Entries

• This competition is open to all amateurs and professionals. 
• All videos must be pre-recorded on a cell phone or camera in landscape mode.
• Videos must be uploaded and submitted no later than February 22, 2021 at midnight PST.
• The music can be downloaded or played directly from the website. It is imperative that the song be played from the beginning with the beep included in the recording. This will insure that videos will be presented well at the show.
  • Open-to-All and Dance Force/High School music is available now!
  • West Coast Swing music will be available on February 12, 2021. Each WCS division will have 3 songs/3 dances. Stay tuned! 
  • Dance Force songs are 60 seconds long. Open-to-All & West Coast Swing Strictly songs are 90 seconds long.
  • In certain divisions, competitors may submit multiple entries for the same event with different partners. Multiple entries are allowed in the following divisions 
    • High School partner divisions
    • Dance Force partner divisions
    • Open to All divisions
    • WCS Junior divisions
  • In WCS Divisions, couples may enter multiple dances (e.g. Advanced & Juniors, Sophisticated & Advanced) 

• The day of this unique event, Saturday, March 13, (every 30 minutes) there will be interactive and fun contests, audience participation (via chat), and prizes given away.
• To maximize your virtual experience, be sure to follow the chat. The more you participate, the more fun you will have!
• Please keep all comments respectful and related to the event. Be kind, and cheer on the dancers!
• Participants are here to be part of the High Desert Dance experience. Please refrain from self-promoting during this dance event.

Code of Conduct

• The Dance Force and High Desert Dance Classic Event is 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, volunteer 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 removed from the Zoom chat at the sole discretion of the director.

Open To All Competition

• This category is open to all couples, students or adults, and all levels.
• The syllabus is open, and can include choreography and non-syllabus figures.
• Costumes are encouraged.
• We are offering 2 levels this year:
  • Bronze-Gold/Beginner-Intermediate
  • Novice-Championship/Advanced-Champions (higher level division)

Cabaret Division

• The Cabaret Division is open to any style of dance.
• An entry may consist of a solo performer, couple, or teams of 3 or more performers.
• Lifts, aerials, acrobatic moves, drops, slides, breakaways, switching of partners, and reverse lead/follow are allowed but not required.
• Age Divisions:
  • Under 21
  • Under 50
  • Over 50
• Props are permitted.
• Performance time is a minimum of 2 minutes and maximum of 4 minutes. Timing starts with movement with or without music.
• Competitors select their own music and have choreographed routines.
• Dance Costumes are encouraged.

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

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 virtual event.

Note

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

Questions? Feel free to contact us anytime:

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

(661) 916-1318
Email: Please use contact form.