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About |
Cabaret - Team
Jack & Jill - Definitions - Scoring
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DO NOT MESS WITH THE JUDGES!
General
Rules
Strictly Swing, Hustle and Hand Dance Contests – Enter with your
partner. The contest Deejay picks the music. Different skill levels
are offered. Generally a couple should enter the highest skill level
they are qualified for. Each skill level is a separate contest. You may only enter
one skill level for each type of dance (*except Sophisticated). Couples dance in heats for 2 to
5 short
songs appropriate for their division with contrasting tempos and styles.
If more than 15 couples enter a division there will be a preliminary
contest followed by a final contest later the same evening. Judges will evaluate couples based on their
demonstration of good social dancing skills, timing, technique,
connection, lead and follow, presentation, showmanship and skill level.
* Coordinating attire is acceptable.
Advanced: For couples with significant competition experience who are not yet ready to compete in an open division against professionals for the big money.
Open: For experienced competitors and professionals with previous
competition success at advanced or higher levels. Competitors who
have placed previously in an open professional division at a national
competition must dance in this division. Cash prizes are offered in
the Open level only.
Strictly Hustle Contests Advanced: For couples with significant competition experience who are not yet ready to compete in an open division against professionals for the big money. Open: For experienced competitors and professionals with previous competition success at advanced or higher levels. Competitors who have placed previously in an open professional division at a national competition must dance in this division. Cash prizes are offered. Sophisticated: Both partners must be 40 years of age or older. Because this is an age requirement and not a skill level requirement you may also enter another strictly Hustle contest at the appropriate skill level if you wish.
Strictly Hand Dance
Superstars Showcase
– We've invited previous MADjam winners
and couples that have already accumulated many national titles to
perform in this show rather than compete in the classic and showcase
contests. This will allow us to present an amazing dance show featuring the
world's current and former top Swing & Hustle performers and open up the
competitive classic & showcase titles for new up
and coming couples on the competition circuit. The 2010 lineup will feature:
Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlow
Classic
Swing & Classic Hustle
– Bring your
partner, music,
costumes and
choreographed routine. These contests highlight skills in choreographed swing dancing. These divisions are open to amateurs or
professionals. Dance order will be chosen at random and posted prior to
the division start time. Music provided by each couple must be a single
track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer than 3˝ minutes. Routines
must exhibit at least 80% content recognizable as a form of swing (Classic
Swing) or hustle (Classic Hustle). Drops, leans, circular movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed as long as both partners keep at least one foot on the floor.
Large cash prizes are offered. *
Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight support moves.
Sophisticated
(40+)
-
This single division
includes all styles of Swing: West Coast Swing, Lindy
Hop, Hustle, Shag
and Hand Dance or any other style of popular swing dance.
Both partners must be 40 years of age or older. Routines
are danced in a solo format. Dance order is chosen at random and posted
prior to the division start time. Music provided by each couple must be
a single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer
than 3˝ minutes. * Routines must include at least 75% recognizable
swing, hustle or hand dance content.
* Costumes are allowed and encouraged. No props are allowed. Juniors (13-17) - This single division includes all styles of Swing: West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Hustle, Shag and Hand Dance or any other style of popular swing dance. It is for younger couples where both partners are at least 13 years old and no older than 17 on the day they compete. Routines are danced in a solo format. Dance order is chosen at random and posted prior to the division start time. Music provided by each couple must be a single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer than 3˝ minutes.
* Routines must include at least 75% recognizable swing, hustle or hand dance content.
* Costumes are allowed and encouraged. No props are allowed. * If a juniors couple has competed previously but one partner reaches 18 years of age, the couple may petition the organizer in advance for an exception to the age restriction. The intent of this option is to allow youngsters who have formed a partnership and advanced their dancing together to continue to compete together in this division. Rising Star - This single division includes all styles of Swing: West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Hustle, Shag and Hand Dance or any other style of popular swing dance. It is for couples that have limited experience with choreography and do not want to compete against professionals in the open classic divisions. Routines are danced in a solo format. Dance order is chosen at random and posted prior to the division start time. Music provided by each couple must be a single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer than 3˝ minutes. If either partner has previously placed 5th or higher at a N.A.S.D.E. Classic or Showcase event they are no longer eligible to compete in Rising Star. If a couple has a total of 3 wins together in Rising Star division at MADjam or elsewhere, they must move up to the open classic or showcase division.
* Routines must include at least 75% recognizable swing, hustle or hand dance content.
