hmmmm, decadance did the photogaphy. Check with Anna Smart as to who has signed for vendor space. Sometimes, in the far away events - the vendors would sign on then not show. Very frustrating for Andrew and Anna. I always had a back up plan for hair and make-up (like do it myself). They do have videography and Decadance was the photographer last year. They don't mind if you are taking your own photos just not your own video. Sometimes there was an issue with the vendor and the "country" not the organizer.
WDC World Pro-Am Championships--Bahamas 2010
- Thread starter ChaChaMama
- Start date
RumbaRob
New Member
DecaDance photos of the Bahamas event
I attended the Texas Star Ball :cowboy: last weekend at the Gaylord in Grapevine, and DecaDance was there shooting photos. I asked them if they would be at the Bahamas WDC event, and they said that they would indeed be there.
Have you seen the quality of the photos that they shoot, they're unbelieveable. You get to see the photos before you buy them.
Once you're at the event, don't be shy about asking them to take a few extra shots of you off the dance floor as well. I had them take a photo of me next to the WDC/World Promotions Atlantis Banner at it came out great!
I attended the Texas Star Ball :cowboy: last weekend at the Gaylord in Grapevine, and DecaDance was there shooting photos. I asked them if they would be at the Bahamas WDC event, and they said that they would indeed be there.
Have you seen the quality of the photos that they shoot, they're unbelieveable. You get to see the photos before you buy them.
Once you're at the event, don't be shy about asking them to take a few extra shots of you off the dance floor as well. I had them take a photo of me next to the WDC/World Promotions Atlantis Banner at it came out great!
ChaChaMama
Well-Known Member
I'd love to see your photos, Rob! Sounds like you had a great time.
***
Baltimore-D.C. folks: I have now seen some great rates!!!
Certain AirTran flights are as low as $89 each way!
*IF* I could leave on Thursday, there is an $89 NON-STOP from Baltimore to Nassau, perfect time of day too. If you couple that with an $89 return trip, even with taxes and Sept 11 fee, it's only $278.20.
Unfortunately, I really feel like I have to leave on Friday (due to my child's school and my work), and those flights are $299 outbound, so even with the cheap return, it's $490.70.
So I'm torn between the AirTran option, a Delta/American option I found on Expedia (430.20), or playing chicken to see if prices drop further or go up.
I'm going to keep looking and see if I see anything better from nearby airports.
***
Baltimore-D.C. folks: I have now seen some great rates!!!
Certain AirTran flights are as low as $89 each way!
*IF* I could leave on Thursday, there is an $89 NON-STOP from Baltimore to Nassau, perfect time of day too. If you couple that with an $89 return trip, even with taxes and Sept 11 fee, it's only $278.20.
Unfortunately, I really feel like I have to leave on Friday (due to my child's school and my work), and those flights are $299 outbound, so even with the cheap return, it's $490.70.
So I'm torn between the AirTran option, a Delta/American option I found on Expedia (430.20), or playing chicken to see if prices drop further or go up.
I'm going to keep looking and see if I see anything better from nearby airports.
RumbaRob
New Member
Superstars of Latin Dance
Has anyone heard who will be performing in the Superstars of Latin Dance at the Bahamas event?
I'm a HUGE Slavik fan and hoping that he will be at the show. I last saw him and Anna at the World Promotions competition in Capetown, South Africa. It was amazing to watch them dance, very moving.
Has anyone heard who will be performing in the Superstars of Latin Dance at the Bahamas event?
I'm a HUGE Slavik fan and hoping that he will be at the show. I last saw him and Anna at the World Promotions competition in Capetown, South Africa. It was amazing to watch them dance, very moving.
ChaChaMama
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone!!!
This comp is now only a week away! Who is excited? ME!!!
This comp is now only a week away! Who is excited? ME!!!
Superstars in Cabaret - Bahamas
I just spoke to Anna Smart today. She has confirmed that Slavik & Anna and Maurizio & Andra will be the 2 couples performing in the Bahamas. Olga & I were lucky enough to be demonstrators in the first two WDC World Pro-Am Champs, in fact we did our last ever demonstration in Argentina at the world Pro-Am and I have to tell you that this event is always first class with the best audiences we have ever performed or competed in front of. If you get a chance to go, you should try and make it. It's not too late!!!
I just spoke to Anna Smart today. She has confirmed that Slavik & Anna and Maurizio & Andra will be the 2 couples performing in the Bahamas. Olga & I were lucky enough to be demonstrators in the first two WDC World Pro-Am Champs, in fact we did our last ever demonstration in Argentina at the world Pro-Am and I have to tell you that this event is always first class with the best audiences we have ever performed or competed in front of. If you get a chance to go, you should try and make it. It's not too late!!!
