When to call the organizers

[s2k]

I've seen a variety of posts on other social media where I get the feeling there's always "that person" who is very vocal about his or her complaints to organizers. And I don't mean constructive, legitimate complaints to an organizer, I mean I'm reading about what I perceive to be sort of petty complaints. Complaints about starting too early. Complaints about the juniors. Complaints about the slipperiness/stickiness of the floor or temperature of the ballroom.


Which makes me wonder - what would be a legitimate "complaint" to share with an organizer?

For example, at various comps we've attended throughout the country and over the years, our 2 open divisions in 2 age categories have been spaced out throughout either the course of the whole event (Friday night, Saturday day, Saturday night) or over 1 day (like a local comp).

Last year, at an NQE, we danced 2 multidance events back to back. That's fine - that's no biggie. No complaints. However, at a different NQE, the schedule laid out all four of our events in a row. Back to back to back to back. Four dance four dance five dance five dance. 18 dances in a row.

I started looking around, wild eyed, for the defibrillator. I can't tell you how it went; I blacked out at some point in the third round.

But I wonder, as we gear up for our "competition season" to start, would I be out of line in contacting an organizer if we're set up this way again? Perhaps to ask if even one heat/round could go between two in a row? What do you think?

And what are examples of when you've contacted an organizer? And those of you who are involved in organizing, what is your take on "legitimate" complaints?

 

[dlliba10]

Last year, at an NQE, we danced 2 multidance events back to back. That's fine - that's no biggie. No complaints. However, at a different NQE, the schedule laid out all four of our events in a row. Back to back to back to back. Four dance four dance five dance five dance. 18 dances in a row.

I started looking around, wild eyed, for the defibrillator. I can't tell you how it went; I blacked out at some point in the third round.

But I wonder, as we gear up for our "competition season" to start, would I be out of line in contacting an organizer if we're set up this way again?

I'd be shocked if that was the result of more than just a scheduling oversight -- all the NQE organizers that I know make it a point not to make anyone dance that much in a row. In fact, I think there's a rule against it. So I'd say you'd be more than justified in contacting the organizer about an issue like that. Even if for some unknown reason they couldn't change it, then they'd be able to tell you why.

 

[Partner Dancer]

Last year, at an NQE, we danced 2 multidance events back to back. That's fine - that's no biggie. No complaints. However, at a different NQE, the schedule laid out all four of our events in a row. Back to back to back to back. Four dance four dance five dance five dance. 18 dances in a row.

I started looking around, wild eyed, for the defibrillator. I can't tell you how it went; I blacked out at some point in the third round.

Hmm, isn't this what it should be, (specifically) for those people who
think Ballroom dancing should be a SPORT? The competitors in American
Ninja Warrior are expected to conquer gauntlet after gauntlet with hardly
any rest, running against the clock. Same for triathlons, decathlons,
ets..

Sports entails endurance, stamina, etc., in addition to speed, strength,
etc., so competitions claiming to be dancesports should subject participants
to torturous conditions like dance marathons (at least in some events).

There are some/many pros in pro-am who do hundreds of entries, who
at times do do lots of heats in a row (with different partners), and that's
quite a work-out.

But, then, there are dancers who couldn't care less about the sports
factor...

 

[s2k]

I'm not sure if I ought to respond, @PartnerDancer, as if I do, it will be off topic.

But I'll risk it.

First, I agree that dancesport does involve endurance and stamina. I'm not sure why I need to do any athletic activity for 30 minutes in a row to be considered an "athlete," in your mind. A multi-dance event is more of a sprint than a marathon, and I certainly don't think that sprinters are lesser athletes than someone who runs a marathon. Even the Rockettes, in their shows, do not dance for 30 straight minutes. Even a ballroom pros' showdance isn't 30 minutes long - not even half of that. Maybe a fourth.

Second, there ought to be a somewhat of a level playing field for the open level events. It really sucked at Nationals when we had to dance a two multi dances in a row - and the other age division we competed against got to walk out onto the floor, cool and dry, and we'd just danced 20 minutes and remained on the floor, soaked and sucking wind, setting up to dance a final. Had we had five or ten minutes to catch our breath and get some water, our placement might have been different. Did we learn a valuable lesson about preparing for the future? Yes. But it sucked and felt unfair in that moment.

Last: I'm not a pro. I'm an amateur. This is not my job, it's my hobby. And we practice 8-10 hours a week, so we're in good shape. But who wants to dance all of their heats all at once, back to back? It's not fun. I love the dance. The connections, the storytelling. And at some point, there's diminishing returns on what a body my age can do after full out aerobic activity for 30 minutes. The dance suffers.

Wishing you the best of luck at your America Ninja DanceSport Athelete Warrior competition. Cheers!

 

[DanceMentor]

Nothing wrong with providing feedback, and where possible get their response and try to understand their reasoning. It may very well be that your feedback will be helpful.

 

[Joe]

I'd be shocked if that was the result of more than just a scheduling oversight -- all the NQE organizers that I know make it a point not to make anyone dance that much in a row. In fact, I think there's a rule against it. So I'd say you'd be more than justified in contacting the organizer about an issue like that. Even if for some unknown reason they couldn't change it, then they'd be able to tell you why.

