The Big Little Reveal is set for Thursday, September 21st from 5:45pm – 6:30pm at the Studio!!

Stay tuned for an email with reveal project details to be completed prior to reveal day and a big thank you to Sara Guyer for coordinating this event!

IMPORTANT: If you are unable to attend, please let Sara Guyer know (her cell is: 507-358-0562) ASAP so that we can make provisions for those that will not have a match at the Reveal.

WE HAVE LOTS OF INFORMATION TO SHARE IN THIS POST, SO PLEASE READ THROUGH ALL OF IT (and update your calendars with all the dates)!

The Vibe Dance Season Information Communication document can be accessed by clicking here and has been added to the Member Information webpage.  This document contains IMPORTANT information about our season, including all mandatory Dance Convention and Regional competitions, Nationals, website info and team To Do list. Please review this document in its entirety ASAP.  The dates for conventions and competitions have been added to the Master Calendar, so please get them on your calendar ASAP.   This document ALSO includes links to web pages and google forms that you may need to access in the future.   

Accommodations information for both our Regional and National “out of town” competitions is being worked on by our Hotel Logistics Team.  We will update you via the blog as soon as it is available.       

Should you have any questions about the details contained in this document, please email us at footnotesdanceblog@gmail.com.     

Due Soon…Reminders from the Parent Information Communication:

• If you haven’t turned in your Vibe Contract to Cheryl, please turn it into the front desk at the Studio ASAP.  
• The Vibe Medical Release form link is also listed in the Vibe Parent Dance Season Information Communication.  Click here to access the Medical Release form; please have it completed for your dancer by Friday, September 1 end of day.  This form is also listed on the Team To Do List webpage.

2023 – 2024 Dates for Dance Conventions & Competitions

Click here to access the page for the 2023-2024 Dance Conventions & Competitions web page (password protected – same password as all other pages) with all of the details of our schedule.

Recital Dates

We have added the FootNotes Dress Rehearsal & Recital weekend on the Master Calendar (June 1 and June 2, 2024).  It will be held at the at the Gas South Theater (formerly the Infinite Energy Theater) in Duluth.

Other important dates that have been added to the Master Calendar include:

• The Vibe Holiday Party – Sunday, December 10.  More details will be sent out on it closer to the event.
• Showcase – weekend of February 16-18. We will communicate info as soon as details are finalized.)
• Big/Little Sister Reveal – Exact date in September TBD.  Details to prepare for the event will be announced soon.  Our Big/Little Chair and team are busy planning the event now.
• Production Reveal/Choreo – weekend of Oct 27-29. Details to follow as we get closer to the event.

Times will be updated on the calendar as soon as they are set. Click here to view the Master Calendar.

August 19-20

Premier Jazz (Sat. 10-2 Sun. 10-1)

August 26-27 

Ovation Jazz 10-1:30 each day 

September 8-10

Prodigy Contemporary – Times TBD

September 16-17 

Prodigy Tap (Saturday the 16th only, Times TBD)

Bravo Jazz – Times TBD 

Ovation Contemporary – Times TBD

September 23-24 

Premier Tap (Saturday the 23rd only – Times TBD)

Prodigy Jazz (Sat. 10-2 & Sun. 10-1)

September 30-October 1 

Premier Times TBD

October 21-22 

Elite Times TBD

Premier Times TBD 

October 27-29 

Ovation, Prodigy, Premier, Elite – PRODUCTION!! (Times TBD)

November 4-5 

Elite Madison small group TBD

**This finalizes everything for all groups except for Elite

Going into the new competition season we are implementing a new audition process for selecting soloists, duets or trios. This past season we were at a maximum load on the number of these we could accommodate and each year we see an increase in interest. Logistically it is impossible for every company member to compete a solo so we must begin an evaluation process to keep the focus on the team and on groups. Most competitive dance studios follow an audition format for selecting these additional pieces and with so much interest, it’s time we do the same. 

Our focus in competition has and always will be team/group oriented. It is what we feel creates the community we are so proud of. Improvement and progress for a dancer comes from the training they receive in their weekly core curriculum classes, not performing one solo routine in a competition. The dancer that is forward moving and progressing is going to do so with or without a solo. We want our dancers to keep striving for excellence. Hard work and determination are a must for this growth. Having a solo, duo or trio is a privilege and should be treated as so. We see first hand what our students are capable of. You get out what you put in. Work ethic must develop and determination must be evident.

