A GREAT FRIGGIN COMP
Author - Dave Watson
Aug 25, 2002

The Colorado Star Ball -- A GREAT FRIGGIN COMP by: Dave Watson

After over thirty years competing in dance in the Professional and Pro/Am divisions, I've come to a conclusion regarding different competitions: some comps are better than others.
For one thing, size is not everything. Don't misunderstand me; I love the big comps. There is a certain thrill that a big comp offers that comes from the sheer numbers of participants, and I love them, and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from attending those events (I certainly plan on continuing to attend them). But sometimes a mid-size comp can be just as much fun and offer just as high a level of competition.
Whereas at a larger comp you might have more actual numbers out there on the floor with you (which is exciting and fun), there's no guarantee that the level of competition is really any higher. Also, because of the sheer number of competitors, it's harder for the judges to do their best job at the larger comps; they just don't have as much time to really look and see everything the way they would like. The pace is hectic and the sheer size can make you feel like you're just a number. So, for most competitive dancers a slightly smaller comp is oftentimes better.
The Colorado Star Ball is a perfect example of this. This was the sixth year for this event, and it has developed a National reputation for organization and quality. At a little under three thousand entries, they're big enough to draw some top name competitors from all over the country, so the level of competition is relatively high in all the divisions and styles, but still small enough to where you could get to meet and talk with and maybe congratulate the people against whom you were competing all weekend. This helps to create a much more fun, and relaxed, and congenial atmosphere. We tried our best to win every dance, but, if we didn't, we felt good about cheering for the ones who beat us, because we got to know them, and saw them as regular people, just like us, who just happened to score better this weekend.
Almost every dance was contested by at least 2 to 6 couples, and many of the scholarship divisions needed 2 rounds.
It was large enough to offer decent scholarship monies in all divisions, but we didn't have to start at 7:00 am in the morning or stay in the ballroom till 1:00 am each night to get it done. And the organizers, Richard and Jennifer Booth, went out of their way to make each and every participant feel welcome and comfortable.
Many comps will offer some sort of welcoming gift to the participants, and Richard and Jennifer did that too. But they also went around and chatted with the competitors and listened to their comments and criticisms. Think about it for a minute. Don't you feel more comfortable at a party when the host comes by and introduces himself and acts like he's pleased to meet you and that he's glad you came? I've been to parties where I never even saw the host, and believe me, they're not as comfortable.
The ballroom was large, and there was a good diverse judging panel from all over the country (and Canada), and a lot of the big National venders were in attendance.
Each day went something like this: After sleeping in a little, we would start our day with a real breakfast (included in the reasonably priced package - even room service!). Then we went in to the ballroom to warm up a little. We usually started competing at about 10:30 -- a much more civilized hour than at most comps. We broke for a really nice dinner around 5:00, then went back to the ballroom around 7:00 for the evening sessions. We finished up around 11:30. Now that's a comfy schedule I could get used to.
Now, on to some of the particulars:
I'll get to the local results in a moment but first, the more important story; this was the first ever NDCA competition to host a wheelchair dance category. I'll admit to being skeptical, but I was truly impressed. These are serious dancers! It's not as impressive when the able bodied men are leading ladies in wheelchairs, it's too hard to really see and appreciate what the ladies are doing. But, when the guys in the wheelchairs are leading the able bodied women, that's when you can really see the art and science of the whole thing. They have to lead using the same concepts of frame and connection, and they have to stay in time and show rhythm. It's absolutely fascinating to watch them use the chair and their body weight to lead their partners.
Wheelchair dancer Ray Leight, with his partner Melinda Kremer from Fortuna's Universal Dance Center in Collingswood, NJ, did a solo Hustle routine (Theatre Arts!), and took the top solo award against all the able bodied dancers!
We got to talk to Ray quite a bit during the weekend, and got to know him a little. Although I was impressed watching him dance with his partner, what really blew me away was when I saw him leading (former Rhythm champion) Diane Gingerich, who was there judging, in a social Rumba. There was no question that he was really leading, that the patterns were complex, that he controlled the rhythms, and that he was dancing - and dancing well! I'd like to see this division expanded to every competition, and those who saw it will agree. It was great!
All in all it was a really good comp; big enough to attract real competition, small enough to be comfortable and fun, and I think everybody that went had a really good time and felt like part of a larger family. Congratulations to Richard and Jennifer Booth for pulling it off. We look forward to next year being even bigger and better.