Occasionally I dissect mice and collect samples for my research. As an animal handler, I am required to keep my immunization status against some zoonotic/bloodborne diseases current. I got some booster vaccinations on Thursday 4/13. It made me moderately sick on Friday 4/14, so I skipped a milonga.
On Saturday (4/15) I felt fine. So I went to Tulsa Spring Swing, an annual West Coast Swing (WCS) dance event in Tulsa.
When I go to a dance event, I leave my notes in this blog. Over past entries on WCS events, I picked up different topics that came to my mind during the events; introduction to WCS contest, judging, changes of the contest scene over time, etc.
In this entry, I pick up a topic of "what is your competitive edge". This is a recurring theme when you think of Stage dance and competition.
First of all, here are some reasons for caring the looks of your dance.
"It's a public occasion":
When you are dancing at a public event, how your dance looks is public. Your dance is there for everyone to see. It is reasonable to care about how your dance looks. It is not unlike dressing nice or wearing a makeup when going out.
"Good looking dance is valued in the event":
Most dance events come with competition or demonstration. Both are about how the dance looks. The events uphold the value of dances that look good.
"Good looking IS good feeling":
A dance that looks good usually feels better than a dance that does not look good. That is because a dance that looks good consists of many factors that make the dance also feel good, such as having good frame, balance, partner consideration, comfort maintenance, knowledge for the dance, reasonable timing and execution of moves, etc.
I should be able to come up with some more reasons. Anyway, yes, it is fine to aim for dances that look good. It's not shallow or anything.
That said, how do you define "good looking" and how do you achieve it?
Good looking dance is a result of many factors combined. In the course of learning dancing, each dancer figures out the factors for good looking, one by one.
After a certain time, they add up. The dancer may become an advanced dancer who has a number of strength.
Right, "good looking" is about how much and what kind of strength you have. How you define your strength, and how you add them up,....... in other words, your thinking counts. In some cases your coach or instructor can do it for you on your behalf. But being mindful about what you are working for will help you to make a progress much faster.
Then, here comes the title question, "what is your competitive edge?"
Self-improvement and gaining strength are about your personal growth. For your personal growth, you have control over how much efforts and time you put in. But competition is relative, there are opponents whom you have no control over, and they may be far better than current you. You have to consider this nature of competition first.
Now, let's say you are a solid leader. You can lead her solid and clean. The dance looks good.
But what kind of competitive edge will you have, when the room is full of solid leaders?
Solid lead plus solid follow alone can quickly become boring from others' eyes. Although "solid and clean" has generally a better appeal to judges in contests, the dance can look like your practice run, too.
In the competitive environment, you need something else.
For example: Musicality. Showmanship and audience appeal. Special/signature moves or unique choreography. Sharp and outstanding body usage of your own. Attractive body (the "body" factor). Novelty (like, new variations in known moves).
Like any other branding efforts, some kind of slogan or title help, too.
If you consider the importance of partner, then, the "something else" may be; a "better" partner. Great partnership. Equal match up. Style compatibility...... etc etc.
Your musicality can show. Your body's flexibility can show. Your smoothness in the motion can show. Your signature move can show. The "competitive edge" you thought up and worked for, can show.
The fact is, even if all people are dancing the same dance (e.g., WCS), some can stand out.
And the "standing out" hardly is achieved by just dancing for a long time. What we see on the dance floor is his/her habits. And habits are cultivated by design and repetition. What you wanted to do, and how many times you did it; they are what is showing.
Good looking dancing is a product of your thinking and practice. Keep asking the question "what is your competitive edge?" It will help you to sharpen your thinking.
I enjoyed decent dances in the event. That made me happy. I am thankful for the event, the partners, songs, DJs, and the dances.
