Boston Fusion Exchange - January 7-9, 2011

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"This was the most well-organized event I have ever been to, and I've been to plenty! Even this survey was easy!"

Fusion Exchange FAQs

A. The Fusion Exchange

What is the Fusion Exchange?

The Fusion Exchange (FX) is an annual dance event held in a different city every year. Prior locations have included Houston, TX (2008), Portland, OR (2009), and San Diego, CA (2010). In January 2011, we are heading to Boston, MA! It is a celebration of individual expression, and sharing that experience with others through social dance. We give our attendees the tools to build something new and enjoyable as they grow and challenge their dancing.

What is Fusion?

Fusion is the combination of dance styles to best match the music that is playing. It is driven solely by the sounds, melodies, and rhythms contained in the music and interpreted by the dancers. Fusion blends a multitude of dances — particularly blues, tango, west coast swing, lindy, waltz, and hip-hop — in any combination. This collective dance knowledge enhances the experience, so that participants get the most from each dance with every partner. Additionally, each partner fully contributes to and influences the dance; both follows and leads actively inspire each other. The fusion exchange is about embracing our varied backgrounds to create something new. It has no defined aesthetic. It is, simply put, imagination in motion.

You can check us out at www.xfusionexchange.com or our most recent event at www.sandiegofusionexchange.com. Please feel free to look us up on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Playlist.com, or check out our website. It will give you a great idea of what we do.

If I can only afford to go to one event this year, why should it be the Fusion Exchange?

FX provides you the opportunity to train under instructors with expertise in a wide range of dance styles
Mini-privates allow an affordable chance for one-on-one expert attention
You can dance with dancers from a wide range of dance backgrounds
FX provides value that other exchanges don't, such as breakfast, lunch, and late night snacks every day; unlimited free water and coffee; a minimum of two class options each period; classes that are more than an hour long; practice sessions in between classes and so much more!
FX has a proven track record of running a professional, on-time schedule of events with innovative classes that are challenging to beginners, intermediate and advanced dancers
FX promotes a culture of interpretive freedom that allows you to grow and experiment as a dancer by exposing you to concepts and ideas from across the dancing spectrum

In addition to what the event structure and variety adds to your experience, we also bring you an event that creates a family. Every year, we receive great feedback about the strong sense of community, positivity, and appreciation of others that FX fosters. Being free to enjoy your dance experience how you wish to enjoy it is part of what makes dancing fun. We're committed to giving you that safe space at FX — and encouraging you to expand your mind even further!

Examples of what others have said about our event can be found in the quotes on every page of this site.

What is your philosophy for the event?

Everyone is important; everyone has something to learn and to teach
Dancing should be fun and personal
You're only limited by your imagination; embrace the music and where it takes you

This event is a celebration of individual expression and sharing that experience with others through social dance. We give you the tools to build something new and enjoyable as you grow and challenge your dancing.

Why did you start this event?

To explore the options that other dance styles can give us
To put ourselves in "out of the box" situations on the dance floor, so we can grow as dancers
To stop saying no and start saying YES to dance and individual expression
To make dancing about having fun
To have a celebratory and welcoming event
To see what we can learn from others

Ivy Grey founded this event in 2008. She'd trained in many different backgrounds and her dancing was influenced by the confluence of dances. Finding herself not alone in seeking a welcoming atmosphere where she could dance to music not typically assigned a specific dance style, she hatched a plan to create the Fusion Exchange. The first Fusion Exchange took place in Houston, TX and was a great success. From the first hundred-plus people that attended the event in Houston to this year's event, the Fusion Exchange has continued to grow and promote the idea of dancing without interpretive boundaries.

Where does my money go?

