2008 MIT Open

[tunape]

The MIT Ballroom Dance Team is proud to announce a performance by world Professional Latin Finalists Riccardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN: http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/registration.php
Deadline: March 30, 2008
Late deadline: April 11, 2008

It is the same weekend as the Boston Marathon! Book hotels and transportation early! Rates are high!

One of the Largest Amateur Competitions in the Northeast.
o 2007 MIT Open has attracted more than 900 Dancers from 64 Studios and Schools
o MIT Open has quarter finals or larger in 20 out of 22 categories

Special Offerings
o All 19 dances offered from Beginner to Championship
o Primarily single-dance or two-dance events
o Flexible registration rules
o Same day on-line results

http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/

2007 Videos:
Saturday
o camera 1: http://ballroom.mit.edu/Media/view/MIT07/Saturday/camera1
o camera 2: http://ballroom.mit.edu/Media/view/MIT07/Saturday/camera2

Sunday:
o camera 1: http://ballroom.mit.edu/Media/view/MIT07/Sunday/camera1
o camera 2: http://ballroom.mit.edu/Media/view/MIT07/Sunday/camera2

2007 photos: http://ballroom.mit.edu/gallery/MIT-2007

[tunape]

Oops, I forgot to mention it's April 19 and 20th, 2008.

[Joe]

Have fun!

[tunape]

Have fun!

A no for you? :(

[skwiggy]

His dance partner is unavailable. She is celebrating Passover.

[tunape]

His dance partner is unavailable. She is celebrating Passover.

we'll miss you guys. :(

unfortunately the date was unavoidable. We would definitely has chosen a different date if we could.

[Joe]

Have fun with the goyim! ;)

[tunape]

Just a reminder, registration deadline is in one week, March 30. Register now! http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/registration.php

[cy_phi]

Is there an adjudicating panel list coming soon?

[Katarzyna]

hope open numbers increase to match last years numbers at least

[tunape]

Is there an adjudicating panel list coming soon?

We're looking to finalize the list. It should be similar to last year, plus a few additions/subtractions based on availability.

[tunape]

hope open numbers increase to match last years numbers at least

We're definitely working to get open numbers up this year which may not be reflected in the registration summaries.

[tunape]

Is there an adjudicating panel list coming soon?

The list of confirmed adjudicators are up at http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/judges.php

We are still waiting for a few more to confirm, but the list is mostly complete.

[cy_phi]

The list of confirmed adjudicators are up at http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/judges.php

We are still waiting for a few more to confirm, but the list is mostly complete.

Thanks!

[Katarzyna]

We're definitely working to get open numbers up this year which may not be reflected in the registration summaries.
so how successful is it so far?

[tunape]

Just another update. There is at least a $150 prize money for the first place couple in each champ category(which was the amount for last year). We're working to increase it this year.

[Katarzyna]

looked at mit numbers from last year comparing to this year.. why are the numbers so slow.. I wonder.. about half of last year in most events... and the deadline is around the corner...

[skwiggy]

I wonder how many of last year's participants were Jewish? ;P

[Katarzyna]

ohhhhhh

[NielsenE]

Actually I just checked the numbers from last year.

At registration deadline - 4 days (ie comprable to now): MIT had 345 people registered, currently we have 487.

So in reality MIT is about 30% larger this year over last year at the same point in the registration process. Numbers do tend to double in the last couple of days.

Additionally MIT isn't allowing double registration in the syllabus levels this year, so the numbers there will be smaller, but not not reflect a decrease in the number of attendees. (Of course that shouldn't affect the open levels.... The conflict with Passover and the temporal proximity of USA Dance Nationals could be affecting that.... or its just people waiting til the deadline, like always....)

[Katarzyna]

Thank you! just wondering...

[NielsenE]

My current guess, syllabus levels will be smaller than last year by about 25% (taking out double registration) but attendance will be higher.


Open levels.... I've quit trying to predict. I wonder... maybe I should try predicting open level attendance based on the number of bottles of Mt Dew I drank in the previous week.... probably as accurate as anything else....

