2008 Harvard Invitational [Archive]

bluetango

10-15-2007, 03:05 AM

If you are going to go latin...yeah I'd say Slavik and Elena would be a great choice.
Also, Franco and Oxsana are phenomenal.

Or how about Max (of max and yulia) if he's going to be doing showdances (he said he's gonna continue with showdances...with someone else maybe?)

Since Harvard Invitational is before MIT, if you have Riccardo and Yulia, you'll beat MIT to the punch - but I doubt that it will make MIT very happy :-P

Better stick with some diversity in the shows!

Angelo

10-15-2007, 07:48 AM

How about an American Style couple for a change?

10-15-2007, 08:12 AM

How about an American Style couple for a change?

BU is looking into an American Style couple . . . but this is Harvard's thread. ;)

Angelo

10-15-2007, 08:29 AM

BU is looking into an American Style couple . . . but this is Harvard's thread. ;)

Thank God someone is. I love international style, and compete in the 10 international dances on occasion, but there has been a multi-year run of international style couples doing shows at the Boston area college comps. I thought American style couples should get some love from the colleges too.;)

NielsenE

10-15-2007, 09:44 AM

Thank God someone is. I love international style, and compete in the 10 international dances on occasion, but there has been a multi-year run of international style couples doing shows at the Boston area college comps. I thought American style couples should get some love from the colleges too.;)

Well UConn, aside from this year, has had a wonderful run of American show couples. Clive and Karen, Nick and Lena, and I think Emanuel and ?? last year

(spelling correction by Larinda)

Angelo

10-15-2007, 10:03 AM

Well UConn, aside from this year, has had a wonderful run of American show couples. Clive and Karen, Nick and Lena, and I think Emanuel and ?? last year

(spelling correction by Larinda)

I don't consider UConn to be a Boston area college but that's a good point.

caityrosey

10-15-2007, 10:46 AM

Bryan and Carmen :) maybe they'd have time now that they're retired :)

bluetango

10-15-2007, 10:49 AM

Ooh I got one:

Hanna Kartunnen & Victor Da Silva

If they are still together doing showdances (theater arts) - its really out of this world. Extremely high caliber dancing, and very different - for the people who are tired of the same old shows.

tunape

10-15-2007, 11:21 AM

speaking of recently retired couples - Michael Wentik & new partner, bryan & carmen, william pino?

Ithink

10-15-2007, 11:24 AM

Bryan and Carmen :) maybe they'd have time now that they're retired :)

MIT had them a few years ago. I cannot say I loved it... It was kinda, well, boring... Michael Wentink and Beata the year or so before that was far more entertaining!

Angelo

10-15-2007, 11:43 AM

MIT had them a few years ago. I cannot say I loved it... It was kinda, well, boring... Michael Wentink and Beata the year or so before that was far more entertaining!

I agree with you on this one. I always preferred watching Bryan Watson and Carmen in competitions rather than when they were doing shows but I digress.....

mamboqueen

10-15-2007, 11:54 AM

speaking of recently retired couples - Michael Wentik & new partner, bryan & carmen, william pino?

Isn't Michael now dancing pro with Kristina?

bluetango

10-15-2007, 12:01 PM

I thought her name was actually "New Partner", just like the famous collegiate competitor Thomas Brian Albertson ("TBA").

Kitty

10-15-2007, 12:14 PM

since MIT is having a latin show, a standard show is probably a good idea for Harvard. Either William Pino+ Alessandra, or Jonathan or Katusha would be amazing.

Hanna and Victor da Silva woudl be amazing as well.

tunape

10-15-2007, 12:18 PM

Either William Pino+ Alessandra

no, I prefer just pino, the partner always obstructs the view to see what the dancer is doing. ;p

actually, I was going to say Alesia, but realized that wasn't the right name. :)

White Chacha

10-15-2007, 01:05 PM

Well, while we're on Alessia, how about Massimo Giorgianni and Alessia Manfredini? They know show :-) though they've retired as well. I'd love to see Nick and Lena too.

