The air was still buzzing with excitement long after the curtains closed on the weekend. Our team from Lake Area Dance Center (LADC) had just experienced their first dance competition of the year, and what a start it was! We were thrilled to be at Star Systems, held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, a venue that presented both unique charms and a few challenges. This event marked a fantastic opportunity to witness the talent and dedication of our dancers, and immerse ourselves in the vibrant world of competitive dance.
Earlier in the week, we received word that this Star Systems event would be more intimate than some of the larger competitions we’ve attended. The advice was clear: arrive early, dancers ready and prepped, at least two hours before scheduled performance times. Eager to support all our dancers, especially the soloists and younger groups, we aimed to arrive a full four hours early. While we didn’t quite hit that ambitious target, we still managed to catch the tail end of our group’s solos and all the trio performances, along with the captivating small and large group dances. It’s always a treat to see routines that aren’t always in the spotlight and celebrate their well-deserved recognition.
One element that had us slightly on edge was the rapid-fire schedule. Our dancers were set to perform their tap routine first, followed swiftly by jazz just two acts later, and lyrical only two acts after that. The quick changes loomed as a potential stress point. Fortunately, a stroke of luck – or perhaps efficient scheduling by Star Systems – meant our tap number went on earlier than planned. This unexpected shift gave our girls a precious buffer for costume changes and preparations. However, the trade-off was a slightly abbreviated warm-up period, although our dedicated dancers had been diligently practicing independently throughout the day to stay performance-ready.
Two young dancers from Lake Area Dance Center, Grace and her friend, playfully rehearse their routine backstage at the Star Systems dance competition, captured in a candid shot highlighting their dedication and camaraderie before their performance.
The Venue Experience at Minneapolis Convention Center
The Minneapolis Convention Center offered a unique setting for the Star Systems Dance competition. Initially attempting to capture some pre-performance moments of Grace and her friend rehearsing and sharing some laughs, I soon learned about a strict no-photography policy extending across the entire ballroom area. While understanding restrictions around the stage itself – a common practice at dance events – the blanket ban across the entire competition space was a bit disappointing. The entire event, competition stage and audience area, was housed within one expansive ballroom.
However, the venue did offer some redeeming features. A concession stand located at the back of the ballroom provided a welcome space for refueling and socializing. The seating area around the concessions offered a comfortable break from the intense competition atmosphere. From this vantage point, the music volume was manageable, loud enough to enjoy but not overwhelming. While the stage was visible, the dancers themselves were a bit distant. The convention center concessions, however, leaned towards the pricier side; a plain hotdog was $4, and a small portion of breadsticks was around $3.25. Moving closer to the stage for a better view of the performances meant immersing oneself in a significantly louder sound environment. Finding the perfect equilibrium between audience comfort and ensuring dancers can clearly hear the music remains a perennial challenge at such events. Interestingly, for some tap routines, stage microphones seemed to be activated, projecting the percussive sounds over the music. While this might have sounded unusual to the audience, it likely proved invaluable for the judges assessing the intricacies of the tap performances.
Beyond the performance space, Star Systems had thoughtfully organized a “shopping table” area. Here, attendees could purchase event programs, commemorative pins, branded apparel like t-shirts and sweatshirts, and unique dancewear items. While the programs were priced at $12, which seemed a bit steep, other merchandise appeared reasonably priced. Unlike some competitions that award pins to dancers for achievements, Star Systems opted for ribbons. However, Star Systems branded pins were available for purchase at just $3, a nice option for collecting and commemorating the event. Another notable feature was a designated computer station where attendees could preview and order photos and videos of individual performances. Amidst the hectic schedule, I missed the opportunity to view Grace’s dances at the station, but thankfully, photos are available to view and purchase online. A particularly appreciated aspect of the venue was the dedicated “practice space,” separate from the main ballroom. Having experienced numerous competitions where dancers warm up and rehearse in hallways and any available corner, this dedicated space was a significant advantage. It allowed dancers to prepare without disrupting pedestrian flow or encroaching on other groups’ practice areas.
The Star Systems Dance Competition Experience
Star Systems structures its competition with a clear categorization system. Age divisions included Mini (8 & under), Junior (9-12 years), Teen (13-15 years), and Senior (16-18 years). Competitive levels were designated as Shining Star (comparable to recreational), Shooting Star (intermediate), and Super Star (advanced/elite). LADC’s youngest dancers, the mini groups, competed at the Shining Star level, while our junior dancers, Grace’s age group, participated in the Shooting Star category.
