San Francisco Open

[Gumby]

Who's going? what days and what dancing.

I'll start off - I'l be Saturday dancing smooth - single dance events and the " B" scholarship? I might be there to watch Saturday night - let me know who to root for :)

[Laura]

I'll be at the check-in/ticket desk all weekend. Stop by and say hi!

[Borbala_Bunnett]

We will be there too :-).

Hubby and I will be dancing on Saturday, and Paul and I will be dancing on Sunday.

See you there!!!

[Laura]

I was going to try to go home early on Sunday -- but I guess not now! See you!

[reb]

Be there or be square

[chocolatchica]

I wish I could go :-( Eugene and Maria are competing there. Can't wait to see them do pro live. Let me know how it goes everyone! Good luck :-)

[Gumby]

Cool - Looks like Reb and I may be in the same event - you are dancing "B" right?

Its ok babe - you can have second :)

[Laura]

Ohhh, slammin' show-down! I'll have to make sure I get into the ballroom for this one :)

[Gumby]

I can't loose I have a new dress. :)

[Laura]

Is your dress loose or will you not lose in it? :) Looking forward to seeing your latest creation! Make sure you stop by and show it to me!

[latingal]

Best of luck to all of our DF'ers competing at SF Open!!

[reb]

Its ok babe - you can have second :)

I can't loose I have a new dress. :)

My suit takes 2nd place to your dress . . . by definition!

If we're on the floor at the same time, I won't be able to really watch you (still can cheer for you though!)

Ohhh, slammin' show-down! I'll have to make sure I get into the ballroom for this one :)

;)

[Joe]

I have an idea! Dance for (ballgown) pink slips! ;)

[Gumby]

I don't think my dress would fit Reb - he's too tall - even Lycra has its limits.

[reb]

Here are some of Friday's events:

World Pro/Am DSS “B” & “C” Rhythm Scholarships
Open Pro/Am Senior Rhythm Championships
Pre-Teen & Junior Latin Championships
Formation Team Championships
Open Amateur Senior II Standard Championships
World Pro/Am DSS “A” Rhythm Scholarships
Youth Standard Scholarship
Professional Rising Star Rhythm
Open Amateur Latin “Fernando Lopez” Scholarship Championship
Professional Rising Star Standard
Open Professional Showdance Championships

[star_gazer]

Amateur and Pro Standard are Saturday night. My kids are doing amateur. According to the heat lists, so are Stoynovs who looked so good at BYU a few weeks ago and Simone Segatori and Anette Sudol from Germany who are in the top 10 in the world. I saw them at the Snowball Classic last month and they are fantastic. So that will be an exciting event. It looks like Erica and Andrea will have their pro debut and lots of other great pros are registered. Darn...wish I was going!

[Terpsichorean Clod]

It looks like Erica and Andrea will have their pro debut and lots of other great pros are registered.
They were already dancing pro when I watched them at City Lights a few weeks ago.

[reb]

A goodly assortment of talent . . . biggest we have out here on the West Coast for a month until Emerald Ball - get it while you can!

[Tibor Kerekes]

Hi guys,
http://gallery.supershag.com/g/san_francisco_sunday

[danceflower]

Hello Borbala, when do we finally meet at the comp? Are you planning to attend Emerald comp in LA in May? We are planning to go there.

[chocolatchica]

I don't think my dress would fit Reb - he's too tall - even Lycra has its limits.
Lol. Funny mental picture:uplaugh:

[chocolatchica]

Hello Borbala, when do we finally meet at the comp? Are you planning to attend Emerald comp in LA in May? We are planning to go there.
Yay! Emerald!!! I can' wait. Borbala rocks! Thanks again for helping at SW!

[Merrylegs]

Thanks Tibor! It's nice to see Lisa doing so well in the Rising Star Rhythm.

Have fun out there, the weather is surely warmer in San Fran than here in Boston.

