OMG .... questions, questions and more questions ... Like really! :)

[emeralddancer]

Had a valley girl moment there .... hehee ....:D

Where can I find a website or even here on DF about the various comps that are around the country here in the US?

I would like to find out which ones I should attend (or would like to attend) and prices and well everything I need to know.

I honestly would like to compete (for 2009) at 3 to 4 times and gradually move up from there ... I know very ambitious ... but I need a good idea of locations, costs, etc ...

I want to be able to present a detailed picture of all of this to my husband ... and garner his support beyond just one comp. I would like to show him what my committment will involve with taking "the next step".

Also if any of you have advice on which comps are reatively good for a someone just entering the comp circuit. I am in MD ... and my pro wants me to prepare for the Philly comp in April ... I am doing international standard to start. The newcomer and pre-bronze.

And I do not understand the differance with the open/closed/scholarship/etc ...

Help?

Thanks in advance!

[emeralddancer]

Dumb Dumb Dumb me .... ok upper right corner found the guide. Sheesh .....:headwall:

hey but there are other questions there too. LOL

[fascination]

as a beginner it would be highly unlikely that you would do anything called open...these are questions that should also go to your pro...we do have many threads on it...also, if you have never competed, while a scholarship isn't out of the question, it is not likely that you would do one...it is important to know which comps your pro usually does or is willing to do...it is also important to find out how he prices a comp out...very specifically...after that, you can give your spouse "the talk"...I find that establishing a quarterly dance budget helps you to stay sane and him to be less stressed...and it take s few years to figure out what to do and what NOT to do...as a newb, 3 or 4 sounds about right, once a quarter so to speak...time to practice and improve in between, video samples of each....given where you live you have several perfectly fine comps from which to choose...maryland in the beginning of feb, va state in july, capital in august...to name only a few...those can be done cheaply if you avoid the need for lodging

[emeralddancer]

as a beginner it would be highly unlikely that you would do anything called open...these are questions that should also go to your pro...we do have many threads on it...also, if you have never competed, while a scholarship isn't out of the question, it is not likely that you would do one...it is important to know which comps your pro usually does or is willing to do...it is also important to find out how he prices a comp out...very specifically...after that, you can give your spouse "the talk"...I find that establishing a quarterly dance budget helps you to stay sane and him to be less stressed...and it take s few years to figure out what to do and what NOT to do...as a newb, 3 or 4 sounds about right, once a quarter so to speak...time to practice and improve in between, video samples of each....given where you live you have several perfectly fine comps from which to choose...maryland in the beginning of feb, va state in july, capital in august...to name only a few...those can be done cheaply if you avoid the need for lodging

thankfully my pro is reasonable. there are no studio fees or anything like that. he is independant. So that helps heaps!

I guess I wanted to troll the different comp sites so I can find out entrance fees, heat fees, hotel fees and such ...

the other questions are because I have seen them come up periodically when you all speak on what you are doing. Ergo not understanding what scholarship is or what open is and such ...

why is Philly in April not on the comp thing? I did not see it. Arg ....

[fascination]

first of all...very few comps will tell you their prices on line...this is largely out of deference to pro s and studios who add their own costs in differently ...you will need to discuss this with you pro...mainly you will be charged perheat byt the comp between 30 and 50 bucks per heat ...then you will have your pros costs, tickets and lodging etc....get and itemized estimate well before the deadline for the comp...as to our calendar, it is not complete...for a more torogh list google dancesport series superbowl and then go to it and click on events

[Tangoqueen]

I guess I wanted to troll the different comp sites so I can find out entrance fees, heat fees, hotel fees and such

You can try going to NDCA . org and click on 'events', you'll see a calendar month by month, the red underlined dates on the calendar is when there are competitions going on. You can click on those and some venues have websites where you can check out entry fees, admission fees, some provide hotel fees (if you're on a package). You can contact organizers directly, as well as the hotel, to find out more details.
Have fun searching! :D

[Angel HI]

And, though I am pro DF...and, at the risk of getting shot for treason, there are many good independent and/or amateur comps not listed. A good hard search and/or word of mouth are paramount.

[Tangoqueen]

I guess if you know the name of a comp, you can just google it....

[elisedance]

I think you are about to find out that pro/am competition, even with a very reasonable pro, can be very expensive. The key to keepingthe costs down is to be within driving distance of the competition - that way you save on your own and your pro's hotel costs (a big chunk). I think you are fortunate as there are a number of fine competitions in the MD area - the Yuletide ball (DC) www.yuletideball.com, the maryland dancesport championships http://www.marylanddancesport.com/ ; virginia state http://www.dancesportchampionships.com/ ;

One site that lists a lot of comps in addition to DF of course, is
http://www.dancesportcomps.com/Toolbox/?sid= you can create a free log in and the nice thing is that you can search for comps either by location or date. Of course its not comprehensive and the info is not always correct - but the dates and links to comps are invaluable.

Good luck!

[njdancegirl]

Em, you are also in close distance to Manhattan in early July...quite a big competition...and driveable so no airfare involved.