This event has been around as a place for friendly contests among several swing dance clubs in OK/KS states. People came from Oklahoma City (this year's host), Kansas City, Wichita, Tulsa, etc. It was an event with a good size, supported by many volunteering club members. I enjoyed meeting with friends and new people, and dancing with them.
Like trend in clothes, how we dance WCS shows a trend. About 10 years ago, cat-like smoothness was a trend. It was like a demonstration of moves of sorts.
Example:
MADjam 2009 Jordan Frisbee & Jessica Cox WCS Jack & Jill contest
In recent rears, exaggerated use of frame, especially among followers, and liberal slot usage, became more popular among traveling "top dancers" in WCS circuits. Overall, more "dancing".
Examples:
Jack & Jill O'Rama 2018 Strictly Swing A 1st Place - Thibault Ramirez & Victoria Henk
Jordan Frisbee & Larisa Tingle, Phoenix 4th of July 2018, 1st Place Champions
(the same guy, 9 years later)
Once a trend is set by traveling dancers, it may "trickle down" to intermediate/advanced dancers.
However, trend is not for everyone. Local dancers who do not compete in upper circles don't even need to follow trends. Or, probably they shouldn't. Most of them were simply not ready. Social dance depends on basics. How you enjoy dancing socially depends on your partner and what he/she got.
You can express your philosophy and demonstrate your knowledge and physical ability (or lack of) in your dance. It was interesting to see the difference among participants.
The level difference comes into play in contests.
For newcomer/novice, the contests were mostly whether they have good use of WCS basics. To compete, knowing and dancing basics, having quick feet (that can be used for syncopation and improvisation in upper level) yet demonstrating correct timing, and knowing positioning, are all necessary as expanded basics, especially for followers. It is obvious if they have them or not. If you are stumbling in your basics, you are not ready for upper level.
"Intermediate" is a tricky level. They may not have physical ability or fitness of advanced dancers yet. But they try. The pre-set patterns they can pull off help. To some extent, dancing is a demonstration (=external presentation) of your physical abilities. Some sorting can take place here.
"Advanced" level is a level you decide what to show. In other words, they both (lead and follow) have some grasp in how they look, by each and combined, while dancing. As WCS is generally a directional dance and has a front side and a rear side for show, they may calculate and include it in their performance, too. But at this level, the direction she is facing defines a slot. Much more freedom is allowed here.
Even for "advanced" dancers, recent trend may be hard to adopt. But it is a matter of choice. We will see and appreciate their choices.
Routines are entirely different game. Not many people try routines, but you can get whole new experience from dancing a routine. From spectator's standpoint, we can even see an art of "goof and recovery" (though I won't mention who).
.... These were some of what I was thinking during the event.
It was nice to get back to this dance I love.