[reb]

the weather is surely warmer in San Fran than here in Boston.
But sooo cold compared to Southern California! ;)

[reb]

the organizers did a really good job promoting the comp in the local community.All day long there is at least 100 to 150 people are in the ballroom (not just the dancers) which is creating a great atmosphere for everyone who is dancing.


This was huge from a couple angles:

The syllabus dancers in the morning - whose audience is usually just other upcoming competitors with their gear lying on a few scattered tables - found themselves dancing to a full ballroom . . . of appreciative people!
The local peeps that were there (field trip badges and all . . . ) had a good time - one lady came up to me to dance a few measures while I was warming up near the door, she was so excited
Appreciative full audience for the morning / afternoon competitors
Great event for the communityI hope other organizers can hear about this because I think this little thing seemed like it made a tremendous impact to many people.

Kudos to Stefan and Denise and Rex - I hope you don't mind sharing your secrets!

:rocker:

I felt really bad for a pro from Italy who injured himself during their routine.Hope he is going to get well soon.

I think there were two couples from Italy in the Theater Arts & Showdance event - one did a ground-level paso theme and the one Tibor mentions did the hurculean lifting above the head for a couple minutes type of routine until . . . he extended one arm to the lady which she acknowledged and they just walked off the floor together unceremoniously - some around us asked what happened and I said I think he hurt himself - and as soon as they were off the floor, she was tending to one of his shoulders.

I want to salute Michael Neil and Danielle Wilson for their professionalizm.Unfortunately their music came thru the sound system very static.They did not blink,not complained,not make a scene just danced like nothing happened.Well done!


Tibor's firing on all cylinders here . . . I'd say that "very static" is an understatement - from where I was standing, I couldn't hear music - a couple tone changes, no beat, and as Tibor says - very static. I probably caught a phrase or two, and at the end I could tell that they nailed the final note.

So for their couple minutes, we were whispering about it, watching the judges moving around in their chairs, wondering who was going to say what and when.

But the show went on.

Today I went up to Michael and told him that he gave us all a lesson - no whining, no complaining, no motioning, no nothing except dancing.

My hat's off to Michael Neal and Danielle

:notworth:

[reb]

Laura's here - but since she's organizing from dawn to . . . well dawn, I'm not expecting her to be on DF if she has an opportunity to get some sleep!

Saw latingal, Gumby, Terpsichorean Clod, avab, Tibor,

Looking forward to seeing threestep, tbrennan

And there's a few other DFers whom I haven't mentioned - hoping to hear your inputs too!

[Terpsichorean Clod]

My hat's off to Michael Neal and Danielle

:notworth:
Ditto. :notworth: My seat directly underneath one of the speakers was blasted by the static. They were so composed as they performed, I wondered at first if they were hearing the same "music" as I was.

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Hi guys,

The hosue is full! Great energy (part of it is the MC ((Gary McDonald)) )The first few results of the evening's are up.

Reb You are Such a gentleman. ( I let you to expalin this to everyone.)

http://gallery.supershag.com/g/san_francisco_saturday

Scroll down to the bottom.

Tibor
I'm guessing a pro went missing at awards? Bravo, reb! :applause: Looking forward to your sharing what happened.

(BTW does that count as a declaration of professional status? ;) )

[elisedance]

Going by the SS photo archive, I'm a bit surprised there were so few entries in the dancesport series comps - 3-4 couples in most of them though there was obviously more in smooth. Kind of expected the SF comp to be a large one. Which events attracted the most couples?

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Going by the SS photo archive, I'm a bit surprised there were so few entries in the dancesport series comps - 3-4 couples in most of them though there was obviously more in smooth. Kind of expected the SF comp to be a large one. Which events attracted the most couples?
"A" Rhythm and Smooth.
Going by the program for tomorrow night:
"C" Standard - 9 couples
"B" Standard - 14 couples

[Tibor Kerekes]

I'm guessing a pro went missing at awards? Bravo, reb! :applause: Looking forward to your sharing what happened.

(BTW does that count as a declaration of professional status? ;) )


I would declare as old school action. When men were gentlemen.

