I read somewhere quite recently that the USDSC is splitting off the Pro-Am events into a separate competition from the one that is traditionally held in Miami in September.

Unfortunately, I can't remember or find the reference! I looked at DanceScape, Dance Vision, and on the USDSC's web site, to no avail. Maybe I read it in Dance Beat? If anyone has any details on this, please let me know.

I'm not sure if this change is supposed to take place in 2001 or 2002, or of any of the other details.

Thanks,

Laura

I read it in the DanceTrends newsletter first and, since then, I think I saw it in DanceBeat.

I seem to remember that the closed US would be moving to Las Vegas in 2003, since right now there is a ban on all new (NDCA) competitions. Could be 2002, though.

Guess I haven't really helped

Paul

Hi, Laura. I've heard/read about this in a couple of different places, though I don't have a reference handy, either. I think DanceBeat did indeed have something about it.

Here's what I recall (and I actually also have a question that maybe someone else can answer):
First, the split will take place in 2002. So, this year's USDSC will be as in past years (except that I just read that the US Closed Pro Rising Star events in Latin, Rhythm and Smooth are moving to the Emerald Ball this year because of scheduling conflicts with the Fontainebleau in Miami!).

Anyway, when the split occurs, all national professional and amateur championship events that were previously held in Miami (those closed to the US) will move to Las Vegas. The "Open to the World" events will stay in Miami. That part I'm clear about. I'm not entirely certain what this means for pro/am, though -- and maybe someone else can help here. At first I thought that all pro/am events were moving to Las Vegas. However, then I read or heard somewhere that only *some* of the pro/am events will move, depending upon the same national/open categorization mentioned above. For example, take the Pro/Am Int. Latin championship event, in which I compete: as it's currently set up, that event is a "US Open" and not a "US National" championship. The American Rhythm championship, on the other hand, is a US National event. So, the Latin championship would stay in Miami while the Smooth would go to Vegas. I'm also unsure about where the non-championship single dance events (the USDSC calls them the "All-American One Dance Competitions") would go, though Vegas would be my guess.

Hoping this is somewhat helpful despite the fact that I'm partly confused about it,

Vanessa