Questions can be tricky. They can immobilize you, take away your ability to speak, raise your hand, and even make you question why you had the question to begin with. We see your event questions, and we've raised some event answers. 33, to be exact.
[If you don't see your question listed, let us know, and we'll include it in a future article.]
33 Arthur Murray Event Questions
1. What is a Medal Ball?
The Medal Ball is an event to celebrate an Arthur Murray student's graduation from a level of their "Medalist" dance program. Since the Arthur Murray curriculum is set to help students eventually use their dancing at a nightclub, dinner dance, cruise, company event, or in their living room - the graduation process includes a "Freestyle". This is where a group of would-be graduates dance and receive written feedback from a visiting Arthur Murray consultant.
2. Why is there an Arthur Murray consultant at the Medal Ball?
Having a consultant provide feedback gives you, and your teacher a chance for a fresh set of eyes on your dancing. In most cases, the consultant has never seen the student dance before, or does not see them on a regular basis. This allows for more objective feedback and direction for the plan moving forward.
3. By "Ball" do you mean "Fancy Party"?
Yes, sort of. The final portion of the Medal Ball is a Graduation Party. It's a big celebration for everyone moving up in their dance programs. In the Bay Area, these parties are themed, with optional costumes, a seated dinner, professional demonstrations, and the Flash Formation competition.
4. What Is the Flash Formation?
Each studio is given the same piece of music to assemble a group dance demonstration, called a Formation. The winning team receives the coveted Flash Formation trophy and keeps it in their studio until the next Medal Ball.
5. Can I attend the Medal Ball if I'm not graduating?
That would be a great idea. This event is great for fellow students that want a preview of what to expect, or for friends and family that want to celebrate this great milestone.
For more information on the Medal Ball, we recommend reading our Medal Ball E-book:
6. What is an Extravaganza?
The Extravaganza is another dance event term that has been called many other things: In House Showcase, Spotlight, Arthur Awards Show. This event is built around solo routine performances for Arthur Murray students from Newcomer through the Gold level, and from Children to Adults.
7. Where is the Extravaganza held?
In the Bay Area, this event has typically been hosted in each individual studio. In 2016, the Extravaganza will be held in local theaters to provide additional seating and ambiance for everyone in attendance.
8. I don't feel comfortable performing a routine, do I have to?
You don't. One thing to consider is that no one really feels comfortable because it is new and outside of your comfort zone. That is by design. Your teacher will only ask you to participate if they feel like it is going to be a valuable experience for your dance progress.
9. Is there some incentive for my teacher to have me participate?
If by "incentive" you mean the pride and gratitude they'll feel when you trust them and step outside of your comfort zone, then yes. Their compensation for the event is not determined by your participation, but your belief in their recommendations is very valuable to them as teachers.
10. My routine is brand new, should I just wait until the next Extravaganza?
A full routine is 90 seconds, maximum. There are options for work-in-progress routines called "Spotlights". These can be as short as 30 seconds and provide a great opportunity for feedback and rehearsal.
11. What is a Showcase?
A showcase is a local dance event that is designed to improve dance confidence. In the Bay Area, this event is referred to as the District Showcase.
12. What is the District Showcase?
The District Showcase is a combined Showcase for the studios in District 9.
13. What Is District 9, are you talking about that movie?
Northern California, within the Arthur Murray organization, is referred to as "District 9" (like the movie). For years, this district was comprised of the Hayward, San Jose, Carmichael, Burlingame, and San Francisco studios. Today the District is made up of San Jose, Los Gatos, Fremont, Redwood City, Millbrae, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek, Hayward, Livermore, Carmichael, Folsom, Reno, and Stockton.
14. Why should a regular student attend the District Showcase?
The Showcase allows students to dance with a group of people in the same dance level for feedback. Similar to the Medal Ball, there are consultants taking notes on each dance. However, the Showcase allows for students to log more time on the dance floor, and therefore, confidence is accrued in larger increments. 
15. My teacher mentioned something about "Dance Confidence", what does that mean?
As a dance student, at some point, even if you don't want it to, someone will ask to see you dance. The goal of the staff at Arthur Murray is to equip students to accept any and all dance invitations. Dance Confidence means that you can accept with no hesitation and use what you have learned.
16. Can't I develop my Dance Confidence at the studio?
Taking private lessons is a huge part to developing your confidence with dancing. You are developing the skills of dancing. Eventually, however, you need to work on applying those skills in an unfamiliar environment. Taking a page out of football, a Quarterback can learn the skills of the position, but eventually, he needs to try those skills in a real environment, with real defenders. The showcase is the best simulator for that unfamiliar, pressurized environment.
17. Do you always use analogies when you talk to people, or is it just when you write?
Always. In all mediums. It's kind of like...
18. Can't I develop this confidence at the Practice Parties? Don't they help build confidence?
Absolutely! In fact, the Practice Parties are a great primer for the District Showcase. The parties are designed to be a lab. A place to try things out that are still early in development, and work on adjusting to different dance partners in a social environment. The District Showcase, is centered around application of the skills accumulated on private, group, and practice party sessions.