* Costumes are allowed and encouraged. No props are allowed.
Open
Showcase
- This single division
includes all styles of Swing: West Coast Swing, Lindy
Hop, Hustle, Shag
and Hand Dance or any other style of popular swing dance. Costumes, lifts,
drops, tricks and stunts are encouraged and a minimum number are required
(see below). Routines are danced in solo format. Dance order is chosen at
random and posted prior to the division start time. Music provided by each
couple must be a single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer
than 3 ˝ minutes.
Pro/Am
-
Students enter with their teacher. For this contest, amateurs are defined as someone who
does not teach dancing on a regular, ongoing basis or make a significant
amount of income from teaching. A professional is defined as
someone who makes a significant amount of income teaching or performing dance. Anyone who has previously
competed in open or professional level competition will be considered a
Pro for this purpose. Couples entering the Pro/Am divisions must have a prior student/teacher
relationship. In Pro/Am divisions only the amateur is evaluated.
Different skill levels are offered. Each skill level is a separate
contest. You may enter 2 skill levels for each dance. Placements through 5th in each division will be recognized with an award.
Scores will be available through the event website following the
event weekend. Each teacher is limited
to a maximum of 5 students per division. Competitors age 15 and under must enter
Youth Divisions. Couples dance in heats with multiple couples on the floor at once. The
DJ picks the music. Couples dance to about 1˝ minutes of a song
appropriate for their division.
The following West Coast Swing Pro/Am divisions
will be offered:
Youth - For students age 15 and under regardless of previous dance or competition experience.
Newcomer
(pre-novice)
- This is an entry level division for students with very little or no previous
competition experience. It is limited to students competing less than 1
year in that dance. Students who have previously won a contest against 3
or more entries should move up to novice or intermediate. Newcomer
competitors should exhibit traditional basic figures only. Judges will be
looking for good basic technique, connection, timing and confidence.
Complex variations and elaborate patterns are not acceptable in newcomer
divisions.
Intermediate
- This division is for
students with significant prior competition and or dance experience.
Students are expected to perform clean basics with variations and
musicality. Judges will consider musical interpretation, showmanship and
creativity. If you want to show off, you should enter this division. Advanced – This division is for seasoned competitors who want to get in front of the audience and judges with their teacher. The just dance division rules apply and judges will consider everything including but not limited to: variations, musicality, teamwork, showmanship and creativity.
The following Hustle Pro/Am divisions will be offered:
NEW! Hustle Pro/Am competitors are now expected to follow the contest guidelines as published by the International Hustle Dance Association (IHDA.; http://www.i-h-d-a.com/). It is your responsibility to know and understand these guidelines. Pro/Am, Hustle, Youth (15 and under)
Pro/Am, Hustle, Silver
(50+), Female amateur NEW! IHDA Pro/Am contest guidelines for Hustle Level One = Pre-Novice: This level would be simple happy dancing, back and forth, stay in place, maintaining connection, much like you might find beginners doing at a wedding. Good for fast music. For beginners only, people would have to move on after 6 months or a year. Many students would skip this level. Guide: 3 count rhythm (1 measure patterns only) Quarter and Half Turns (not exceeding 1/2 turn elements) Stationary dance Maintain connection at all times (either right to right hand hold / left to right hand hold / double hand hold) Rules: Any pattern can be used as long as the criteria from Level 1 is implemented. There will be no syncopations allowed. Maintain connection at all times. No traveling. One year Cut-off for competing in this division. Suggested patterns: Cross-Body Lead, Wheel, Hesitations, Underarm Turn Combination (You Go, I Go, You Go), Double Hand Hold Bridges. (Please note: This list are example patterns, you may use any pattern you like as long as the rules are maintained.) Level Two = Novice: This level adds one-and-a-half left turns and a little more room with NY Walks and a Grapevine, but still stays in place, with continuous connection Guide: Any pattern from Level 1 up to 1-1/2 turns with connection (not exceeding 1-1/2 turns) 3 and 6 count patterns (2 measure patterns) Maintain Connection with Slight disconnect during transitions (either right to right hand hold / left to right hand hold / double hand hold) Rules: Any pattern can be used as long as the criteria from Level 2 is implemented. There will be no syncopations allowed. Maintain connection at all times unless during transitions (ex: sliding door). No traveling beyond a 6 count pattern. No consecutive 1-1/2 turns. Suggested patterns: Leader's Behind the Back Pass, Cross-Body Lead, Cross-Body