We give you a great experience with:

3 full days of classes (15 hours of mind-blowing classes — with at least 2 choices at all times)
3 full nights of dancing (with late night!) (24 hours of social dancing — with at least 2 rooms of different music at all times)
Food: 3 late night snacks, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 brunch, free coffee and water all day and night
Accommodating dietary restrictions and providing a variety of food — including healthy, local, organic, sustainable food
A variety of instructors and classes
Amazing venues
Decreased transportation costs
Hotel and airline discounts

There are additional expenses related to:

Insurance, licenses, and permits
Offering a green event!

There are tons of moving parts to this event and we do everything possible to make it great. This includes things that you directly experience and enjoy (like food) as well as things that are more intangible (like licenses, permits, insurance, etc). Although sometimes discounted by other events, these intangible parts are necessary to protect the event so that it doesn't get cancelled or shut down for any reason.

Furthermore, FX is at least one day longer than most other events. We're also committed to stepping it up with the venues to give you unique locations and at least 2 rooms at all times. Double the space means double the cost. But it also means double the variety which makes this event special. We also hire a large selection of instructors to work as an ensemble team. This means that our attendees get to learn many different styles from great instructors well-trained in their areas who dance other dances and understand transferable movement and vocabulary.

Please note that the main organizer receives no compensation for this event. All of the hours and work are purely for the benefit of the attendees.

What dances do most of you dance?

In 2010:

26% of dancers were Intermediate to Advanced in Argentine Tango
82% of dancers were Intermediate to Advanced in Blues
29% of dancers were Intermediate to Advanced in West Coast Swing
79% of dancers were Intermediate to Advanced in Lindy
37% of dancers were Intermediate to Advanced in another style

Is this a blues event?

No and yes. It's everything, but there are a lot of blues dancers. You'll hear blues music as one style amongst many.

What type of music do you play/what is fusion music?

At the Fusion Exchange, our DJs play a variety of music suitable for many different dances and backgrounds. During the event, you will find music ranging from electronica to blues; from current pop to trip-hop and hip-hop; from jazz to argentine tango; from original composers to one-hit-wonders and everything in between.

For more information, please check us out on Project Playlist.

And original music composed by fusion dancer David Keogh: http://www.reverbnation.com/davidkeogh.

From PFX:

"I loved the variety! It was especially fun when there were more contemporary songs mixed in, especially if there was also some hip hop and tango elements."

What's up with a new city every year?

Exposure to different scenes, new people, different locations
People from different areas have easier access
Spread the idea of fusion
Opportunity to explore other parts of the country before and after the event

How can I bring FX to my city?

Contact the fusion exchange organizers and pitch your city. If anyone from your city has ever attended, there's a good chance it will end up on the voting site at www.vote4fusion.com. The most important things that we're looking for are: acceptance/support from local organizers, local dancers willing to host, local people excited about the event, venues that have at least 2 rooms that can fit a total of at least 400 dancers.

Who do I contact for help?

For general questions, email boston.fusion.exchange@gmail.com
For housing questions, email Housing@BostonFusionExchange.com
For volunteer questions, email Volunteer@BostonFusionExchange.com
To get flyers for your city/venue, email Flyers@BostonFusionExchange.com
To purchase ad space, email AdSales@BostonFusionExchange.com
If you notice a mistake on the website, email WebMaster@BostonFusionExchange.com
To share information with other Twitter followers, email Twitter@BostonFusionExchange.com
Instruction@BostonFusionExchange.com
Music@BostonFusionExchange.com
Registration@BostonFusionExchange.com

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B. Payment & Registration

If I it turns out that I can't go, how do I sell my ticket?

There are no refunds for this event. If it turns out that you cannot attend, you are welcome to sell/transfer your registration to any person of the same dance role (i.e. lead or follow) for any price you wish. Please complete all transfers by January 1, 2011. Please note that we are not obligated to assist you in transferring your registration, however, if there is a waiting list, we'll be happy to pair you up. Be sure to give us permission to share your contact information. Here's how to do it:

Find your own buyer. We recommend posting on Facebook or on one of your local forums. Ask your buyer to complete registration. When he or she does so, make sure that your buyer marks "paid by check" AND notes that he/she purchased registration from you, such as "Purchased from _____"

When you have received payment from the buyer, send an email to Registration@BostonFusionExchange.com letting us know who you've transferred your registration to. Be sure to copy your buyer on the email. To avoid confusion, we recommend that the buyer print out the email and bring it with him/her to registration. (It's particularly important to print out this confirmation email if you make the transfer after January 1, 2011!)

