Feedback thread for Tufts08

[NielsenE]

Didn't see a thread for this yet... Anyone have any feedback on the event?

From the scrutineer's viewpoint, it seemed to run fairly well. I think the event was on time during sessions 1 & 2, fell slightly behind during Rhythm, and only ended about 10 minutes late (including handing out awards and final thank you's)

The venue was abysmally cold (I had heard people complaining about that in past years, but never noticed it in the past). Kept my winter coat on almost all day and still was cold... wished I had brought my old fingerless gloves from astronomy nights (needed to be able to write/type)

I suspect (but didn't really get a chance to look up from my computer at the time) that the floors were a little over packed in Rhythm/Latin. I know I had one fewer heat worth of time to enter the early callbacks(and the same number of couples) and I was barely keeping up (especially in Rhythm when they ran 7 judges in the first round, versus 5 in the other styles)

I did see some out of syllabus dancing in Newcomer International Rumba, but I don't think anything was mentioned. (Listed as Pre-Bronze only) As everyone knows I'm a big fan of strictly enforcing whatever rules you choose to publicize... If you don't want to enforce syllabus, then call it pre-pre-novice for all I care

Both MCs had a bit of trouble remembering to always give instructions to the judges before requesting the music, leading to some confusion among the judges and a fair bit of having to talk over the music.

At times I also thought they lined up some of the next competitors a bit on the early side -- I know one of the silver/gold events was held in the wings for about 20-30 minutes from first call.

I thought it seemed like a more varied judging panel than several of the past NE collegiate competitions which was nice to see.

 

[and123]

Was only there for Smooth and Standard. Venue didn't seem any colder than usual. Floor was a bit sticky. Standard heats were too crowded. If they had tried to stuff all of Gold VWaltz into one heat, a number of us would have walked off and refused to dance. Couldn't move well and had a lot of close calls. Witnessed a levels violation (person dancing for at least 2 years entered in Bronze). Later reported it to the comp coordinator. Hopefully the person will be DQ'ed. Hate cheaters :eyebrow:

But glad to see only scattered snow as opposed to the blizzard we experienced years ago.... :shock:

 

[Merrylegs]

Just found out over the weekend that my coworker's 16 year old son danced in the Latin and Standard newcomer (beginner?) divisions at this comp. The parents were thrilled to see him on the floor! I heard no negative comments from the mother but I think she may have been focusing on her kid.

I was not in attendance at this event, however.

 

[White Chacha]

I didn't dance but was there for most of the day. I agree that the floor was overcrowded in early rounds. I feel like this is one of the hallmarks of the Tufts comp. One year I dance it the assembled single large heat of silver standard dancers "petitioned" the powers that be for two heats by chanting "two heats, two heats!" and we finally got our way

I also felt like the one or two opportunities for syllabus dancers to warm up weren't seized by the DJ with appropriate music for the upcoming styles. I think he played swing just before standard, and hustle just before latin. I also thought that a number of the rumbas played for latin sounded more like rhythm rumba slowed down.

But overall things moved along well and the comp stayed pretty well on time and ended that way too Good job Tufts!

 

[dbk]

Wrong comp... d'oh.