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There is a whole world of dance events out there you probably never new existed!
 
A dance event (aka convention) is a combination of workshops and dances and shows. It's usually held over a weekend at a hotel in a major city, like a conference. Dance events come in different sizes. Small dance events or workshops usually attract 50-500 dancers. Larger events (conventions) attract 500-1500 dancers.  There's a whole circuit of conventions all across the country, and at least 2 or 3 going on somewhere in North America on any given weekend. Conventions are amazing. They attract hundreds of dance addicts from across the country who show up partly for the workshops, but also partly for the party atmosphere! For many, it's a huge social network. Because many convention-goers are experienced dancers, the level of dancing you will find at a convention is guaranteed to be higher than the level at your local studio. This is a great opportunity to watch and dance and learn with a concentrated group of dancers who are your level and above. Attending a dance event will exponentially elevate your dancing, accelerate your learning, increase your confidence, and expand your social network. It can also change your life! It changed Myles & Tessa's! 
 
 
 
Offered during the day each day, there can be anywhere from one to 5 workshops going on at the same time, depending on the number of workshop rooms the event has booked at the venue. Workshops are taught by invited dance professionals from the local area or high-ranked profressionals and Champion dancers from all over the country. Workshops are highly recommended for the beginner/intermediate dancer.
 
There are 2 types of competition at events: Choreographed and Improvised.
 
Choreographed routines are usually done by professionals or very advanced dancers. There are 3 divisions: Classic (90%min Swing, no lifts allowed), Showcase (60%min Swing, lifts allowed), and Cabaret (10%max. Swing, anything goes). Myles and Tessa compete in Showcase. These competitions are kind of the "Grand Prix" of the circuit. Events sanctioned by the National Association of Swing Dance Events (NASDE) send their results in to keep track of Strictly Swing and choreography competitors points
 
Improvised (aka Social Dance Competitions): These are for all levels of dancers. If the event is recognized by the World Swing Dance Council, its contest divisions are based on qualifications by accumulation of points earned from competiitons. The WDSC maintains an international competition registry which keeps track of each dancer's points and qualification level. Events offer contest divisions for brand-new Novice dancers all the way up to the Professionals, so you are sure to be dancing with someone at the same level as you.  Everyone enters at the Novice Level. An studio dancer may have completed all of the classes at their home studio and may be considered an "advanced" dancer in their home town, but on the international circuit, they still may be in the "Novice" division.
 
The focus of this type of competition is improvisation, just like you do at dances. They draw a song for you and you just make it up on the fly. There are 3 types: Jack & Jill (random partner, random song), Strictly Swing (pre-chosen partner, random song), and Pro-Am (your instructor is your partner, random song). Because West Coast Swing is primarily and improvised dance, the Jack & Jill competition is held in almost as high regard as the Choreography competitions.
 
Shows: These are sometimes linked to the Competitions. The Professional competitions are so entertaining that they serve as the show itself! Sometimes there will be a "dinner show" or organized non-competitive performances. These are always in the evenings.
 
Social Dancing: Some would argue that this is the best part of the whole weekend! The social dancing part of the weekend is a major focus, since that is the whole reason we got involved in dancing, isn't it? There is open social dancing all evening long 6pm-6am, and is only interrupted by competitions/shows. Dancers keep late hours at conventions. The majority of dancers will stay up till 2am and many until 4 or 5am. The event arranges it with the hotel so the ballroom doesn't close till the wee hours of the morning, if at all. Then everyone sleeps in because the workshops don't start till 11:00am. You will be having so much fun you will want to stay up that late. Dancing is a physical skill. Like swimming, you only get better by doing it. So jump in!
 
Professional Development: Most dance instructors and competitors take advantage of having access to many top dancers in one place by taking private lessons. This is where they can get elite coaching, get a "checkup" on their dancing, and pick up some new moves or tricks. Targetted workshops are also occasionally available, such as judging clinics, dance instructor clinics, and critique sessions. 
 
 
 
 
 
Workshop weekends are an excellent way to supplement your learning. A local studio brings in a top professional to coach them and their students in an intensive group class setting. Usually a full day or two days of classes are offered, and usually along a certain theme. Instructors who take responsibility for their own professional development and for bringing their students the most current, accurate, and highest quality information always offer at least one or two workshops per year. Be sure not to miss it!
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Find a dance event near you
View our Sources page to find a dance event near you
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Event Name
Location
Date  Size 
Dance
Styles 
NASDE 
Late Nite
Social
Dancing 
Wkshps
Included 
in
Ticket $
Buffet/
Hosptiality
Hosted
Parties 
Close to
shopping/
eats
Shuttle 
from
airport
Notes
New Years Dance Camp Palm Springs  New Years  Large  WCS, Salsa  No  Yes    No  Yes  Yes
Masquerade Ball
@ New Years Eve
 Swing Diego San Diego  Late Jan.  Large  WCS  Yes  Yes    No  Yes  Yes No Outdoor Hotel
Vancouver Early Feb.  Small  WCS, Country  No   No   No  No  Yes  Yes 
 Capital Swing Sacramento  Valentines  Large  WCS  Yes   Yes   Yes  No  No  No  Outdoor Hotel
 Calgary
Early April
Small 
WCS, Salsa,
Lindy 
No  No   No No  Yes No 
 
 Reno
Early April
Medium 
WCS, Salsa,
Lindy 
No  Yes    No No  Yes  Yes 
Casino in hotel
Show Theatre 
Seattle  Easter  Medium  WCS  Yes  Yes  No  No  No  Yes  No   
 Fresno Classic Fresno  Late May  Medium  WCS, Country  No  Yes    Yes  Yes  No   
Get into the
themes.
Party Hard.
 Liberty Swing New Jersey  Mid June  Meduim  WCS  No  Yes    No  No  Yes  No 
Waterfront hotel
facing Manhattan 
 Phoenix 4th Phoenix  Early July  Large  WCS  No  Yes    Yes  No  No  Yes 
Decadent resort,
pool parties. 
Portland  Early July  Small  WCS, Country  No  Yes    Yes  No  No  Yes   
Palm Springs  Mid August  Medium  WCS, Salsa  No  Yes    No  Yes  Yes   
Crossover
encouraged 
Denver  Mid August  Medium  WCS  Yes  Yes    No  No  Yes  No 
Downtown
hotel 
 Boston Late August  Medium  WCS  Yes  Yes    No  Yes  Yes  No  Pool Party 
 Dallas Dance Dallas  Early Sept  Large  WCS  Yes  Yes    No  No  Yes  Yes 
Smoking in
Ballroom 
 Bridgetown Portland  Mid Sept  Medium  WCS  No  Yes    Yes  Yes  No  Yes 
Young
demographic
San Francisco Early Oct  Large  WCS, Lindy  Yes  Yes    Yes  No  Yes  Yes 
US Open Los Angeles  Late Nov  Large  WCS, Lindy  Yes  Yes    No  No  Yes  Yes 
Across from
Disneyland,
lots of spectating
This table is designed to give you an idea of which WDSC event offers which features. It will help you decide which events to attend, based on your needs and preferences. It is assumed that all events offer Workshops and WSDC Jack & Jill Contests. Event size is based on attendance: Small = 500 or less, Medium = 500-1000, Large=1000 or more
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