White Chacha

10-15-2007, 01:23 PM

jnathan and new partner will be pretty exciting as well. so will be katusha.. how about a danceoff

So I don't hang in the right places, and this is off topic, but did J&K split?

fenixx

10-15-2007, 02:38 PM

well, if we are going for standard: Luca and Lorraine

Kitty

10-15-2007, 02:45 PM

So I don't hang in the right places, and this is off topic, but did J&K split?

there is a thread about that..

Massimo and Alessia and Luca and Lorraine don't do shows anymore i think, they've retired from sompetitions and shows as well.. to see either couple performing would be amazing though!

Ithink

10-15-2007, 02:56 PM

there is a thread about that..

Massimo and Alessia and Luca and Lorraine don't do shows anymore i think, they've retired from sompetitions and shows as well.. to see either couple performing would be amazing though!

Yup, I would brave a Boston Winter for those two couples! And that is a huge sacrifice for someone who gets cold in 65 degree weather!

10-15-2007, 04:25 PM

White Chacha

10-15-2007, 04:27 PM

there is a thread about that..

Thanks Kitty, found it.

Katarzyna

10-15-2007, 04:28 PM

Hanna Kartunnen & Victor Da Silva would be really really exciting.. they are amasing.. and it would be a unique treat

Mandicraft

10-15-2007, 09:47 PM

What about the new National Rhythm Champions - Jose DeCamps & Joanna Zacharewicz??

bluetango

10-15-2007, 10:59 PM

I believe Jose and Joanna might be performing in the Boston area in the spring. If we aren't going to repeat performances of R+Y we shouldn't with J+J either.

I'm going to stick with my original suggestion of Victor and Hanna.

yanka

10-15-2007, 11:55 PM

Chris Stratton

10-16-2007, 12:02 AM

I don't have time to try to dig up the past, and I can't seem to get the info from the harvard site, but is it typical for Harvard to have a top pro couple do a show? I can't remember seeing a pro couple in past years, but I have both a horrible memory and have missed a few years...just curious (if there is a change, then what prompted it?)

I think it's more normal for Harvard to have a top couple than it is for MIT people to show up at the ball attached to the Harvard comp, which is when the show actually happens.

bluetango

10-16-2007, 01:05 AM

I think it's more normal for Harvard to have a top couple than it is for MIT people to show up at the ball attached to the Harvard comp, which is when the show actually happens.

Thats interesting, since MIT dancers should have the easiest time getting to the Harvard ball, considering its only 10 minutes away.

White Chacha

10-16-2007, 08:08 AM

Until the recent move of the HI on campus, it would have been no easier than for any other Boston area school.

From a practical standpoint, I'm not keen on the Hanlon Ford Ball. Think about having to dance an early event on Sunday. And if you've also been dancing on Saturday, it makes for a very long day just to see the finals of the open events. Those used to be part of the main competition day.

I love social dancing but when I've danced on Saturday, and then have to dance on Sunday, I'm less interested in dancing on Saturday night as well. Maybe if I were 20 again ;-)

NielsenE

10-16-2007, 08:57 AM

I don't have time to try to dig up the past, and I can't seem to get the info from the Harvard site, but is it typical for Harvard to have a top pro couple do a show? I can't remember seeing a pro couple in past years, but I have both a horrible memory and have missed a few years...just curious (if there is a change, then what prompted it?)

Harvard's had a show couple longer than MIT has. In the earlier days, IIRC they often had either a top world amatuer couple or a top US pro couple. More recently they seem to be having either top amateur or professional world class couples.

10-16-2007, 09:12 AM

From a practical standpoint, I'm not keen on the Hanlon Ford Ball. Think about having to dance an early event on Sunday. And if you've also been dancing on Saturday, it makes for a very long day just to see the finals of the open events. Those used to be part of the main competition day.