[star_gazer]

Boy,

It feels like I am talking to myself.I am sure you all are just sleeping and will be cheking in later.The comp ended 15 minutes ago and everything is up for your viewing pleasure.

There was 15 couple in the pro rhythm and 12 in the pro standard.

http://gallery.supershag.com/g/san_francisco_saturday

See you tomorrow,

Tibor
We're not all asleep and I appreciate you staying up to post the results.

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Boy,

It feels like I am talking to myself.I am sure you all are just sleeping and will be cheking in later.The comp ended 15 minutes ago and everything is up for your viewing pleasure.

There was 15 couple in the pro rhythm and 12 in the pro standard.

http://gallery.supershag.com/g/san_francisco_saturday

See you tomorrow,

Tibor
Thank you for posting the results, Tibor!

[Merrylegs]

It's 3:24 am here in Boston and I'm awake!

Hey REB, it's 27 degrees right now...

Boy,

It feels like I am talking to myself.I am sure you all are just sleeping and will be cheking in later.The comp ended 15 minutes ago and everything is up for your viewing pleasure.

There was 15 couple in the pro rhythm and 12 in the pro standard.

http://gallery.supershag.com/g/san_francisco_saturday

See you tomorrow,

Tibor

[Tibor Kerekes]

It's 3:24 am here in Boston and I'm awake!

Hey REB, it's 27 degrees right now...


Are you that curious of what happens here or you just can't sleep

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Are you that curious of what happens here or you just can't sleep
Sounds like it's too cold to sleep...

[elisedance]

"A" Rhythm and Smooth.
Going by the program for tomorrow night:
"C" Standard - 9 couples
"B" Standard - 14 couples

thats interesting - sounds like not many of the entrants did both the schollarship and the dancesport series. Wonder why that was? Maybe Reb can enlighten?

[elisedance]

Boy,

It feels like I am talking to myself.I am sure you all are just sleeping and will be cheking in later.The comp ended 15 minutes ago and everything is up for your viewing pleasure.

There was 15 couple in the pro rhythm and 12 in the pro standard.

http://gallery.supershag.com/g/san_francisco_saturday

See you tomorrow,

Tibor

Hi Tibor,

I've been following religiously - sometimes spotting your results before you announce them! But I should have said Hi!

[ChaChaMama]

Eugene and Maria are dancing tonight, right?

Totally envious. Will be looking forward to your reports!

[reb]

Eugene and Maria are dancing tonight, right?

Totally envious. Will be looking forward to your reports!
Eugene and Maria are in the house . . . :D

[reb]

Laura's here - but since she's organizing from dawn to . . . well dawn, I'm not expecting her to be on DF if she has an opportunity to get some sleep!

Saw latingal, Gumby, Terpsichorean Clod, avab, Tibor,

Looking forward to seeing threestep, tbrennan

And there's a few other DFers whom I haven't mentioned - hoping to hear your inputs too!

And more still . . . musique, Dan Post, swan

[reb]

Going by the SS photo archive, I'm a bit surprised there were so few entries in the dancesport series comps - 3-4 couples in most of them though there was obviously more in smooth. Kind of expected the SF comp to be a large one. Which events attracted the most couples?
Careful about extrapolating data . . .

1) I'll give a smattering (not complete, just quick to help with perspective) of event sizes

Pro/Am
Semi's in Rhythm A, Latin B, Latin C, Smooth A, Standard B, Closed B, Latin Closed Bronze, Latin Closed Silver, Smooth Closed Silver scholarship, Rhythm Closed Silver Scholarship . . .
Quarter in Standard A, Open Gold Waltz (as a single dance example, and they were all about this same size), Closed Silver Scholarship, Closed Bronze Scholarship, Smooth Closed Bronze scholarship . . .
First Round - Rhythm Closed Bronze Scholarship . . .

