I brought this up in another thread, but perhaps this is a good standalone topic. What elements are important in preparing for a dance competition? I'm specifically talking about things other than dancing, but feel free to talk about whatever you like. Are there physical, emotional, spiritual, political or other things you think are important? Do you change your diet, get extra rest, lift weights, tan, groom yourself differently? Anything at all is fair game. Whatever preparations you make, please talk about why you think they're important.
How do you prepare for competition?
- Thread starter pygmalion
- Start date
Porfirio Landeros
New Member
Michael Mead says pack a dance emergency bag...
Safety Pins, sewing supplies, shoe care, extra set of shoes... being prepared for the worst gives you peace of mind, especially when a shoe breaks, and you'll know you can walk over to your bag and grab another pair, instead of scrambling for a pair to borrow. Have this all in a special bag that you can bring into the ballroom.
Safety Pins, sewing supplies, shoe care, extra set of shoes... being prepared for the worst gives you peace of mind, especially when a shoe breaks, and you'll know you can walk over to your bag and grab another pair, instead of scrambling for a pair to borrow. Have this all in a special bag that you can bring into the ballroom.
Vince A
Active Member
I agree . . . been doing this for years, however, I never thought of the sewing supplies . . . great idea if you pop a button or a hem of one pant leg breaks and you keep stepping on it.Porfirio Landeros said:
I'll add that tonight . . . THANKS!
One thing that I found extremely important . . . is a little bottle of glue - Elmers, Gorilla Glue, even a rub-on glue stick. I cannot count the times I've saved myself or others when shoes catch on the floor and the suede starts coming off or comes all the way off. A five-second fix if you have glue in that bag!
Adwiz
New Member
I hadn't thought of the glue, great idea!
My wife always brings extra pantyhose but the morning of the last comp both pairs developed a run as they were being put on. She wasn't prepared to lose two pairs in that way (I think the manufacturers should be taken to task for the junk they make at the high prices they charge) and ended up having to wear a lighter colored backup pair instead. She felt self-conscious and lost a great deal of confidence. So I now recommend that women equip themselves with more pairs of hosiery than they think they'll need.
Guys too should have a backup of everything. I spilled something once while eating, right on the crotch of my Latin pants and was glad for the spare.
Two days before a comp I get my hair styled and put on sunless tanning lotion. If nothing else, it makes you feel better about yourself.
My wife always brings extra pantyhose but the morning of the last comp both pairs developed a run as they were being put on. She wasn't prepared to lose two pairs in that way (I think the manufacturers should be taken to task for the junk they make at the high prices they charge) and ended up having to wear a lighter colored backup pair instead. She felt self-conscious and lost a great deal of confidence. So I now recommend that women equip themselves with more pairs of hosiery than they think they'll need.
Guys too should have a backup of everything. I spilled something once while eating, right on the crotch of my Latin pants and was glad for the spare.
Two days before a comp I get my hair styled and put on sunless tanning lotion. If nothing else, it makes you feel better about yourself.
Vince A
Active Member
I always bring spare pants, but they are always in the room.
I do the suntan lotion thing too, as I stay out of the sun - well my face does - as much as I can.
My wife certainly would concur with you on the p/hose. She brings at least five pair with her, and for some reason (maybe superstition???), she changes into a fresh pair, french-cut type for her Waltz competition?
I don't ask!
I do the suntan lotion thing too, as I stay out of the sun - well my face does - as much as I can.
My wife certainly would concur with you on the p/hose. She brings at least five pair with her, and for some reason (maybe superstition???), she changes into a fresh pair, french-cut type for her Waltz competition?
I don't ask!
SDsalsaguy
Administrator
Great topic,
This goes for doing shows also....
Well Murphy's law, "if it can go wrong it will"
actually this law is really more like "if something can go wrong, then be absolutely prepared for it".
One thing that gets me time and time again, is how big/slippy/uneven/rough and what shape the floor is. Always good to know these things in advance, but can be difficult if your are competing in a place that you have never danced in before.
A couple of weeks ago I was forced to do a show in my dancegym shoes instead of my nice dancing shoes since the floor was so damn slippy, but it worked !
A big piece of advice I think is to go through your whole coreography before hand if you can, (that is if you have a coreography!!).
Also a couple of months ago I was a a competition in Copenhagen where everyones music got mixed up or scratched by the DJ so bring several version of your CD's/tapes etc.
Mmmm I will think some more about this....
:bandit:
This goes for doing shows also....