YES, it's a great event as are their others in the various countries. Anna told me that this year is being televised (although I don't think I have access to any of the carribean television networks) - and the warmth of the residential people who live there is truly amazing. My former pro is going with several of my friends - as I battle the green eyed monster within!!! Have a great time CCMM - (hmmmm maybe the south africa event is calling my name!).
ChaChaMama
Well-Known Member
It's great to hear such resounding endorsements! 
ChaChaMama
Well-Known Member
Thanks for asking, 3wishes!
I had a GREAT time!
I wrote about my day-to-day experiences in the Yesterday's Activities thread in the Dancer's Anonymous section of FB, but here are some other overall thoughts.
LOCATION: Cannot be beat!!! I had never been to The Bahamas before, and I loved it and the Atlantis Resort. GORGEOUS views of the ocean! It did not hurt that the weather was PERFECT. Just walking the ocean path from my part of the resort over to the opposite end where the comp was being held and feeling the sun on my skin was such a glorious experience after the rough winter we had in Maryland this year.
The official comp rate ($290/night) was for Beach Tower, which I hear had decent rooms. At this time of year, those rooms normally go for something like $450-500 a night, so this was a good deal. A few people were also able to get Coral Tower and Royal Tower. I paid extra and stayed at The Cove, because I brought CCP and we made it fun getaway for the two of us as well. The suites there were UNBELIEVABLE. Turns out I could have gotten a comp discount on that part of the property as well, but did not know that. I would definitely be interested in availing myself of that in the future!
Comp was fun. Some elements you might find interesting:
SCHEDULE: The schedule for this comp was odd.
Instead of going from pre-bronze --> open gold in one style, and then ending the session with the scholarships, the events seemed to me more randomly organized. There would be latin events, then some rhythm events, then some latin...and it didn't seem like the events went from pre-bronze-->open gold either. The upshot was that
-I had my open cha FIRST, before any of my closed dances.
-I still had 4 closed single dances to go after my scholarship.
This was fine, just different than what I see at most comps.
One thing I did like about the schedule is that Sunday day was FREE until the show that night. Atlantis is incredible, and you would be doing yourself a huge disservice not to experience some of the pools, waterslides, beach, restaurants, etc.
-->I recommend The Current (not-so-lazy river, with waves) and the slides!
-->Amazing dinners at Nobu and Mosaic, and a great lunch at the Cain Pool (though that is restricted to the Cove guests).
***If you go, be prepared for the reality that food and drink at Atlantis is pricey. As long as you go in expecting the prices, you'll be fine; otherwise, you could have some sticker shock.
SIZE: Many of the single dance events were small, but the scholarships were a good size, especially in the 36-50 age category. At least semis, sometimes quarter finals.
AWARDS: There were no awards for the single dances, but they did do a nice presentation of the finalists for the World Pro-Am, who came out from behind the curtain and down the stairs.
Oh! And at the beginning of the evening session, everyone who had participated in the World Pro-Am got to march behind the flag of his/her own country with mini-flags and medals around their neck.
MUSIC: Fantastic! Enjoyed almost every song I heard all weekend. Volume was perfect, not too loud, not too quiet.
FLOOR: Not optimal. It had sort of annoying seams. It was okay, but definitely not Dance Jams quality.
EMCEEING: Andrew throws in lots of jokes and wry comments. Lots of personality.
VENDORS:
Video--YES, Ballroom Video.
Still photo--YES, Stephen Marino.
Dresses--YES.
Shoes--Not that I saw.
Hair and make-up--Not that I saw. Pity.
JUDGES:
Valerie Houseman, Ian Folker, Stephen Hannah, Victor Kanevsky, Hannes Emrich, Karina Smirnoff, Paul Killick, Kenneth McKechnie, Olga Radionova, Natalie Mavor-Miles, Margaret Burns.
SHOW: Slavik and Anna. Maurizio and Andra. YAY! Very well received. Each couple performed all 5 latin dances, plus an additional show number of their choice. These show numbers were interspersed between the World Pro-Am finals. Andrew also threw in some numbers with native Bahamians who had had a few weeks of lessons.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
There was a junkaroo. I was not on the full package, but I happened to be passing through the Royal Towers lobby when the musicians and dancers were passing through and it was pretty eye-catching! Lots of non-comp guests had their cameras out and were taking photos of the spectacle.
Andrew and Anna also organized some kind of Amazing Race type contest, but I have to admit I had a spa reservation when this went down. (I know, hard life! Lol!!!)
