Entries

• This competition is open to all amateurs and professionals.
• Professionals may enter the Jack and Jills.

Jack & Jill Competitions

• Dancers enter a Jack and Jill competition without a partner, and are randomly paired with different partners during the event. Try your luck... There's no pressure and lots of fun! Jack & Jill competitions are an ideal way to showcase competitors' skill in spontaneous swing dancing, especially the ability to dance well with a variety of partners.
• All dancing in Jack & Jill competitions is to be lead and follow. Side-by-sides & breakaways are allowed. Note that the common requirements apply. Costumes are prohibited, but appropriate attire is required.
• There is no restriction on drawing one's previous partner, regular partner, or "worst nightmare" - it's the luck of the draw.
• West Coast Swing: No routines, lift, aerials, planned entrances or exits are allowed. Breakaways (12 count maximum) and drops are permitted.

Strictly B

• Dancers sign up with a partner
• This contest is open to Novice, Intermediate and Advanced dancers as defined by World Swing Dance Council
• Dancers must sign up for either Strictly B or Strictly A. You must choose one or the other.

Strictly A

• Dancers sign up with a partner
• This contest is open to All Stars & Champions as defined by World Swing Dance Council

FUN Team Match

• The Fun Team Match is just what is sounds like – it’s totally for FUN! Each team consists of four couples, and each couple is assigned a specific dance in their chosen style. The dances are: Cha Cha, Salsa, West Coast Swing & Merengue. The team matches are very loud and exuberant, so find some earplugs and get ready to cheer for your favorite team! Creativity in costuming counts (e.g. matching hats, shirts, Mickey Mouse ears). You can sign up at the registration desk with your team name.

Judging Criteria (Swing, Ballroom, & Latin)

Competitions will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Timing: All dances are 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: All dances 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.

Affiliate Organization Rules

• WSDC Rules will be followed. https://www.worldsdc.com/search/rules
• CTST Rules will be followed. http://countrytwosteptour.com/rules_procedures.html

Note

The Organizers reserve the right to cancel or combine events as they deem necessary.

Code of Conduct

• Dance Force, USA Dance AV Chapter, and the High Desert Dance Classic Event are committed to providing an enjoyable and successful experience to all participants and to ensure a harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or ethnicity.
• As a result, and to ensure this for all participants (including student dancers, professional performers, volunteers, participants and audience members), the event will not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form.
• Event participants in acceptance of entry to the event agree to the conditions set forth and that the violating of these standards or conducting themselves as a disruption to the event will be required to vacate the event premise at the sole discretion of the director.
• Reporting Concerns: If you have any concerns, complaints, or conduct-related issues, please report them directly to the Event Director prior to the start of the event. In order to be addressed in a timely manner, reports must be submitted no later than March 5, 2026.
• Dog Policy: Dogs and other pets are not allowed at Lancaster High School. All conditionally exempt guide and service dogs must be under the strict activity and leash control of the disabled owner and actively performing the service to the disabled person for which it was trained. Fraudulent Service Dog misrepresentation is a crime punishable under California Penal Code 365.7.

Liability

USA Dance and The High Desert Dance Classic and Antelope Valley College cannot be held liable for any injury sustained while in attendance at this event.

Questions? Feel free to contact us anytime:

High Desert Dance Classic
190 Sierra Ct Ste C-10
Palmdale, CA, 93550

909-225-5078
Email: Please use contact form.