I love social dancing but when I've danced on Saturday, and then have to dance on Sunday, I'm less interested in dancing on Saturday night as well.
I enjoyed the ball last year. It was my first year at Harvard Invitational, and I danced both days. Hanlon Ford was a welcome respite from the stress of competition (for me, at least, since I wasn't competing in Open). The social dancing wasn't too intense - but then again, I was wearing highly impractical non-ballroom shoes, so I didn't dance more than maybe three songs in a row. For someone who is not competing at Hanlon Ford, I think that it's a completely different atmosphere from that of the rest of the competition, hence why it's appropriate to hold it during the first evening.

Maybe if I were 20 again ;-)
. . . Or maybe that's it. ::grins::

White Chacha

10-16-2007, 11:42 AM

Yeah, I guess any of the multi-day comps are going to be an exhausting experience. The last time I went to a show at Yankee, it didn't start until 11PM on the Friday night. And MIT's late schedule with competition after the show ain't no picnic either.

It is what it is and I shouldn't whine ;-)

tunape

10-16-2007, 12:35 PM

Thats interesting, since MIT dancers should have the easiest time getting to the Harvard ball, considering its only 10 minutes away.

yes, but Harvard Invit. used to charge quite a bit for the Ball+show, so poor students couldn't afford it(and they were usually exhausted from competing the whole day). Besides, the ball tends to attract an older crowd which didn't appeal to competitors either.

EDIT: and depending on how long ago we are talking about, Harvard used to be held at Wonderland Ballroom, which was a good 1 hr by T, then moved to Moseley's, and now finally the gym(which was considered a no-no a while ago).

Kitty

10-16-2007, 02:00 PM

I danced at the ball once and enjoyed the atmosphere quite a bit. Also enjoyed the show. The atmosphere of dim light and spot lights and couple introductions is incredible and no other competition offers this.

Unfortunately the competition usually conflicts with the NDCA amateur nationals in Utah, which is an important competition for amateurs to attend. Is it scheduled to conflict this year as well?

and123

10-16-2007, 02:04 PM

Their website says the Harvard Invitational is March 8-9.

Kitty

10-16-2007, 02:09 PM

no conflict this year then:-) Yay!

yanka

10-17-2007, 07:44 AM

I think it's more normal for Harvard to have a top couple than it is for MIT people to show up at the ball attached to the Harvard comp, which is when the show actually happens.

That could be it. I just feel like since I'm not really that far away, I probably would've dragged my butt over had it been a show I wanted to see...so who have they had in the last 3-5 yrs? Because the few years that I can remember, I have seen the supershag show team and no show (I believe one of the top competing couples was asked to do a dance or something), but I could [very easily] be wrong.

NielsenE

10-17-2007, 09:02 AM

That could be it. I just feel like since I'm not really that far away, I probably would've dragged my butt over had it been a show I wanted to see...so who have they had in the last 3-5 yrs? Because the few years that I can remember, I have seen the supershag show team and no show (I believe one of the top competing couples was asked to do a dance or something), but I could [very easily] be wrong.

Last year was the Stokkebroe's (sp)
The year before was supposed to be Charlotte Jorgensen and Nick Kosovich (unless that was one more year before), but they had to pull out for some reason and I believe that was when SuperShag provided the show.

For the first 2-3 years that MIT had a show the two competitions tended to have extremely close competitors -- like one-two places separating them in world rankings.

If you have a Harvard Invitation program you can look up the shows, since I think they showed the list going back to the early 90s in the program this year.

yanka

10-17-2007, 04:31 PM

Thanks, NE.

I knew it was pretty likely that I just didn't remember.

IlyZislin

10-18-2007, 04:06 AM

no conflict this year then:-) Yay!

