Our dance season’s regional competitions culminated in the Spotlight Dance Cup in 2017. While the event itself was professionally run, I found myself enjoying it less compared to the previous year. It’s hard to pinpoint a specific reason for this diminished enjoyment, but it simply didn’t resonate with me as much as before. Perhaps the quick transition from a previous competition to my brother’s wedding, and then immediately back to this event the next day, contributed to a sense of fatigue.
One factor that may have influenced my experience was the venue, the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Choosing this location for a dance competition can significantly increase the weekend’s expenses, particularly for families with dancers participating on multiple days, as we did. The costs accumulate rapidly. Parking fees and on-site food prices were notably high – we spent $14 for a small order of fries and two drinks, and later $4.75 for a single bottle of water.
Adding to the financial burden was the program book, priced at $15, which was more expensive than at other competitions we attended. Despite the higher price, the program was actually smaller than most, which wasn’t a major issue. However, the limited space allocated for writing down special awards and top recognition winners was inconvenient. Having only one page for these notes meant constantly flipping through the program to record everything. Furthermore, the award sessions themselves progressed too quickly to effectively capture all the information.
Dancer in action at Spotlight Dance Cup, showcasing energy and movement
Highlights of the Spotlight Dance Cup Experience
Despite some drawbacks, there were definitely aspects of the Spotlight Dance Cup that stood out positively:
- Engaging Dance Off: The dance off was a definite highlight and incredibly entertaining to watch. Dancers were taught a short routine and then performed it in rounds, competing for a spot in the final. This added an element of excitement and audience participation.
- Quality Merchandise: The merchandise available was excellent. My daughter was thrilled with a pair of shorts she purchased, and the variety of items was impressive.
- Energetic Show Director: Phil, the Show Director, was a fantastic presence. His infectious positivity and high energy levels really contributed to a lively atmosphere.
- Excellent Sound for Tap Performances: The stage was equipped with microphones, which made a significant difference in the audibility of tap performances. Being able to clearly hear the intricate sounds of tap dancing is always a treat.
- Choreographer Recognition: The program’s inclusion of choreographers for each routine was a thoughtful detail. As someone who often tries to guess choreographers, I appreciated having the “answers” readily available – it was a fun, insightful addition.
Areas for Improvement and General Observations
Beyond the positives, there were a few areas that deserve attention and some general observations worth noting:
- Stage Wing Obstacles: An unusual design choice – angled wings on stage – proved problematic. Throughout the competition, I observed dancers of all ages and group sizes struggling with and even tripping over these wings when moving between lines backstage. This design seemed to impede smooth transitions and could be particularly challenging for younger dancers still developing their spatial awareness, especially during stage entrances requiring straight lines.
Hip hop dance team at Spotlight Dance Cup, demonstrating style and teamwork
- Mixed Dance Style Scheduling: The decision to mix different dance styles throughout the day, rather than grouping similar styles together, presented a mixed bag. While it offered variety for the audience, preventing repetitive viewing of the same genre, it raised questions about the judging process. It’s unclear whether constantly switching between styles makes it more or less challenging for judges to maintain consistent scoring. Personally, I prefer the traditional format of grouping similar dance styles together.
- Technical Delays: Several instances of computer issues led to competition delays. While technical glitches can happen at any event, these disruptions did impact the flow of the competition.
- Confusing Judging System: Spotlight Dance Cup employs a unique judging system that differs from the standard Platinum, High Gold, Gold, and Silver rankings. Their system uses Diamond (highest), Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphire. The real point of confusion arose because this same ranking system was used for both routine scores and overall placements. A routine could achieve a Diamond score (indicating top points) but receive an Emerald ranking, signifying 3rd place overall. This discrepancy caused considerable frustration and confusion among audience members, many of whom struggled to understand the awards. Numerous routines, including several from our studio, received Ruby or Diamond scores but did not place in the overall rankings, adding to the bewilderment.
Despite these points of critique, the overall quality of the performances remained high. We encountered many familiar dance groups from previous competitions, and their routines were consistently impressive. We also enjoyed seeing some new groups, which is always refreshing and adds to the excitement of the dance competition circuit. Our dancers performed well, with most routines earning Ruby or Diamond scores, and some achieving overall placements. We also received special recognition awards for categories like clean routines, choreography, and Best in Musical Theater.
Following the Spotlight Dance Cup, our focus shifted to upcoming recitals and Nationals. Now, as a new dance season begins, with my daughter participating in eight routines, we anticipate an even busier but undoubtedly fun-filled year ahead.
