Rising Star Newcomers Circuit

[ttd]

I've found this when I looked at Nebraska Invitational page. They claim to be part of this chain now.

http://academyballroomint.com/rising_star_circuit.html

Nebraska Invitational is (or was) an independent competition. I did it a couple of years ago, since it's a) not too far from where my teacher and I live b) it had inexpensive entries. The level of competition turned out to be not that challenging for an experienced competitor (so it definitely fits in with newcomer-friendly claims for rising star circuit). I placed 1st in every event I did there, and others from our group said we looked a head above than our competition. Someone also told me that the organizer wasn't too happy that my teacher and his wife decided to bring students, they just wanted them to dance in professional event they had.

I haven't been to any other events listed on Rising star circuit page.

[elisedance]

Thanks for this ttd - I for one was unaware.  IT sounds a bit like an organization to compete with the 'dancesport series' axis that now dominates pro-am competition.  I would have to check but I don't think any of these events have DS heats... (perhaps you know)

[ttd]

NEI didn't have any. I don't think it was NDCA-sanctioned, either, or followed its regulations. It didn't have that many judges, for example.

[ttd]

I looked at some other events listed on that site, and they all are 1-2 days affairs, and seem to be very small, and the ones I looked at closer (the ones within OK driving distance from me, that is) appear to be unaffiliated with NDCA. I wonder how long ago did this circuit start. Perhaps it started not as an alternative to dancesport series, but as a way for those small independent competitions to support each other in face of NDCA push against independent events. Although, I agree with their assertion that these events are more beginner-friendly compared to larger events, such as OSB or even Heart of America.

[elisedance]

They are a bit like the 'grassroots' comps we were discussing a while back.  I think its a great idea and wish them well.  At the least they will bring more people into ballroom and also into the idea of competition as a fun hobby.  Good luck to them!