Surviving a Dance Competition at the DCU Center
Insider Tips for a Smooth Experience
This past weekend, the 2025 competition season kicked off at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. If there's one thing I've learned from years of attending dance competitions, it's that preparation is everything - from snagging the best seats to knowing where to find snacks after a long day. Here are some key takeaways from the weekend.
Food Rules? More Like Suggestions.
The DCU Center has a strict no outside food or drinks policy - likely to boost vendor sales. But at $6.25 for a bottle of water, you can't blame people for sneaking in their own supplies. While staff were stationed at the doors, they weren't checking bags, so dancers (wisely) packed their own snacks. The real impact of this rule? It mainly prevented outside food delivery.
Pro tip: Bring snacks for the ride home - you'll thank yourself later when exhaustion hits and everything is closed.
The Best Seats Came With an Unexpected Obstacle
Arriving early paid off, and we grabbed front-row seats. A massive photographer's stand plopped right in the middle of the first three rows. Not ideal for spectators hoping for an unobstructed view, but hey, at least the pictures probably turned out great. Getting early helps get the best spot. IF your dancers dance later in the day, simply arrive early so that you can slowly move up front.
Let There Be Light? or Not
The seating area was dark - so dark that trying to keep track of scores felt like a scene from a spy movie. Scribbling notes blindly wasn't working, so I made a mental note to invest in a light-up pen. (Spoiler alert: Amazon has a ton of great options under $10.) Consider this my pro tip for future competition parents - trust me, you'll need one.
The Elevator Bottleneck and a Smart Exit Strategy
With only one elevator leading to the third floor, getting out at the end of the day was a slow-moving process. To speed things up, I took the dance bag to the car as soon as the final performance wrapped up. This way, everyone else could take the stairs without lugging extra gear, making our exit much smoother.
Final Thoughts
Competitions are long, tiring, and filled with unexpected challenges. But with the right game plan - and maybe a well-timed snack - you can make the day a whole lot easier. Bring your own water (if you dare), grab seats early, invest in a light-up pen, and always have an exit strategy. Here's to a great season ahead!