Ladydance is correct. Very few spectators will recognize any mistakes you might make if you keep your composure. Even if they do, so what! I can look at video of everything I've done and find things I could have done better.

I can look back on my first show and laugh at how poorly I executed the figures if I compare to what I can do today. My teacher used it to push me and it worked. Shortly after that I began to compete and if you haven't tried that, it may be worth taking a shot just once.

I think there is nothing better than working toward goals with deadlines to stimulate your own progress. Don't forget to get video of your performance, it can be a great learning tool. Dance your heart out and enjoy every second.

More good advice, thank you! Thank heavens for video and iPads, that's how I've been able to make the progress I have. As I mentioned earlier, I had a good talk with my instructor yesterday which helped tremendously. When I saw my first showcase this year the main thing I took away was I wanted to look relaxed, connected to my partner and enjoy myself. I'm hoping now I can do that and remember that's the most important thing. I can rely on muscle memory and my instructor to do that.

However, he did start to tell me that only three people would notice if I made a mistake. He began to say the names of his instructor, who's a former US Champion, and another colleague! I told him, in my mind they ARE not there and I don't want to hear any more! He laughed. Hey, I'll take any delusions I can to get me through this. Luckily, I don't know her that well to recognize her by sight.

I can't tell you enough how much reading these kind words helps. I'm not trying to do this perfectly, but as well as I can at this particular time. Now that I'm more relaxed and confident, I think it will be just fine.

IME, my first showcase was the hardest (and most poorly danced LOL) and they got progressively easier and better from there. I now compete am-am with my wife and dance the occasional showcase now as a stress reliever compared to comps.

Anyway, have fun, do your best and do remember that most people won't even know if you make a mistake as long as you don't let on.

Let us know how it goes.

Well, LOL, it would have helped it you hadn't said your first one was the worst!! That really did make my smile, so no worries. Mine's in four hours, and the nerves are starting to ramp up a bit. However, I've had very good practices the last two weeks, and have seen a great improvement. So, for what I'm capable of doing at this point, I've done my best. I'd love to nail my swivels (my bete noir) and contra-check to leg crawl, but I couldn't have worked any harder at this than I have.

Thanks all, I'll be feeling all this support tonight.

You were right, it went fabulously. There was a bobble by me, which nobody noticed. Instead of doing an underarm turn with a walk-thru to closed position, I reached for my partner's hand. For that split second we were both surprised (now why did THAT happen) but we just continued. Even I can hardly tell it on the video. I was much more relaxed than expected and was able to smile and enjoy myself; despite the hour leading up to it being filled with numerous, nagging issues and me becoming a basket-case.

The feedback I got was all very good, including from several people whose opinion I really respect. Even if the quality of technique wasn't tops, it was smooth and people enjoyed it. When they said I glowed and looked so relaxed, I told them the acting classes I've taken sure helped!

I was proud that I handled any glitches well. I know sometimes people freeze, forget their routine or frantically try and correct an error leaving their partner in the dust. I must have a very good instructor because I just relaxed and trusted him. Two weeks ago I was convinced I could never do this. That's when I reached out here and to others-it was all good after that. Now of course, I want to do it again!

Thanks again.

Congrats! So glad it went well.

Good for you! Sometimes you can work on a pattern for weeks, and then when you perform it you realize that it only lasts 12 seconds. A little depressing, but the other side of that is that individual movements take so little time that hardly anybody notices if you miss something. Also, you performed a showcase; it wasn't a competition. So performance value matters as much as technique. You want the technique to be good, but if it isn't perfect it isn't fatal. Sounds like you did well. congratulations!

I was so busy with Christmas, that I couldn't get back before this. We had two videos of it and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't notice my telemark. That's because I did it right! I worked so hard on it that somehow it must have gotten in my muscle memory despite my struggles. My instructor was very pleased. Who knows, maybe I'll have to come back in a few months and ask advice about my first competition. We have two Wisconsin major competitions, but one's during our yearly vacation, so I can't do that one. That's fine with me as it looks very intimidating; I know the venue, it's a gorgeous ballroom in a historic hotel and I'm not ready for that at all!

BTW, Now that I've had a two week break (and I'm really missing dancing) my foot (Morton's Neuroma) is so much better. Maybe I'll be lucky and it will completely go away.