Swingin’ Into Spring – Striking a balance between Workshops, Competition and Social Dancing

Swingin’ Into Spring

Striking a balance between Workshops, Competition and Social Dancing.

www.sis.djkenm.com

Let’s face it, big events are fun. Lots of people, lots of competition, Lots of energy ... but due to competition schedules, social dance time during "Reasonable Hours" tends to suffer. More often than not, the real social dancing doesn't start until after the competitions, which is usually Midnight, or later … sometimes as late as 2:00AM. This is particularly annoying if you do not compete, or are not really interested in sitting through endless divisions of multiple dance forms.

Swingin’ Into Spring is a little different.

Workshops

Many big events advertise 40, 50 even 80 workshops … but they are scheduled 4, 5 sometimes 6 at a time, and usually several different dance forms. At best, you can usually attend about 6-8 per event.

For Swingin' Into Spring, there are currently 12 hours scheduled for workshops … Two at a time (24 Total). For those who have been to one of my workshop weekends with the top pro's. This is set up sort of the same way ... only bigger.

Workshops are set up so that the same instructor will teach at least two 1 hour workshops, sometimes 3, in succession. That way the instructor can take their time and build from one lesson to another. ALSO, there is a ½Hour social dance time between every workshop. No rushing out of the room and starting a new workshop with a different instructor immediately. That ½ Hour allows you to practice what you just learned and hopefully retain more of the material presented. That ½ Hour also allows the instructor to run a little longer if necessary to make sure he/she completes the intended lesson in its entirety.

One room is designated for Beginner/Novice workshops that concentrate more on technique and variations of basic moves. These workshops are for newer dancers, and more advanced dancers alike. Especially recommended for instructors or those considering teaching.

The Main Ballroom is dedicated to the more advanced workshops. The Intermediate/Advanced Workshops tend to be more “Move Orientated” … with less time spent on basic technique. Obviously, the instructors will still mandate proper technique for the moves taught, but will spend less time on it assuming you have heard it before. By the time you are ready to step up to take these workshops, you should be well versed in proper technique.

Competitions

At Swingin’ Into Spring, we keep the competitions to a minimum. The Jack’N’Jill is the epitome of social dance competition. Since we only have West Coast Swing Competitions, that limits the time required for the 6 competition divisions offered. Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced & All Star Jack’N’Jill’s, and an Open Strictly Swing. They are all held in the afternoon. NO EVENING COMPETITIONS !!!! If need be, I will cancel one of the workshops in order to keep the competitions in the afternoon.

Best yet, we are a World Swing Dance Council Registry Event … Meaning … YOUR POINTS COUNT !!!! J

Social Dancing

NO EVENING COMPETITIONS !!!! - Social dancing starts after the evening workshops … about 9:30PM, and goes to at least 3:00AM, but the DJ’s will continue to play if people are dancing. If you add up the hours of social dance time between the workshops, and the uninterrupted dance time in the evening, Swingin’ Into Spring provides more social dance time than every other event I am aware of.

Oh Yea .... And a $79 Hotel Rate - Includes full breakfast buffet from 8-10 AM ... No getting up at 7AM to make sure you get breakfast. They have a lower priced menu than most hotels, , An independent Italian restaurant on the other side of the parking lot (Not owned by hotel), 30+ restaurants in the area that deliver ... AND for those who like to imbibe ... I negotiated more reasonable drink prices. Domestic Beer will be $3 ... Drinks $4 ... etc, etc ... and at the end of the night, you can order Beer/Wine/Liquor to be delivered to your room after hours ... as long as you pay for it before 2:00AM.

Book your hotel room early ... this Hotel has 3 wings ... 2 have been totally renovated, one is under renovation right now. There currently only 100 rooms available for the event ... maybe as many as 160 available by May ... but no promises.

SO … If you are more into social dancing and learning, but still like to compete in Jack’N’Jill's … come check out the event. I have a dedicated website for the event www.sis.djkenm.com

Thanks,

Ken Mercik