What is the ONE competition ...

[emeralddancer]

What is the one comp that you all would attend, or want to attend?

Is there a favorite amongst the ballroom DF'ers? (Ok other than blackpool)

And why is it your favorite? (price, service, turn out,etc ... can be ANY reason!)

I can not answer this as I have been a spectator to only one and that was this past Jan/Feb. SO I guess it is my favorite ... the one that was held in Baltimore. It was a blast and has me TOTALLY hooked!

[Laura]

Which competition was that? I can't think of any that were in Baltimore in January or February. There was USA Dance Nationals, which was in April. There was Maryland DanceSport, which was in February, but that was in Bethesda, right?

My favorite to attend and dance in this year so far was Manhattan DanceSport, which was in New York City over July 4th weekend.

[sambanada]

Blackpool!!!!

[mamboqueen]

Well, of course I'd love to spectate at Blackpool...or any other that gave a good sampling of the international competitors out there. I like a lot of the local comps, but have never been to one where I have seen the top guns in the world go at it. If it could be on a nice tropical island, so much the better :)

[Laura]

In the WDC World Cup Standard last night at Embassy there were four couples who were in the Blackpool finals: Arunas & Katusha, Jonathan & Hazel, Domenico & Gioia, and Victor & Anna. Come out to Embassy next year!

[mamboqueen]

In the WDC World Cup Standard last night at Embassy there were four couples who were in the Blackpool finals: Arunas & Katusha, Jonathan & Hazel, Domenico & Gioia, and Victor & Anna. Come out to Embassy next year!

Probably more plausible for me than USDSC - and I have some peeps in the area I'd like to catch up with. Let's just hope the airfare isn't too ridiculous. It may end up less costly for me to hop the pond!

[Laura]

Also take into account hotel and daily expenses. If the Hyatt is too expensive, there is another option about a two block walk away.

[Warren J. Dew]

The British Open (Blackpool).

Other than Blackpool, the USBC before it changed hands. I can't vouch for it since, though.

[mamboqueen]

Also take into account hotel and daily expenses. If the Hyatt is too expensive, there is another option about a two block walk away.

Yes, if I'm not competing, I don't need to be in the hotel the comp is at. I may even crash at some friends' house that live in Laguna Niguel (any idea how far that is?). What I have noticed lately is that hotels are offering deals because of the reduced air traffic. Not sure it makes up for it, but it's a plus.

[Laura]

You can use Google maps - diving directions to calculate the distance from your friend's place to the Hyatt Regency Irvine. It's not far, but you do have to account for weekend beach traffic. Google maps will give regular driving times and usually a "driving time in traffic."

As far as hotels go...so far my favorite comp hotel this year was the Green Valley Ranch in Las Vegas, home of Nevada Star Ball. I had a very good time at this comp, but I would LOVE to see it grow!! However, for a combination of spectating + competing, I really think Manhattan and Embassy have got it going on.

[tanya_the_dancer]

If I have to pick just one, I choose OSB.

[ChaChaMama]

This will not be the overall top vote-getter on this board, but my personal answer would be MANHATTAN AMATEUR CLASSIC.

Reasons:
-Usually draws most of the top amateur couples in the U.S.

-In addition to the adult championship events, the youth (16-18) and junior II (14-15) championship events are also danced at night. I really enjoy watching the up-and-coming dancers.

-Big fields in syllabus events. Very positive energy with lots of college competitors there.

-VIP program guarantees us front row seats from which CCP can take photos. This keeps him happy. The MAC staff spoil the VIPs by bringing around chocolates and other snacks and drinks. Affordable luxury.

-It's in NYC in January, which is a relatively cheap time to visit NYC. Have stayed in some nice-ish hotels, while there: On the Ave (boutique hotel on upper West side) when the comp was at Columbia, Millennium Hilton (overlooking Ground Zero) when it was in lower Manhattan, and Affinia Manhattan when it was in midtown. I'm not there for the hotel, but it's a nice bonus. Also eaten in some neat restaurants post-comp. I think my fav was Mocca Espresso Lounge in Tribeca. TOTALLY my kind of place, and we had a great dinner there.

***

For comps at which everyone here could compete (whether am, pro-am, or pro), I like OHIO STAR BALL. I love to watch all the different age categories of amateur latin ALL DAY LONG (used to be Saturday until a year or two ago, but now this seems to be Friday.) Then I get a nap/dinner break, and can come back and watch the pro events at night.


CCM

[chocolatchica]

Embassy! I love Embassy. Such a great mixture of competitors. The only down side is that they don't have too many vendors. Usually only two or three dress vendors and one shoe vendor plus some jewelery here and there. Emerald has so many vendors I don't know what to do. Which I love because there is such a great variety but they don't turn out competitors like Embassy. So definitely Embassy is my favorite.