Lead with Open Break to Return, Grapevine, Sliding Door, Cross Body Lead with Inside Turn, Shadow with Comb, Las Vegas, NY walks. (Please note: these are example patterns, you may use any pattern you like as long as the rules are maintained.) Level Three = Intermediate: This level adds rhythmic diversity with swivels. Also double right turns, consecutive one-and-a-half turns, and syncopations used for example in Las Vegas. Guide: Any pattern from Level 1 and 2 3 and 6 count patterns (2 measure patterns with the ability to release hold) Syncopated basic Extended rhythm (extra 2 beat increments only) Rules: Any pattern can be used as long as the criteria from the IHDA Intermediate level is implemented. There will be no syncopated turns with (+12+3+4) (Ex: no 4-count turn, no continuous turns). Connection is not mandatory. No traveling beyond a 6 count pattern. No blind leads. No free spins. Both feet on floor (Ex: no rondes). No poses and/or holding a beat. Suggested patterns: Swivels and Variations of Such, Diva Walks, Wrap Turn Variations, Free New York Walk. (Please note: these are example patterns, you may use any pattern you like as long as the rules are maintained.) Level Four= Advanced: This level is for the seriously competitive, where an Am would need to place at the Intermediate level a certain number of times before entering the Advanced level. Entry in all other levels would be based on the material an Am is working on. This would contain whatever moves are beyond good dancers, and would also contain a musical component- dancing to very fast, and very slow music, both of which develop very different skills. Guide: Any pattern Rules: This division is to better showcase technique, timing, and styling. NO routines, entrances or exits, lifts, aerials, drops, dips or acrobatic moves permitted. All patterns MUST be lead and follow. Suggested patterns: Fred and Ginger/Pivots, Rondes, Capes, Samba Turns, Timing Variations, Pop, Snap, Syncopated Timing Variations, Waltz and any pattern from levels 1-4. All patterns MUST be lead and follow. (Please note: these are example patterns, you may use any pattern you like as long as the rules are maintained.) Patterns that will be penalized: One Leg Turns, Horse and Cart Variations, Side by Side Combinations, Any TRICK Pattern,
Jack
& Jill Divisions
- There are Jack & Jill contests for many levels of dancers in West
Coast Swing, Hustle & Hand Dance. Consult the registration forms to see
what levels are offered this year. Registration for all Jack & Jill
divisions ends at 10am Saturday - NO EXCEPTIONS! Jack & Jill
contests allow individuals to enter without a partner and demonstrate
skills in spontaneous dancing with a variety of partners. There is an
inherent “luck of the draw” factor also. Leaders and followers are
randomly paired. There will be several partner changes during the preliminary
and semi-final rounds. Competitors are scored individually on timing, technique and
teamwork in the preliminary heats. Those scoring the highest will be
called back later to dance in a final round. In the final, individuals are
randomly paired, then scored as a couple. The deejay picks the music. Tempo
and style will vary. All songs will be appropriate for the dance division
entered. There are significant cash prizes awarded to the winners. The
amounts are based on the number of entries in each division.
Newcomer Level Jack & Jill - This division is for
first time competitors and those who have never made finals or placed in any
contest.
To
enter this division, you must be competent with the basics of social
dancing.
All-star
Level Jack & Jill - You must have earned 50 or more
Advanced level or higher points within the previous 3 years to enter All-star level. Invitational Jack & Jill (West Coast Swing Only) This contest includes members of the professional event staff and possibly others invited by the organizers. If there are more than 16 (8 couples) all invited candidates will vote anonymously to determine a smaller number of couples who will actually dance in the contest. Those who are not chosen may enter the All-star division.
Hustle Jack & Jill Levels
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Open, Sophisticated (40+)
Team
Contest - At
least 4 couples performing a choreographed routine together. This single
contest combines Swing, Hustle and Hand Dance.
Competitor
Responsibilities
Definitions
Aerial - A
movement where one partner is lifted by an assisting partner and the waist of
the lifted partner is above the shoulders of the other partner.
[Back to top] Relative Placement Scoring This is the system used to determine winners. It was adapted from the figure skating system and is now widely used at major dance competitions. It minimizes the impact of a rouge judge's mark and recognizes the most consistently scored entry. An equal numerical value is assigned to each Judge's raw scores, so that each Judge has an equal vote in the final outcome. A. Number of Judges Needed
B. Preliminary and Semi-final Rounds
C. Tallying the Final Placements
D. Example of Relative Placement
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Pro/Am
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