The only rule is that rounds of the same event have to have 4 minutes per dance (e.g. 16 minutes for a 4-dance event) between rounds. The problems come when you have people dancing multiple levels, styles, and age categories, which makes it harder to schedule other events between everyone's events. So it's perfectly legal to have AD Prechamp Smooth, then S1 Prechamp Standard, then AD Champ Smooth, then AD Champ Standard back to back. But I think most organizers try to avoid that sort of thing (never mind that the costume changes required would make it impossible).

 

[s2k]

The only rule is that rounds of the same event have to have 4 minutes per dance (e.g. 16 minutes for a 4-dance event) between rounds. The problems come when you have people dancing multiple levels, styles, and age categories, which makes it harder to schedule other events between everyone's events. So it's perfectly legal to have AD Prechamp Smooth, then S1 Prechamp Standard, then AD Champ Smooth, then AD Champ Standard back to back. But I think most organizers try to avoid that sort of thing (never mind that the costume changes required would make it impossible).

So Joe, what do you think - would it be out of line for affected dancers to contact the organizers and ask to please consider a switcheroo?

Also, I've noticed that events are danced in order of proficiency. Newcomer events, then bronze closed events, followed by closed silver events, etc. Is there a reason for this? Thank you to all who respond - I am enjoying learning more!

 

[Dancing Irishman]

So Joe, what do you think - would it be out of line for affected dancers to contact the organizers and ask to please consider a switcheroo?

Also, I've noticed that events are danced in order of proficiency. Newcomer events, then bronze closed events, followed by closed silver events, etc. Is there a reason for this? Thank you to all who respond - I am enjoying learning more!

I would contact them. It's possible that the current schedule has the least possible people affected by back-to-back events and you're just unlucky, but it's possible they missed one.

I'm really surprised how often organizers run adjoining age groups back to back. I'd expect it to be easier to just run Adult, Sr II, Sr IV, Sr I, Sr III in that or a similar order at least as a starting point. But I don't envy schedule makers, it's a beast of a puzzle.

 

[dlliba10]

I'm really surprised how often organizers run adjoining age groups back to back. I'd expect it to be easier to just run Adult, Sr II, Sr IV, Sr I, Sr III in that or a similar order at least as a starting point. But I don't envy schedule makers, it's a beast of a puzzle.

I had enough trouble when I organized my home team's competition, and I didn't even have age categories or syllabus-level sub-divisions to deal with. Godspeed to all the people who can deal with everything without going crazy.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

On the day of the event I talk to the deck captain and kindly remind him that two rounds in a row is fine but three is a bit much. They have even chucked in one social dance to let us recharge our ATP that's all you need metabolically. 95 cellular recovery in one minute. Rest is mental so prep that

 

[s2k]

I'd be shocked if that was the result of more than just a scheduling oversight -- all the NQE organizers that I know make it a point not to make anyone dance that much in a row. In fact, I think there's a rule against it. So I'd say you'd be more than justified in contacting the organizer about an issue like that. Even if for some unknown reason they couldn't change it, then they'd be able to tell you why.

The only rule is that rounds of the same event have to have 4 minutes per dance (e.g. 16 minutes for a 4-dance event) between rounds.

Well, it's happened again. I'm glad I posted my question here so far in advance, because I did email the organizers to ask if the schedule could be finagled. And I'm curious - if avoiding this situation is "a rule", why is it happening again? Because last year we let it? We didn't say anything?

Can someone explain to me why events are organized by proficiency? Why are the open events last? Why not spread everything around a little?

I'm reminded of the joke in Shakespeare In Love:

"It'll all work out."
"How? How will it all work out?"
"I dunno. It's a mystery."

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Open events are always last pm me which event you are talking about I've been to them all and perhaps can give some insight

The structure is to prevent you from sitting around for 4 hrs between multis

 

[Dancing Irishman]

Well, it's happened again. I'm glad I posted my question here so far in advance, because I did email the organizers to ask if the schedule could be finagled. And I'm curious - if avoiding this situation is "a rule", why is it happening again? Because last year we let it? We didn't say anything?

Can someone explain to me why events are organized by proficiency? Why are the open events last? Why not spread everything around a little?

I'm reminded of the joke in Shakespeare In Love:

"It'll all work out."
"How? How will it all work out?"
"I dunno. It's a mystery."

Also, the rule is that heats of the *same* event must have at least 4 min in between (ie semi and final of adult novice rhythm but not novice rhythm and prechamp rhythm). When you're doing four events in one style (2 ages x 2 skill levels) it voids that rule (in part to keep organizers sane-ish).

 

[s2k]

Also, the rule is that heats of the *same* event must have at least 4 min in between (ie semi and final of adult novice rhythm but not novice rhythm and prechamp rhythm). When you're doing four events in one style (2 ages x 2 skill levels) it voids that rule (in part to keep organizers sane-ish).

Got it. Hate it, but I got it.

 

[snapdancer]

I see that you are in two separate competitions in the same heat. One of your clones will dance in the Adult Pre-Champ competition and the other clone in the Senior 1 Pre-Champ competion. Please let us know how that turns out.