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It was great to see so many dancers, organizers, judges, coaches, even from UK, there to see the competitions. There was the usual nostalgia, catching up, new news, shopping the vendors. By the way, visits to the vendors is a must, and even that is entertaining. The bigger dress makers have their own ballrooms(!!!) with incredibly showy and attractive displays. Don't miss the multitude of video screens showing slides of past and memorable champions, some of whom are long gone and some of whom are still a very important part of the dance scene today.
I had some interesting, non-social conversations with some of the judges. I had some interesting social conversations, too. I enjoyed about every moment of the competition.
The ballroom was incredibly inviting with a gorgeous floor, probably the best looking floor on the circuit, lighted drapes backdropping the stairway entrance for the finalists, skirted tables and slipcovered chairs that gave a very formal and sculptural appearance to the tables surrounding the dancefloor.
The judging is both difficult and rewarding. First, it is always an honor to have this kind of invitation. Second, it is rewarding because you get to have a say in the outcome of the events that mean a lot to anyone involved and interested in dancing. You also get a perfect view all the time. The hardest part is standing for hours in high heels, dealing with the left bicep cramp from holding the clipboard, being able to see the competitors' numbers from across the floor, and having a mind keen enough to remember the difference between the couples' numbers when there is couple 134, 234, 342, 243 all on the same floor. I am exaggerating, but just a little.
Andy and I rented a car. That is a great move. It may become one of my habits for the future. When you travel far to go to a dance event, it makes sense to get out of the hotel a little and go see the area, eat off the premises, and have access to shops in the town.
It was interesting to see who is interested enough in the events to go out of their way to attend. From Europe, Len and Vivian Armstrong, Ron Gunn, famous tailor, Hanna Kartunen were spectators. Some more judges and dancers from Florida who attended included Valerie Housman, Chantal Leclerc, Larry Dean, Rufus Dustin, Armando Martin, Felix Solis; from Texas, Enrique Ramon; from New Jersey Diane McDonald, Elena Kruchkova; and from Nevada, Susan Puttock. Those are just a small portion of the dancers interested enough to make their way to Florida to see their national representatives chosen and to add to and to soak up some of the excitement.
The VP from USADence was there, too. As I remember this, this person sent a warning to the members of that organization that they might have their card revoked as a result of competing in the United States Dancesport Championships in 2007. The IDSF(the world amateur governing body who does not recognize the IDSU) had sent a warning that their members, including USADance members, were not permitted to participate in IDSU sanctioned events. The warning that USAdence sent to US amateurs intonated that even if a IDSU couple or judge pariticpated in the USDC, the UsaDance members could have their card revoked even though the USDC was not an IDSU sanctioned event. There were, maybe, two US couples dancing in the amateur Latin that year. The couples that could've, would've, should've participated were afraid to dance in the USDC because they were afraid to have their UDSAdance cards revoked. What a shame. I may have a fact or two wrong, so I should crawl through the old emails and see if I can find that warning. Now two years later, there were 9 foreign couples and 3 US couples in the amateur Latin at the USDSC. That's an improvement, but still a dissappointment. Imagine. Nine couples from Phillipines, Italy, Denmark, Russia, Azerbajian, Ukraine and only 3 from the US. I think that a more appropriate message from the amateur body would be, "The best dancers should participate in the USDC and we will financially support the 2009 USAdence Open Amateur Latin/Standard finalists so they can represent the United States at the prestigious USDC." Well, all that is not in my control. I just love to see dancers dance and it is disheartening that people who have the power to enhance participation, work to control and diminish participation, then show up to see their handiwork. This is my personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of the dancers at UDC or the organizers of the USDC.
There used to be 60 to maybe even 80 couples in the amateur Latin at the USDC. There were that many when Brian competed as an amateur. There were so many that year, the first rounds had to be moved to an earlier session.
