Swing Fling 2013 - Review and Placements

If you ever wanted to feel like a rock-star dancer during the summer of 2013, Swing Fling fulfilled your dream. This event, hosted by the same event director as MADjam, takes the dance experience to new sensory level. We had an amazing time dancing in the Jack & Jills, teaching workshops and performing "Take It Off" in one of the best shows produced in recent memory.

Swing Fling 2013 - Review and Placements

If you ever wanted to feel like a rock-star dancer during the summer of 2013, Swing Fling fulfilled your dream. This event, hosted by the same event director as MADjam, takes the dance experience to new sensory level. We had an amazing time dancing in the Jack & Jills, teaching workshops and performing "Take It Off" in one of the best shows produced in recent memory.

The Lights

From the first moment you enter the main ballroom, you can tell that this is not your regular, ordinary West Coast Swing event. This events dramatic lighting system, dual projection monitors (we were one of the graphics - see picture), backdrop with star-twinkle lights, fog machines and awesome sound system is going to make every dancer feel like a super-star.

From the first division to the last, everyone was invited to line-up using the projection screens. The fog-machine was either used for the judges entrance or competitors. Spotlights followed soloists during their routines and solo-finalists in Jack & Jills.

This is a top of the line theatrical experience for both the audience and the competitor/performer.

The videos

The benefit of streaming video of the entire event cannot be understated. The video is live-streamed to every room in the hotel as well as over the internet to the entire Universe.

The live video within the hotel allows everyone to stay engaged with the event even when they just need to relax in the room. You don't have to miss watching a division just because you needed to change your clothes, you don't have to be late for the divisions you want to see because you weren't certain what was happening in the ballroom.

Perhaps the best part of the live video stream on the internet is that anyone can watch it. That's right, anyone! No payment, no subscription. This event invites the entire world to become educated about dance and dance events. Best of all, it allows our friends and family to see our performances even when they are hundreds of miles away.

The Event Director and Staff

Not enough can ever be said about event director, Dave Moldover, and his staff. Swing Fling is truly a monster event with a gazillion moving parts. However, Dave and his staff keep everything streamlined and organized for both attendees and professionals. What's truly awesome is when you realize how many people and personalities are roaming around, yet everything seems to run on time with good coordination. It makes this event a pleasurable experience and is one of the areas that many other events still struggle.

The Dances - West Coast Swing AND Hustle

Sure, there are many West Coast Swing events, but there aren't that many events that know how to embrace Hustle. It's hard for people to understand that Hustle is a specific dance - I often describe it as a sports car that doesn't get driven in all weather. Hustle is an awesome dance that can impress an audience in 30 seconds or less. West Coast Swing wasn't designed to be as flashy (although it's also an impressive dance). So I always give props to any event that can feature Hustle. It's events like Swing Fling that keep Hustle alive on a national level and keep West Coast Swing dancers educated about other related dances.

Placements

Please let me know if I need to add or update any information.

WCS Strictly Swing - Novice

Kathy J & Steve S - Finalists

Hustle Jack & Jill - Sophisticated

Harold Z - Finalist

Hustle Jack & Jill - Open / Professional

Erik Novoa - 4th Place

WCS Jack & Jill - Sophisticated

Kathy J - Finalist
Sandrine M - Prelims
Harold Z - Prelims
Steve S - Prelims

WCS Jack & Jill - Newcomer

Sandrine M - Prelims

WCS Jack & Jill - Novice

Kristen S - 4th Place
Andrew H - Semi-Finals
Ann Goulet - Semi-Finals
Harold Z - Prelims
Steve S - Prelims
Kathy J - Prelims

WCS Jack & Jill - Advanced

Anna N. - Prelims

Pictures

I was only able to take pictures of Sunday finals divisions but I alwasy have a fun time shooting at Swing Fling. The excellent lighting and dramatic effects always create a perfect moment for every dancer. The superb lighting design also eliminates the yellow hue that tends to pollute many other pictures.

Here are all the pictures of Swing Fling 2013