Explain the installment payment program.

We understand that some dancers cannot afford to pay for the entire event all at once. To assist these dancers, we've started an installment payment program. However, to ensure that the program doesn't get abused and to cover the administration of the program, there is a fee for participation and there are rules that you must abide by. Here are the details of how it works.

REQUIREMENTS:

Up to 50 Attendees may enroll in the installment payment program
The installment payment program may only be used to purchase an All Access Pass
You must enroll in the program by November 1, 2010 (apply by October 15, 2010)
All Payments must be received by December 1, 2010

To enroll, you must first contact Registration@BostonFusionExchange.com to notify the administrator that you plan to enroll in the program. You will receive an email within 7-14 days notifying you whether you've been accepted into the program. In your email include: Your full name, your reason for requesting installment payments, whether you're willing to volunteer, your city, state, and contact information. When you are accepted into the program, you will receive a confirmation email and a code that allows you to register as part of the program.

PAYMENTS:

To lock in your rate, you must pay 1/3 of the purchase price + a $10 administrative fee within 7 days of registration.
- For Attendees registering before September 1, 2010, your 1st payment is due at the time of registration. Your 2nd payment is due by October 1, 2010. Your 3rd (final) payment is due by November 1, 2010.
- For Attendees registering on or before November 1, 2010, your 1st payment is due at the time of registration. Your 2nd payment is due by November 15, 2010. Your 3rd (final) payment is due by December 1, 2010.
We strongly recommend that you calendar these dates. You may or may not receive reminder emails that payment is due, but you will still be responsible for timely payment.
If you are paying via PayPal, the $6 transaction fee will apply for each payment.
If you are paying via check, you will not need to pay the $6 transaction fee.

DEFAULTS:

If you make the deposit payment but are more than 7 days late in your 2nd or 3rd payment, then you will lose the rate that you locked in and you will be responsible for the current cost of admission at that time.
If you make the deposit payment but fail to make either the 2nd or 3rd payment, you will lose your deposit and you will lose your reserved spot. You will NOT be able to transfer your registration.

TRANSFERS:

If you make all of your payments on time, but it turns out that you cannot attend, you are welcome to sell your registration to another Attendee for any price you choose. The Fusion Exchange organizers are not obligated to assist you in transferring your registration.

For more information: Registration@BostonFusionExchange.com

Explain the follows waiting list.

At the Fusion Exchange, we carefully balance the lead-to-follow ratio for the classes and for the event. We understand that no one likes to be left sitting on the side lines for the dances and that you get more out of the classes when you have a partner to work with. So, to make this happen, we closely monitor the numbers and only allow as many follows as there are leads. Typically, the spots for follows sell out first. When this happens, we put a hold on follow registration and start a wait list.

If a follow would like to skip the waiting list, the follow can find a lead and they can sign up together. We're currently trying to program this to make it easier for you. For now, the best way to do this is for both of you to sign up as a lead (assuming there are no follow spots left). Then, In the referral section, say "Registering with _______________" and then send an email to Registration@BostonFusionExchange.com with "L/F Registering Together - [Lead Name] & [Follow Name]" in the subject. Don't forget to complete registration and payment!

To get on the waiting list, send an email to: Registration@BostonFusionExchange.com with "Follows Wait List" in the subject with your full name, your city, state and contact information. (Also let us know if it's okay to share your contact information if we find someone willing to transfer their registration to you.) We will contact you when a space becomes available. If you are a female registering as a lead, to avoid confusion, please send the organizers an email explaining that you are primarily a lead. Of course, we love it when you challenge conventions!