Anyway, as the week goes on, I expect to write some of my impressions of the events and competitors. I also will express some of my personal opinions. One of my opinions is that there is a couple who spectators expected to have been on the dancefloor representing the US on Saturday night in the Open Latin, but they chose to withdraw their entry. I am not surprised. I suppose that this couple manages their career by particpating only in events where they are sure to do well. Once they won the right to represent the US at the Worlds Pro Latin by virtue of taking 2nd place in the US National Pro Latin, they didn't need to take the next step or a chance at not doing so well in the Open Pro Latin. This is their choice and perogative. However, my opinion is that if you represent a country, you should respect the spectators and fans of dancing by representing when representation is needed and deserved. I don't believe in pulling out of an event that is open to the world when you have just won the honor of National representation. By not dancing this couple did the equivalent of abstaining from voting. It is the chicken thing to do. Probably, they didn't trust themselves to dance well two nights in a row. Maybe they didn't trust the judges to like them two nights in a row. Maybe they just wanted to watch their competition. No matter, it was still a dissappointment to the specatators who expected to see them on the floor. This is my personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of the dancers at UDC or the organizers of the USDC.
So it is just about 24 hours since the last events at the USDC and the marks are already posted. I don't know how to post a link on this page, but I google USDSC to get to the page.
Pro-Am
Some interesting points, and maybe this is gossip, about pro-am competitions at the USDC. Ruano Ilo did over 600 entries. A lot of those were multi-dance events with 1/4 and semi finals, so that is a lot of dancing. He won nearly $25,000 as a top teacher. Congratulations to him and his school.
Some events that were open division multi-dance events had some high profile professional partners dancing closed material and still doing well with their students. Some events had very skilled lady amateurs making it to top placements dancing with teachers who were not at all high profile. Some events had lady amateurs dancing in age levels below their real age and still placing extremely well.
Some gentlemen amateurs were outstanding dancing against the lady amateurs who were dancing with very high profile professional male partners.
There was at least one pro-am couple from Russia and one from Hong Kong.
The junior pro-am dancers that I saw, (I didn't judge all of the jr pro-ams) with one or two exceptions, appeared to not know what they were doing, and appeared to be very dependant on their teachers.
There was one pro-am dancer who I consider to be abundantly talented, but who danced with a shyness and a lack of confidence. Thank heavens she had a wonderful pro partner. I expect that if she were dancing with a so-so pro partner, she would have been more unsure. Or maybe not. One wonders.
Some pros have trouble picking up the beat in mambo and samba. Some don't know their basics.
Looks count. They can count in your favor or against you. Everything that shows counts: grooming, attitude, facial expression, basics, connection, footwork, leg action, costuming...if it can be seen or discerned it counts.
Vendors
Once they were all set up, the vendors' areas seemed to be meeting places for the judges, competitors, organizers and fans. I never passed by a vendor area without seeing a small group of dancers discussing dancing, dancers, dance paraphenalia, dance results, etc. Somtimes the conversations seemed intense enough that cutting in would have been rude. You could, well maybe not you, but certainly I, could have spent an entire afternoon inspecting, comparing and shopping with the vendors. There's not much that is more attractive than something that is wearable and that also glitters.
The After-Party
We recieved tickets for free drinks, there was a carving station, a salad and crudities station, plenty of high top rounds, lots of noise and excited conversations, some tipsy judges, some elegantly dressed and coiffed competitors and lots of spirit and smiles. This was the final goodbye for the most important and prestigious dance event of the year, so it was fitting that everyone would be in good spirits, in their best and most attractive attire and their best mood.
Last call was announced at 1:45am. Naturally, the line at the bar got longer immediately. One of the judges (not me!) tried to cut in to the front of the line. The bartender didn't take the judge's order and continued to fill orders in order. I can't imagine having that kink of nerve, unless it is a line in the ladies' room.
I love dancers and dancing. It wasn't easy to say goodnight and leave the party.
Style, Statements, Scintillations
There is always the stand-out costume, the stand out couple, the stand out and most memorable event and couple. After seeing so many competitive couples vying for the best position, the best effect, the best attitude, the best this that and the other, it was pretty impressive to enjoy the approach of the Paramonovs, representing Canada, the stylistic capital of North America.
more later............
There used to be 60 to maybe even 80 couples in the amateur Latin at the USDC. There were that many when Brian competed as an amateur. There were so many that year, the first rounds had to be moved to an earlier session.
