fascination
Site Moderator
okay folks...it's time to plan next year's competition schedule....so if you have a comp that you particularly enjoyed...please list it here...where, when, and why
favorite comps....where, when, and why
- Thread starter fascination
- Start date
elisedance
Active Member
la classique de montreal is a nice one. Its in Feb so its cold - but if you arrive by train you actually never have to go outside. Its also located in central Montreal so you get access to some of the best cuisine in N america.
Oh and hte danceing! Pierre and Mireille Allere are great hosts; its the top comp in Canada (ISDF); the venue is terrific and not to oexpensive in the off season. The rooms seem to be so close to the ballroom it feels like a small comp even though it is mid sized. Definitely not the most couples or the highest profile (but some high-fligher amateur and pros) but have been twice and really felt I got my money's worth. Besides, it might be a nice change for all you south-of-the border types - put an international comp on your resume!
PS disclaimer - I have no connnection with this competition or its organizers.
Oh and hte danceing! Pierre and Mireille Allere are great hosts; its the top comp in Canada (ISDF); the venue is terrific and not to oexpensive in the off season. The rooms seem to be so close to the ballroom it feels like a small comp even though it is mid sized. Definitely not the most couples or the highest profile (but some high-fligher amateur and pros) but have been twice and really felt I got my money's worth. Besides, it might be a nice change for all you south-of-the border types - put an international comp on your resume!
PS disclaimer - I have no connnection with this competition or its organizers.
fascination
Site Moderator
pierre is reason enough...feb is such a bad month though...hmmmm
tanya_the_dancer
Well-Known Member
St. Louis Starball in March and Heart of America (Kansas City) in August. Both are medium-sized. Great vewnues for both of them, not too expensive, close to their respective airports.
NURDRMS
Well-Known Member
Carribean Classic in San Juan in November. Need I say more? Actually, the resort is probably the most beautiful place I've ever stayed, the comp is big enough to give some competition (semi-finals in many bronze events), and I had time between events to do some 'touristy' things. Only drawback is that this comp is scheduled so close to Ohio Star Ball.
ChaChaMama
Well-Known Member
Two of my favorites won't work for you:
Manhattan Amateur Classic (MAC)--Big fields in most syllabus and open events, enthusiastic audience, the opportunity to see the best junior and youth couples, great location, great organizers. You can compete and be a VIP at this comp and still pay only about what you would at an average NDCA comp. The lower Manhattan location this past year was less familiar to me than the Columbia University area, but we found a great restaurant.
NJ Dancesport Classic, esp. Spring Fling--Again, big fields, the opportunity to see the best junior and youth couples, great organizers. You can compete and be a VIP at this comp and still only pay what you would at an average NDCA comp.
For comps that have pro-am, my favorites would be:
Ohio Star Ball--Obvious reasons! Large fields, opportunity to see best pro competitors in U.S.
Philly Festival--Great amateur fields, really nice Saturday night, convenient hotel location attached to the Philly Airport, sensible package prices! (Why is this so rare?) Some creative elements, like showcasing different dance forms including wheelchair latin and ballroom, a local salsa group, etc. Great organizers. (I hope that if USA Dance nationals really are going to be in April in B-more that they won't be the same weekend as Philly...anyone know?)
Capital Dancesport--Great pro fields, some very interesting shows, nice location, organizers are John DePalma and Marianne Nicole.
If money, TIME (work and family obligations), and distance were no object, I would also love to do these:
Manhattan
Embassy.
ChaChaMama
Manhattan Amateur Classic (MAC)--Big fields in most syllabus and open events, enthusiastic audience, the opportunity to see the best junior and youth couples, great location, great organizers. You can compete and be a VIP at this comp and still pay only about what you would at an average NDCA comp. The lower Manhattan location this past year was less familiar to me than the Columbia University area, but we found a great restaurant.
NJ Dancesport Classic, esp. Spring Fling--Again, big fields, the opportunity to see the best junior and youth couples, great organizers. You can compete and be a VIP at this comp and still only pay what you would at an average NDCA comp.
For comps that have pro-am, my favorites would be:
Ohio Star Ball--Obvious reasons! Large fields, opportunity to see best pro competitors in U.S.
