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Partially agreeing. Slower does make for good practice, but when it gets to the point where a rumba is actually a Bolero (keep in mind that we taught American Rumba, not International Rumba. American Rumba is already fairly faster compared to International), dancing on-time becomes painfully difficult. Believe me, I intentionally practice my International Rumba at the Bolero speed and I would not want to have a complete beginner go through that. Same deal with the cha-cha. If it becomes too fast or too slow, attempting cha-cha makes no sense. People noticed I was doing salsa to faster songs even if they were labeled as cha-cha because there was no way I would be willing to force a beginner to move at a pace even I myself am not comfortable with. As for the sambas, I sat out completely as they were never taught and doing cha-cha so slowly would be uncomfortable to a beginner. (Note: for those who aren't aware, beginners have a tendency to want to keep moving as being comfortable with stillness during a dance is something that MUST be developed)

It does depend on the song.  It'd have to be a hybrid, where the tempo's just slow enough for the slowest dance, but fast enough that the other dances could still be danced.

That said, in my experience, for raw beginners, they usually prefer slower music so they can think about what they're doing.  They eat that extra time not by stretching their movement, but by half-pausing with each step to think about where the next one is.  I figured more people at the ball would be a raw beginner than someone who has about 1-6 months experience (at which point, the preference in tempo does change).

And, well, I compete rhythm, and I can tell you, I sure as heck prefer a slower tempo, even though that isn't what I get.  :)  [I want more time to milk my cuban motion!  :P]

[1)]

First of all, major props to the effort that went into making this B&W Ball more than just a prom-like affair.  I attended AX back in 2007, and I left feeling a little cool about their B&W Ball.  The care and consideration that went into trying to get people to do actual ballroom dancing was awesome.

All in all, I think the ball was a success.  It was crowded the whole time, and it looked like most attendees were having a blast.  (And I *loved* that there was a projector screen that listed what songs were coming up next.  Very nice touch.)  The only feedback I have is more part of a wish list than real criticism:

1) A smoother floor -- Sticky floors pretty much kill any fun that more experienced ballroom dancers are hoping to have.  (Spinning/pivots/etc become useless - unless one can tolerate the torque on the knees that comes with trying to do fast turning motion on a sticky floor.  I can't.  :\)  Combined with the gaps/separations between floor panels, someone wearing stilettos and trying to do a turn could have really hurt her knees/ankles.

(Hmm... I guess the gaps in the floor would be something I'd criticize.  That was just dangerous, whereas sticky floors are actually preferred for non-ballroom dancers -- it cuts down on liability of people slipping and hurting themselves, and all.  I'm surprised the Fairmont was so sloppy about how they put it together.)

2) Music Playlist - Perhaps having someone solely dedicated to keeping an eye on the playlist as it's going?  There were several times where the music went off the list.  (eg: The Final Fantasy VIII Viennese waltz was playing, but list on the projector said a rumba was on.)  For those who took lessons and are new to ballroom dancing, it'd help them out a lot.

By the by -- I didn't mind that some songs weren't painfully precise with their tempos -- being able to dance a bolero to a rumba is fine, since people who are new have it a little easier when practicing the rumba, and more advanced dancers can make the tempo work for whatever they choose to do just fine.

But, that only works when the dances are relatively related.  (Like if it's a song that can work for lindy, east coast swing, and west coast swing all at once.  Or rumba/bolero/international rumba.)  And only when it's sometimes, and not every song.

3) Music Volume - This needed to be much softer... it was painful to be in the room for more than an hour at a time.  My boyfriend and I left early because we simply couldn't handle the volume, which really was a bummer.  If the music needs to be played that loud, perhaps a warning to bring ear plugs should be put in the program...


Ultimately, the thing I think would be awesome for next year is to have a second floor (even if it was a smaller floor) for people who wanted to actually try to do real ballroom dancing.  That way, the people who just wanted to relax and bounce around could still have a good time, while those who wanted to practice what they learned in lessons (line of dance, etc) would have the opportunity to give it a go on a less crowded and less sticky floor.


Actually, now that I think about it, I'm a bit curious why the ball wasn't held in the convention center?  Meeting Rooms J1-J3 seemed bigger than the Regency Ballroom, and the floor there was good for a standard portable floor.  (Much smoother, and better assembled.)


All in all, great event.  Thanks!