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C. The Dancers & Community

Describe the fusion community.

Key to this event is creating a welcoming and inspiring community. We emphasize that everybody brings something of value to the dance floor. Everyone has something to learn and to teach. With every element of FX, we've designed it to build community without judgment or hierarchy. The FX dancers have come together to create a tightly-knit national and international family of dancers united in vision despite any distance.

About 75-90% of our dancers come from locations other than the host city. More than 50% of our dancers have attended at least one prior FX. In San Diego, CA, in 2010, more than 300 attendees pre-registered. Twenty-five states were represented, of which most registrants were from: California (107), Texas (42), Oregon (34), Washington (28), Colorado (14), Massachusetts (10), New Mexico (9) and Pennsylvania (6). Sixteen international dancers attended from countries including Brazil, South Korea, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

What is the average level and type of dancer?

At least intermediate; most consider themselves advanced in some type of dance/movement
Many are blues dancers because it is a very easy dance to use as a transition or baseline

We ask people to self-identify their skill level. We use this information to aid instructors in class planning. According to our registration records, most dancers consider themselves intermediate or advanced in one or more types of movement, typically 2-3 dances, one of which is usually blues dance. From the feedback on our surveys, most attendees consider the other dancers to be very highly skilled, friendly, and open minded.

I'm an inexperienced dancer, should I come?

There are a lot of very experienced dancers that come to the event. They're very welcoming to everyone. However, you may not be comfortable with the pace of classes or the commonly expected baseline of dance knowledge if you're inexperienced. (Please note that we do not offer any classes for absolute beginners.) So, think about how comfortable you are on the dance floor in improvising and dancing to challenging music and dancing with people you really look up to and admire. If this excites (rather than scares) you, then you're fusion-ready.

Why no levels/auditions?

Everyone has something to offer
Moves are transferable
No one is more important than another, we all bring something to the dance
You can be influenced by many different intangible things and ideas that improve your dance in different ways; we appreciate it all

We want to emphasize that everybody brings something of value to the dance floor. Often, strict levels and auditions can take away from that experience. However, please note that we do try to plan one "All Levels" class and one "Intermediate/Advanced" class per time slot. We have some "Intermediate/Advanced" classes so that the instructors can assume certain knowledge and then jump right into new material to push your limits. We ask you to self-regulate so that everyone around you gets the most from the experience. It's more about efficiency and respect for others; not a value judgment.

Why no competitions?

We're all about social dancing and celebrating and inspiring each other. No competitions needed.
Fusion is about creativity and appreciation rather than comparing and judging. We'd rather let you do your own thing!
Our event is about creation on the dance floor, and we want as much room for that as possible.
With no competitions, there is more time to just dance!

Why try to compare an apple to all of the other delicious cross-breeds of fruit? They're all yummy.

Are there really no "rules"?

There are no rules that limit your dance
We do need to keep you safe, though

Well, there are some rules, but they're mostly based on safety, comfort, and ease of communication. The number one rule at FX is mutual respect. Disrespectful, inappropriate, or obnoxious behavior will not be tolerated.

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D. Joining the Fusion Exchange Team

How do I become an FX instructor?

Send us a YouTube video of you dancing
Submit 50-100 word descriptions of each of your class ideas, minimum of 2, maximum of 10
Tell us about your dance background and experience
Tell us your expected compensation
Send us a bio, a photo, and your contact info so that we're ready to go if you're hired!
The subject of your email should read: "[First Name] [Last Name] - Application to Teach at FX 20[xx]"

It takes a large team of instructors to get the variety that our dancers desire and have come to expect. By assembling an amazing, yet large, team of instructors, everyone gets to be part of something greater than the sum of its parts. If you are applying to be an FX instructor, you should know that we usually do not guarantee instructors payment at their "full" rates. We typically offer a minimum "guaranteed" rate plus a bonus. We share the successes with you so long as you are willing to help us break even by agreeing to a smaller guaranteed minimum payment.