Would I do this comp again if it is offered again and my pro-am teacher were willing? YES, absolutely.
Is it one I can do every year? Probably not. But it was a blast.
I had a GREAT time!
I wrote about my day-to-day experiences in the Yesterday's Activities thread in the Dancer's Anonymous section of FB, but here are some other overall thoughts.
LOCATION: Cannot be beat!!! I had never been to The Bahamas before, and I loved it and the Atlantis Resort. GORGEOUS views of the ocean! It did not hurt that the weather was PERFECT. Just walking the ocean path from my part of the resort over to the opposite end where the comp was being held and feeling the sun on my skin was such a glorious experience after the rough winter we had in Maryland this year.
The official comp rate ($290/night) was for Beach Tower, which I hear had decent rooms. At this time of year, those rooms normally go for something like $450-500 a night, so this was a good deal. A few people were also able to get Coral Tower and Royal Tower. I paid extra and stayed at The Cove, because I brought CCP and we made it fun getaway for the two of us as well. The suites there were UNBELIEVABLE. Turns out I could have gotten a comp discount on that part of the property as well, but did not know that. I would definitely be interested in availing myself of that in the future!
Comp was fun. Some elements you might find interesting:
SCHEDULE: The schedule for this comp was odd.
Instead of going from pre-bronze --> open gold in one style, and then ending the session with the scholarships, the events seemed to me more randomly organized. There would be latin events, then some rhythm events, then some latin...and it didn't seem like the events went from pre-bronze-->open gold either. The upshot was that
-I had my open cha FIRST, before any of my closed dances.
-I still had 4 closed single dances to go after my scholarship.
This was fine, just different than what I see at most comps.
One thing I did like about the schedule is that Sunday day was FREE until the show that night. Atlantis is incredible, and you would be doing yourself a huge disservice not to experience some of the pools, waterslides, beach, restaurants, etc.
-->I recommend The Current (not-so-lazy river, with waves) and the slides!
-->Amazing dinners at Nobu and Mosaic, and a great lunch at the Cain Pool (though that is restricted to the Cove guests).
***If you go, be prepared for the reality that food and drink at Atlantis is pricey. As long as you go in expecting the prices, you'll be fine; otherwise, you could have some sticker shock.
SIZE: Many of the single dance events were small, but the scholarships were a good size, especially in the 36-50 age category. At least semis, sometimes quarter finals.
AWARDS: There were no awards for the single dances, but they did do a nice presentation of the finalists for the World Pro-Am, who came out from behind the curtain and down the stairs.
Oh! And at the beginning of the evening session, everyone who had participated in the World Pro-Am got to march behind the flag of his/her own country with mini-flags and medals around their neck.
MUSIC: Fantastic! Enjoyed almost every song I heard all weekend. Volume was perfect, not too loud, not too quiet.
FLOOR: Not optimal. It had sort of annoying seams. It was okay, but definitely not Dance Jams quality.
EMCEEING: Andrew throws in lots of jokes and wry comments. Lots of personality.
VENDORS:
Video--YES, Ballroom Video.
Still photo--YES, Stephen Marino.
Dresses--YES.
Shoes--Not that I saw.
Hair and make-up--Not that I saw. Pity.
JUDGES:
Valerie Houseman, Ian Folker, Stephen Hannah, Victor Kanevsky, Hannes Emrich, Karina Smirnoff, Paul Killick, Kenneth McKechnie, Olga Radionova, Natalie Mavor-Miles, Margaret Burns.
SHOW: Slavik and Anna. Maurizio and Andra. YAY! Very well received. Each couple performed all 5 latin dances, plus an additional show number of their choice. These show numbers were interspersed between the World Pro-Am finals. Andrew also threw in some numbers with native Bahamians who had had a few weeks of lessons.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
There was a junkaroo. I was not on the full package, but I happened to be passing through the Royal Towers lobby when the musicians and dancers were passing through and it was pretty eye-catching! Lots of non-comp guests had their cameras out and were taking photos of the spectacle.
Andrew and Anna also organized some kind of Amazing Race type contest, but I have to admit I had a spa reservation when this went down. (I know, hard life! Lol!!!)
Would I do this comp again if it is offered again and my pro-am teacher were willing? YES, absolutely.
Is it one I can do every year? Probably not. But it was a blast.
njdancegirl
Active Member
Sounds like tons of fun, CCM! Spoke to Olga yesterday as well about it and she also highly recommended it.
Unless I missed it somewhere, don't think you mentioned how you did...were you pleased with dancing and results?
Unless I missed it somewhere, don't think you mentioned how you did...were you pleased with dancing and results?
