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MADjamTV

Brief History of the MADjam

For 2012 MADjam moves to the Hyatt Regency in Reston Va. This is one of the largest and nicest convention hotels in the DC area and makes an perfect venue for the largest swing dance weekend in the east. Expect record turnouts, lots of friendly dancers and more smooth running weekends!

MADjam was conceived during the summer of 2002. Interest in West Coast Swing and Hustle dancing in DC and the surrounding communities had grown significantly over the previous decade. After working behind the scenes at many major Mid Atlantic area dance events, several dancers with some prior event production experience decided to create a new event with new goals and new enthusiasm. We enlisted many dance pros, volunteers and social dance enthusiasts to help plan and pull off that first event. The goals set for that first year are still a fundamental part of each annual MADjam weekend. We offer our community and visitors an experience that features a broad variety of distinguished dance experts from around the country. We recruit a diverse panel of judges to ensure fair contests. We maintain a strict schedule and deliver everything we promise. Taking good care of the staff and every guest is our top priority

The first year’s goal was to create a single day, mega event that included all the best elements of a weekend long event. Especially important was finding a large enough location and one that would accommodate an all night party. In March of 2003, the first MADjam held at the Promenade Dancesport in Baltimore brought together over 500 dancers for a truly spectacular debut. That year featured 14 workshops, 2 levels of swing and hustle jack & Jill contests and a very exciting open showcase division. Workshops began at 10am and the diehards at the late night party were still dancing as the sun rose the next morning. It was a success by every measure.

In March of 2004, MADjam moved to the Ramada Inn in New Carrollton, MD to accommodate a larger crowd and many more out-of town dancers. Dance Jam Productions invested in sound systems and beautiful new portable dance flooring for all 3 ballrooms. MADjam joined the World Swing Dance Council. The weekend long schedule allowed for additional contest divisions, more prize money and a greater variety of workshops. Hand Dancers were invited and offered a choreography division. Just Dance Swing, Sophisticated Jack & Jill and Pro/Am divisions were popular new additions. The attendance topped 580 and the contest entries quadrupled from the first year. 

In 2005 MADjam grew by leaps and bounds. It moved to the Sheraton National in Arlington, VA. The hotel sold out and over 850 dancers turned out that weekend. A Thursday night welcome party was offered and a crowd of 250+ showed up for it. Many dancers from out of town arrived early and people were still dancing at 6am. Contest entries went up over 50% and we were able to fund a $10,000 prize purse. Invitational Jack & Jill contests for swing and hustle were big crowd pleasers. The pro staff expanded to include nearly 50 of the nations top swing, hustle and hand dance experts. Once again, the dedicated event staff and volunteers were able to keep us on schedule and everything ran smoothly during the weekend. MADjam became part of the International Hustle Dance Association which includes several events featuring Hustle contests and works to promote Hustle dancing worldwide.  

In 2006 MADjam was among the 5 largest swing dance conventions hosted that year. Over 1250 dancers attended and Sheraton Premiere was completely sold out. 623 Competitors from 45 states and Canada competed. Novice swing J&J was the largest division with 110 entries. The late night social dance parties were easily the best dancing the DC area has ever seen. The 24' video projection wall displayed real time contest data and live feeds from several cameras.

2007 MADjam was attended by more than 1400 different dancers. There were almost 800 contest entries. Jack & Jill divisions were huge with over 450 total entries. The Hustle divisions were the largest of any contest anywhere. The total number of west coast swing contest entries made MADjam 2007 the largest in all the east. All 43 workshops and every contest started on time, as advertised. It was truly an amazing weekend.

In 2008 and 2009 MADjam continued as the largest West Coast Swing weekend in the east and the largest Hustle competition on the planet. Over 1050 contest entries in 2009 and more than 1600 total participants earned it MEGA-event status on both dance circuits. The pro staff continued to expand in size and scope and 52 workshops were offered. The prize money awarded increased to more than $18,000. MADjam joined that Masters tour. In addition to offering that division for routines dance by Masters couples (50 or older) there were also strictly swing and hustle masters divisions added. Jack & Jill contest participation produced an amazing 650 entries between 13 divisions. Perhaps the most significant contest change was the addition of the Superstar Show where the current top Swing & Hustle champions were invited to perform their breath taking routines in lieu of entering the contests. This provided an awesome show and opened up the professional contests to emerging new champions eager to earn those titles. The size and scope of the contests became a logistical challenge to manage.

In 2010 more than 1500 dancers attended. A new all computer managed registration, check in and contest management system was deployed. An improved schedule and enlarged main competition floor helped allowed everything to stay on schedule with more time for social dancing and warm ups between contests. The dance floor was also more comfortable during the most crowded times. MADjam became a founding member of the Young America Swing Dances Association YASDA and 6 teen couples competed in the new division. The most raved about new feature was MADjam TV which was broadcast live to every TV in the building all weekend long. It featured contest stats, titling with division and contestant info and staging instructions and schedule updates. This ensured nothing was missed and everyone knew exactly what was happening even if they were in a guest room or at the restaurant or bar!

For 2011 MADjam joined the NASDE (National Association of Swing Dance Events) tour. This includes the largest and most prestigious of the West Coast Swing competitions and concludes at the US Open Swing Dance Championships in November. Points are awarded in the Classic, Showcase and Open Strictly Swing divisions. Tour winners earn significant cash prizes. Many dancers traveled from overseas to participate. With lessons learned from the growth during previous years and the implementation of computer managed contests it was possible to maintain a flawless schedule throughout the weekend. Dance Jam Productions also expanded by acquiring Swing Fling and launching the DC Swing eXperience to replace the former VSO weekend. We now have 3 annual, first class dance weekends in the DC area.

2012 brings a change of venue and some new staff members attending for the first time. You can always expect a 1st class experience at MADjam every year. We're constantly working hard to make sure it will always exceed your highest expectations! We look forward to seeing you at a future MADjam weekend!


Sincerely,
Dave Moldover
Event Director

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