19. My teacher told me he'd like to enter me in a Closed Freestyle, what is that?
A Freestyle is one of the dances you enter in for the larger dance events like District Showcase and Dance-O-Rama®. By "Closed", it means that the material you are dancing is restricted to the dance level you are working on in your dance program.Conversely, an "Open" freestyle removes any restrictions, and you have the option of dancing outside of your level or choreographed material.
20. What is a Heat?
It's a dance event tracking term. Throughout the day at a Showcase or Dance-O-Rama®, the freestyles you are dancing will be listed with a Heat number so you'll know when you are dancing. 
21. Why am I signed up for a "Critique"?
A "Critique" is commonly referred to as "Feedback", or a "Consultation". At any event with a dance consultant present, they will usually jot down feedback about the students dancing. That's their purpose for being there. Whether you call it a Consultation or Critique, it's a chance for the consultant to interpret their feedback to the teacher and student, and help construct an actionable plan for implementing any ideas they have.
For more information on the District Showcase, we recommend reading our Guide To The District Showcase:
22. What is a Dance-O-Rama®?
Think of a Dance-O-Rama® as a 3-5 Day Showcase. It's a dance vacation, set in wonderful getaway locations like Hawaii, Italy, Southern California, and Las Vegas. It is a total immersion approach to dance development. With 3-5 days, it offers the biggest gains in dance confidence.
23. When are Dance-O-Rama®'s held?
There are over 10 Dance-O-Ramas®, or DOR's, held per year in different parts of the world. Some of the most popular, and longest running, DOR's are the World Dance-O-Rama® in the Spring, the Unique Dance-O-Rama® in the Summer, and Superama in the Fall.
24. Where is the World Dance-O-Rama® held?
Organized by Arthur Murray International, the World DOR rotates to different exciting cities each year like Miami, New York, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
25. Where is the Unique Dance-O-Rama® held?
Organized by Steve and Georgetta Platt, the Unique DOR is held in Orange County. What makes the event so special is an emphasis on themed dance performances for every level of dance student.
26. Where is the Superama held?
This is the crown jewel of the Arthur Murray Dance-O-Ramas®. The Superama is organized by Arthur Murray International and they pull out all the stops. Held in Las Vegas for years at the Wynn Resort and Casino, in 2016 the Superama moves to the beautiful Bellagio hotel in the center of the Las Vegas strip.
27. My teacher asked me to go to a Dance-O-Rama®, but I'm brand new. Is my teacher crazy?
Your teacher my be crazy, but that's another issue entirely. In all seriousness, there is a category specifically designed for new students - the Newcomer division. Every DOR has very specific dance and age categories. This means that an experienced student could not participate in the Newcomer category. 
28. I went to a Dance-O-Rama® and my teacher left the ballroom. Did I do something wrong?
Not at all. &If your teacher leaves the ballroom - it's for good reasons. It can be human reasons, like using the bathroom. It can be for logistical reasons, like checking in with the staff at the event to check the timeline. It can be for dance reasons, teachers who are also professional competitors will usually leave to change into their costumes at least an hour, or so, before their scheduled competition.
29. Do I need to own a dance costume to participate at an event like this?
Absolutely not. Dance costumes aren't ever required. We would recommend that students consult their teachers on the best entry level outfits to wear - like practice wear, or a vest and slack for the gentlemen. Fortunately, there are vendors on hand at all of the large dance events should you choose to purchase a costume.
30. I may be in the market for a dance costume, how does it all work?
Every vendor will usually have plenty of costumes on display and available to try on for immediate use - size permitting. For those that want something custom made, each Dance Costume company has a team of designers that can help sketch, fit, and construct your costume.
31. If I showed up at a DOR without any luggage, would I find what I needed at the event?
Great question. You just might. You would not be able to have a custom made costume in that short of a window, but there are pre-made, or consignment dance costumes. In addition, there are also dance shoe vendors. Unfortunately, there are no underwear or sock vendors, so that, along with the basic toiletries, will have to be procured via the gift shop at the hotel.
32. Do the judges at these O-Ramas have favorites they pick ahead of time?
No. Aside from the fact that you are being evaluated on your own individual dancing, dance judges are experts in their field and are trained to see enough to form an opinion in a short period of time. Here is an example of what they look for: 31 Things Dance Judges Want To See You Do
33. Why Should I Participate in an Arthur Murray Event?
They are fun, make your heart beat a little faster, and are designed to help your hobby develop. Every Arthur Murray Dance Studio will refer to their student body as a family. Any studio can have a collection of students, but shared experiences are what strengthens the connections between the students and teachers as a whole.
Final Thought
Sometimes the biggest question you have is why your teacher would ask. You're a normal person, you weren't born with dance shoes on, and this isn't your occupation. Now let's ask a different question: What if you had a teacher that never invited you? What if that teacher lowered expectations, postponed opportunities, and shielded you from things without you knowing?
A teacher that wants more for their students, in any activity, is a great teacher.... and there's no question about that.