Amateur
Semi's in Senior Standard, preteen, Junior I Latin, Junior II Latin, Youth Latin, Pre-Champ Latin, Open Latin
Quarter's in Champ Standard, Novice Standard, Pre-Champ Standard, Over-35 Standard,

Pro
Semi - Pro Rhythm, Rising Star Smooth, Rising Star Latin, Open Standard,
Quarter - Open Smooth, Open Latin

2) Quality is impressive - remember the discussions we've had on other threads about who shows up at which comps, etc., - all can be good for a variety of reasons, but a certain placement at one comp might be a win at another . . . .

thats interesting - sounds like not many of the entrants did both the schollarship and the dancesport series. Wonder why that was? Maybe Reb can enlighten?

Not sure all that's in the observation, questions - or answer . . . but one thing I noticd that was a little different here than some other comps is that it seems some scholarships may have been combined with some DSS events, and that some entered a variety ?? I am not sure how all this works, but trust the organizers worked it all out.

[reb]

Hey REB, it's 27 degrees right now...
Hi Merrylegs,

So, DW and I went for a walk this morning (well it was supposed to be a run, but we . . . walked!) and I FROZE in my short-sleeve shirt.

On the way back we had brunch at the Hyatt where they had a jazz band and a . . . fitness expo (so it turned out we were dressed approriately - DW in her lululemon).

Then I had to go into the cold again :( to get back to the comp hotel.

[Larinda McRaven]

Are you that curious of what happens here or you just can't sleep

We had just gotten in from wcs dancing at the famous Boston Tea Party.... and YES it was COLD.

[Tibor Kerekes]

Hi Tibor,

I've been following religiously - sometimes spotting your results before you announce them! But I should have said Hi!


Yeah,

You should have,I feel left out here.Reb lists all these screen names.AndI hardly know anyone.So guys ,I would like to meet you.Please feel free to come up to me.I would really apreciate it.

On an other note.Results from today are up.I am in the ballroom and will get reprts to you as quick as I can.

http://gallery.supershag.com/g/san_francisco_sunday

[reb]

Tibor is the handsome active guy with the tiny little camera near the podium . . . :D

We all can do a better job of introducing ourselves - over time!

[reb]

We had just gotten in from wcs dancing at the famous Boston Tea Party.... and YES it was COLD.
Larinda - GREAT new avatar. I like it!

[Tibor Kerekes]

Hi reb ,

I think you are home because I haven't seenyou all day.Borbala looked good in the Rising star smooth.
This is sunny California with the only exeption that this sun out here is not warm (yet)

[samina]

And more still . . . musique, Dan Post, swan
Dang...so many of our peeps danced SF this year! And Elise too, representing Canada??? I missed that somehow...

Looking forward to my first west-coast comp so I can see you all!

Hope everyone had a great time!

[Tibor Kerekes]

Eugene and Maria are on the floor.The Quarterfinal of the pro latin just started.
I'll be back.

[danceronice]

Tibor is the handsome active guy with the tiny little camera near the podium . . . :D

We all can do a better job of introducing ourselves - over time!

Don't build his ego up TOO much, reb--some of us have to dance with him later. ;)

Seriously, having seen Tibor and Chris in action at comps, I don't know how they have the energy to compete. Even on days when I'm just watching, I'm wiped by 11 and they're running around 'til the bitter end with the cameras...of course I'm a wimp. I need at LEAST three hours of sleep before I can even think of dancing. (Or going to work...should pry myself off the computer now...insomnia bites.)

[reb]

Eugene and Maria WON!

They have now placed ahead of a US Pro National Finalist (1, 1, 2, 1, 1) - and the year is young . . . .

[reb]

Dang...so many of our peeps danced SF this year!

add another tonight . . . 'eric' - BTW congratulations Eric!!

[elisedance]

Careful about extrapolating data . . .

......

Not sure all that's in the observation, questions - or answer . . . but one thing I noticd that was a little different here than some other comps is that it seems some scholarships may have been combined with some DSS events, and that some entered a variety ?? I am not sure how all this works, but trust the organizers worked it all out.

thanks for the details. But I think you confirmed my impression. Supershags pictures only had 3 or 4 couples in (I think two) of the dancesport series finals and yet the schollarship finals had multiple heats. Doesn't that mean that many potential DC entries passed on the event?