Well Murphy's law, "if it can go wrong it will"
actually this law is really more like "if something can go wrong, then be absolutely prepared for it".
One thing that gets me time and time again, is how big/slippy/uneven/rough and what shape the floor is. Always good to know these things in advance, but can be difficult if your are competing in a place that you have never danced in before.
A couple of weeks ago I was forced to do a show in my dancegym shoes instead of my nice dancing shoes since the floor was so damn slippy, but it worked !
A big piece of advice I think is to go through your whole coreography before hand if you can, (that is if you have a coreography!!).
Also a couple of months ago I was a a competition in Copenhagen where everyones music got mixed up or scratched by the DJ so bring several version of your CD's/tapes etc.
Mmmm I will think some more about this....
:bandit:
cocodrilo
New Member
preparation
I have never been in a dance competition but for women salsa dancers, I highly recommend extra bra-straps(especially if you have the clear plastic type which tend to break easily), deodorant, and TONS OF SAFETY PINS. I hate the idea of running stockings which is the sole reason I dance in dance pants, and I can easily switch to jazz dance shoes without looking goofy(as I would be in a dress with jazz shoes). I am assuming that women do not compete bare-legged, but if I choose to wear a dress this feels best!
I have never been in a dance competition but for women salsa dancers, I highly recommend extra bra-straps(especially if you have the clear plastic type which tend to break easily), deodorant, and TONS OF SAFETY PINS. I hate the idea of running stockings which is the sole reason I dance in dance pants, and I can easily switch to jazz dance shoes without looking goofy(as I would be in a dress with jazz shoes). I am assuming that women do not compete bare-legged, but if I choose to wear a dress this feels best!
what are "french-cut" stockings/tights/panty hose?I think that's referring to the cut of the "panty" that's woven into the hose. If she's wearing dance trunks on top, French cut, which are cut very highon the hip/outer thigh, should be invisible when she spins.
I found this cool article, with some good tips for competitive dancers. I especially like the makeup tips, although I have to question the less is more tip. The folks I've seen have definitely not been wearing less makeup. Hmm.
http://proamdancer.com/
I found this cool article, with some good tips for competitive dancers. I especially like the makeup tips, although I have to question the less is more tip. The folks I've seen have definitely not been wearing less makeup. Hmm.
http://proamdancer.com/
proamdancer.com said:
Re: preparation
Thanks for the reminder. I have a comp coming up on the 13-14th (AMI in Morristown NJ). I use the clear straps for both outfits and my black velvet dress somehow colors the straps (and won't wash out). So I need to buy at least 2 more pair.
Also on my shopping list: Hair color (I like to go a bit darker auburn/brunette--I perks me up emotionally too!). Extra pantyhose. Items for a "competition fairy" gift bag--whenever someone is going to their first competition it's fun to put together some essentials: highlighter pens, dark red lipstick, chocolate, listerine breath strips, dark chocolate, anything else fun and, more chocolate (they never give you enough snacks at the table!)
cocodrilo said:
Thanks for the reminder. I have a comp coming up on the 13-14th (AMI in Morristown NJ). I use the clear straps for both outfits and my black velvet dress somehow colors the straps (and won't wash out). So I need to buy at least 2 more pair.
Also on my shopping list: Hair color (I like to go a bit darker auburn/brunette--I perks me up emotionally too!). Extra pantyhose. Items for a "competition fairy" gift bag--whenever someone is going to their first competition it's fun to put together some essentials: highlighter pens, dark red lipstick, chocolate, listerine breath strips, dark chocolate, anything else fun and, more chocolate (they never give you enough snacks at the table!)
well, one thing frustrated me is that my partner doesn't seems as interesting in pratice as I am. and we usually end up practice like 5 min before the competition! beside the 2 hours group lession every week! I would like to get about 7 or 8 hours of practice time every week! well... :x :x :x
BM
New Member
Pre-Comp/Event Prep
So, in the ballroom world, I have heard of people tanning, hair-dying, mani-/pedicuring, extreme make-upping, and waxing in preparation for competitions and showcases and what-have-you.
Do non-ballroom people go through similar procedures?
Ballroom and non-ballroom people alike, what are some of the stranger/more outrageous things you (or someone else) have done to get ready for big dance events?
So, in the ballroom world, I have heard of people tanning, hair-dying, mani-/pedicuring, extreme make-upping, and waxing in preparation for competitions and showcases and what-have-you.
Do non-ballroom people go through similar procedures?
Ballroom and non-ballroom people alike, what are some of the stranger/more outrageous things you (or someone else) have done to get ready for big dance events?