Featured Friday 2/21/14

May I present to you the lovely Kelly!

Kelly (@kelly_donoff) is the daughter of @brdonoff and she attends Dancemakerz in Waterdown Ontario @dancemakerz

Would you like your child to appear on Featured Friday? Send a photo (no watermarks allowed, I do not have any assets to liquidate should I get sued.)  to danceparentproblems@gmail.com and you'll be added to the list!

Thanks for following me on Facebook and Twitter - please be sure to do the same for this month's sponsor --they're over there on the right and they're one of the best dance information sites out there!

A How Not To Do It Guide for Dance Competition Packing

Getting ready for the first competition of the year around here is like watching a squirrel in need of Ritalin.

We've got to pack! We've got to pack! When can we do it between work, school, rehearsal, housework, meals?

Ok, dance bag packed. Did the Dream Duffel shrink? It looked so much bigger when it was empty.

Oh wait, we forgot... shove one more thing in the bag. Make mental note that we need a hand steamer.

Run to store. Again. OK. Done.

Oh crap. we forgot... and great. Can't find any of that in town. Must go to a different town to shop.

Repeat x 3.

Last rehearsal before competition: teachers hand you a list of “new” things that you need - that you did not already have.

Go back to store.

Don’t forget the little things: band aids, snacks, ice packs, sedatives (these can be for you or that pesky mom who needs to settle down a little bit. “Here, have a Tic Tac”)

It’s likely you'll still be stopping at the CVS at 6 am on the way to the venue because one bottle of Advil may not be enough.

Featured Friday 2/14/14

The lovely daughter of @brwneydancer 

Thank you for the submission!  Good luck to all this weekend! :)

Would you like your child to appear on Featured Friday? Send a photo (no watermarks allowed, I do not have any assets to liquidate should I get sued.)  to danceparentproblems@gmail.com and you'll be added to the list!

Thanks for following me on Facebook and Twitter - please be sure to do the same for this month's sponsor --they're over there on the right and they're one of the best dance information sites out there!

Featured Friday 2/7/14

May I present to you the lovely daughter of @berta_joy  - 

Do you want me to feature your dancer?  Send me your image (and Twitter handle) to danceparentproblems@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook! We have lots of fun, making fun of ourselves and the crazy things dance parents do. 

Dance Competitions Would Be More Fun If...

The other day, over on Twitter, I posted a few things that I thought would make competitions more enjoyable.  One of my followers suggested I open it up to everyone, so here's what we all  had to say:

So take note, competition owners...maybe you could learn something from your customers!   While some of these were meant to be funny, some people had quite a few interesting things to say!

I also might suggest that you take your most serious recommendations over to Dance Competition Hub if you have a particular competition in mind.

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Dance Competitions Would Be More Fun If...

• they weren't so expensive!  (*editor's note: and getting more so every year with no improvements made to justify the increase)
• judging was more consistent across the entire lineup up studios, not individually.
• Judges stopped giving all the awards to the girls who can do the most tricks.
• they offered recliners/real coffee/real food.
• they brought in those massage chairs like they have at the mall.
• if u could throw tomatoes?
• If the judges weren't so damn close at some of the venues -.-
• ...if DPP and I were at the same comp. we'd light it up! BAHAHAHA! (*editor's note: I've got bail money!)
• if all moms complimented someone from another studio!  (*editor's note: This is awesome!)
• every venue had a fully stocked bar/you could drink during it!
• if we didn't focus so much on the competing part
• if awards were shorter... Just 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• they served wine... (*editor's note: I've been to some that do!)
• THAT studio didn't come to every freaking one & take it
• people were appreciative of other peoples talents instead of rude and jealous‼️
• awards weren't 27 hours long.
• we all became friends
• they were longer
• your rival studio didn't stalk you everywhere
• parents weren't allowed to come :P
• they didn't give me anxiety attacks weeks prior
• every audience chair came with a heated massage setting, a snack, beverage service and was auto reserved.
• Bigger dressing room and guaranteed food or food vendors
• I think an exciting awards ceremony is vital. The kids love the music and flashing lights and tossing beach balls around. Free giveaways... those junky little stuffed animals they throw into the crowds or rarely a t shirt or 2. Maybe some kind of ongoing sweepstakes for the parents that culminates at the end award ceremony??
• There were bigger dressing rooms.
• All teams were FORCED to follow rules and time limits. Meaning studios should notify the competition as soon as schedule is announced if they have routines too close together etc. The comps should give a deadline to report the conflicts THEN put out a final schedule. Final schedule meaning FINAL. If dancers aren't ready to go on when it's time that routine is scratched. Doesn't perform and doesn't compete. Prop isn't set up within the time frame stated in rules ... deduct a good amount of points or disqualify routine. A routine clearly competing in a level below their ability ACTUALLY gets bumped to correct level. Competitions would be more fun if good rules are set in place and strictly followed.  (*editor's note: SO MUCH THIS!!!!)