Traveling for dance

[pygmalion]

Other than dance pros, whom I assume travel regularly as a part of their job, how many just ordinary dance people here travel for dance? I mean, if you're a competitive dancer, do you do local (or nearby) comps, or do you travel? Or do you do dance camps, congresses or exchanges at a distance, let's say 100 miles or more from where you live?

Just curious. We're mostly dance fiends, here, so I assume most people here do a fair amount of travel. Is that true?

[Laura]

I compete and travel a couple a times a year to competitions more than 100 miles a way. There are so many competitions in my home town, though, that there's not really a need to travel except to get some variety in terms of competition and judges.

[Chris Stratton]

I used to moderately dislike car trips, but dancing has gotten me willing to drive 2, 4, 6 hours to something. Haven't flown anywhere yet, and generally prefer to take a bus when one is really convenient (such as Boston-NY) or carpool with others who can relay drive. But I'm far more willing to travel now than I was before.

I'm looking forward to trying to get another MIT group together for the trek out to Cornell in early fall... With a good group, roadtrips can be really fun.

[Sagitta]

So far I've travelled under 100 miles, but by the end of this year I will definitely have travelled over 100 miles to New York City.

By the way, Chris, if you do come visiting to Cornell let me know. That's where I am. I would be happy to meet another dfer.

[DancePoet]

So far I have only traveled within the New England area, but I can imagine traveling on vacation and doing a comp outside my home base.

I can also imagine looking up dance studios and dance events for social dancing on vacation as well.

[delamusica]

In the last seven years, I've only travelled twice for competition (once about four years ago from Denver-San Diego, and once this past December from Denver-Las Vegas for the Holiday Dance Classic). I think it's a blast to have different competition - if only I had the financial resources to do it more often! :)

[Chris Stratton]

Yes there is the expense issue. But to some extent, I think this depends as much on the comp as on the location. An unpretentious collegiate event is inexpensive regardless if it is local or a 6-hour drive, because of the very nature of that approach to dancing. Wheras a premium hotel pro-am comp is expensive, regardless if you fly to it or if it's in walking distance (the idea of walking to one just doesn't fit). Obviously distance does increase expenses, but it's the style of event which determines the number of figures.

[MadamSamba]

I travel if I feel something is worth travelling too.

A number of my friends do comps in outlying areas/the country and I'll gladly drive long distances to see them/support them and, if I competed, I'd have no problem doing it.

I'm hoping to visit the UK in the next few months and, despite having no idea about the place, I will glady make my way around the place to get to events/teachers I want to experience _ even if it means catching a bus or train or bus and train! Sometimes it's not the distance, but the trouble it takes to get to a place.

Same when I visited Singapore. It's a tiny place that's serviced by excellent public transport. The places I wanted to get to were sometimes several train different lines away, even if the entire trip was just 30 minutes, but I gladly did it, but then I'm an addict _ like so many people on DF, I suspect.

[bjp22tango]

I'm a social dancer, and live in a rural area with few dance venues. I routinely travel 100+ miles several times a month to dance in larger cities. I am lucky in that I am centrally located for good dancing in several different travel directions - North East to Portland, East to Corvallis, South East to Eugene, South to Coos Bay. Have dance shoes, will travel.....
This is by personal choice. I lived in the Baltimore area for eight years before coming back to Oregon and I refuse to live in another urban environment. I get claustrophobia too easily...

[kwa445]

There are usually 7 competitions every year within 20 minutes of my house, so I don't travel too often. However, my formation team usually goes to a couple competitions in Idaho and Nevada. I think traveling to competitions is more fun and challenging because you have different competitors and judges.

[tj]

I don't compete, and I think I'd describe my situation more like:

I dance when I travel.

Meaning that if/when I'm in a new city, I'll check out the local dance scene.

I have made the occasional 3 hour drive with friends to nearby cities. About the furthest that I've driven by myself is 2 hours to Philly a few weeks ago.

[salsachinita]

In terms of travelling, I've literally "skipped town & joined the circus" when I went touring with "Lady Salsa" (a musical/dance show from Cuba).

Otherwise, I do what TJ does. Always check out the salsa scene wherever I might be.

I also make regular trips to Sydney (two hrs flight or 10hrs drive) for salsa (for both fun & networking).

All my regular events are within an hour's drive maximum. This is NOT a big city.

[lily]

I don't compete, and I think I'd describe my situation more like:

I dance when I travel.

Meaning that if/when I'm in a new city, I'll check out the local dance scene.

I have made the occasional 3 hour drive with friends to nearby cities. About the furthest that I've driven by myself is 2 hours to Philly a few weeks ago.

Same here. If I know I'll be travelling somewhere new, I'll try and find out where I can go dancing when I'm there. I was in Italy recently and went to Milan especially to go dancing (although I did visit the city too :) ). When I go to see my family in England, I let my brother take me to all his favourite dance places. And next week I'll be in Greece, on a dance holiday. Can't wait 8)

[MacMoto]

Same here, too. A travelling opportunity means a chance to dance in a different scene, and that's the first thing I check out now (although my family thinks I've gone mad...). And with internet-based dance communities like DF, it's easy to find out what's on in different cities and even meet up with locals, which makes the experience even better.

I have also done a salsa weekender and will definitely be doing more of these in coming years... 8)