PreBronze
Registered:: 06-27-2002
Posts: 174
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Hello fellow proammers, what is your favorite comp(s)? What are you planning to do before the end of the year?  (This gremlin is titled 'dog' but I thought it was a bunny) |
Championship
Registered:: 10-05-2000
Posts: 3146
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San Francisco Open, because it's in my backyard and offers Closed Gold Scholarships
Emerald Ball, because it's huge and has the US Rising Star events to watch.
Nevada Star Ball, because it's also big and because Las Vegas is cheap. I had a quarter-final in my Closed Standard event the year I went.
Ohio Star Ball, because EVERYONE goes.
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Gold
Location: Houston
Registered:: 05-01-2002
Posts: 698
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I stay pretty local to the area so mine are the late, lamented Houston Lone Star and the Houston Dance Festival primarily due to the friendly atmosphere of both. I participate in the Texas Challenge every year but am ambivalent about it.  |
PreBronze
Registered:: 06-27-2002
Posts: 174
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Thanks psbd and Laura. I was considering Hotlanta - I doubt either of you have done this (it is reasonably close to me) but have you heard anything about this, good or bad? Of course I welcome anyone else's input as well.
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Championship
Registered:: 10-05-2000
Posts: 3146
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Nope, I've never been! I hear it's big but I've never talked to anyone first-hand whose been.
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PreBronze
Location: California
Registered:: 11-21-2002
Posts: 139
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For me, the best two that I've gone to were Holiday Dance Classic and City Lights Ball. Holiday was the first one I went to and it was very beautiful there. I left with a good feeling with that comp.  City Lights Ball was so nice because of it's intimacy and that beautiful ballroom. I know my teacher and I want to go back next year. I am currently planning to go to the Galaxy Dance one in September. I think I am beginning to like the small comps because I can do so much more for my $$$ (and let me tell you I make every $$$ s t r e t c h $$$!).  I am thinking about the Autumn Dance Classic in October. How was that one? Any input? Also, since I will be teaching French  (had to include this one) next year in Bakersfield, I plan on going to a comp in Montreal/Quebec in the future. Any suggestions? DancingDiva |
Championship
Registered:: 10-05-2000
Posts: 3146
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Poor Autumn Dance Classic. It gets smaller and smaller every year. Last year I don't recall Gene Jennings doing much to promote it other than stacking flyers in various local studios. Most every heat I saw in Standard (Silver and Gold) was uncontested. The Open Amateur had only 4 couples in it, and the Open Pro/Am only had six. The ballroom is very small so the floor is short and narrow. I doubt I'll go this year -- hopefully going back to Tokyo instead :-)
As comparison, the first time I danced in Autumn Dance Classic (1998) it was much much larger -- both the Bronze Standard Scholarship and the Open Pro/Am scholarship had semi-finals. It was also held in a place where they could have a more normal sized dance floor. This comp has been declining over the years. If you can get your whole studio to come to perk it up that would be really good :-)
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PreBronze
Location: California
Registered:: 11-21-2002
Posts: 139
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That's a thought. By the way, what do you know about the California Star Ball in November? Is that one about a medium sized event? I think that's where I might also be heading. We'll see.
DancingDiva
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Gold
Location: Houston
Registered:: 05-01-2002
Posts: 698
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Quote:
Thanks psbd and Laura. I was considering Hotlanta - I doubt either of you have done this (it is reasonably close to me) but have you heard anything about this, good or bad? Of course I welcome anyone else's input as well.
Sorry CC, I haven't been keeping up with this thread - yes, I did Hotlanta a year ago. Overall, not one of my favorite comps, although I think Eddie and Nancy did a great job and were wonderful as hosts (as were his students that worked the comp)  . Part of the problem was the venue, the hotel lacked in service considerably - upon returning to our rooms late one night we were locked out, supposedly the problem was corrected but my key still didn't work requiring a second trip to threaten the desk staff! Something was said about pulling the guy over the counter by his tie - yes, that was me that said it!! They changed venues last year I understand. I prefer comps with a friendly atomosphere and I didn't get that at Hotlanta (I did fall in love with the city though and the people were extremely friendly and helpful - now, where was that MARTA terminal again??  - I got lost twice and rescued by residents twice). I also like smaller comps, Hotlanta was just too big and that made it less enjoyable for me. We were out of our region and I noticed a definite preference by the judges towards students that were from within the region, 2 members of one panel were actually talking about how cute, wonderful, etc., that one student was while on a break in judging while they were sitting at our table  -personally, I found that to be in extremely poor taste and judgement. It was a learning experience, no doubt and there's been talk of us going back maybe this year, but I'd prefer to go somewhere else. Just my opinion, others may love it.
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