[Katarzyna]

woudl be nice to have at least full quarter... in open... hopefully

[tunape]

In case anyone is interestered, I ran a simple statistical model to predict MIT's numbers this year based on registration numbers of other comps in the same year... we're expecting a small increase in syllabus. But as others have suggested, Open is particularly hard to predict.

The model ran something like this:
MIT event X(level + style) reg number = A*(Harvard Beg. reg of equivalent event X) + B*(Brown's reg of event X) + C*(Tuft's reg of event X) + D*(BU's reg of event X) + ... (for all comps on BRR)

Basically all the data that's on BRR - about 4 years's worth. I played around with 4 similar simple models which don't take into account timing, registration rules(eg. double registration), cross-level registration(eg. couples placing out), nor other "worldly" factors like DWTS, nor show couples which theoretically drive registration numbers up.

The results consistantly showed slight increases for MIT's numbers this year for syllabus. Also, the models seem to suggest that show couples don't drive up reg #'s because of how well the data fits based on previous comp's reg. That is, if we expect the show to have a large impact, then we'd see a higher variance of a comp's reg # based on good/bad show.

I can post the details if people are interested. I have the data in STATA in case people want to take a look. I'd be interested in building better forecast models for any comps.

[Merrylegs]

I know it's a bit late but I've been thinking that I really want to dance at the MIT comp this year.

I am looking for a leader for Adv Standard or Adv Smooth. I live in Boston. I am 5'4" and have been dancing for quite a while, the last 3 years with Peter Walker of Supershag.

I'd love to be your TBA lady if you're looking for a follower. :D Please PM me if you are interested.

[Kitty]

My guess most open couples want to get some rest after dancing at USA Dance Nationals.. and not drive somewhere far to compete in another comp.

last years standard registration numbers were an abnormality due to the choice of the show couple.. I don't think it is quite possible to duplicate those numbers this year..

[tunape]

My guess most open couples want to get some rest after dancing at USA Dance Nationals.. and not drive somewhere far to compete in another comp.


Don't think this is true since it's a good 2 weeks after Nationals. If they are serious, they would want to continue the momentum to train for Blackpool.

[Ithink]

Most open couples are not going to Blackpool. It's not exactly a comp everyone goes to, espcially given the current exchange rates...

And yes: last year's standard numbers were, I agree, VERY influenced by the show couple...

[Kitty]

Don't think this is true since it's a good 2 weeks after Nationals. If they are serious, they would want to continue the momentum to train for Blackpool.

we are as serious as it gets... and my partner already requested few days after nationals off practice to get some rest. If it was up to him, we probably wouldn't even go to MIT, but I just want to wear my new dress... so we will probably come anyway:-)

also,
1) blackpool is looong time away after nationals so there is plenty of time to take a break,
2) preparing for Blackpool does not mean doing a competition in Boston,
3) as IThink mentioned, not everyone is going to Blackpool even if they are "serious." Furthermore, if by "serious" you are implying couples going to Blackpool, then I have to disappoint you, but very few of those ever show up at MIT anyway.

[Katarzyna]

tunape are you going to blackpool this year?

[tunape]

Only a few hours left to register for 2008 MIT Open Ballroom Competition by the regular deadline at 11:59pm on Sunday, March 30! With already 500 couples registered and growing, this is the competition not to miss!

http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/registration.php

Check out the list of adjudicators: http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/judges.php

There will also be cash prizes for Championship and Open level events!

Register now! http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/registration.php

On behalf of the 2008 MIT Open Ballroom Dance Competition Committee

[Larinda McRaven]

Getting close to the Registration Deadline... Any procrastinators out there might want to hurry up!

[NielsenE]

Looks like MIT just broke 1000 competitors.... (1027 as of 9:30 PM... not counting any of the place holder TBAs ,etc). This is a first for any of the collegiate competitions that I'm aware of. (Harvard was 700ish, Brown was 600ish... MIT was 950ish last year. I beleive DCDI was 800ish)

[BM]

Gonna be a looooong weekend. 8)

[reb]

Looks like MIT just broke 1000 competitors.... (1027 as of 9:30 PM... not counting any of the place holder TBAs ,etc). This is a first for any of the collegiate competitions that I'm aware of. (Harvard was 700ish, Brown was 600ish... MIT was 950ish last year. I beleive DCDI was 800ish)
Congratulations!

