View Full Version : Independence Day Ball 2009
Jananananana
05-15-2009, 05:03 PM
So, I am going and I'm pretty psyched. I had to make the difficult choice of IDB vs. Manhattan and I think I definitely made the right one :D (wallet would be pretty light regardless which option I chose!)
Is anyone else on here going? Should we plan a DF dinner one night?
This is the first year they'll have chmerkovskyi teaching .... I'm curious to see what his group classes are going to be like.
He's a cutie pie. LOL :-D
NonieS
05-15-2009, 06:32 PM
ohhh he is so sexie... bummed i am not going :(
lol Jana our fav person is going to be coming back, i noticed ;)
also, my latin coach will be there again too!!!
Jananananana
05-16-2009, 05:00 PM
lol Jana our fav person is going to be coming back, i noticed ;)
LOL nonie.... yes, he will be there, but this time I don't think I'm going to go to his classes. I want to try new things .... is that a good excuse????
I am really psyched for Karina's classes, too. I love the way she teaches - very systematic, no BS, and just very rigid. She's GOOOD
NonieS
05-16-2009, 06:43 PM
LOL nonie.... yes, he will be there, but this time I don't think I'm going to go to his classes. I want to try new things .... is that a good excuse????
I am really psyched for Karina's classes, too. I love the way she teaches - very systematic, no BS, and just very rigid. She's GOOOD
Oh yeah I saw that she is coming back as well!! How exciting!! Yeah, I liked her classes too :D She was nice!!
NonieS
05-16-2009, 06:44 PM
ps and yes, that is a good excuse!!!!
I saw an announcement saying that Karina is teaching a workshop at Dance with Me in NJ - $100! Ouch !
NonieS
05-16-2009, 07:47 PM
I saw an announcement saying that Karina is teaching a workshop at Dance with Me in NJ - $100! Ouch !
PER PERSON?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Jeez Louise!!!
Yes, per person! Too rich for my blood.
NonieS
05-17-2009, 06:02 AM
Yes, per person! Too rich for my blood.
oh my goodnesss.... that is a bit over the top :/
kathyt cupcake
05-17-2009, 08:03 AM
I saw an announcement saying that Karina is teaching a workshop at Dance with Me in NJ - $100! Ouch !
Karina's privates are running $200 at IDB, which seems like a deal (although not one I'm taking) given the above.
This is the 3rd year I'll be going and IDB is a great place to get a lot of information and exposure to different instructors very quickly. It also works for dancers of different levels and it's a lot of fun.
Incomplete list of instructors here
www.championshipdancecamps.com/idb/instructors.php
Nonie- yayy your latin coach will be there =P
(Disclosure: I know the organizers of IDB; they didn't ask me to post.)
ChaChaMama
05-17-2009, 10:39 AM
Karina's privates are running $200 at IDB, which seems like a deal (although not one I'm taking) given the above.
Prediction: Those private lessons and the ones with Maks will sell out, well before the camp.
Jananananana
05-17-2009, 03:46 PM
Prediction: Those private lessons and the ones with Maks will sell out, well before the camp.
Oh yea, definitely. But for the price of IDB, just for Karina, I think it's worth going.
I LOVE her classes :-D
ChaChaMama
05-17-2009, 04:46 PM
Oh yea, definitely. But for the price of IDB, just for Karina, I think it's worth going.
I LOVE her classes :-D
Agree!
Jananananana
05-17-2009, 06:49 PM
The hotel rate is actually REALLY reasonable as well - $96!!!! WOWOWOOWOOWOWOW!
Now, if only the Nationals' hotel was that reasonable...
IlyZislin
05-21-2009, 03:08 PM
I saw an announcement saying that Karina is teaching a workshop at Dance with Me in NJ - $100! Ouch !
Or you can come to IDB for less than 400 per person for 5 days! :)
Jananananana
05-21-2009, 03:42 PM
Or you can come to IDB for less than 400 per person for 5 days! :)
I want July to get here now.... I need a vacation :-/
dlgodud
05-21-2009, 03:49 PM
I saw an announcement saying that Karina is teaching a workshop at Dance with Me in NJ - $100! Ouch !
:shock:
IlyZislin
06-02-2009, 11:36 AM
I want July to get here now.... I need a vacation :-/
Tentative schedule is up! http://www.ChampionshipDanceCamps.com/idb/schedule.php
Benjy
06-02-2009, 01:39 PM
Tentative schedule is up! http://www.ChampionshipDanceCamps.com/idb/schedule.php
That's pretty exciting. I'm not quite sure how I'll be deciding between them.