Actually, NJ DanceSport Classic Spring Fling is that same weekend, from what I understand... :(

Chris Stratton

10-18-2007, 08:38 AM

An old conflict resurfaces. On the other hand, isn't the regional at MAC this year rather than spring fling?

yanka

10-18-2007, 10:16 AM

An old conflict resurfaces. On the other hand, isn't the regional at MAC this year rather than spring fling?

I believe so.

Plus, I believe most (if not all) of last year's regionals qualify you for 2008 nationals, so I doubt lots of ppl need to go to begin with...

Kitty

10-18-2007, 11:10 AM

Actually, NJ DanceSport Classic Spring Fling is that same weekend, from what I understand... :(

is it going to be a one day event on sunday?
or a two day event like regionals?

if it is a one day event on sunday
there is no conflict for open level competitors.

Chris Stratton

10-18-2007, 11:19 AM

Harvard has been a two day comp for a long time - highly suspect both will have their open events saturday night, unless part of spring fling is friday. Besides, you really want to drive to Boston after a typical late night open session?

mgshah

01-16-2008, 02:37 AM

Ieva and Linas will be performing at the Invitational this year!

Registration is now open.

Chris Stratton

03-09-2008, 03:05 PM

I saw a sign about marks being available via wifi within the venue; anyone know if they can be accessed from the outside world?

Shelu

03-09-2008, 03:44 PM

Does anyone have results for the Saturday night Championship latin events?

White Chacha

03-09-2008, 06:17 PM

I saw a sign about marks being available via wifi within the venue; anyone know if they can be accessed from the outside world?

I believe it was just the callbacks that were to be available at the venue via wireless.

White Chacha

03-09-2008, 06:21 PM

simpsdance

03-09-2008, 09:47 PM

So, did anyone think it odd that some couples started "performing" to the background music the DJ played during one of the costume change breaks at the Linas and Ieva show at the Invitational? It struck me as a bit rude. Am I off base?

A bit rude? Yes. Surprising? No. Maybe you noticed how the parents of the kids were actively urging them to go dance during the costume breaks.

I'm pretty sure these are the same type of people that casually walked onto the floor without checking in at the deck or putting on their numbers (Latin champ semi). If you have that, then what more can you expect?

tunape

03-09-2008, 10:00 PM

A bit rude? Yes. Surprising? No.

Surprising for who? The individuals or for the comp organizers? I seem to recall awkward costume changes last year at Harvard comp as well.

Mandicraft

03-10-2008, 10:25 AM

I saw a sign about marks being available via wifi within the venue; anyone know if they can be accessed from the outside world?

Results should be up in the next couple of days. So Shelu you will be able to see the Champ Latin results assuming that we have their names in the system. As was stated earlier we had a few couples join us for Champ Latin that didn't have their numbers so if they ended up with new or different numbers from what they were registered with we may not have thier names.

RIdancer82

03-10-2008, 11:50 AM

I saw a sign about marks being available via wifi within the venue; anyone know if they can be accessed from the outside world?

I was told by a comp worker that only callback lists were available via wifi during the comp.... not the actual marks or placements

Chris Stratton

03-10-2008, 12:10 PM

That may be the case, however on the comp website it says "Bring your laptop to the competition to view callbacks, marks, and results."

Mandicraft

03-10-2008, 12:21 PM

That may be the case, however on the comp website it says "Bring your laptop to the competition to view callbacks, marks, and results."

I think that was the inital plan, but as we all know, things don't always work out as planned....

bluetango

03-10-2008, 02:46 PM

The people who did impromptu performances during the breaks were not competitors at this competition.

I think they were just using the opportunity of an open floor and no one dancing to showcase their dancing, since they didn't compete at the competition.

That said, it is a social ball with competitive dancing. When there is music playing that is not relevant to the competition or show, anyone should be able to go and dance. Frankly I was surprised that more people didn't get up and dance.

Were the dancers who went up there gutsy, and also pushed by their parents/coach - yes. Was it wrong of them to do it - absolutely not. Just my two cents.