We believe that everyone has something to offer, so we're always looking for new instructors and ideas. If you're interested in teaching, please submit your responses by March 1 of the year preceding the Fusion Exchange to boston.fusion.exchange@gmail.com. For sorting purposes, please title your subject line as follows: "[First Name] [Last Name] - Application to [DJ/Teach] at FX 2011."

Many thanks to every instructor who has worked with us so far to make the event successful. And thank you to all of the future instructors!

How do I become an FX DJ?

Send us a bio about you as a DJ and tell us about your DJ style
Submit a sample of 10 songs representative of your style
Tell us what types of music you want to play and how many sets
Send us a photo and your contact info so that we're ready to go if you're hired!
The subject of your email should read: "[First Name] [Last Name] - Application to DJ at FX 20[xx]"

We select a very large ensemble cast of new and experienced DJs from many genres. We do this to bring the FX attendees an amazing and ever-changing variety of music to inspire dancing and personal expression. Most of our DJs are excited to be a part of building this new dance community and form of expression. Each DJ contributes 1-3 hours of his/her time over the weekend (whatever they feel comfortable with) which means that we usually have a team of around 20+ DJs. Depending on the time commitment, DJs will receive some form of free admission to the event. (Please note that DJs do not receive monetary compensation.) Together, we make an incredibly positive and rockin' event!

We enjoy the inspiration that comes from new and different DJs, so we're always looking for new DJs and ideas. If you're interested in DJing, please submit your responses by March 1 of the year preceding the Fusion Exchange to boston.fusion.exchange@gmail.com. For sorting purposes, please title your subject line as follows: "[First Name] [Last Name] - Application to [DJ/Teach] at FX 2011."

Thank you to all of past and future DJs. You make the nights amazing!

How do I sign up to volunteer?

To volunteer, contact Megan Repar, the volunteer coordinator at Volunteer@BostonFusionExchange.com.

Thank you for considering volunteering. Volunteers help to make this event possible and to keep the cost of attendance as low as possible for everyone. Volunteerism is the policy or practice of volunteering one's time or talents for charitable, educational, or other worthwhile activities, especially in one's community. A volunteer is a person who chooses freely to do or offer to do something. The main organizer of this event does not design this event to make a profit for herself; the purpose of this event is to bring fusion to the community. With that in mind, please read the following regarding volunteering. Due to the fixed costs of running this event, no more than 10-15 positions are available for 100% reimbursement. Many thanks to all past and future volunteers for their support.

How it all works...

Full Payment In Advance. If you plan to attend the entire event, you MUST pay in full in advance. You will be reimbursed for only a portion of your admission when you volunteer. You will receive this reimbursement on the last day of the event based on the number of hours that you worked. If you cannot afford to pay in advance and it is absolutely necessary to work off the entire cost of admission in order to attend, you MUST make arrangements in advance (at least 60 days prior to the event — no exceptions) with the Organizers and the Volunteer Coordinator.

Reimbursement. If you will be volunteering your time and require reimbursement, please do the following: 1st, register; 2nd, pay in full in advance in an amount not less than $100 unless you have made advance arrangements prior to registration; 3rd, send a second check for the rest of the cost of attendance; 4th, at the end of the event, we will either destroy the second check or return it to you. If you have worked less than the amount required to destroy this check, we will cash the check and issue you the appropriate refund on the last day of the event.

All Access Pass. Volunteers working for an All Access Pass will be required to work 9 - 12 hours (during or before the event). There are only 5-10 of these spots. These spaces go very quickly, so you should register early!

Dance Only Pass. Volunteers working for a Dance Only Pass will be required to work 6 - 9 hours (during or before the event). There are only about 15 of these spots. These spaces go very quickly, so you should register early!