[Larinda McRaven]

How exciting!!!

[White Chacha]

We now have ticket sales set up for the Riccardo and Yulia show at the 2008 MIT Open.

Visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/32292 . There's a substantial discount if you purchase in advance online over the prices at the door.

Info on the show (which will soon be augmented with ticket info) is at:
http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/show.php .

As we indicated on our website, the show is free to all registered competitors!

Come, it'll be awesome!

[tunape]

We now have ticket sales set up for the Riccardo and Yulia show at the 2008 MIT Open.

Visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/32292 . There's a substantial discount if you purchase in advance online over the prices at the door.

Info on the show (which will soon be augmented with ticket info) is at:
http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/show.php .

As we indicated on our website, the show is free to all registered competitors!

Come, it'll be awesome!

shucks, you beat me to it! pages updated.

[BM]

Is the detailed schedule on the way, or will that wait until after the late registration deadline?

[and123]

whatsamatta, you want to know how late you can sleep in on Sunday? :p

[BM]

Yes. That is EXACTLY what I want to know!!

After all, the later I dance, the more likely that I might be able to convince my friends to come watch me. ::grins::

[White Chacha]

Payments for registrations for the 2008 MIT Open are due today!

Information on paying online, or where to mail your check payment is at:

http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/fees.php

Payments need to be postmarked today, or posted via the online interface by 11:59PM or late feels will be assessed. Don't wait until it's too late!

[and123]

or late feels will be assessed.

Ooooh. Can I have a late feel? Or an early grope? :p

[White Chacha]

Oh sure, now I can't fix my post without making you look silly... ;-)

[Katarzyna]

how much will the fees be?? because its kinda hard to get everything done in time for nationals

[White Chacha]

how much will the fees be??...

$10. We had hoped we did our due diligence by posting the payment
date as well as the late fee back when registration was opened...
It's all on the fees web page.

[and123]

You can pay online:
http://mit.edu/mitbdt/www/ecommerce/bdt_opencomp2008.html

[Katarzyna]

man wish I had the time today.. grrrrr crazy work...

[White Chacha]

Just a reminder that late registration for the 2008 MIT Open closes this Friday at midnight.
Don't miss the deadline!

http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp/ for all the details. Info on non-competitor show tickets is there as well.

[Lorelei]

Could anyone recommend a good practice space (for Standard) for Friday night April 18 close to the MIT venue? Thank you!

L

[Merrylegs]

Could anyone recommend a good practice space (for Standard) for Friday night April 18 close to the MIT venue? Thank you!

L

If you have a car you could go to Avanti Ballroom in Newton. It's Larinda's studio. If you don't have a car you could try Extreme Dancesport in Cambridge. It's been so long since Ive been to Extreme that I can't recall if their floor is big enough for Standard or if they have poles. Using the obvious URLs gets you to their websites.

Supershag is open that night and is certainly big enough but has a weekly party so you'd be dodging social dancers since it isn't set up for practice that night.

Oh, if you have a YMCA membership you could probably call the local Y in Central Square and see if there is space available.

[Lorelei]

Thanks a lot, Merrylegs! Yes, we have a car, so should be pretty flexible.

[White Chacha]

Reminder: Late registration for the 2008 MIT Open closes TOMORROW night. That's Friday 4/11.

[White Chacha]

At this point, online registration for the MIT Open is closed. If you need to have any changes (drops) done, please use the registrar link at the registration site so sent us email. Any new registrations at this point will need to be done on site. We have tech check-ins at the venue on Friday 4/18 from 7-9 PM. That's a good time to register as well.

The usual caveats apply to late registrations: there is a late fee and we reserve the right to refuse a registration if it requires us to run extra heats.

This thing is huge and we're psyched!