Chris Stratton

03-10-2008, 02:55 PM

I think that was the inital plan, but as we all know, things don't always work out as planned....

oh, you mean like my foxtrot...

wyllo

03-10-2008, 03:03 PM

When there is music playing that is not relevant to the competition or show, anyone should be able to go and dance. Frankly I was surprised that more people didn't get up and dance.

I have to agree. If the music is playing and the floor is empty, why not go out there and have some fun?

mgshah

03-10-2008, 03:42 PM

That may be the case, however on the comp website it says "Bring your laptop to the competition to view callbacks, marks, and results."

Callbacks were automatically available as soon as they were ready. We delayed publishing the final placements until after the awards for those events were announced. But they were available right after awards.

The delay in getting them up on our website is due to the fact that the person who has all the results is probably still asleep!

tanz15

03-10-2008, 05:09 PM

So, did anyone think it odd that some couples started "performing" to the background music the DJ played during one of the costume change breaks at the Linas and Ieva show at the Invitational? It struck me as a bit rude. Am I off base?

Tacky but harmless.

I was more surprised that Linas and Ieva did not address the audience at all until after the show was completely done. Not that performers have any obligation to do so, but I'd gotten used to people being at least a little more interactive. No big deal, though.

NielsenE

03-10-2008, 07:00 PM

So, did anyone think it odd that some couples started "performing" to the background music the DJ played during one of the costume change breaks at the Linas and Ieva show at the Invitational? It struck me as a bit rude. Am I off base?

It really depends.... To me there's a few choices:
1) Fill in the gaps with planned material (ie the show couple has provided a script to fill out that time, and/or the gentlemen addresses the audience
2) Slot in other shows -- Formation team exhibitions, Honor dances, etc
3) Fill some/all of the gaps with announcements, thanks, etc
4) Officially open the floor for general dancing

these are roughly in order of my personal preference, though it does depend on how long the gaps are likely to be. For instance when the Ghekman's preformed at UConn, they did awards in the early gaps and general dancing/first round while they did a more complete costume change involving body paint, etc. I though the awards were a little tacky since these costume change breaks were quite short, but the general dancing/going on with the comp seemed right for the longer break.

I do think that the competitors shouldn't just get up and dance during the break, but if nothing is going on, then the MC should have opened the floor. (Ie IMO its a foul on both sides in this case)

mgshah

03-10-2008, 07:18 PM

I do think that the competitors shouldn't just get up and dance during the break, but if nothing is going on, then the MC should have opened the floor. (Ie IMO its a foul on both sides in this case)

The first break was filled with acknowledgments for team member and supporters.

The second break was filled with a mention of the participating schools and a cheering contest for the schools.

The third break is where the random couples got up to dance. This was also, in accordance with Murphy's law, the longest break.

During the fourth break, the floor was formally opened to everyone.

Just to clarify the record.

apeacock

03-10-2008, 07:53 PM

Callbacks were automatically available as soon as they were ready. We delayed publishing the final placements until after the awards for those events were announced. But they were available right after awards.

For the record, all marks were immediately available, often before the actual recalls. I very much liked that system, as we were able to stay at our own computer(s) and not clog up the area around the projectors and on deck.

White Chacha

03-10-2008, 08:18 PM

The first break was filled with acknowledgments for team member and supporters.

The second break was filled with a mention of the participating schools and a cheering contest for the schools.

The third break is where the random couples got up to dance. This was also, in accordance with Murphy's law, the longest break.

During the fourth break, the floor was formally opened to everyone.

Just to clarify the record.

Maybe this is a philosophical difference, but my feeling is that when there's a formal show going on, everything should be about the show. That, to me, implies that during the costume breaks you have to keep people focussed and anticipating the return of the show couple. The breaks shouldn't be about distracting the audience to pass the time.

The experienced show couples outline all of the show pieces and the breaks in advance for the competition staff, and often provide biographical material, lists of awards, to be read during the breaks. The leader will often speak during one or more of the breaks while his partner is changing.

