Dance teams around Illinois kicked off their winter competitive season, in the most technical and official sense, on Monday 10/26, with Competition Weekend 1 slated for November 14 and 15. But I like to call IDTA’s annual Start The Beat (usually on the weekend just before the official IHSA dance winter season starts) “Comp Weekend 0.”
For the non-IDTA fans and dancers out there, here’s the fun-sized definition (side note: does anyone trick or treat in a neighborhood where that one house gives out full-sized candy bars?). IDTA has a solos, duets, and trios component to their state finals in February. Start The Beat is both a season kick-off and the first chance for these performers to qualify for the state comp. Since these aren’t varsity teams competing before judges, it’s fine as a pre-October 26th event. These soloists and small groups will also have more chances to qualify for state as they perform at the weekly regional comps throughout the season, but Start The Beat has that prestige factor.
On the years when I can get to Bloomington for Start The Beat (sometimes football commitments or music workload get in the way), it’s my chance to ease into the season. Think of it as a gentle re-intro to the feel of bleacher-sitting, the rhythm of performances, and the pace of an entire comp day. I especially love catching up with old friends and just sitting in among the dance team world.
I kept the content on the light side but I did take some notes…and accidentally started a new way of recapping competitions!
Overall Flavors:
First, I’ve got to thank all of these performers and their coaches for bringing an impressive level of talent to October.
Second, I definitely go through those moments in the off season where I’m not exactly salivating at the chance to drive a long way and then sit for hours at a time. But as soon as I feel that sense of community when I walk into the gym, all the complaints vanish. It’s just an electricity in the air. Teams, coaches, parents, officials — they’re all ready to GO, and ready to cheer each other on. It’s hard not to be inspired by that!
Lasting Impressions:
This is my mini-category for the performances that just stood out among a day full of good ones.
Emma (Marion – 11th Grade Lyrical)
Ava (St. Joseph-Ogden – 11th Grade Jazz)
Musicality Masters:
These performers know their music inside and out!
Mae (Highland – 11th Grade Jazz) — for being so good at using the fullness of each count
Alana (Carterville -11th Grade Jazz) — tons of musicality including based on the lyrics
Quality of Movement Masters:
These dancers go from the start to the very end of each count in style.
Makenna (West Hancock – 11th Grade Hip Hop)
Keegan & Alainah (Collinsville – JV Duet)
Gonna Knock You Out:
Punchy and hard-hitting execution.
Lindsay (Villa Grove – 12th Grade Hip Hop) — hard hitting, and bonus: nice use of length
*Music side note:
Is Britney having a moment?
I saw/heard her songs going back-to-back at least once that afternoon. Recall that one trend in the past 5 years is the expansion of the Michael Jackson palette. For the longest time, the dance world stuck with “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Thriller,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Beat It,” and occasionally “Man In The Mirror” and “Billie Jean” (if sped up). No one went for “Dirty Diana,” “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough,” “Bad,” “In The Closet, ” and “They Don’t Care About Us.” But then suddenly, everyone was using the full range of MJ’s catalog.
Maybe Britney is due for her own revival and expansion?
Singer-Songwriter:
Performed like they wrote and produced the song!
Heaven (Normal Community – 12th Grade Hip Hop)
Charisma Queens:
Esmeralda (Herrin flags – multiple routines)
Alice & Isabel (O’Fallon – JV Duet )
Ellyana & Emaline (Marion – Varsity Duet)
Stellar Storytellers:
If this dance came in book form, I’m reading the whole thing in one sitting!
Greta & Delilah (Gardner-South Wilmington – JV Duet)
Fan Club:
Their cheering section would not be denied.
Holly + Ava (Mascoutah – JV Duet)
I Just Liked It:
Virginia + Delia (O’Fallon – JV Duet)
Athletic Aesthetic:
Strong physicality matched up with lyrical / contemporary choreo. Could’ve been called “Buff Bunheads” but that just looks weird.
Jillian & Leah (St. Joseph-Ogden – JV Duet Dance)
All-Helium:
So light on their feet!
Alena & Aubry (Illini West – Varsity Duet)
Elle & Ella (Washington – Varsity Duet)
Bella & Emery (Washington – Varsity Duet)
Made Fresh, Never Frozen:
Only a matter of time until I used a food metaphor. These dances had FRESH ideas!
Arely & Brooklyn (Mattoon – Varsity Duet) — plus good skills
Brooklyn & Callie (O’Fallon – Varsity Duet)
OPI Nails:
Smooth, polished execution.
Jovie & Alana (Carterville – Varsity Duet)
Emma & Emma (Marion – JV Duet)
Choreo Oreo:
Especially effective at a clear start, middle, and ending — a satisfying cookie package.
Lola & Heidi (Collinsville – JV Duet)
Brooklyn & Callie (O’Fallon – Varsity Duet)
Power Surge:
Powerful movements yet stayed precise in execution.
Elle & Ella (Washington – Varsity Duet)
Pepperoni Under The Cheese
Well, the food thing in this article quickly got out of hand. This category is for dances where the skills are smoothly baked into the choreo, instead of just piling it on top.
Elle & Ella (Washington – Varsity Duet) — wove together a seamless tapestry of combos!
Bella & Emery (Washington – Varsity Duet) — fluidity!
Bendy Straws:
Showcased their flexibility!
Brooklyn & Callie (O’Fallon – Varsity Duet)
I don’t know if these specific award names will stick around (surely I can come up with better ones), but let’s do this after every weekend!