[and123]

we're psyched!

omg, haven't seen that expression in a while :cool:
I'll echo BM's sentiments about desiring a breakdown of heat times. Last check they weren't posted yet. Not being impatient, just pointing it out :-P

[BM]

omg, haven't seen that expression in a while :cool:
I'll echo BM's sentiments about desiring a breakdown of heat times. Last check they weren't posted yet. Not being impatient, just pointing it out :-P

I say "psyched" . . . and "nifty," as CTBallroom snickers. :p

Thanks for posting about that, and123 - I was about to quote myself to bump it. ::grins:: My team is still planning on holding practise that day, but obviously if Gold Latin is starting too early in the day, we're going to have to pass on that one . . .

[NielsenE]

I'll see your "pysched" and raise you a "wicked good time"

[BM]

I have refrained from incorporating the word "wicked" into my slang-cabulary! Hints of ebonics, on the other hand . . . ::cringes::

[and123]

word! :rocker:

[BM]

Fo sho. 8)

[NielsenE]

oh snap!

[BM]

Oh no you di'n't! ::attempts isolated head movement::

[and123]

don't y'all be dissin' me, or I'll bust a cap in yo @$$!

[yanka]

We're trying to get the event start times up on the web now, so check back tomorrow.

[Joe]

How cute...ballroomers trying to be street. ;)

[BM]

How cute...ballroomers trying to be street. ;)

Well, we try to hide our paleness under tanner already - may as well go all out. ;)

[samina]

How cute...ballroomers trying to be street. ;)

uh... latin... hello!

[Angelo]

uh... latin... hello!


¡Simón ése!

[and123]

hmmmm, curious why there is 1 hour allotted for the first round of Advanced Rhythm, and 25 minutes for the first round of Advanced Smooth, when both events have the ~same # of registered couples (15-16). One more event in Rhythm vs Smooth, but still :confused:.

[BM]

First round Gold Latin @ 10.30 Sunday morning . . . ::crumbles:: Come cheer if you're awake and around. :p

[and123]

First round Gold Latin @ 10.30 Sunday morning . . . ::crumbles:: Come cheer if you're awake and around. :p

You're complaining about a 10:30 event?!? *slaps upside the head*
Be happy it's not 8 am. Or earlier.

[BM]

Ever since the one time Gold Latin was grouped with Pre-Champ & Champ at 11.30 in the evening, I've been spoiled . . . ;)

[NielsenE]

Hmm yeah, that first round time for Advanced Smooth/Rhythm looks very suspect....

[Katarzyna]

So, I wonder if I am reading the schedule correctly, is the standard session finished before the show?

[and123]

it does look that way.

[Katarzyna]

Thanks, that could make coming back home a lot easier...

[yanka]

hmmmm, curious why there is 1 hour allotted for the first round of Advanced Rhythm, and 25 minutes for the first round of Advanced Smooth, when both events have the ~same # of registered couples (15-16). One more event in Rhythm vs Smooth, but still :confused:.

For Rhythm, we're running the open event (final) after the advanced final. For smooth, we're running the open event (also a final) between the rounds of advanced. It's just the way the scheduling worked out to ensure enough breaks for all rounds.

Anyway, what matters is when your event starts, right? ;)

[yanka]

So, I wonder if I am reading the schedule correctly, is the standard session finished before the show?

Yes, it'll be like last year, where both the Standard event and the awards will be done before the show to allow ppl to leave.

[and123]

split floor this year?

[Katarzyna]

finishing early is a big plus

[White Chacha]

split floor this year?

Yes, two floors for early rounds. Don't recall which round we switch to single floor.

[BM]

I think it was semis . . . ? Don't quote me on that.

[Lorelei]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is "split floor"? Does it apply to Standard?

[and123]

If you're dancing pre-champ/champ, don't worry about it. They split the floor and herd groups from the 100+ couples in syllabus events on to each side to assist in getting through the initial cuts more quickly by recalling couples from two floors instead of one. Not fun, but better than the preliminary "qualifying" round they tried years ago. In that case, if you didn't make the cut in a particular qualifying dance, you were done. You didn't get to do the other dances in that event.

[Lorelei]

Thanks! I've never heard of a split floor before, and started having visions of having to dance on a 40 by 40 floor :eek:

Yes, first prechamp comp with new partner...

