Another USABDA Thread

[Spitfire]

For those of you who are able to attend dances sponsored by USABDA how enjoyable are these dances?

At this point I'm enjoying the monthly local USABDA dances more then the ones at the studio; I find that I do more dancing at these then I do at the weekly studio dances. For one thing the music format is better and there are people from all the studios in attendance that you would not otherwise get to meet and dance with. 8)

And as I've mentioned a few times previous there is a great snack buffet set up in the dining room. Bring a pie, cake, cookies or whatever and it's worth two dollars off admission. 8)

[Chris Stratton]

Because USABDA dances are run by local chapters, they must vary a lot across the country. It sounds like you are lucky to have particularly good ones. Locally the some of the studios and college teams seem to run more enjoyable events, but I know that the NY chapter has some comparatively good dances. Sometimes it's not even really up to the organizers, but more a function of the local community available to attend, and even to a degree how much competition they have from other social dance opportunities (direct conflicts, but also things on other weekends for those who only go dancing once in a while).

Some things are pretty subjective, too. I was once talking with an organizer and was going to suggest they get a different DJ the next time as the guy in question had absolutely no taste or inclination to play tempos suited for anything but the most trivial forms of dances, but during the conversation 3 or 4 other people stuck their heads in to complement the choice of DJ... just goes to show you can't please everyone.

[etchuck]

It is highly variable from place to place. I've just started going to the one locally and the music still leaves me desiring more (that is to say, better music). But it is a reflection of the clientele and membership, so it's not something I can personally change all that much.

But there will be a hustle lesson next month. 8)

[Chris Stratton]

BTW, DJing a dance (and eventually a competition) is well within the reach of a determined amateur. If you buy CD's in bulk it shouldn't cost more than a few hundred dollars to build a suitable collection, and it would probably cost less for the chapter to rent the amps and speakers for you than to hire a DJ (unless that service is being donated).

MIT Ballroom DJ guide:

http://ballroom.mit.edu/dancesport/dj.html

[Sagitta]

What do you mean by buying CDs in bulk? :?

[Chris Stratton]

What do you mean by buying CDs in bulk? :?

You can save a quite a bit by ordering a bunch of them at once directly from Casa Musica in Germany (they carry other labels too). Other places may also offer discounts, but that's who our team usually deals with. My standard collection is about 9 CD's - double that to include latin, pursuade a few friends to go in with you, and you should be in the realm of at least their medium discount.

[squirrel]

sorry guys... what is USABDA?

[Laura]

United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association, the governing body for 'Amateur' (IDSF) dancesport competition in the US.