Things seemed so random on Saturday night that I barely realized the show couple had returned when they set up for their final piece.

Meagan

03-10-2008, 08:53 PM

mgshah

03-10-2008, 09:04 PM

I actually couldn't stay for the show :( so can't really comment on that (other than I generally prefer when time is filled between numbers by the MC)

But was anyone else confused as to why they only did dance-ons for part of the pre-champ standard semi?? (I didn't know why they were doing them for the semi in the first place but it seemed really shocking to only have some of the couples) All the people sitting in my section were also confused so I was just wondering if anyone else figured it out~maybe someone in the event?!?

There were no dance-ons for pre champ semis. The semis happened in the afternoon, before the ball.

One couple in prechamp standard finals elected not to dance-on because they were also dancing in the champ standard finals and chose to do their dance-on then.

The dance-on for every couple took place before the first dance in the event.

There was no dance-on for the prechamp vwaltz or the prechamp paso.

I hope that clarifies any confusion.

Joe

03-11-2008, 06:41 AM

I wasn't there, but IMO, if you play danceable music during a break, you should expect at least a few people to be--gasp!--DANCING.

Mandicraft

03-11-2008, 03:48 PM

The results are now available online:

http://www.harvardballroom.org/Invitational08Results/index

Ithink

03-11-2008, 04:48 PM

Anyone know who couple 451 was?

Chris Stratton

03-11-2008, 05:18 PM

Ronen & Mariam

tunape

03-11-2008, 06:24 PM

The results are now available online:

http://www.harvardballroom.org/Invitational08Results/index

thanks. any chance the results can produce aggregate statistics like placement by dance(for multidance), tie breakers, etc...?

Mandicraft

03-11-2008, 07:23 PM

thanks. any chance the results can produce aggregate statistics like placement by dance(for multidance), tie breakers, etc...?

I could probably run a specific event by hand for you once I get home on Thursday (I want to have my Certified Correct book by my side because it's been a long time since I've done it by hand). But I don't know enough about the workings of the software, maybe mgshah can answer if the software can do it. Which event(s) did you want to know about?

Karl

03-11-2008, 09:00 PM

thanks. any chance the results can produce aggregate statistics like placement by dance(for multidance), tie breakers, etc...?

Well, when we wrote the software, we made one big formula that calculates the whole multi-dance event callbacks all the way through Rule 11. If it isn't a single dance event, the results of each dance just feed into the next part of the formula so, unfortunately, we will need to rework the formula to output those results. We will, but unfortunately, it was an oversight in the original development that we just didn't realize was missing until this weekend.

reb

03-11-2008, 09:06 PM

Its so nice to be able to reprogram without buying more relays . . .

tunape

03-11-2008, 10:44 PM

I could probably run a specific event by hand for you once I get home on Thursday (I want to have my Certified Correct book by my side because it's been a long time since I've done it by hand). But I don't know enough about the workings of the software, maybe mgshah can answer if the software can do it. Which event(s) did you want to know about?

I've tried running the statistics by hand on a few events, but it's rather time consuming, and hard to make sure I'm consistent. Thanks for the offer.

tendancer

03-11-2008, 11:34 PM

I got

champ standard

ronen 1 1 1 1 1
makarov 2 2 2 2 2
spencer 3 3 3 3 3
lue 4 4 4 4 4
ersal 7 5 6.5 5 5 - 28.5
phan 5 7 5 6 6 - 29
panas 6 6 6.5 7 7 - 32.5

champ latin
milot 1 1 1 1 1
stepanchu 2 2 2 2 2
nemiroski 3 3 3 3 3 15
chase 5 4 4 4 4 21
sung 4 8 5 7 7 31 rule 10 - 5
wang 8 5 7 6 5 31 rule 10 - 6
kudrasev 7 6 6 8 6 33
garber 6 7 8 5 8 34