[Laura]

Anyway, I don't know how Tibor does it, but every time I saw him he looked happy and awake and fresh and handsome. As for me, my feet, ankles, and lower legs are killing me from running around working all weekend -- I can't even imagine dancing all weekend and running around like Tibor was!

[latingal]

I feel left out here.Reb lists all these screen names.AndI hardly know anyone.So guys ,I would like to meet you.Please feel free to come up to me.I would really apreciate it

Wish I had seen this before SF Open ended. I saw you around ballroom and you looked very busy!!!

[elisedance]

Yeah,

You should have,I feel left out here.Reb lists all these screen names.AndI hardly know anyone.So guys ,I would like to meet you.Please feel free to come up to me.I would really apreciate it.



I just reread what I wrote - it sounded like I was at SFO. Actually I'm still in Toronto, following the action from here.

But we DID meet - in Montreal at the Classique in Feb.

And that made me wonder who on DF has met the most DFers - I'm willing to bet it will be you! Perhaps you could compile a list? :)

[Laura]

I can't believe this...I was so exhausted and left the hotel at midnight and now it's 2am and I'm wide awake at home. I should have stayed and partied with all those people I passed in the bar on the way out.

[elisedance]

Dang...so many of our peeps danced SF this year! And Elise too, representing Canada??? I missed that somehow...



I wish - it would take even longer legs than I have I fear! A misunderstanding created by me, see above...

Oh to be in SF now that April is here... Oh to be anywhere warm at all... Oh to see the last of the snow...

OTOH the racoons have awoken and tipped the trash out again....

[swan]

I can't believe this...I was so exhausted and left the hotel at midnight and now it's 2am and I'm wide awake at home. I should have stayed and partied with all those people I passed in the bar on the way out.

You should have :) I just got home. I think the party is officially over as the bar is closed :)

[DanPost]

And more still . . . musique, Dan Post, swan

/me has been dragged out of hiding. :)
Warning: I am about to be the world's biggest cheerleader.
I was just a spectator this weekend. All my friends (you know who you are!) did great! My only regret is not taking today off work (got home at 2am... rolled in to work at 9am...), so I missed the show (sorry Wendy, I need my beauty sleep). But I stayed through for the Pro Smooth & Latin finals.

It was really nice that the restaurant/bar area was open this time around, too. I have no comments about how the comp was for a competitor, since I just enjoyed it from afar, but it seemed to be quite smooth. (Except for PDA problems prompting a music restart during Pro Smooth, twice! Such things happen. Someone probably had a microwave underneath their table.) The pro heats were especially exciting.

[ChaChaMama]

/ The pro heats were especially exciting.

Details, people! We need details!

[vcolfari]

Many results are posted on o2cm already but it seems they are still updating.

[Laura]

Only the evening events were scored in O2CM, so those are the only results that are going to be up there.

[vcolfari]

Laura, do you know if scoresheets and results for other events will be posted anywhere?

[ChaChaMama]

I've seen the results thanks to the wonderful Supershag crew, but I was hoping for commentary on the dancing, the crowd reaction, the costumes...anything that made this event special.

[reb]

In the meantime . . . some more observations:

Domination
In the Pro Latin, Eugene and Maria walked out first in line - like they owned the floor - their presence dwarfed the other couples. Not surpisingly, they spent most of the time at the far end of the long floor - with almost all the judges at the short side by the podium at the other end of the floor. Totally confident, breezing past the judges in Samba and Paso.

Brown
In the semi, Eugene and the next two guys in line - three guys in a row - came onto the floor wearing brown shirts. Add in Jason Daly from the Pro Rhythm and that made 4 guys wearing brown shirts - not something I've seen before.

International
There were couples from Italy, Phillipines, etc., which always brings a little interest of its own into the comp.