Philly Festival--Great amateur fields, really nice Saturday night, convenient hotel location attached to the Philly Airport, sensible package prices! (Why is this so rare?) Some creative elements, like showcasing different dance forms including wheelchair latin and ballroom, a local salsa group, etc. Great organizers. (I hope that if USA Dance nationals really are going to be in April in B-more that they won't be the same weekend as Philly...anyone know?)
Capital Dancesport--Great pro fields, some very interesting shows, nice location, organizers are John DePalma and Marianne Nicole.
If money, TIME (work and family obligations), and distance were no object, I would also love to do these:
Manhattan
Embassy.
ChaChaMama
Addicted2Rhinestones
New Member
Competitions Listing
Hello all,
Is there a thread that lists the major competitions that happen yearly or the best competitions maybe?
I've also looked on NDCA and USA Dance's respective calendars but they only tell me when and which competitions are held. I'm looking for more...sort of what ppl think, which are the ones they like attending (or don't like attending), etc.
I have done a few searches but not seeing what I'm looking for. If there already is a thread on this subject, can someone point me in that direction?
Thanks!
Hello all,
Is there a thread that lists the major competitions that happen yearly or the best competitions maybe?
I've also looked on NDCA and USA Dance's respective calendars but they only tell me when and which competitions are held. I'm looking for more...sort of what ppl think, which are the ones they like attending (or don't like attending), etc.
I have done a few searches but not seeing what I'm looking for. If there already is a thread on this subject, can someone point me in that direction?
Thanks!
Addicted2Rhinestones
New Member
Thanks so much Samina! That gives me a really good idea of what comps are out there
....but I'm also looking for what ppl think are the best comps or comps worth going to. Maybe I should just start a thread???contracheck
New Member
For an unknown reason to me, Maryanne Nicole's Capital Competition, which is supposed to be held at sometime in August, is not listed in this Guide. Some of us are very interested in the schedule of Capital because someone dear to us is evidently landing there with the entire Hawaiian dance contingency.
DancingMommy
Active Member
As to which competitions are the "best"...
It REALLY depends on your goals as a dancer, your level, how far you want to travel, how much money you have to spend, etc etc.
I don't travel outside my area (Central Florida) because we've got plenty of decent competitions to choose from and cost is a major factor for us as well as time off from the kids.
Ask yourself the following and it will make it easier for people to guide/suggest comps you.
Will I be competing Pro/Am or Amateur?
What's my budget?
What is my schedule like?
What level will I be dancing at?
How far am I willing to go - realistically - distance-wise?
Where am I at mentally as far as competition goes? Do I need a smaller competition to get my feet wet or can I jump right in to a huge comp and be ok?
Do I want to enter multi-dance events or just one-dance events? What about showcases? Exhibitions?
Write those down on paper and date it. Answer the questions HONESTLY. Don't think about what you'd "like" to be able to do. Then put it in an envelope, seal it and save it. Talk about your answers with your coach. From there, then you'll be in a better position to make a decision.
Competitions are like Baskin Robbins. There's a flavor for everyone. You just have to know what *your* flavor is.
It REALLY depends on your goals as a dancer, your level, how far you want to travel, how much money you have to spend, etc etc.
I don't travel outside my area (Central Florida) because we've got plenty of decent competitions to choose from and cost is a major factor for us as well as time off from the kids.
Ask yourself the following and it will make it easier for people to guide/suggest comps you.
Will I be competing Pro/Am or Amateur?
What's my budget?
What is my schedule like?
What level will I be dancing at?
How far am I willing to go - realistically - distance-wise?
Where am I at mentally as far as competition goes? Do I need a smaller competition to get my feet wet or can I jump right in to a huge comp and be ok?
Do I want to enter multi-dance events or just one-dance events? What about showcases? Exhibitions?
Write those down on paper and date it. Answer the questions HONESTLY. Don't think about what you'd "like" to be able to do. Then put it in an envelope, seal it and save it. Talk about your answers with your coach. From there, then you'll be in a better position to make a decision.
Competitions are like Baskin Robbins. There's a flavor for everyone. You just have to know what *your* flavor is.
