Velocity Dance Convention/Competition
January 9-11, 2015, Henry Hotel Dearborn
Convention is MANDATORY for the Senior, Junior, & Mini teams
Convention is OPTIONAL for Part Time team members, but is STRONGLY recommended!
What is a Convention?
Dance Convention, or Workshops, as Velocity refers to them, is a series of classes taught by master dance
teachers in all styles of dance – Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Contemporary. Conventions are a good
opportunity for our dancers to learn new choreography and get hints and tips from experts, including famous
dancers and choreographers.
Do we need to stay at the Hotel (The Henry)?
No, you don’t have to stay, but classes tend to start early and the competitions tend to run late, so it usually
works out best for parents and dancers to stay. If not at the Henry, at least close by.
What can we expect at the Convention?
Conventions generally run 1 or 2 days, with classes lasting about an hour with a 5 to 10 minute break in
between. Usually, the dancers are in one room based on age (Senior, Teen, Junior, etc) for the entire time, and
the teachers rotate from room to room. Your dancer must dance in their assigned room.
Wristbands
Dancers will be given wristbands that must be worn at all times. If they are lost, you will have to pay a $30
replacement fee. Michelle and Katie will hand these out on Friday evening
I heard that there are Auditions, what does that mean?
Dancers are usually assigned a number that they are to wear throughout the convention. During the classes, the
teachers are on the lookout for dancers who show special qualities or abilities. These dancers may get a “callout” and get to go on stage. In addition, there may be times where they actually do auditions by elimination to
choose dancers to perform in a special number during the wrap up. Several scholarships and awards are also
given out.
What should my dancer wear during the classes?
Hair should in a neat pony tail. They should wear dance attire like they would wear to class at BDC. They
should have all dance shoes with them: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop. Some girls like to wear
flowers in their hair, or something bright that will attract the attention of the teachers. This is great, as long as
it’s tasteful. J
Do they need anything else for the classes?
Water bottle, Healthy Snacks, and most important, a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!
Can I watch the classes?
Most conventions do allow parents to watch, but you will most likely have to have an observer that can be
purchased for $30. Some conventions provide one with a Room stay, but at this point, I don’t know if Velocity
does this.
Competition
What dances are going to compete at Velocity?
Please refer to list provided.
General pointers for the competition:
1. Schedule will be posted 1 to 2 weeks prior to the competition
2. In general, Michelle likes dancers to be at the event* 1 ½ hours prior to their first scheduled dances.
The exception is for those who dance first thing, and they should be there when the venue opens.
*Note - by “at the event” Michelle means there with hair & makeup done & costumes at the ready!
3. Print the schedule & highlight your Dancer’s numbers. This will be a good reference for them
throughout the competition.
4. Have all your costumes for the competition organized and ready to go. I choose to only bring those
costumes that are needed for that night/day’s numbers and leave the rest hanging in the room.
5. Dancers who are not competing are expected to be there to support the team!! So, please print the
schedule so that you can be there to watch!
Dressing Room:
1. We will need to secure space in the dressing rooms – there is usually a line. We line up outside the
dressing room with all of our gear & when it opens, we try to block off as much space so we can dress in
the same area as a team. We do this. Every time.
2. Once in the dressing room, set up your rack/duffle/tub/whatevs and get your costumes, shoes, etc. in
order. Review the Costume Management document for some good info on ways to transport and
organize your gear.
3. Hang your printed schedule near your rack – we usually try to hang a master schedule somewhere in our
area – provided we have wall space.
4. We try to have a buffet of healthy snacks available for the dancers. Sometimes we can have it in
the dressing room- it just depends on the venue and we won’t know exactly until we get there!
Sign-ups for food items, etc. will be using SignUp Genius and will come out when we get a bit
closer to January.
5. After each day of competition, pack up ALL of your stuff and take it with you.
6. ABSOLUTELY NO CRYING IN THE DRESSING ROOM! (Unless you’re hurt…)
During the Show (for dancers):
1. Dancers should not run around all over the place in their costumes. They should remain covered up with
their team jacket & sweats (except for tutus) until time to head backstage.
2. The “stage manager” will come to the dressing room to call the next set of numbers. Dancers should not
check their dance in. ALWAYS wait for Michelle or Katie to check them in!
3. Once back stage, dancers should always be quiet, courteous and polite. Remember, they are always
representing the studio and the people from the competition are ALWAYS watching. (Some studios
have been banned from returning )
4. Be a good sport when other dancers come off stage – Always say “good” job”
During the Show (for spectators):
1. Always, always be polite.
2. You never know who you are sitting next to, so be careful what you say.
3. Remember that all dancers have worked very hard to be there and we should be respectful of that. Even
if we don’t like the dances.
4. If possible do not move around or talk during a dance – this can be very distracting for the dancers on
stage. Wait for a break between songs to change seats or enter or leave the auditorium.
Award Ceremony (for dancers)
1. Dancers MUST wear team jacket.
2. Hair should be kept up in the comp “do” until after the ceremony
3. Always be good sports. Clap for everyone! Even other studios
4. Absolutely NO CRYING ON STAGE! (save it for the hotel room)
5. If you win an overall, stand in 5th or 3rd position on stage and be respectful of all other winners. Know
your choreographers name (MISS Michelle, MISS Katie, MISS Laura, MISS Ciara, MISS Rebecca,
Derek Piquette or A.J Picucci)
6. Dancers will nominate one of their team members to retrieve their team metal/ribbon, etc. We will
encourage a rotation of dancers throughout the season.