Joe
Forum Master
If you were at the LA Nationals last year, and the Baltimore Nationals they year before, you'd know why.
USA Dance Nationals 2014
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Mandicraft
Active Member
Mainly because there is a higher density of competitors and also spectators on the East Coast. It's not the best financial choice to have it on the West Coast every other year.
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
If the comp was in the west more it would grow in the west. Peeps should go to nationals no matter where it is. I like the Chicago idea
JudeMorrigan
Forum Master
That's easy to say, but I suspect a significant portion of the difference is in the density of college student for whom practicality trumps what they "should" do.
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
I'll bet Joe knows if that is true or not......off the top of his head!
llamasarefuzzy
Forum Master
Eh, once I have to get on a plane and stay in a hotel, I don't really care where it is
Bailamosdance
Forum Master
People do not go to the nationals for two reasons... One, they are not invited (since for this comp only allows a certain percentage of people to enter) and two, if they are interested in seeing the dancing presented at the comp. nobody will pay to see something that they perceive as too expensive, too boring, or too obscure. Thinking that having an empty ballroom is better for they competitors than a. Full one means that no excitement is generated, so people tend to think of it as a hump to get over in their dancing rather than a highlight.
And thinking that spectating an event is a duty is foolish thinking on the part of those involved with selling the event to the. Public. Pricing people out of spectating means many times that competitors do not show up except for their events, which contributes to the emptiness. They very people who would be most excited and interested wind up sitting in their hotel rooms because to drop in on events costs a couple $$$ they might not have. And it is a hard sell to a public that expects a rocking event and not a quiet, tense hotel ballroom devoid of energy.
Baltimore is a nice city with some of the best restaurants on the midatlantic, but the area that the nationals is held is populated by fast food and chain restaurants and is not really very interesting to visit more than once... It IS more walkable than la, but the question is of course 'walk where'? Plus, many competitors dance and prepare outside of the more normal tourist schedules. Day trips and the like are not usually practical when you dance at midday or have rounds in the evening that you must rest up for.
It is a thankless task for sure to create events that become desirable, but it can be done...USA dance has had an athlete drain for the last few years as folks choose to skip USA dance for more competitive events, and this also makes nationals a more iffy proposition when top dancers choose alternate paths. New leadership is headed by a president who has spearheaded a big, boisterous and successful competition in the MAC and hopefully they can inspire and change the mindsets that have made nationals a loss financially and not a 'must do' event...
And thinking that spectating an event is a duty is foolish thinking on the part of those involved with selling the event to the. Public. Pricing people out of spectating means many times that competitors do not show up except for their events, which contributes to the emptiness. They very people who would be most excited and interested wind up sitting in their hotel rooms because to drop in on events costs a couple $$$ they might not have. And it is a hard sell to a public that expects a rocking event and not a quiet, tense hotel ballroom devoid of energy.
Baltimore is a nice city with some of the best restaurants on the midatlantic, but the area that the nationals is held is populated by fast food and chain restaurants and is not really very interesting to visit more than once... It IS more walkable than la, but the question is of course 'walk where'? Plus, many competitors dance and prepare outside of the more normal tourist schedules. Day trips and the like are not usually practical when you dance at midday or have rounds in the evening that you must rest up for.
It is a thankless task for sure to create events that become desirable, but it can be done...USA dance has had an athlete drain for the last few years as folks choose to skip USA dance for more competitive events, and this also makes nationals a more iffy proposition when top dancers choose alternate paths. New leadership is headed by a president who has spearheaded a big, boisterous and successful competition in the MAC and hopefully they can inspire and change the mindsets that have made nationals a loss financially and not a 'must do' event...
JudeMorrigan
Forum Master
Fair enough. My am partner (who is in college) and I did the Mid-Atlantic last year over Nationals in no small part due to the cost difference, but i shouldn't assume my experiences reflect everyone's.
Nationals can be a great showcase of best dancing in USA, and if it included social dancing available for many adults who love to dance, it could be turned into an elegant and popular event. Live stream would also help to spread the word how great this event is, so in the future people will want to come. Everyone drives, and there are plenty of dancing people in Philadelphia, Maryland, DC, Delaware. Maybe more focused promotion of the fun opportunity (dancing) through dance studios and universities (especially those which have dance teams?) Just thoughts… All this promo takes a lot of work by volunteers, and in any case - money… Also strangers to dancing do not know the difference in dancing quality and easily get confused… Somehow they need guiding when watching… Maybe as a part of live stream?
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
There are only a handful of ways to be considered an amateur national champion in the US ( especially in the american styles) and this is the main one. This should matter to COMPETITIVE dancers. It should be the jewel.. That is the goal to strive toward.
I feel the USA dance needs to focus on this and its core social dance base and less on the Olympics
I feel the USA dance needs to focus on this and its core social dance base and less on the Olympics
I think, that Olympics is a daydreaming… There are no tricks like in figure-skating, and if we can't bring crowds in the dancing hall as spectators and explain what is happening on the floor, then olympics will not take such sport.. Plus there is too little control over biased judging. We too often see a situation when a couple is strong and among the top three ones in the final as result of their dancing, and there are judges who were not letting them into the final or even semifinal…. Olympics will not bear this.
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
i agree so its time to stop the daydreaming
Daphna
Well-Known Member
Don't really want to take the conversation more toward the Olympics and away from Nationals, but do want to mention that being part of the Olympic family is not only being part of the games, but is also adhering to a clean drug free sport (and there have been couples who have been caught using drugs at Nationals), participating in the World Games, participating in the Pan-Olympics and a whole host of other events.
And now back to Nationals, there is still time to register and participate in this amazing event. We have semi's if not more in most Championship events across all ages and styles, there are first rounds in many of the syllabus events and there will be an amazing Country Western Show on Sunday night. You may think you know Country Dancing, but you really haven't seen it until you see the champions dance.
See you all in Baltimore.
And now back to Nationals, there is still time to register and participate in this amazing event. We have semi's if not more in most Championship events across all ages and styles, there are first rounds in many of the syllabus events and there will be an amazing Country Western Show on Sunday night. You may think you know Country Dancing, but you really haven't seen it until you see the champions dance.
See you all in Baltimore.
Bailamosdance
Forum Master
Being drug-free is a nice asset but USA dance does not have to be part of the Olympics to test for drugs. I too think the Olympic daydream takes the focus off of what really matters and competitive Dancesport in the United States.… Participation. Olympic participationwouldmatter and affect only a few dancers. The rest of us not only do not participate as dancers, but are asked to finance the few.
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
This should be great which couple is it?? Having taken lessons from both Toby and Harmony and Gary and Lisa( before he went all smooth) my expectations are high LOL