SwingOrama

[swiveltam]

Wow, sounds great. You can NEVER please all the people all the time and no matter what EVERYONE has their biases! The older couple's guys name is Joe and I forgot that gals name, (sorry I danced with him, not her). I'm so happy to hear those choices. This has been so amazing and sooooo fun for San Diego! Thank you all again.

[lindyslayer]

The only way that relative placement works fairly is if you have 7 judges. 3 Judges for RP scoring does not work. I think the fairest thing to do with 3 judges is to discuss with one another and come to a mutual agreement. Although, I think 3 judges is not sufficient, regardless.

[swiveltam]

We were discussing that on the way home, too. How many judges would you like to see? If you had a judging criteria list or something for the judges you could rotate your judges as well. I don't know, it's so hard to judge and try to come up with something that makes everyone happy and is as unbiased as possible. Missy, how do they do it in Ballroom???

[glennt]

Voting with more than 2 candidates can never be wholly satisfactory, because there are too many contradictory notions of what is "fair"; it's been mathematically proven! Here are some educational videos on instant runoff voting, a popular alternative to the method Meeshi is using:

(Look at these videos first... ignore the other links in this post unless you want excruciating details.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maefwl20Uh0
http://www.stefangruber.com/irv/ or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrzRHSmT7Wg

For an extreme over-analysis, here's info on the type of system Meeshi is using for the judges' choice (but not the judges + audience hybrid), and two overviews (1, 2) of other alternatives.

[shepkatt]

Dah dah daaaaaaa Glenn to the rescue!

On the way home from Viejas we were just saying that it would be great if there was a list of criteria and that all the judges judged on that.. Have a pool of judges then randomly choose 3 (or 5) to judge that week.. Have them walk around the floor instead of sitting stationary..

Course that is just Monday morning quarterbacking.. Since I probably won't ever put on my own venue with my own competition I should just leave it to the peeps with enough guts to get out there and do it (both promote and enter!)

[lindyslayer]

[saddleshoes]

[Meeshi]

Yes, I agree that the scoring system would work better by having 7 judges, but since this is an extended 10-week dance contest, it's unrealistic because 1) it would be difficult to find 7 qualified judges who can commit for the 10-week period, and 2) it would limit the already small pool of local dancers who enjoy performing and competing (we're not LA).

I've talked to David about shortening the contest period from 10 weeks to 6 weeks with 5 qualifying rounds and 1 final round, but he's not interested in that. He wants to extend the contest for as long as possible, which is great for us locals, but I know having such a lengthy contest discourages more out-of-towners from participating.

Thanks for all your feedback! I'm hoping if we have the opportunity to do this contest again at Viejas that we can work out a scoring system that is as fair as possible.

[saddleshoes]

[GigoloJoe]

Meeshie and David - thank you for all your work.

Royal Crown Review was great.
And so was the contest dancers.
It was great to be with all my friends at venue with a good floor, good sound, good lights, and good stage.

Question.
Are the first place winners automatically in the Finals and DO NOT have to dance the semi-finals.
Who are these great dancers?
If this is true.
i ASS-U-ME that they would know about this.

When will the videos be shown on FOX tv?


'Gigolo' Joe

[Jeff]

Yes!! Thank you!!! Last night was fabulous. Royal Crown Revue is as good as a live band can get. They played for the dancers and I had a blast. I honestly feel they're one of the best live bands I've ever heard. The sound crew did an amazing job. The place was packed. I'll be up in Newport Beach this next Sunday for the final night of the Bal Rendezvous and so I'm gonna miss the Speakeasy Quartet. But I'll be there on the 29th for George Gee. That's gonna be wild!!! Viejas Sunday's are one of the best things to ever happen to the San Diego dance scene. So kudos and many thanks to Meeshi and Patrone.

[RednBubba]

[Roheven]

[Meeshi]

Yes, everyone starts on equal ground at the semi-finals. Top 8 move on to the Finals night, and the Top 4 will battle it out for the cash prizes.

Congratulations to the following 2 couples who qualified last Sunday:

#83 -- David and Kim
#70 -- Gabe and Crystal

Remember, all semi-finalists must check in by 4:30p on Sun. Apr. 29th or risk forfeiting their spot. Good luck everyone and may the most deserving couple win!

p.s. Don't forget, local favorites, the Speakeasy Quartet, play this Sunday. So even though we won't be holding a contest or lesson, please support this wonderful venue if you happen to be in town. Sadly, we just have a few Sundays left until it all ends.

[Andra]

Hey Glenn, thanks for the great links further up, finally looked them over, that surely was the most interesting of all non-dance related posts lately!

Yep, Borda Count is such an outdated voting system... but honestly, for the purpose of this contest it's probably good enough. What I find rather questionable is the audience part of the voting system, I mean, c'mon, who would not root for their friends if there should be a near-tie situation? I sure would. So it's probably creating a slim disadvantage for out-of towners...

And I must get you that book I mentioned to you yesterday "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time." Manu made me read it and I am so glad he did, it has a great way of looking at math (and life) through the eyes of an autistic teenager.

[GigoloJoe]

I miss Viejas
and all the great music and dancing.

'Gigolo' Joe

[glennt]

Here's the video from Fox 6 morning news on April 8, featuring David Patrone, Margie and Jim, and Rhonda and Gabe.
Note: You need Windows + Internet Explorer + Windows Media Player to view it.

Also, I ran across a 9 minute promo that Shesha and Nikki did on a cable channel in Orange County.

[GeorgeGee]

[Meeshi]

Viejas Update: Despite not having posted anything in this thread for ages, I just wanted to reassure you the Viejas Contest is all "good in the hood" and after a two-week hiatus, we're ready to host the Semi-final Round with the incredible George Gee Orchestra from New York City as our special guest band.

There's only one important update that I need to mention. I recently found out that we can only have the 14 qualifying couple numbers compete in the Semi-final round. With the final week of competition cancelled on Sun. Apr. 8, I erroneously thought that we could add 2 more couples for a total of 16 couples to make it easier to do the Semi-final heats (4 heats of 4). But in the contest contract agreement, David Patrone and Viejas had agreed to only having the 14 qualifying couple numbers for the Semi-finals. I apologize for not being aware of this agreement. The 2 "extra" couples have been notified, and are now aware of this change.

To the 14 qualified couples: Be sure to arrive early (between 3 and 4:30p) to check-in for the competition. You must bring and wear your numbers in order to register. Only qualifying couples with numbers who register by 4:30p this Sun. Apr. 29th are eligible to win the cash prizes. Out of 14 couples, only 8 will be chosen to move on the Final round.

**Contestants, if for any reason you cannot make the semi-final round, please contact me immediately (858-395-6060 or meeshbop@yahoo.com). I need to know asap, so I can make adjustments to how the Semi-final heats are run.**

I will explain how the Semi-final heats will be judged shortly. In the meantime, be sure to tell all your friends and family about this awesome dance event this Sunday. It would be great to have another packed house, so that Viejas will want to sponsor another swing dance contest like this again next year.

See y'all on Sunday!

[Lil Lizzie]

I'm bringing my mom.