One-Day Comps

[j_alexandra]

I'm mildly curious about them -- have danced at one, may go back, this year. It was fun, fast-paced and low key at the same time. I haven't competed since May, so it'll be good to go back on the floor.

Do you do them? If you do, why? If you don't, why not?

 

[3wishes]

I'm mildly curious about them -- have danced at one, may go back, this year. It was fun, fast-paced and low key at the same time. I haven't competed since May, so it'll be good to go back on the floor.

Do you do them? If you do, why? If you don't, why not?

I do,them when I can. Less time obligated, more fun and relaxed for me although a few have grown so popular that the hours are now running into almost midnight. For the same reasons you've mentioned above.

 

[Loki]

I like them. The downside is the airfare / hotel costs for a one day event since there are none near me. (None that I'm aware of anyway...)

 

[jump'n'jive]

We only do local one day events within driving distance and it's only twice a year. I like them because I let me students use them to practice new material for the year and it's a great avenue for me amateur couples to test the waters with competing. The local one day feels like a big multi day and it's decorated better then most big events. They have to be ndca sanctioned and not a in house studio event.

 

[singndance]

Personally I don't like to do multiple styles in a day, so if I do a one day comp, I will only dance one style. I will do them if they are in driving distance, to keep the cost down. They can be a lot of fun, and give you a good chance to try out new routines, and socialize.

 

[cornutt]

Used to do a lot of them, when local or in driving distance. Not much competition, but a lot of fun at a not-so-outrageous cost.

 

[Dance Mad Helen]

In the UK for the lower level dancer and on the university circuit these are the norm. I love comps although I'm shattered with traveling it's normally at
Least a 20 hour day

 

[sbrnsmith]

Used to do a lot of them, when local or in driving distance. Not much competition, but a lot of fun at a not-so-outrageous cost.

The one day comps I looked at seem to have the same fees per entry than 3 day comps. I've never been to one, but would consider going as a practice run, if the fees were less.

 

[j_alexandra]

The one day comps I looked at seem to have the same fees per entry than 3 day comps. I've never been to one, but would consider going as a practice run, if the fees were less.

Just curious: do you feel the fees should be lower? If so, why?

 

[Purr]

I like them, although I haven't done one in awhile. There are no travel or hotel expenses involved. The number of entries danced is a lot less, so that keeps costs down. The number of people per event is generally smaller. There is a lot of variation in what people wear, so there is less stress to come up with attire than an NDCA comp. People are generally friendlier.

I am considering doing a one day event in February, so we'll see where this goes.

 

[s2k]

I'm in a city where there are a handful of one-day comps, and I have traveled to attend a one-day comp or two.

In my experience, there are the really super nice one-day comps (the Type As), the ones where the organizers are working hard to provide a beautiful and well-run experience, participants (and judges) come from all over, the hotel ballroom is lit beautifully and is decorated gorgeously, and the day ends with dinner, some social dancing, and a pro show that evening. From the look of it, you'd hardly know it was a one day.

Then I've danced in one days that are in local venues (Type B), where the judges are local, it's mostly just local dancers, there's no "decorative atmosphere," the crowd and the participants are warm and supportive, and there's social dancing that evening.

Then there's Type C, which is a Type B working hard to be a Type A, and all that will take is time and more word of mouth! I find these the most fun of all!

But all types of comps have their places - if we're trying out new choreography before a big multi-day comp, we'll do a one-day and it doesn't matter which type. If there are six months between big comps, we might find a one day three months into that break so that we stay "competition ready."

What I noticed over my tenure dancing pro-am is that a non-local, Type A one-day can be as expensive as a non-local, multi-day comp. Package fees for three such one days (I've danced at all three) have package fees that are equivalent to at least one multi-day comp I've attended. So when this happens, you look at a calendar and your bank balance and you make some choices.

 

[sbrnsmith]

Just curious: do you feel the fees should be lower? If so, why?

Speaking for myself, and in my limited experience, entry fees should be lower for one day comps. They are paying for 2-3 judges for one day, and one day of music, floor etc. I don't want to pay the same as I would at a bigger multi day comp. If I just want to dance for one day, I can pick any comp and go and dance one day. And get the benefit of the better decorations, venue, organization etc...again speaking for myself, I enjoy comps for the entire experience. Im less inclined to spend the money, time and effort on a one day event. I can see why some would like it just for practice, getting floor time etc... Just not my cup of tea

 

[RiseNFall]

I just looked at the one (very) local one-day NDCA competition. They had eight judges, not two or three. The big down-side is the small amount of competition: I looked at some of the results and I never saw more than three competitors in any event, and plenty with only one or two, including a championship. There are plenty of multi-day competitions in the area, so there's no particular reason to do this. I could see it being a fun day if a bunch of students went together, however.

 

[j_alexandra]

I just took a look at the panel of judges at the one-day I'm considering next month. 24 Distinguished Adjudicators will be there. Um. That's a lot of judges for a one-day comp. Also, two music directors and two MCs. And a pro show/gala dinner the night before. Feels like a "real" comp to me -- and yes, the costs for me to do two styles will be comparable to costs for a multi-day comp, but I like the splendid blend of full-tilt ballroom/show/dinner and getting it all done in one day.

 

[RiseNFall]

Does anybody know if some/most/all NDCA 1-day comps are relatively new ones that are hoping to expand to multi-day comps? I looked at the information for a 1-day comp in NYC, tomorrow I think. Good judges, a lot of uncontested heats last year.