[cantskiforlife]

I have seen both pro-am and collegiate comps split the floor on more than one occasion.

In Pro-Am its usually done because only a few couples have registered for an event. However, at some competitions, I have have had to dance against 10 other couples on a THIRD of a floor (VEGAS).

At many of the collegiate competitions, where the Gym may have enough space for two floors, two floors may be set up so more than one heat can be run at the same time. (Or 4 heats if they decide to split up these floors as well).

[yanka]

Just a reminder that each of the split floors is regulation size (or just over that), and the non-split floor is slightly greater than the sum of the two, so if you've never been before, be prepared for a very large floor.

Anyway, we have the layout up on the website if anyone's interested. We made a few changes from last year to make sure the warm-up area would be more useful...

[and123]

One projector screen for callbacks? Is it situated such that people don't STAND in front of it and BLOCK it? :rolleyes:

[tunape]

Just a reminder that each of the split floors is regulation size (or just over that), and the non-split floor is slightly greater than the sum of the two, so if you've never been before, be prepared for a very large floor.


Last year Mirko commented that the large floor size was good practice for Blackpool, possibly bigger?

[White Chacha]

One projector screen for callbacks? Is it situated such that people don't STAND in front of it and BLOCK it? :rolleyes:

We'll do our best. Perhaps I'll come by periodically and do my best New Yorker. This involves yelling "Down in front!" from time to time...

[Joe]

The Blackpool floor is somewhat larger, methinks.

[Katarzyna]

The Blackpool floor is somewhat larger, methinks.
somewhat, although its not as big as you expect when you are really worried about its size...

[Lorelei]

However, at some competitions, I have have had to dance against 10 other couples on a THIRD of a floor (VEGAS).



That's madness...

[Larinda McRaven]

yeah, it was quite interesting....
CSFL, you around this weekend?

[Chris Stratton]

One projector screen for callbacks? Is it situated such that people don't STAND in front of it and BLOCK it? :rolleyes:

This calls for an engineering solution, such as a localized inhospitable thermal environment.

[and123]

.... or a well-aimed slingshot.

[Merrylegs]

CSFL, you around this weekend?

Any chance for a DF meet up this weekend? Either Friday or Saturday night or maybe Dim Sum/brunch on Sunday or some such eating event?

[yanka]

I'll be at the comp almost 100% of the time. Look for me in the hot pink pants (since so many of you claimed you had no idea who I was last year...).

regarding the projector issue, we will still have the projector facing the on deck area with the next event's callback. in the same place as last year, we'll have the rolling callbacks of all scrut'd events. We've tried to modify the layout such that there's no way one could veg out in front of the screen since there's no room to do so. The only place ppl can hang out and watch the screen is if they sit (or stand around) the team tables, in which case, they're far enough away that they're not blocking the screen. We'll see how well it works *fingers crossed*

PS. I'm not guaranteeing the pink pants again on sunday, but I'll likely be wearing my grumpy (=the dwarf) hat.

[White Chacha]

Just under 24 hours to the start!

[BM]

Is there any possibility of having floor space at the venue tonight?

[Merrylegs]

Good luck, everybody!

[Larinda McRaven]

my feet hurt

[Katarzyna]

just got home, SLEEPY

[mamboqueen]

Quick question: is there food at the venue? I see Bertucci's is listed as a vendor - is that the only one?

Kat - how'd you do?

Does anyone have results from last night's latin? Review on the show?

[Chris Stratton]

Quick question: is there food at the venue? I see Bertucci's is listed as a vendor - is that the only one?

Food in the venue is kind of a new thing for college comps. If you get to the student center on Mass Ave outside the other end of the gym complex, there's a grocery store with a range of takeout and sandwich options, and a dining hall food court on the second floor. You can get out that way by walking out the opposite corner of the gym, but wouldn't be able to get back in that end of the gym complex and would have to walk around outside to the comp entrance. There is (or was) also a sandwich shop on the north corner of mass ave & vassar st.

