Jay Byam's Swingin' Dance Camp was held the weekend of August 13th through August 15th, at the Wyndam Hotel & Resort in downtown Palm Springs. If you have never been there, this is a gorgeous hotel. The restaurant, ballrooms and banquet rooms were built around the pool which is in the center of the hotel. I found it to be open and airy.

The event was advertised as a "fun filled weekend" with pool parties and hot salsa dancing as well as west coast swing. The schedule was packed with something for everyone. The Pro-Am competitions were held on Sunday morning in the ballroom next to the main ballroom, thereby freeing up the main ballroom for social dancing. The workshops were awesome with top instructors and well attended. There were pre-made salads and sandwiches available both days until late into the afternoon. This was an excellent idea and allowed people who were taking classes, to grab a quick bite.

Although Jay's heart was in the right place in attempting to please the swing as well as salsa dancers, it fell short. This event would have been a tough event to attend if you were only a social dancer. Competitions ran late into the night Friday and Saturday leaving little time to social dance. Time management was the main problem. Competitions and classes were booked at the same time. For example, the Pro-Am competitions took so long on Sunday morning that the salsa dancers were unable to use the second ballroom. Because the salsa instructors were doing the Pro-Ams they couldn't teach their scheduled classes. The swing instructor using the main ballroom had to run next door several times in the middle of class to compete in the Pro-Am and then run back to class. It's not unusual to have changes to a scheduled weekend. However, no one was available to inform people if a class was moved, changed locations or simply cancelled. No signs were posted. Throughout the weekend salsa classes were cancelled or changed and people were left hanging, wondering where to go.

After watching or participating in the competitions that ran late, food became an issue. By that time people could sit down and finally eat, the hotel kitchen was closed leaving people stranded.

On a final note, If this event is to be improved, the Pro-Am competitions should be cut freeing a block of time to add workshops, move some competitions to Sunday morning which would free up Saturday night for social dancing. Competitions should not run past 11:00pm. Signs should be posted daily of all changes.