luck...and have fun!

[avab]

hey Laura,

Hope the dancing went well, felt good and that you had fun. Thanks for letting me play with your kitties! Lots of purring at your house today!

[Laura]

Dancing felt good, observing teacher said good things, dancing teacher was pleased, and we came in 2nd out of 10 (which was one place better than last time at this comp) so hey it's all good :)

Time to wash my hair, hit the pool, and drink a mai tai!

[SDsalsaguy]

Way to go Laura! :D

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Congrats, Laura! :applause:

[Laura]

Wait, it gets better! Porfirio & Laetitia won the Rising Star Smooth, and Nik & Natalia won the Rising Star Latin! Everyone was looking fine today :)

Plus I got to sit and chit chat with dressgirl and look at her fabulous dresses. She had this green silk one that I was drooling over...sigh...someday....

[samina]

laura, congrats! that's excellent placement! and sounds like a great day for DFers all-around.

enjoy the pool, the sea, the gorgeous hotel... every minute of it. enjoy it extra for all of us who couldn't make it this year. :)

[latingal]

Glad to hear that you danced well Laura! Enjoy Hawaii, it's a great place to hang with dance buddies!

[Laura]

Unfortunately I am all by myself, but I am pretty self-sufficient and just got back from a nice dinner, a mai tai, and a bit of shopping.

[reb]

Hi everyone!

This comp is unique and I recommend not basing a decision to come here on who might be here, or how many competitors might be in a heat - come to Hawaii for the vacation and attend the comp while you are here, well, at least that's what we did. We've been here for two weeks - one week on Kauai (the Garden Island) and a week on Oahu.

We popped in for our dances and promptly resumed enjoying Hawaii, so while we missed Laura :(, Porfirio, threestep, we did run into Nik and stopped by to say hello to dressgirl and it was good to see a number of other ballroom friends, from the circuit and from our studio, in the very short time we were dressed in something other than shorts or swim wear.

The organizer, Geoffrey Fells, was very nice and welcoming, and the whole crew - from the people working the doors (four people when we were there covering two entrances) to the registration desk, to the deck team - were so inviting and nice and they conveyed to us the same wonderful attitude.

As you picked up from Laura's reports, the atmosphere at this comp is different than elsewhere, its . . . Hawaiian! The hotel is beautiful, but indoors does not compare to outdoors here.

And those nice orchid leis make pictures look great!

[Purr]

Dancing felt good, observing teacher said good things, dancing teacher was pleased, and we came in 2nd out of 10 (which was one place better than last time at this comp) so hey it's all good :)


Congratulations, Laura! :)

[latingal]

Unfortunately I am all by myself, but I am pretty self-sufficient and just got back from a nice dinner, a mai tai, and a bit of shopping.

That's the spirit...I take the travel time by myself to indulge myself in whatever I want to do with the time, a bit of luxury not having responsibilities for anybody but myself.

Hope you enjoy!