[Katarzyna]

Kat - how'd you do?
we were 2nd... didnt stay for latin, so no idea how that went

[BM]

Peter & Mila won . . . they were ON, too. Outstanding.

[Katarzyna]

what did the rest of the latin final look like

[BM]

what did the rest of the latin final look like

1. Peter Gelzhinsky & Mila Burdan
2. Arkadiy Stepanchuk & Jacqueline Dikansky
3. Alex Nemiroski & Ilana Keselman
4. Carlos Lopez & Genevieve Cuevas

That's all I can remember. So exhausted . . .

[star_gazer]

we were 2nd... didnt stay for latin, so no idea how that wentWho else made the final?

[BM]

Will there be a list of all the photographers that were there? There were quite a few, both professional and amateur, if I'm not mistaken.

[Larinda McRaven]

Champ Standard:
1 Mechyslav Pavlyuk & Margaret Midura
2 Alex Spencer & Katarzyna Herink
3 Valentine Hodgman & Melodie Crawford
4 Kani Lia & Anna Chaldysheva
5 ? forgot their names.... former MIT couple that moved away... and came back just for the comp
6 Tuan Phan & Angie Chen

[Katarzyna]

Champ Standard:

5 ? forgot their names.... former MIT couple that moved away... and came back just for the comp

Igor and Yanfeng

[Mandicraft]

Will there be a list of all the photographers that were there? There were quite a few, both professional and amateur, if I'm not mistaken.

I was told by one of the photographers that their pictures would be available through links on the MIT website.

[White Chacha]

I was told by one of the photographers that their pictures would be available through links on the MIT website.

Photographs from our official photographers, Moses Goddard and Cara Beaudette, will be available via ballroom.mit.edu/comp in about a week to 10 days.

We hope to have the marks up soon. Again, there will be a link up on ballroom.mit.edu/comp .

Lastly, we'll be upgrading disk space on the server over the coming week to better accommodate videos. Don't be surprised if we're down for a short spell while that's happening.

[samina]

Hey congrats, kat...welldone!

[Joe]

Igor and Yanfeng
Pavlovsky and Lin.

I guess Grace and Vasyl decided to bail?

[Katarzyna]

Pavlovsky and Lin.

I guess Grace and Vasyl decided to bail? You mean Fu an Makarov?

[tunape]

1. Peter Gelzhinsky & Mila Burdan
2. Arkadiy Stepanchuk & Jacqueline Dikansky
3. Alex Nemiroski & Ilana Keselman
4. Carlos Lopez & Genevieve Cuevas

That's all I can remember. So exhausted . . .

5. Mechyslav Pavlyuk & Margaret Midura (won champ standard)
6. Sandy Chen + partner

[BM]

5. Mechyslav Pavlyuk & Margaret Midura (won champ standard)
6. Sandy Chen + partner

6. Michael Fenton(?) & Sandy Chen

Thanks for cleaning up after me on that one - I am so terrible with names . . . (and I was fried!!)

[White Chacha]

Pavlovsky and Lin.

I guess Grace and Vasyl decided to bail?

Vasyl was apparently quite ill and they had to bail.

Yanfeng's last name is Lim .

[Mandicraft]

6. Michael Fenton(?) & Sandy Chen

Thanks for cleaning up after me on that one - I am so terrible with names . . . (and I was fried!!)

Yes, you're correct BM, it's Michael Fenton.

[White Chacha]

I just started a thread in Ballroom Dance for feedback on the comp.

[Joe]

Yanfeng's last name is Lim .
Perhaps you and Ballroomregistrar should have a chat.

[White Chacha]

Perhaps you and Ballroomregistrar should have a chat.

Perhaps. But all the personal mail I've exchanged with her has it spelled the way I indicated :-)

[Chris Stratton]

I've seen several variations of spelling within the MIT team going back years... though the alumni directory says Lim.

[tunape]

Just an update from the comp organizers, the 2008 photos and videos are up at http://ballroom.mit.edu/comp

These are free for personal, non-commercial use only.

of course, the results have also been posted a while back. enjoy.

[mamboqueen]

Thanks...everyone did a great job, in every aspect.