Anyway, as the week goes on, I expect to write some of my impressions of the events and competitors. I also will express some of my personal opinions. One of my opinions is that there is a couple who spectators expected to have been on the dancefloor representing the US on Saturday night in the Open Latin, but they chose to withdraw their entry. I am not surprised. I suppose that this couple manages their career by particpating only in events where they are sure to do well. Once they won the right to represent the US at the Worlds Pro Latin by virtue of taking 2nd place in the US National Pro Latin, they didn't need to take the next step or a chance at not doing so well in the Open Pro Latin. This is their choice and perogative. However, my opinion is that if you represent a country, you should respect the spectators and fans of dancing by representing when representation is needed and deserved. I don't believe in pulling out of an event that is open to the world when you have just won the honor of National representation. By not dancing this couple did the equivalent of abstaining from voting. It is the chicken thing to do. Probably, they didn't trust themselves to dance well two nights in a row. Maybe they didn't trust the judges to like them two nights in a row. Maybe they just wanted to watch their competition. No matter, it was still a dissappointment to the specatators who expected to see them on the floor. This is my personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of the dancers at UDC or the organizers of the USDC.
So it is just about 24 hours since the last events at the USDC and the marks are already posted. I don't know how to post a link on this page, but I google USDSC to get to the page.
Pro-Am
Some interesting points, and maybe this is gossip, about pro-am competitions at the USDC. Ruano Ilo did over 600 entries. A lot of those were multi-dance events with 1/4 and semi finals, so that is a lot of dancing. He won nearly $25,000 as a top teacher. Congratulations to him and his school.
Some events that were open division multi-dance events had some high profile professional partners dancing closed material and still doing well with their students. Some events had very skilled lady amateurs making it to top placements dancing with teachers who were not at all high profile. Some events had lady amateurs dancing in age levels below their real age and still placing extremely well.
Some gentlemen amateurs were outstanding dancing against the lady amateurs who were dancing with very high profile professional male partners.
There was at least one pro-am couple from Russia and one from Hong Kong.
The junior pro-am dancers that I saw, (I didn't judge all of the jr pro-ams) with one or two exceptions, appeared to not know what they were doing, and appeared to be very dependant on their teachers.
There was one pro-am dancer who I consider to be abundantly talented, but who danced with a shyness and a lack of confidence. Thank heavens she had a wonderful pro partner. I expect that if she were dancing with a so-so pro partner, she would have been more unsure. Or maybe not. One wonders.
Some pros have trouble picking up the beat in mambo and samba. Some don't know their basics.
Looks count. They can count in your favor or against you. Everything that shows counts: grooming, attitude, facial expression, basics, connection, footwork, leg action, costuming...if it can be seen or discerned it counts.
Vendors
Once they were all set up, the vendors' areas seemed to be meeting places for the judges, competitors, organizers and fans. I never passed by a vendor area without seeing a small group of dancers discussing dancing, dancers, dance paraphenalia, dance results, etc. Somtimes the conversations seemed intense enough that cutting in would have been rude. You could, well maybe not you, but certainly I, could have spent an entire afternoon inspecting, comparing and shopping with the vendors. There's not much that is more attractive than something that is wearable and that also glitters.
The After-Party
We recieved tickets for free drinks, there was a carving station, a salad and crudities station, plenty of high top rounds, lots of noise and excited conversations, some tipsy judges, some elegantly dressed and coiffed competitors and lots of spirit and smiles. This was the final goodbye for the most important and prestigious dance event of the year, so it was fitting that everyone would be in good spirits, in their best and most attractive attire and their best mood.
Last call was announced at 1:45am. Naturally, the line at the bar got longer immediately. One of the judges (not me!) tried to cut in to the front of the line. The bartender didn't take the judge's order and continued to fill orders in order. I can't imagine having that kink of nerve, unless it is a line in the ladies' room.
I love dancers and dancing. It wasn't easy to say goodnight and leave the party.
Style, Statements, Scintillations
There is always the stand-out costume, the stand out couple, the stand out and most memorable event and couple. After seeing so many competitive couples vying for the best position, the best effect, the best attitude, the best this that and the other, it was pretty impressive to enjoy the approach of the Paramonovs, representing Canada, the stylistic capital of North America.
more later............
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