Auditions will consist of the dancer submitting a video demonstrating certain skill requirements, communicated below, based on an advanced level for their age group.

Only dancers who have previously been a Vibe member are eligible to audition. 

You must first fill out the google form indicating intent to audition and requesting a style and/or choreographer by Monday, August 14th. Requests are not guarantees. They are your suggestions. You will then have until August 27th to submit your video but we encourage you to do it as soon as you are able to. You may use open studio space to do so. (FYI…After this, open studio space will need to be booked and paid for.)

All dancers must demonstrate advanced level skills and performance for their age groups. 

They will video themselves executing those skills 3 times in a row without edits in between those 3 times. Skills must be executed cleanly and technically correct. We are looking for technical proficiency. Once all of skills required have been videoed, you will submit it for evaluation. 

Selections will be based on the advanced skills dancers have for their age, as well as showmanship, sportsmanship, dedication, attendance, and commitment to their team. For ages 12 and older, only advanced level dancers will be chosen. For ages 8-11, only high-level intermediate dancers will be chosen. Auditions will provide a fair and objective assessment in choosing who can represent FNDA and The Vibe as a soloist, duet or trio. Unfortunately, not everyone auditioning for a solo will receive one. That just means you get to work hard for the next year! 

If you meet all requirements and are selected for a solo, duo or trio, you will be expected to rehearse with an instructor at least once a month after learning the solo. You will also be required to log at least 60 minutes in the studio each month rehearsing on your own. If you don’t meet those requirements, you will not be allowed to compete and no refunds will be given once registered for a competition.

Selections will be sent by email on August 30^th.

Audition Submission Form

Ages are as of January 1, 2024 

Make sure you are demonstrating the correct set of requirements.

Ages 15-19 

-Quad passe pirouette (may accept a triple)

-Triple pencil & coupe turn 

-Grande jete leap, center leap & calypso leap 

-Firebird jump and either tilt jump or switch tilt

-Battements in first (front) and seconde (side) both sides R&L 

-Tilt battement 

-Develope tilt hold or grab and hold with hand 

-Cali layout & battement layout to front 

-Continuous turns section with a la seconde turns and/or leg hold turns

-any other tricks, turns or skills you’d like to share (aerial, turns a la seconde, leg hold turns) 

Ages 12-14

-Triple passe pirouette

-Double pencil & coupe turns

-Grande jete leap, center leap & calypso

-Battements both sides in first (front) & seconde (side)

-tilt battement

-tilt hold (either side) without or with hand holding leg 

-Cali layout

-any other tricks, turns or skills you’d like to demonstrate (aerial, turns a la seconde, leg hold turns) 

Ages 8-11

-Double pirouette 

-Grande jete leaps (must have straight feet and knees)

-Battements both sides 

-Tilts

-Leg (heel stretch) holds each side 

-Center straddle roll through on floor

-any other tricks or skills you’d like to share

All competition and workshop dates for the 2023-2024 competition season have been confirmed and listed below. Be sure to add all dates to your calendars!

2 Required Conventions

• NRG Dance Convention – January 5 – 7 (Venue:  Atlanta Marriott Marquis)
• Radix Dance Convention – February 23 – 25 (Venue:  TBD) 

4 Regional Competitions – typically start on Friday afternoon through Sunday (but could be earlier) 

• Applause Talent Competition – March 15 – 17 in Atlanta   (Venue: Carrollton High School)
• Revolution Talent Competition– April 12 – 14 in Atlanta (Venue: Georgia World Congress Center)
• Platinum National Dance Competition – April 26 – 28 in Birmingham, AL (Venue: The Alabama Theatre)
• BravO! Dance Competition – May 3 – 5 in Athens, GA (Venue: The Classic Center)

National Competition –

• Platinum National Dance Competition – June 9 – 14 in Panama City Beach, FL (Venue: Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort)

Accommodation suggestions for out of town regional competitions as well as national competition is being reviewed by our hotel logistics team. As soon as we have that info it will be sent out via blog post!

This is the initial information from Cheryl on choreography plans. This IS NOT everything, but we wanted to provide this info for planning purposes. Please continue to keep weekends in August, September and October free. Click here to view the Master Calendar. We will update the calendar with choreography times & details as soon as they are available.