[Becca]

If we can't choose Blackpool, then Assen for sure! Perhaps even more than Blackpool, depending what mood I'm in!

A reason - the atmosphere!

Also helps that it's amazingly cheap to do!

[Standarddancer]

Blackpool, US National & Embassy

[syncopationator]

Spectate (never been): Blackpool
Spectate (been to): Ohio
Compete (never been): Embassy, Heritage
Compete (been to): This one is tough, the local competitions (VA State and Capital) are litterally in my backyard so I get a lot of support from family and friends that come and watch so I really look forward to those. Away comps... Hotlanta definitely and Holiday Classic because, well... any excuse to go to Vegas is a good excuse :cool:.

[emeralddancer]

Which competition was that? I can't think of any that were in Baltimore in January or February. There was USA Dance Nationals, which was in April. There was Maryland DanceSport, which was in February, but that was in Bethesda, right?

My favorite to attend and dance in this year so far was Manhattan DanceSport, which was in New York City over July 4th weekend.

Opps Laura - it was the USA Dance Nationals. I had a ball there. Got in for free and saw most of the competing. Thankfully, I was able to do video for dances, and they actually paid us volunteers, fed us, paid for parking, etc ... Loads of fun!

[emeralddancer]

You know I was thinking I guess black pool should be a choice. I totally forgot that many on the forum here aren't all in the US.

This is what staying up and getting no sleep gets ya. LOL

[Laura]

Opps Laura - it was the USA Dance Nationals. I had a ball there. Got in for free and saw most of the competing. Thankfully, I was able to do video for dances, and they actually paid us volunteers, fed us, paid for parking, etc ... Loads of fun!
I was there working competitor check-in for USA Dance all weekend.

But yeah, working for Paradigm Video (or one of the other video companies) is the way to go -- Michael treats his crew well!

Watching Blackpool is awesome, but if you want a shorter/cheaper/easy shot in the arm of high-level international competitors, I highly recommend the UK in Bournemouth in January. I went to watch earlier this year and was amazed at how simple it was logistically.

[hustleNflow]

If I have to pick just one, I choose OSB.

Ditto that! LOVES IT :D Always something to watch or buy or someone cool to meet and talk to...whether it be a fellow competitor, or a world-class professional...it's all there!

[danceronice]

Compete at, been to: Ohio, Seacoast Classic (cheap, close, and I have an excuse to hit Cafe on the Corner, my old hangout when I lived in Dover)
Compete at, never been: USDSC, Blackpool

Spectate: I guess Blackpool. It's unlikely I would go to a comp just to to watch.
Vendor's salesperson: Wherever dancerman needs me that I can get to!

[jerseydancer]

As competitor:
USA Dance Nationals, we have competed last year in Louisville and this year in Baltimore. Louisville had more competitors in Syllabus, otherwise both completions are not that expensive as many NDCA comps, have much more amateur couples in every event, the atmosphere is great; the level of excitement is high, audience is absolutely fabulous and very supportive, even syllabus events had many spectators. This completion feels like a real sport event, and that what we like. Good representation of dancers in senior division (that is number one for us).
As spectator:
Definitely, Blackpoll.

Can anyone recommend any other completions on the East Coast for amateur senior competitors?

[BasicsFirst]

How far east do you need it?! You might consider "La Classique du Quebec" in Montreal. It's very English friendly. You can see the turn-out in your category in their online results. Not bad for both Senior I AND Senior II (45+).

[Kitty]

embassy ball!

[Terpsichorean Clod]

World Formation Standard Championship

A single couple performing a showdance is pretty nice. Two on the floor is even better. Three is awesome. Eight is ecstasy.

[Ithink]

The USA Dance Nationals in Baltimore were pretty awesome this year. I always enjoy going to OSb just for the atmosphere of it; it's crazy! I also like MIT Open, especially the year they had Mirko and Alessia (last year), and MAC.

[samina]

after my first USDC experience and 12 comps so far this year, Manhattan is still the one comp i would attend if i had to choose just one.

but i shall never create such a limiting circumstance for myself... just too many fun comps out there to enjoy. :)

[dance234]

manhattan.

you won't go to any comp where so many of the competing pros live in the host city. that makes for amazing dancing and outrageous support.

the scenes on the sidelines at manhattan, with all the pros in the city and the retired ones and the world-caliber judges and coaches who live here, plus the legions of amateurs who are part of the russian training machine in brooklyn, and their parents, and everybody's friends and students... it's almost as good as what's going on on the floor :)

[fascination]

my favorites thusfar have been osb, hotlanta, usdsc, and heritage....I love the city of montreal and hope to dance there next year and I also enjoy the location for WI and Maryland