Other Options. If you cannot volunteer (or would prefer not to volunteer) to reduce the cost of admission then you can apply for the installment payment program. This will not reduce the cost of attendance but it will allow you to pay over time without having to use a credit card.

For more information: Volunteer@BostonFusionExchange.com

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E. Housing & Travel

Where can I stay while I am there?

With local hosts

Builds camaraderie
Get a taste of the local scene

In a hotel

Discounted rates!
Lots of dancers
Easier to carpool when so many people congregate
Don't have to share a shower with too many people

We embrace the diversity in our dancers, so we try to offer both local hosting and convenient (reduced cost) hotel options.

For more information: Housing@BostonFusionExchange.com

What is SpaceShare?

To further support our green-focus and to better serve our attendees, we've hired SpaceShare to manage our housing, carpooling, and group travel. They're experts, so you will get great service — and it won't cost you a thing! We will still offer free housing with local hosts AND hotels. This is just a new way to do it.

SpaceShare will design a website for FX, customized to our schedule and needs. It covers travel-related options such as room-shares, hosting and flight-connections. They even take public transportation hubs and shuttles into account, and help people find their neighbors and carpool from across town or across the country. Here are some services SpaceShare provides:

Travel with other FX dancers via plane or train — so you can extend your FX experience. Dancing in the airport? Sounds great!
At the airport or train station, match with people arriving at the same time, to share a taxi or rental car, or simply to navigate public transportation together.
Share a hotel room. A great way to make FX more affordable for students and others on a low budget.
Home-stays with local residents. Connect guests with hosts.
Drivers can find their neighbors and carpool.

You will access the custom-designed FX/SpaceShare website where you can describe your needs and then search for and connect with other potential matches (your privacy is protected!). You will have to be a bit more interactive, but you're more likely to get what you want out of the process.

Overall, this process will help you reduce the cost of attendance and get matched up with the dance community members that will be the best fit for you.

For more information: Housing@BostonFusionExchange.com

(Thanks to Gavin White for telling us about SpaceShare!)

Why are there hotels?

Some scenes don't quite have the infrastructure to support such a massive import of dancers
Having one or two places where all the dancers are located creates a similar, but more reliable environment to hosted housing
People can hang out together and get to know each other better off the dance floor
Has the advantage of having a semi-private area for people to retreat to if they need to sleep or just need space

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F. Instruction

How I sign up for private lessons?

Private lessons are a great way to rapidly improve your dancing. Take a 30-minute private lesson from one (or more!) of the instructors at the Fusion Exchange. It's never too late to schedule, but we recommend signing up before December 15, 2010. Register at [[link forthcoming]]. If you have questions, contact Cameron Linder, instructor coordinator.

Why take private lessons? Focus on what is important to you. Dance with a trained professional focused on improving your individual dance expression. Learn your strengths/weaknesses. Learn and apply movement theory. Get tips on social dancing, competition, and performance, or for any other purpose you choose. Learn tips to make dancing with you more comfortable or exciting. Develop a plan to progress your dancing. Gain insight or exposure to new styles and concepts. Learn to apply your current skill set to another dance. Improve your connection, posture, balance, and strength to improve your dancing all around!

Details. Private lessons will be held in the [[TBD]] Room during the Fusion Exchange. You can sign up as a lead or follow. Private lessons are intended to be one instructor and one student. If you would like to sign up with a partner, please contact Cameron Linder, the Instructor Coordinator, to make special arrangements in advance.

What to Do Before the Lesson. First, confirm your lesson. We will send you an information sheet to make sure that your selected instructor(s) are prepared to help you get what you need out of the lesson! It's simply a questionnaire that helps us determine where you are, what goals you have, and how to get the most from your lesson time. Fill it out and email it back to Cameron Linder. Second, we encourage you to bring a notebook to keep track of what you learn so that you can reference it later.

