As vaccination campaign making progress and covid-related restrictions getting eased in many states, big dance events are coming back, at least in some parts of the US.
I'd define a big dance event as "national (or international)-level and large (hundreds) attendance, fairly full contents (social dance, contests, shows, workshops), with solid management (event organizers and staff running scheduled agenda), and long time (2-3 days minimum)."
For upcoming July 4th holiday weekend, some people I know headed to Chicago for Tango event. Some others are going to Dallas for Wild Wild Westie, a West Coast Swing event with 600 attendance cap for this year.
Now is a transition time from closed to opening up. Depending on event organizers and their policies, precautions for covid vary among events. Some events are "vaccinated only". Mask requirements policies are different. You need to read their policies and announcements, and accept them to attend. You may or may not be happy about these policies, but in this case it is event organizers who have to make tough call. Respect their call, or just stay out until later.
That said, are you ready to go back to a big dance event?
Here is a short checklist.
(i) Do you want it? Do you have the desire to get back on the dance floor, now?
You can weigh in covid situation and your status here.
(ii) Is your body ready?
Are you physically in good shape enough to dance many social dance or perform on stage? You might want to test your body out first.
(iii) Do you remember the dance?
All these moves and patterns, and dance-specific valued issues like connection and feels (tango), or correct use of compression to position properly and look right (WCS)?
(iv) Do you have the time?
You may need to free up a good chunk of time (2-4 days). Big dance event is by itself a vacation.
(v) Do you have the money?
Bluntly, big event attendance costs transportation, accommodation, event ticket, and food/drink, at least. You can easily add sightseeing and shopping on top of it. It isn't cheap.
You may get discount for being junior/student or working for the event. You may work as an invited professional or a vendor/service provider and get income through teaching and/or selling at the event. Award money might be applicable to dance professionals in some events.
Yet, most people are there as amateurs. Don't worry about making money. (You know the difference between pros and amateurs? You are a pro if you dance and get paid. You are an amateur if you pay to dance.) ...all these considered, do you have the money for the event?
(vi) Are you ready to have fun?
There are different dances and they have different cultures. But people come to an event to have their own version of fun. The "fun" can be to meet new and old friends, to see familiar faces, to enjoy watching performances, to dance socially, to dance for connection or for show-off, or to compete.
By giving some thoughts on your "fun" and the reason, it may give you some insight on yourself; what gives you most fun, and why you dance.
We all got those 15 months off. How was your time?