This Star Systems event was relatively smaller, featuring fewer than ten studios overall, many of which were local. We recognized 4th Street Dance Centre (4SDC) and Lorenz Dance & Tumbling, both located within close proximity to our studio. It was a delightful surprise for my daughter to spot middle school classmates performing with different studios, unaware of their involvement in dance. We also enjoyed impressive performances from Kinkade Dance Industries and QC Dance, among other talented studios present.
A standout aspect of this competition, more pronounced than at any other event I’ve attended, was the remarkable politeness and mutual respect displayed by the dancers. Witnessing dancers from different studios wishing each other luck backstage and congratulating each other after performances was truly heartwarming. Studio owners and teachers should be immensely proud of their dancers for fostering such a positive and supportive environment. It was a refreshing reminder of the positive values within the dance community.
Navigating the Dance Schedule
As mentioned earlier, the schedule presented some time challenges. The unexpected early performance of our tap routine, while beneficial for timing, did initially cause a moment of surprise when the set pieces for “desks” (our daughter’s prop) were being moved onstage when we anticipated a mini group jazz performance. While slightly disorienting, it was a manageable adjustment.
A candid backstage shot captures dancers from Lake Area Dance Center preparing for their performance at the Star Systems competition, showcasing the intricate costume details and focused anticipation before taking the stage.
The Star Systems schedule was characterized by its fluidity, likely influenced by the smaller number of entries and the complexities of costume changes. However, this did lead to some confusion in tracking the progression of the competition and anticipating upcoming performances. Adding to the time pressure, Grace’s lyrical dance included a quick costume adjustment – removing scrubs and adding a hair clip. Despite being a minor change, it caused some pre-performance jitters. Standing at the stage wings, hair clip in hand, I was ready to assist. The quick change was executed smoothly, and Grace made it back onstage in time for her next segment. Experiencing the performance from the sidelines offered a different perspective compared to watching from the audience.
Celebrating Success: The Scoring and Awards
For those new to the world of dance competitions, the scoring system can seem a bit opaque. Each performance receives a score, which corresponds to a ranking tier: High Silver, Gold, High Gold, or Platinum. Remarkably, for the first time, all three of Grace’s routines achieved Platinum status – a significant milestone and a source of immense pride for her and our entire studio. Following the score announcements, placements are revealed, typically in the familiar 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place format. Often, the top five placements are announced, and sometimes even up to the top ten. Grace’s group achieved exceptional placements: 1st overall for tap, 2nd for jazz, and 3rd for lyrical. A truly outstanding achievement!
As the evening culminated, two prestigious “Ultimate Achievement Awards” were presented, recognizing the highest-scoring routines overall. These were awarded in the Junior Shooting Star and Junior Super Star divisions. Grace’s tap performance to “Heads Will Roll” earned the Ultimate Achievement Award – the highest-scoring junior Shooting Star dance of the entire day! Combined with their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place rankings, it was an unforgettable night of success and celebration for Grace. My Mom even surprised her with a special trophy commemorating her platinum achievements.
A proud grandmother presents a platinum trophy to her granddaughter, Grace, celebrating her outstanding achievements at the Star Systems dance competition, marking a special moment of family support and recognition of her hard work.
Following the awards ceremony, we attempted to gather the entire group for a celebratory photo. Coordinating a large group of excited dancers and teachers, some of whom had been at the venue since early morning, proved to be a comical “herding cats” experience. However, we managed to capture some memorable group shots, documenting the joy and camaraderie of the team. While we didn’t attend the Teen and Senior competitions on Sunday, we heard that Lake Area Dance continued their success, even securing the Shooting Star Ultimate Achievement award for dancers aged 13 and older. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of such a successful and dedicated dance studio.
Giving Back Through Dance
Star Systems incorporated a commendable charitable element into their competition. Recognizing the potential for studios to accumulate numerous trophies for category placements and rankings, they offered an alternative: studios could opt to donate the trophy value to charity instead. Participating studios could choose to donate to Sandy Hook (in remembrance of the tragic school shooting), St. Jude Children’s Fund, or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Fund. Our studio, LADC, chose to donate to Sandy Hook, prioritizing giving back over accumulating more trophies. It was a thoughtful initiative, and each dancer in participating group numbers still received a ribbon. Trophies were still awarded for 1st place and for the Overall Achievement awards, ensuring significant achievements were still recognized with physical accolades.
Looking ahead, Lake Area Dance is preparing for our next competition at Hall of Fame in a couple of weeks. We eagerly anticipate the experiences and challenges this larger competition will bring for our talented dancers.
