High Desert Dance Classic

Dance Competition

Antelope Valley College
32nd West and Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93550

Ballroom/Latin Competition Rules & Guidelines

Costume and Syllabus Restrictions

Eligibility: This competition is open to all amateurs and professionals. Professionals may enter the Pro/Am Ballroom events as well as the Jack and Jill and Open to All events.

Entries: Competitors may enter up to two consecutive levels of single-dance events (e.g. Newcomer + Beginner, Beginner + Intermediate, or Intermediate + Advanced).

Competitors may enter, in addition to two levels of single-dance events, one level of multi-dance events corresponding to single-dance proficiency level (e.g. Newcomer through Intermediate may enter Novice Challenge; Intermediate and Advanced may enter Champion Challenge).

Newcomer: Individual who has never competed. Bronze Syllabus only. No open choreography allowed; partners must maintain at least a single hand hold at all times.

Beginner Bronze Ballroom Syllabus.

Intermediate: Up to Silver Ballroom Syllabus.

Advanced: Up to Gold Ballroom Syllabus.

Novice: No choreography restrictions except as stated below. Competitor must dance all three stated dances in division.

Championship: No choreography restrictions except as stated below. Competitor must dance all dances in division.

Pro/Am: Pro Am Ballroom events will be run simultaneously with Amateur Ballroom events. Students who are entering Pro-Am events will not be permitted to also enter Amateur events in the same level or division. However, Pro-Am students may enter Amateur events in different levels or division. For example, a student competing as Pro-Am in International Latin Advanced may compete as an Amateur in International Latin Beginner or Intermediate, or in any level of International Standard, American Smooth, or American Rhythm .

A partnership is defined as male lead and female follows.

Age minimum requirements for jack n jill/strictly swing events is 10 years and older
Age requirements for Juniors WCS J&J is 5-21 years of age

Age Categories
Youth (6-15)
Junior (16-18)
Adult A (19 - 34)
Adult B (35 – 50) (may also enter Adult A)
Adult C (51 +) (may also enter Adult A and/or Adult B)

Different age categories will dance in the same heat, but will be judged separately. Extra heats may be added to accommodate number of competitors/entries, at the organizers’ discretion.

Ballroom/Latin Costumes

Dance shoes are REQUIRED.

A “costume” is an outfit that is worn expressly for the purpose of performing, such as dance tails, ball gowns, and Latin dresses. Costumes are allowed, but not required, for the Multi-Dance Events, Pro-Am, and Open to All.

No costumes are permitted for single-dance amateur ballroom/Latin events.

Evening wear is suggested as costuming for single-dance competitors (i.e. cocktail dresses for ladies, jackets or vests for men). Competitors should remain in the same costume for the completion of each proficiency level or division (Smooth, Rhythm, Standard or Latin). Adequate time for costume changes between divisions will be allowed.


Note: The Organizers of this Event have the right to cancel or combine events, as they deem necessary.

Choreography Restrictions for Multi-dance Ballroom events

A lift is defined as a move in which one partner has both feet off the floor OR is completely supported by the other partner (and would not be able to recover dance position alone).

Any lifts, carries, aerials (assisted jumps or flips), floor sweeps, etc. must be completed within two beats of music.

Carries, aerials, floor sweeps, etc. which are not completed within two beats of music, or which result in a collision with another couple, will result in “busting down,” i.e. loss of one place level for the couple.

Carries, aerials, etc. in which a partner’s body is higher than the other partner’s shoulder level, or in which a partner is lifted or flipped over the other partner’s shoulder or head, are strictly forbidden and will result in disqualification.

Floor work, in which a dancer sits or kneels, or does the splits on the floor, is likewise restricted to two beats of music. Floor work which is not completed within two beats of music, or which results in a collision with another couple, will result in “busting down.”

Drops, spirals, rolls, drags, etc. in which a partner’s upper body is on the floor are strictly forbidden and will result in disqualification.

Liability: The organizers of this event bear no responsibility for the loss or theft of
personal property. The High Desert Dance Classic and Antelope Valley College cannot be held liable for any injury sustained while in attendance at this event.

Fun Team Match

Fun Team Matches will take place on Saturday night. A Team consists of 4 different couples (students/ adults/pro or amateur), each of which will dance one of the four dances. The level is open, any moves are allowed. The dances for the team match will be drawn out of a hat and the four dances will be announced. Teams can sign up one hour prior to the event.

If you have a partial team and would like to be matched up with another partial team, let us know and we will attempt to do so. Each team should be full four couples; you cannot dance more than once in a team match. Teams are limited to two Professional dancers per team.

Open To All Competition

This category is open to all couples, (whether student or adult), of all levels. Any moves are allowed (except as noted above). Costumes are encouraged.

The number of couples in the contest will determine the length of the contest. There may be a preliminary round with a minimum of 2 songs and 2 partner changes with dancers being called back individually for a final round. Alternatively there may be a "one-shot" final contest (without a preliminary round) in which partners stay together and dance to a minimum of 2 songs.

JUDGING CRITERIA: (Swing, Ballroom, Latin)
 
Competitions will be judged using the Relative Placement Scoring System based on the following criteria:
Timing - Swing and salsa is danced beginning on the downbeat. Timing extends to much finer distinctions than a single beat. It includes whether a competitor is fractionally ahead or behind the beat as well as matching the syncopations of the music.
Teamwork – Swing and Salsa are connected, partner dances. The demonstration of this connection and the appearance of "lead/follow" or "action/reaction" between the partners is an expected part of any competition dance. One partner ignoring or "out-dancing" the other, or jeopardizing the safety of the other, indicates poor teamwork.
Technique - How well the competitors execute movements encompassing their dance represents technique. This includes control of balance and weight, foot placement, body lines, and spins.
Presentation - Creating an atmosphere of excitement by inviting and generating interest in a performance is the desired effect of good presentation. While showmanship is one aspect of presentation, it cannot substitute for good dancing. Good sporting conduct before, during, and after the dance is also an element of good presentation.
WSDC Rules will be followed.