Thanks for the update CCMM. I miss Andrew and Anna. They are great people. So, you missed participating in the Amazing Race on Sunday. The prize was an all expense paid Argentina/BA trip - which is on their agenda with Argentine Tango a big hit. They go every year and it's quite the thing. My girlfriend was miffed that none of the "guys" wanted to do this with her - especially for a free one week trip. hmmm shoe vendors - always a problem because of customs, etc. Hair and Make Up - I know I warned those attending to be prepared to do their own. However, that said, there are a couple of pros gents from Carolina whose other employment is hair stylist. But, yes, any World Promotions - plan on doing your own styling. I loved hearing about it from friends and now reading about it from you. Thanks so much (p.s. all world promotion events spread the single dances out i.e., smooth/standard before lunch and intermixed - rhythm/latin after lunch and intermixed). So glad you had some sunshine and a good time. Cheers.
ChaChaMama
Well-Known Member
3wishes--Yeah, I'll bet that Amazing Race would have been fun, and the prize was truly fabulous, but I had already booked for a 2 hour couples spa experience.
Keeping the hubby happy was one of my key goals for this trip! I want him to want to go to Atlantis again.
***
njdancegirl--As I mentioned above, the single dances didn't actually receive awards. I did not make the final in my scholarship, but I wasn't expecting to, because:
A) it was an OPEN scholarship and only one of my five routines was open (although that's up from ZERO of my five routines when last I saw you )
and
B) it was a rather brutal cut from at least 12 couples (possibly more) down to 5 for the final. (For some reason, 5 is the magic number at this comp rather than 6.)
That said, CCP said it was the best he's seen me dance with Nik, and that he felt like I stepped it up for that semi-final, so yay for smaller victories.
You may be wondering "Why did you dance an open scholarship when you clearly are not really ready to swim in that pool yet?" The answer is that there was no closed scholarship, AND Andrew Smart convinced me it would be fun to do and march in the parade of nations, etc. I think it was a good choice, and I went into it with realistic expectations.
I debuted the open cha, and it was my first dance out of the gate that morning. It started pretty well, but I definitely made mistakes as it went along and came off the floor feeling irritated with myself. I felt like I did it better in the scholarship than the first time, though, so again--small victories.
Results:
1--Marina Svyatets and Paul Richardson (USA)
2--Marina Merlikina and Alexander Kovalchuk (Russia)
3--Irina Grischenko and Alexander Fedorov (Russia)
4--Daria Ivanova and Kirill Netsvetaev (Russia)
5--Letizia DiCarlo and Mario Drobny
Keeping the hubby happy was one of my key goals for this trip!
I want him to want to go to Atlantis again. ***
njdancegirl--As I mentioned above, the single dances didn't actually receive awards. I did not make the final in my scholarship, but I wasn't expecting to, because:
A) it was an OPEN scholarship and only one of my five routines was open (although that's up from ZERO of my five routines when last I saw you
)and
B) it was a rather brutal cut from at least 12 couples (possibly more) down to 5 for the final. (For some reason, 5 is the magic number at this comp rather than 6.)
That said, CCP said it was the best he's seen me dance with Nik, and that he felt like I stepped it up for that semi-final, so yay for smaller victories.
You may be wondering "Why did you dance an open scholarship when you clearly are not really ready to swim in that pool yet?" The answer is that there was no closed scholarship, AND Andrew Smart convinced me it would be fun to do and march in the parade of nations, etc. I think it was a good choice, and I went into it with realistic expectations.
I debuted the open cha, and it was my first dance out of the gate that morning. It started pretty well, but I definitely made mistakes as it went along and came off the floor feeling irritated with myself. I felt like I did it better in the scholarship than the first time, though, so again--small victories.
Results:
1--Marina Svyatets and Paul Richardson (USA)
2--Marina Merlikina and Alexander Kovalchuk (Russia)
3--Irina Grischenko and Alexander Fedorov (Russia)
4--Daria Ivanova and Kirill Netsvetaev (Russia)
5--Letizia DiCarlo and Mario Drobny
njdancegirl
Active Member
No awards for singles? Kind of odd, no? Not looking for a sticker or ribbon, just would want to know how I placed. Huh...
Re: the scholarship...why wouldn't you do it? I'm with Andrew - you might as well try it. You looked great last time I saw you by the way - I don't think this pool is out of your reach. Obviously Nik doesn't either or he wouldn't have given you the first one to get started on...
Re: the scholarship...why wouldn't you do it? I'm with Andrew - you might as well try it. You looked great last time I saw you by the way - I don't think this pool is out of your reach. Obviously Nik doesn't either or he wouldn't have given you the first one to get started on...