NonieS
06-02-2009, 06:56 PM
wow some of those workshops really look great!!! wish i could go :(
njdancegirl
06-02-2009, 08:03 PM
wow some of those workshops really look great!!! wish i could go :(
Was thinking the same thing myself...
winegirl
06-10-2009, 12:09 AM
Looking for a vacay and I came across IBD --- would love to get anyone's insights on what it's like. How many people? How crowded are the classes? How advanced are the classes (and the attendees :)? I have taken quite a bit of salsa and dabbled in others but really don't have any ballroom training. But I do love to dance. Would appreciate any input!! Thanks in advance...
IlyZislin
06-10-2009, 02:10 AM
Was thinking the same thing myself...
What's your excuse for not coming? :)
IlyZislin
06-10-2009, 02:10 AM
Looking for a vacay and I came across IBD --- would love to get anyone's insights on what it's like. How many people? How crowded are the classes? How advanced are the classes (and the attendees :)? I have taken quite a bit of salsa and dabbled in others but really don't have any ballroom training. But I do love to dance. Would appreciate any input!! Thanks in advance...
I will wait for past attendees to reply before I give my "bias" opinion :)
latingal
06-10-2009, 02:18 AM
welcome to DF winegirl!
njdancegirl
06-10-2009, 04:58 AM
What's your excuse for not coming? :)
Manhattan...is it always the same week/weekend? Guessing so by the name.
kathyt cupcake
06-10-2009, 10:55 AM
Looking for a vacay and I came across IBD --- would love to get anyone's insights on what it's like. How many people? How crowded are the classes? How advanced are the classes (and the attendees :)? I have taken quite a bit of salsa and dabbled in others but really don't have any ballroom training. But I do love to dance. Would appreciate any input!! Thanks in advance...
I think IDB is a great opportunity for beginner through prechamp international latin and ballroom dancers to get a lot of exposure to different instructors and technique. For champ ppl I think taking privates might be more efficient. For many classes it doesn't matter what level you dance or what choreography you already know, you mostly don't need to bring a partner (if the instructors remember to ask ppl to rotate), many classes start w/ some basic concept (eg spins, speed, some specific step) and go on from there. The classes w/ certain instructors will always be crowded (eg. karina) but it wasn't unmanageable when they're microphoned or when people are repeatedly told to not crowd the instructor. Also it's a lot of fun and people are nice.
That said, I'm not sure I would recommend it for an absolute beginner in non salsa latin and ballroom because while the instructors start with basics, they progress pretty fast because they can see that the majority of the people in class are at some intermediate level. I also don't know how interesting so much technique would be compressed in such little time for a beginner where most of the steps you're learning are new. There are some beginner labeled classes in this year's schedule though, so ymmv.
disclosure: I'm friends w/ the organizers of IDB
IlyZislin
06-16-2009, 03:25 PM
We just saw a bunch of people register in the last day and a half! This is turning out to be a pretty good year - should we have a DF reunion at some point?
Jananananana
06-23-2009, 08:45 AM
We just saw a bunch of people register in the last day and a half! This is turning out to be a pretty good year - should we have a DF reunion at some point?
YEs we should have a DF reunion!
Guess what - I just heard that YOGA morning warm-ups were added to IDB!!!
latingal
06-23-2009, 12:15 PM
sounds like such a great time....wish it was offered at a time other than early July. A very hard time frame for me to make work. Have a wonderful time there all!
Jananananana
06-23-2009, 01:12 PM
sounds like such a great time....wish it was offered at a time other than early July. A very hard time frame for me to make work. Have a wonderful time there all!
Thanks so much latingal! It actually is offered twice a year - once in Orlando during New Year's and then in July in Washington DC.
And to add to the news, I also just saw that more private lessons are available with Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed!
MYLNYU
06-23-2009, 01:59 PM
More details about the yoga workout! Is it vinyasa? Ashtanga? Who's teaching?
UMich MD
06-24-2009, 12:47 PM
First of all, hi Ily, it's Matt, from Michigan. We have a bunch of people coming down for the camp, including Alex and Jen. We're all pretty excited.
I had a question about the structure. I'm a Gold/Novice dancer on the collegiate scene. Would the Basics classes be worthwhile, such as Jive - Basic Actions with Maksim (granted, Maksim + Latin = mobbed), or are they really, really basic? Keep in mind, I always like to work on fundamentals. On the flip side, how intense will Foxtrot Open Choreography (advanced) with Taliat be?
Thanks.
latingal
06-24-2009, 12:48 PM
Welcome to DF UMich MD!
