About the EFDD
The European Festival for Dancing Dinos (or EFDD) is an event for alumni from the European Tournament for Dancing Students (ETDS). It’s organized for the first time in January 2025 and welcomes ballroom dancers from all over Europe! We aim to host an event so extraordinary that ETDS veterans will choose to join the EFDD over the student-focused tournaments in the future, thereby creating more space for the youngsters.
Theme
Once, we waltzed like royalty and tangoed with fiery passion, like the dinosaurs roamed the earth some couple of million years ago. But now, our samba has more sway from the hips—thanks to some creaky joints. The rumba's seductive flair might now involve a little less hip action and a bit more back support. Our quickstep isn't as quick, more of a "quick rest”, and our paso dobles drama is now more about avoiding dramatic falls. But don't be fooled! Like ancient dinosaurs, we've still got some pretty good moves left. So, watch out as the "Dancing Dinos" waltz and jive the night away—albeit with a bit more wisdom than years ago, and even more laughs!
Get ready for the ultimate weekend dancing getaway, where the fun is so fantastic, you can skip the ETDS! We, the Dancing Dinos, will have our own awesome place where the magic happens instead. At the EFDD, we'll reunite with all our dancing friends, socialize, and enjoy every dance step together. You’ll find our beloved ETDS atmosphere, together with your dancing family! It's not just about dancing; it's about creating unforgettable memories and having a blast. So, lace up those dance shoes and join us at the EFDD—where friendships are rekindled, dance floors are conquered, and fun is the name of the game!
The theme of this weekend is of course “Dancing Dinos”, because we may seem ancient as dinosaurs…. We still know how to party!
Differences from an ETDS
You may think this is just a copy of any old ETDS, but there are quite some differences. We will go over most of them here. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Target audience
The ETDS primarily targets students and staff from universities across Europe. However, we may have outgrown this focus somewhat. We see ourselves as Dancing Dinos — prehistoric and a bit out of place at a student tournament, but absolutely roarsome! The EFDD will definitely be the place for you if:
Criteria
- You have joined ETDS events before as a student
- You are a former student dancer
- You are 25 years or older
- You agree to volunteer a bit and help us make this event happen
- You are awesome
If you don't tick all those boxes, but you still think you belong at the EFDD: Please contact the organization before registering.
Teams and team captains
You’re all grown up, wise, and experienced by now, aren’t you? You know how to take care of yourself during a dancing weekend like the EFDD. You’ve attended countless ETDS events and made friends from various teams around Europe. You may once have been part of a student dance association, but those days are behind you.
So... Who needs a team captain? Who needs separation in teams anyways? We are one big Dancing Dino team!
No longer:
- Team captain
Instead:
- You are your own Alpha Dino
You are responsible for managing your own gathering of information, registration, payment, behavior, adherence to rules, volunteering, and everything else! During the weekend, you can sit with whomever you choose and are encouraged to have fun with old friends and make some new ones.
Please read this website carefully and we're sure you'll manage. Use the search function and the FAQ, and if nothing works: contact us. You can provide us with feedback on the website or on the proceedings of the weekend via the feedback button on the top right of this page.
Sleeping
We’re all getting a bit older, and our dinosaur bones are not equipped anymore to sleep on a squeaky air mattress in a sleeping hall.
Most of us prefer a proper bed and more hours of quality sleep now, so we have arranged a deal with the hotel across the street from the dancing hall. You can indicate your interest in this offer on the registration form.
We can accommodate most, but not all participants here. Moreover, we have a program that allows participants to sleep a bit longer if they prefer.
No longer:
- Sleeping spaces at the venue
- Getting up early for competition at 09:00
- Bringing an air mattress, sleeping bag and earplugs
- Sharing your sleeping space with 300 others
Instead:
- Hotel packages available
- Optional workshops in the morning
- Competitions start at 13:00
- Better quality and longer sleep
- More privacy
Program
Rather than having two full competition days, our goal is to have a more relaxed schedule with interesting things for everyone. With the competition now starting later, it provides room for those who are early risers to do other things in the morning. That is why every day we will host 3 workshops in the morning and competitions in the afternoon.
These workshops will cover more than just latin and ballroom; you'll also get to explore styles like West Coast Swing, Bachata, and Kizomba. Partners will rotate continuously throughout the workshops, much like some of you might be used to from Social latin or West Coast Swing events. Of course, we will host three great parties on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.
Changes from the ETDS
- Workshops from 09:30 - 13:00
- Competitions from 13:00 - 19:00
Tournament
Here we are gonna change some things up! There are always complaints about the two possible options in the ETDS: fixed partner or lottery.
We have decided to make it easier for you and have only one class, but two separate competitions per discipline: fixed partner and lottery. You choose per discipline which competition you'd like and that way we'll all be happy. No, you cannot join in both 😉
We reserve the right to adjust the above if needed, for example in the event of extremely uneven registration numbers for both competitions.
No longer:
- Subscribing for breitensport or open class
- Depending on ETDS rules: blind date/fixed partner or lottery per dance
- Breitensport ballroom and open latin on Saturday, Breitensport latin and open ballroom on Sunday
Instead:
- All dancers will start in one class
- Two separate competitions per discipline: fixed partner and lottery
- Additional prerounds for the lottery competition (and 5 dances from the start!)
- Choose per discipline which competition you'd like: fixed partner or lottery per dance
- Both ballroom competitions on Saturday, both latin competitions on Sunday
Food
Food is always a big part of the event, and yet the quality is not always to die for. However, the old way of letting the dancers go into town to have dinner there is not really feasible if you don't want to miss the party. Therefore, we’ve opted for a balanced approach: on Saturday, dinner will be served at the venue, while on Sunday, you are invited to enjoy a meal in town.
We won't serve:
- Breakfast on Monday
- Dinner on Sunday
We will serve:
- Friday evening snack
- Brunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Dinner on Saturday
Volunteering
We will definitely need your help this weekend! At an ETDS, volunteering shifts are assigned through the team captains. Since we don't have team captains, the organizing team will create a volunteer schedule. Please inform us of your availability and preferences through the subscription form. We will notify you of your assigned shifts in due course. You are responsible for ensuring your shifts are covered, either by yourself or by a substitute. Even if you arrange a substitute, you remain personally accountable for the shift!
No longer
- Obligatory Helping Hours via team captain
- Double occupied shifts so you can miss one
- Backup shifts
Instead
- Volunteering shifts assigned by the organization
- Obligation to do those shifts
- Responsible adult mode 😃
Visitors
We have limited space and want to keep sufficient room for all our dancers. Since this is the first edition of the EFDD, we do not yet have as large of a location as an ETDS. We will not allow visitors to the event, nor will we allow people to get tickets just for the party/parties.