Its that time of the year where I am getting more and more e-mails about the next unmissable congress. To those who aren't familiar, this is the term for a weekend of dance.
The reason for my love hate affair is complex.
Firstly, there is no doubt whatsoever, that it will improve your dancing if you go along and attend enough workshops. Total immersion in anything is bound to improve your understanding and technique.
There are (normally) a significant variety of classes to choose from. It is a chance to explore other dance styles. It is a chance to watch some of the finest exponents of the dance style in action.
The downsides though are there too. All too often, congress organisers will pack as many people in as they can regardless of what it does to the class sizes.
Rarely does anyone monitor or enforce the standards of dancers going into a class. So all too often, a class billed as 'Advanced' is hamstrung by dozens of mediocre dancers joining in and not being able to complete the move. I have often found the best classes to be the ones labelled as 'Intermediate' as there are less egos in the class and the instructor can deliver the routine they had planned.
On the theme of planning, I'm not sure that all the instructors do plan a routine.
I've never yet seen a feedback form for either the teachers or the congress.
I've sat through hours of showcase dances, that frankly, just weren't worth the time or effort. Sadly, also, it seems these are compared by someone who's job is to get the crowd to cheer wildly regardless of standard. In the same manner as happens in many of the classes, those watching often just push right in front of you to get a better view. To hell with any decency about who was there first.
Despite the many faults of the organisers and the lousy class ratios, there is still something essential and appealing about going to a Congress. I just wish they were more focused on the experience of the attendee and somewhat less on ensuring the promoters 'do well'.
Jon
17th June 2012