Bad Behavior?
In the Rising Star Latin, the 2nd place couple took their time walking to the far end of the floor for some grand bows, to which the crowd appreciatively responded, but to me it didn't seem appropriate because it totally took away from the 1st place couple (1st in all dances I think) whose winning announcement was then interrupted and like a denouement. It could have been a misunderstanding . . . ?

[Laura]

International
There were couples from Italy, Phillipines, etc., which always brings a little interest of its own into the comp.
And Poland, Hong Kong, and Germany, and a couple that is made up of a New Zealander and an American who live in LA but list themselves as being from New Zealand (go Kiwis!!!) There might have been more....

[swan]

This is the first time I've attended all 3 nights. It was full house every night. Pretty impressive. Very good audience. The music was fantastic!

I so much enjoyed the Pro Standard & Latin competitions. Eugene & Maria were amazing!!! Maria didn't come out in her usual black outfit. She looked so sexy & playful in that brown dress. Victor Fung/Anna, OMG! So beautiful. Most divisions were very highly contested.

The video vendor was good. The photographer was weak. Even after requesting them to take photos, I got a total of 3 pictures, out of 2 rounds. Semi was broken into 2 heats, so only 7 couples in each heat & final has 7 couples. Not like we're buried in the crowd.

Park West was way better.

[SDsalsaguy]

Who was the photographer?

[Laura]

I'm not sure who the photographer was. Interestingly enough, I tend to get more and better pictures when Christopher Hansen is photographing than when Park West is. And some people love Paradigm, the SF Open video vendor, and others have bitter complaints about them in the past...and many dancers love Front Row Productions, and some have issues with them (I've always had great service and good videos from both). It all really varies, doesn't it?

[chocolatchica]

Any photography or video of pro latin??? I'm so excited that E&M are taking the pro division by storm. All first places so far! Woohoo go Eugene and Maria!

[Laura]

Any photography or video of pro latin??? I'm so excited that E&M are taking the pro division by storm. All first places so far! Woohoo go Eugene and Maria!

They looked so grounded and connected and perfectly timed, it was so great to see them takin' it to the Pro division. There were several couples who I really like in that Pro Latin final, but of course I watched Eugene & Maria because I hadn't seen them dance since Blackpool last year, which was not a great time for them.

I believe that Vidas & Jurga took the rumba off of Eugene & Maria, but this is just from memory of when the results were announced.

[SDsalsaguy]

I'm not sure who the photographer was. Interestingly enough, I tend to get more and better pictures when Christopher Hansen is photographing than when Park West is. And some people love Paradigm, the SF Open video vendor, and others have bitter complaints about them in the past...and many dancers love Front Row Productions, and some have issues with them (I've always had great service and good videos from both). It all really varies, doesn't it?
Quite true Laura.

Minor semi-tangential ramble about to commence...

For almost everyone who's told me they love "x" company, I've also found someone who equally dislikes "x." Personally I can't speak as much to the video vendors, but having shot alongside many of the photographers, and been able to see each of their work on numerous displays, they all seem to get some excellent shots, and there seem to be comparative strengths and weaknesses to how each approach their craft/business.... and I think that's only reasonable, after all, since no one can be all things to all people. To my mind, and not to take anything away from some excellent event videographers, but also having shot my own comp footage at several events (note: with permission from the organizers!), I really do feel that getting a good snapshot tends to take more skill. As such, the different approaches that each photographer takes to their photography shows up even more in the products they produce. Most interesting from my perspective has been how different photographers have reacted to me as a photographer, but not in commercial competition with them (i.e. I do not sell against official event photographers*). In particular, those who have no problem with my shooting alongside them tend to be the better photographers.

* Just in the name of full disclosure, there have been very specific situations when I have sold to competitors, but only with the full knowledge of the official photographers at those specific events, and never underselling them.

...and now back to your regularly scheduled SFO thread... :D

[Tibor Kerekes]

I'm not sure who the photographer was. Interestingly enough, I tend to get more and better pictures when Christopher Hansen is photographing than when Park West is. And some people love Paradigm, the SF Open video vendor, and others have bitter complaints about them in the past...and many dancers love Front Row Productions, and some have issues with them (I've always had great service and good videos from both). It all really varies, doesn't it?