Late Policy. Please show up at least 5 minutes before your lesson. Check in with the registration desk when you arrive. If you are late to a booked lesson you lose that time. We cannot let your lesson run late over time and into another attendee's time. Our policy is: any time slot you book will be charged for even if you do not use it for any reason. We will try to be flexible if there was no one scheduled after you and it works with your instructor but plan to be early to be sure you're covered.

For more information: Instruction@BostonFusionExchange.com

Do I have to pick my classes ahead of time?

No. You can pick out a few classes which you would really like to take, but be prepared for some of the instructor demos to change your mind.

Explain the "special classes."

Blow your mind with amazing dance critique! This is a tangible, manageable way to significantly improve your dancing with one of the nation's best and most widely-recognized dance instructors. Every year we offer small classes where some of our most experienced instructors take on a group of dedicated dancers looking for individualized critique and to watch others receive this critique. You will get 5-10 minutes of super-specialized private instruction and watch other dancers of different levels have the same experience. You'll take home personalized, tangible things to work on that will radically improve your dancing. Plus you will get to watch others and see things that relate to your dancing in someone else. It's an intense yet manageable way to rapidly improve your movement. Please note that there is an additional fee to participate in the special classes.

For more information: Instruction@BostonFusionExchange.com

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G. The Event Plan

Explain going "green."

The Fusion Exchange is the first major dance event to go green. Last year, all of our food products were organic, local, and sustainable, our coffee was free trade, and all products that we we used were biodegradable. We also reduced printed material in the registration packet and provided a shuttle service thus reducing the number of individual drivers. Plus, the shuttle ran on sulfur and biodiesel!

We can't think of any event that has gone through the effort of becoming environmentally responsible. We're proud to be part of an event where we nurture dancers' individual expression and growth as well our eco-friendly consciousness. And this year we've stepped it up with SpaceShare to increase carpooling and resource-sharing.

Why do you serve food?

To ensure the event flow is not interrupted by the need to break off into groups and leave the venue for meals
To save you money by purchasing in bulk
To create a community/family atmosphere by giving people more opportunity to socialize
To avoid leaving anyone out or creating an "in/out crowd"

Food is yummy. It's even better when it's given to you! Need we say more?

"Awesome food! That was great to only have to worry about buying dinner. Saved us a lot of time and stress."

Why the schedule?

There's so much to learn and our attendees always want more!
We realize you get tired, so we start each day later
But we can't start too late because there are a large group of our attendees that really want classes
We need to leave enough time for your dinner break

We try to organize the schedule so that there's something for every one at most times. That means at least two class choices at all times and two DJ choices at all times. You're bound to find something that inspires you in every time slot! And, if not, socialize with your friends, because it will be different in an hour! We also start the schedule a little bit later every day so that you have some chance of catching a nap and taking all of the classes! Also, we closely review the survey responses from our attendees. Every year we use the responses to improve the event and tailor it for the growing fusion community.

What's up with the 30 minute breaks?

You get to dance with your friends
Practice ideas with people you know, trust, or didn't get to try it with earlier
Share ideas with others
Take the time to ask instructors questions
Get feedback
Take mini-private lessons from instructors
Grab a snack
Let your mind relax
Community building. Stop rushing, enjoy!
Do what you need to do
It keeps us on schedule

When our awesome instructors are blowing your mind in every class, you need a mental break, right? So, here it is. Relax. Dance. Practice. Chat. Hydrate. It's up to you.

Why the demos before each class?

We gather everyone 5-10 minutes before class starts and do demos of the next set
Everyone processes info differently: sometimes a description helps, sometimes the demo helps
Shows off the instructors and gets you excited about the class

We find that the pre-class demos get people excited about the class and help folks to really understand what the instructors are going to try to convey in the class. We started doing this on Day 2 of the 1st FX and noticed that it greatly changed the class distribution and people were more satisfied with their selection. So, we kept it.

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