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Ballroom Dance Resource - Articles on Dancing Your first competition! Well congratulations...having "been there, done that", here are some useful tips on "surviving" your very first ballroom/latin dance comp - good luck! 1. Make a check list of what you need to bring - do this one or two weeks before and add to it whenever you think of something else. 2. Prepare an emergency sewing kit for costume repairs. 3. If you wear contact lenses, bring your glasses to rest your eyes during long waiting periods. Don't forget your contact lens kit with eye drops to refresh your eyes! 4. If you wear false eyelashes, be sure to bring your tube of eyelash glue. 5. Pack any medication you usually need; also aspirin or whatever you need for headaches, migraine medication, Dramamine and Imodium or similar drugs for nausea and diarrhea in case of that severe case of "stage fright"! (Believe me, it happens! My partner had the nausea and I suffered from an affliction slightly lower down!) 6. Ladies, make sure you have extra heels for your dance shoes in case of a mishap. Guys, be sure to take along an extra pair of shoe laces. 7. Bring along your dance notes with descriptions of each routine just in case you have a difference of opinion about whether that cha cha move leads to a hip turn or an alemana! 8. Ladies, if you will be having lunch or supper in the building, make sure you bring a coverup to wear over your latin costume or ballgown to avoid any food or beverage spills. 9. Don't forget your camera or camcorder to have a friend take photos/videos while you're competing. 10. Your dance teacher will know everything about the competition and will brief you the week before. 11. Check your costumes and shoes the week before the competition to make sure they're in the best condition. Sew seams that are coming apart and replace heels and suede soles as necessary. 12. Don't forget your entrance tickets, membership cards or anything else you need to get into the competition. 13. If you're driving to the comp site yourself, make sure your vehicle has enough gas; carry enough cash or a credit or debit card in case of an emergency. 14. Try to get enough rest the night before so you're as fresh as possible on the day of the competition. Don't forget to set your alarm clock! 15. Eat something for breakfast even if it is just a meal replacement bar or shake. 16. Wear a comfy pair of shoes and change into them between categories to rest your feet. 17. Get to the competition quite early so you can find out where the changing rooms are, where to get your number tag, what the procedures are; get the program to check the time for your category, etc. 18. Speaking of the time slot for your category - the organizers can change this so make sure you're around at all times in case your category is called early (happened to us...see our short story, "Ballroom Jitters - Souvenirs of a First Dance Competition"). 19. Look around for your teacher's table. Sitting with the students you're familiar with will eliminate some of the tension you feel. 20. Drinking plenty of water during the day will keep you from dehydrating and will help to keep your energy level up. 21. When you practice don't overdo...it can cause stress, cause you to second-guess yourself, and 'mind block'! Just practice each dance enough to get the 'cobwebs' out. 22. Know one thing...there are other competitors on the floor and NO, not everyone is watching you - try not to stress over that! 23. Do your best but this is not a do or die situation...there will be other competitions. Finally, enjoy this moment and keep in mind that you are part of a select group. Not everyone is talented enough to dance in a competition! Hold your head up when you dance - be proud of yourself and above all, have fun making happy memories that you can look back upon with your friends, and your children and grandchildren. Author's bio: Heather Diodati has been dancing since 1988 and had danced competitively for 5 years winning numerous awards in the Latin and Standard divisions. She now creates personalized cartoons for dancers, operates www.ballroom-dance-resource.com - a ballroom dancer's resource, and publishes the highly popular ezine "Dancing On Air". See Heather’s personalizable dance cartoons for all occasions at www.whimsies-online.com and don’t forget to subscribe for free to Dancing On Air Ezine for your FREE GIFT, The Dancer’s Notebook! |
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