Just like with everything.There will be people who like it and there will be who don't.My only comment for the video would be that unfortunately they were on the wrong side of the floor.If someone danced front of the stage than they can not see themselves on their dvd.(especially the pro-am people when there was two ballrooms.)Now this is not their fault.It is just the way how the ballroom was set up.
From the organizers poin of view,they did a great job.There were risers along the long sides so everyone could see well.And there was a lot to see.

[Gumby]

Tibor is the handsome active guy with the tiny little camera near the podium . . . :D



AHA - the light dawns.

I knew he looked familar - hee hee.

I was only there Saturday day - had a fabric shopping trip in the city with a couple of clients. Spent waaaay to much feeding my fabric addiction.

As usual Stephan did a great job with the comp.

As far as results - dudes - I got pwned. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Some really top notch competitors came for the comp. It looks like we are going to be totally redoing the choreography which means I'll be on the new choreography euphoria/new choreography dispair roller coaster for a couple of weeks.

On the other hand - my new dress was killer even though all my stones didn't come in so - could have been worse. I could have lost in an old dress - eeew

[Laura]

On the other hand - my new dress was killer even though all my stones didn't come in so - could have been worse. I could have lost in an old dress - eeew
Hee hee, yeah, if you're gonna go down, it's better to go down all stylin'.

I'm making a new dress for Emerald so that I can look pretty & glamorous even when I'm gettin' my clock cleaned, as it were :)

[ChaChaMama]

YAY Eugene and Maria!!! Can't wait to see them in competition. I wish I knew when that will be!

I know I will get to see them at Yankee Saturday night. REALLY looking forward to that!

Thank you so much for the detailed reports, everybody.

CCM

[reb]

Honorable mention goes to Terpsichorean Clod . . . practicing following during general dancing

There seemed to be plenty of scheduled time in the evening sessions for general dancing - another aspect of Stephan and Denise comps catering to the community.

[Laura]

Really, SF Open is a pretty awesome comp and everyone should try to come next year!

[swan]

Or they can attend this year's International Grand Ball in July, hosted by the same organizers at the same location :)

[9dncr]

I have to say... Great comp! haven't been around for a bit, and didn't realize so many DFr's were there... all went well and have to say we will be back! Belated Hi to everyone else who attended!

DAnced my 2nd open pro-am event in smooth A and went pretty well...

[Joe]

Most interesting from my perspective has been how different photographers have reacted to me as a photographer, but not in commercial competition with them (i.e. I do not sell against official event photographers). In particular, those who have no problem with my shooting alongside them tend to be the better photographers.
Is that unsurprising? If they're secure about their skill, they have nothing to fear from an interloper like yourself. :) If they're insecure, you're competition.

[SDsalsaguy]

Nope, not surprising in the least... just interesting (and telling)!

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Honorable mention goes to Terpsichorean Clod . . . practicing following during general dancing

There seemed to be plenty of scheduled time in the evening sessions for general dancing - another aspect of Stephan and Denise comps catering to the community.
<lol> Thanks, reb! Our female buddies were unavailable at the time, so we figured we'd go out for some guy-on-guy foxtrot.

Actually, our impression was that there wasn't enough general dancing - two or three songs at the beginning of the Friday evening session, one or two songs scattered throughout the Saturday day session (for which no one got up on the floor), four songs (2 foxtrots, 1 east coast swing, 1 hustle) during the Sunday evening session. Of course, if we social dancers had our druthers, we'd get rid of all those silly events with costumes and extend the general dancing to the entire evening... :cool:

[DanceScientist]

Some photos from Sunday!

Gallery: http://dancescientist.com/galleries/08_03_30_sfopen/

http://dancescientist.com/galleries/08_03_30_sfopen/img_006.jpg

http://dancescientist.com/galleries/08_03_30_sfopen/img_015.jpg

http://dancescientist.com/galleries/08_03_30_sfopen/img_016.jpg