Jananananana
06-24-2009, 01:28 PM
More details about the yoga workout! Is it vinyasa? Ashtanga? Who's teaching?
Great questions: first off Stanley Kuo is teaching it. He mainly has experience with Iyengar yoga - although he's done other types as well including Anusara and Pranayama. He's planning on teaching different types with dancers in mind of course.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Jananananana
06-24-2009, 01:40 PM
I had a question about the structure. I'm a Gold/Novice dancer on the collegiate scene. Would the Basics classes be worthwhile, such as Jive - Basic Actions with Maksim (granted, Maksim + Latin = mobbed), or are they really, really basic? Keep in mind, I always like to work on fundamentals. On the flip side, how intense will Foxtrot Open Choreography (advanced) with Taliat be?
First off, Taliat is AMAZING! Secondly, basics doesn't mean that they are beginner classes - it is a technique class which everyone can benefit from. It's really an open structure you just show up and see whether the class is right for you. You can create your own dance experience this way. It's pretty awesome (personally, I have trouble picking just one, haha!)
I am also sending you a PM :banana:
Countdown: only 6 days!! I'm so excited!!!
MYLNYU
06-24-2009, 02:32 PM
Great questions: first off Stanley Kuo is teaching it. He mainly has experience with Iyengar yoga - although he's done other types as well including Anusara and Pranayama. He's planning on teaching different types with dancers in mind of course.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Is Stanley going to be using props? I practice at an Iyengar studio, and I think the blankets and blocks could be very helpful for people of varying flexibility...
Anyway, I'm excited! I hope it's both strenuous and relaxing!
Jananananana
06-24-2009, 02:34 PM
Is Stanley going to be using props? I practice at an Iyengar studio, and I think the blankets and blocks could be very helpful for people of varying flexibility...
Anyway, I'm excited! I hope it's both strenuous and relaxing!
I am as well - as a dancer who has never done Yoga, I hope that I won't feel like a fish out of water. Haha. I forwarded your question to him and I'm hoping he'll answer soon.
HUGS!
MYLNYU
06-24-2009, 02:38 PM
Jana - I hope you get addicted to yoga like I did! It is my favorite way to cross-train (though I also really like ballet, jazz, and tai chi). If you can contact Stanley, could you send in a request from me to also include some core work (pilates, crunches, etc) into his yoga routine?
IlyZislin
06-24-2009, 11:14 PM
First of all, hi Ily, it's Matt, from Michigan. We have a bunch of people coming down for the camp, including Alex and Jen. We're all pretty excited.
I had a question about the structure. I'm a Gold/Novice dancer on the collegiate scene. Would the Basics classes be worthwhile, such as Jive - Basic Actions with Maksim (granted, Maksim + Latin = mobbed), or are they really, really basic? Keep in mind, I always like to work on fundamentals. On the flip side, how intense will Foxtrot Open Choreography (advanced) with Taliat be?
Thanks.
UMich MD - hope answers that others provided have helped. Feel free to email or post questions here if you need more information.
IlyZislin
06-24-2009, 11:15 PM
Jana - I hope you get addicted to yoga like I did! It is my favorite way to cross-train (though I also really like ballet, jazz, and tai chi). If you can contact Stanley, could you send in a request from me to also include some core work (pilates, crunches, etc) into his yoga routine?
Jananaaaaaa and MYLNYU, would love to hear your feedback about the newly added yoga class. We always want to try new things but with all new things, I am sure fine tuning will be necessary :)
Jananananana
06-25-2009, 08:14 AM
Jana - I hope you get addicted to yoga like I did! It is my favorite way to cross-train (though I also really like ballet, jazz, and tai chi). If you can contact Stanley, could you send in a request from me to also include some core work (pilates, crunches, etc) into his yoga routine?
So here's the answer we've been waiting for about the yoga class:
"I'll plan teach a light mix of Yoga styles. 50 min is very short for a yoga class, a typical class is 90 min, so it'll be more of a brief survey class.
Participants should bring a yoga mat if they have one, otherwise a large towel will do for laying out on the floor. A hand towel would be useful also. I will bring some straps."
I will definitely ask him about the core-work. M, so far I've been doing just gym work to cross-train including calisthenics and ballet. I think that adding Yoga will be great.
Just for myself, I want to throw in some hip-hop too just to work on isolation. :-D
IlyZislin
07-04-2009, 03:54 PM
Day 4 of classes just ended! From the organizers' perspective everything is going great. Group is leaving for the fireworks in about 45 minutes!
Day 4 of classes just ended! From the organizers' perspective everything is going great. Group is leaving for the fireworks in about 45 minutes!
Congratulations Ily!
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