BRAVO & OVATION — weekends of August 18-20 & September 15-17

ELITE — weekends of August 25-27, September 8-10, September 15-17, October 13-15

PREMIER – weekends of September 8-10 & October 13-15

PRODIGY – weekend of Augut 25-27

More dates to come!

Please keep your dancers schedule open July 23. Ricky will be starting choreography on this day. Times TBD.

This is a reminder to respond to the email from FootNotes sent on Friday, June 30. Cheryl needs your answer by today/this evening, July 5. She needs your reply either way (yes or no) in order to finalize the schedule and start setting choreography dates.

Below are Recital details for Vibe dancers, so please read the entire post!   Our 2023 22nd Annual Recital Showcase is Sunday June 4 with shows at 2pm and 6pm at the Gas South Theater in Duluth. Dress Rehearsals will be on Saturday, June 3 at 2pm and 6pm.

Click here for Recital Show Order.

For 2pm Show:

• BRAVO, ENCORE, OVATION & PRODIGY dancers arrive at 1:15pm for setup of Dream Duffel, etc. for dances in the 2pm show.
• ENCORE dancers (for The Family) arrive at 3:00pm for last routine & finale in the 2pm show. Dancers should be in costume/stage ready, stretched and ready to dance. (Do not bring Dream Duffel with you.)
• ENCORE, OVATION & PRODIGY parents, please note that your dancer may stay at the venue in between shows IF she has adult supervision (if your group wants to bring in food/eat together at the venue).  Dancers need to be show ready by 5:15pm sharp each day for the 6pm show.
• ALL dancers will be released to the front hallway of the venue (near the check-in area).

For 6pm Show:

• ELITE, ENCORE, & PREMIER dancers arrive at 5:15pm for setup of Dream Duffel, etc. for dances in the 6pm show.
• OVATION & PRODIGY dancers (for The Family) meet at Check-in area at 5:45pm. Your 6pm show backstage mom (Ryn & Kelly) will meet dancers at the check-in area and escort them backstage. Immediately following The Family/first routine in 6pm show, they will bring them back to check-in area to be released. Dancers should be in costume/stage ready, stretched and ready to dance. (Do not bring Dream Duffel or backpack with you.)
• As a reminder, parents of those dancers that are only dancing in The Family routine in the 6pm show will not be able to sit in the audience for the performance.   

IMPORTANT NOTES TO REVIEW:

• BACKSTAGE MOMS:  If you wish to be backstage during one or both shows, click here to signup to be a Backstage Helper on the FootNotes Signup Genius.  Only moms listed on the FootNotes Signup Genius will be allowed to be backstage.
• HAIRSTYLE: Dancers should wear the competition hairstyle (middle part, low pony) for all competition routines.  Note that all ballet pieces must have a low bun. Dancers will need to transition their hair from bun to low pony or low pony into a bun depending on where their ballet routine falls within the show order for both Dress Rehearsal on Saturday and Recital on Sunday.   The bun must be a neat, tight bun. Hairnets are encouraged and helpful for quick, neat buns.   Once the ballet piece is complete, dancers will transition their hair back to the low pony.  Bravo, Ovation & Encore can keep hair in bun for Lyrical/Contemporary if it helps with timing between ballet routines. For the younger dancers, the backstage moms will handle this task for the dancers.  For the older dancers, the backstage moms will ‘check’ the dancer’s bun to ensure it is neat and secure.
  • REMINDER: ALL dancers must bring your hair supplies…a comb, hairnet, hairspray, and bobby pins to create the bun.  A flat iron and brush may be needed to get your dancer’s pony straightened after the bun is taken down.
• MAKE-UP:  Dancers DO NOT need to wear makeup for Dress Rehearsal on Saturday. For Recital on Sunday, dancers must wear full competition makeup including lashes and our competition lipstick color.  There is no need to change the color of lipstick for ballet.

Lastly…Click here to access the Vibe Signup Genius for Recital volunteer opportunities for both parents & dancers including recital/trophy distribution, shout out sales, decorations and clean up. We have a few volunteer jobs that still need to be filled for Recital. Please consider helping out with these remaining tasks.

The Master Calendar has been updated with rehearsal dates and times for next week. 

Wednesday, May 31

• • BRAVO 6:00-7:15pm 

Thursday, June 1

• • PRODIGY 3:45-6:00pm 
  • OVATION 4:30-6:30pm
  • ENCORE 4:30-6:30pm
  • PREMIER 6:45-9:15pm
  • ELITE 5:30-8:00pm