Ballroom Dance Competition Guidelines

DC DANCE CHALLENGE & SHOWCASE ENTRY FORM GUIDELINES

1. On Each Form you will check the type of entrant for each student (Adult or Youth Amateur or Pro-Am). then enter the Name of the Couple and the Age Division (s): PT (-12), JR (13-17), A (18-35), B (36-50), C (51-60), D (61-70), and E (71+), Amateur Couples must dance in the division of the Younger Partner. You may also enter in any age division that is below your current age division if you want more competition.

2. Select the Dance Level which is appropriate for your student (s).You may enter the Dance level on or above your current level of study. Please do not enter below your level. You may enter no more than 2 levels above your current level for single dances and 1 level for multi dances. No competitor may compete in more than 3 levels.

3. If you are not dancing a recognized closed bronze curriculum you must dance in the Open (advanced) category. It is an non-syllabus category. Lifts are not allowed.

4. In order to compete in any of the 3 dance challenges. You must have registered to dance in each one of those dances in the single closed dance category. Check the entry forms on the website for correct 3 dance categories offered. From time to time these categories may change.

NEWCOMERS-Must have taken less than 60 lessons of instruction at the time of entering the event and must also have never won a Top Newcomer Award. Bronze figures and styling must be adhered to Newcomers are not expected to wear dance costumes. Cocktail Dresses or Skirts are preferred.

BRONZE-The Bronze syllabus should be adhered to with “closed footwork” in the smooth dances. Dance costumes may be worn if desired.

SILVER & GOLD-The Silver and Gold syllabus should be adhered to, continuity styling is expected. Students are generally expected to wear costumes, but this is not mandatory.

5. You have the option of being judged Contested or Uncontested in each level. Contested Entries are marked based on comparison of judges numeric scoring (0-100) among contested competitors. The highest score will be placed first and so on. Uncontested Entries are scored against the standard on the level in which you are dancing. The score is then converted to a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd placement by threshold. In addition, you can enter in Closed or Open Events. This scoring system will provide competitor further feedback indicating how close you are from your competitors and the standards expected for your level and age group.

SEE SCORES EXAMPLE (click here)

Closed entries must strictly adhere to the figures in the syllabus level in which you are entered (Bronze I- half or Bronze II–full), and Open Bronze entries allow you to use more creativity without adhering to the school figures. Music for these entries will be played at strict tempo for the specific style being danced.

6. Check the Dances to be entered.

7. Fill out the Solo Exhibitions and Formations form.

8. Consider writing a note to your favorite student/ teacher/school on the program “Cheerleader” – Write a message for your favorite dancer: 0.3cents per character (spaces counts). Ex: “Thanks for participating in DC Dance Challenge” would cost $ 13.8

EVENTS GUIDE

SHOWCASE- Choreographed routines performed by couples to individual music that shall not exceed 3 minutes. Music is to be provided by the dancer in the form of a CD with only one musical number per CD. Appropriate costuming is expected.

FORMATION- Choreographed routines performed by two or more couples on the floor at the same time forming lines and circles or whatever creative patterns possible.

SCORING SYSTEM

CONTESTED HEATS- All heats will be judged by proficiency scoring. That means that the judges will use a scale from 0-100 to express the score. The higher the score in comparison to the competition, the better the placement. The scrutineer will compare scores in between contestant competitors and mark 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place accordingly. This applies to couples (Pro-Am or Amateur) dancing in the same dance level and age category. All scores and marks will be available on the competitors score sheet for later study.

UNCONTESTED HEATS– All heats will be judged by proficiency scoring. That means that the judges will use a scale from 0-100 to express the score. There is no comparison in between competitors although marks will be made by threshold. 1st place will range in between 94-100, 2nd will range in between 89-93 and 3rd will range in between 82-88. Judges will score based on dance standards that reflect age and dance level selected.

POINTS, TOP AWARDS & MULTI DANCE CHALLENGE AWARDS

If you do not receive an award remember that awards, placement and winning is not the most important objective when competing. Success is related to effort, and is measured by self-improvement. If you are competing you are probably practicing more, studying more and dancing better…that is what really makes you a successful competitor.

All competitors will receive certificate of participation and a score sheet with the judges scoring. DC Dance Challenge proudly offer this to all competitors so that competitors instructors and coaches can keep track of their progress in competition.

Top Awards will be given to all levels available on the competition including Newcomer, Bronze 1, Bronze 2, Open (Advanced) Bronze, Newcomer Silver, Silver 1, Silver 2, and Gold 1 and Gold and above. Top Awards will be calculated based on the accumulation of points throughout the competition. Points will be awarded as follows: 1 point per entry, 5 points for a first place, 3 points for a second place, 1 point for a third place. If a competitor wins tops in two different levels. The winner will be awarded with the highest level only. Uncontested entries will get half of the points.

All winners of the Multi-Dance Challenges will receive an award. In order to compete in any of the Multi-Dance Challenges, you must have registered to dance in each one of those dances in the single closed dance category. Check the entry forms on the website for correct Multi-Dance categories offered. From time to time these categories may change.

DO NOT MISS OUR PROFESSIONAL SHOW “SUPERSTARS OF DCDANCECHALLENGE” WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF SEVERAL LOCAL PARTICIPATING PROFESSIONALS