Summer Salsa Festival

Dates

• AMATEUR and PRO-AM :Wednesday August 11th, 2010 at 21h00 – Select Classique
•    Tech Reahearsal: 17h00
• PROFESSIONAL :Thursday August 12th, 2010 at 20h00 – Sheraton Hotel, Laval
•    Tech Reahearsal: 16h00

* Minimum of 5 couples per category

Objective

The objective of this competition is for the competitors (couples), to showcase their interpretation of Salsa music through their dance representation without emphasizing on tricks or dips. In other words, the tricks should not be the most important part of your routine.

Rules

The 2010 Summer Salsa Festival Competition is open to all local, national and international competitors.

Categories (Couples)

Amateur

Must not be a member of a Professional Team and cannot earn money from the art through teaching or performing.

Pro-Am

A professional (earns money teaching and performing full-time) with an Amateur/student.

Professional

1. Each category can dance “On1” or “On2”.
2. Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.
3. Shines are permitted although not more than 25% of the performance may consist of shines or side by side.
4. Your routine should be strictly Salsa.
5. The minimum length of your music is (2) minutes and for Amateur and PRO-AM; the maximum length is (2:30) minutes including your entrance and exit.
6. Minimum age: 16 years old (Professional Only)
7. No more than 3 tricks or dips allowed. No lifts allowed. (Professional Only)

IMPORTANT

• Bring at least 2 CD’s on different CD brands with the music for your routine. There should only be your music for your routine on each CD.
• The DJ will not slow down or accelerate your music.
• Identify each CD with your name, song name, artist name, name of record company and length of your song.

REGISTRATION & FEES

• All couples must register in advance. Deadline is July 1st, 2010.
• All competitors must pay a registration fee of $50 per couple.
• Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable and must be paid before July 1^st, 2010.

COSTUME & DANCE ETIQUETTE

Competitors are encouraged to wear dance costumes. No jeans allowed.

Suggestions : Ladies, we strongly suggest you wear fishnets or nylons. Avoid indecency exposure. Gentlemen wear socks when wearing long pants.
* Competitors will show etiquette during the competition by refraining from distracting others while performing

PROPS

No props are allowed. A prop is defined as an item that is not part of your costume and that is not attached to you or your costume for the full duration of your routine.

COMPETITION ORDER

The order in which you will compete will be determined the day of the competition, by draw.

1. Amateur and PRO-AM : All competitors must be backstage at 20h00, Wednesday August 11th, 2010, to pick by draw the order in which you will compete. ALL DANCERS must be present to draw a number. If you or your partner are not present, you will be disqualified; the entry fee will not be refunded.
2. Professional : All competitors must be backstage at 19h00, Thursday August 12th, 2010, to pick by draw the order in which you will compete. ALL DANCERS must be present to draw a number. If you or your partner are not present, you will be disqualified; the entry fee will not be refunded.

WARM-UP & CHOEOGRAPHED ROUTINE

• All the couples in the Amateur category will dance together in a warm-up song chosen by the DJ (not exceeding 1:30 minutes). Each couple will then present their choreographed routine using their choice of music. Routine must be no longer than 2:30 minutes, including entrance and exit.
• All the couples in the Pro-Am category will dance together in a warm-up song chosen by the DJ (not exceeding 1:30 minutes). Each couple will then present their choreographed routine using their choice of music. Routine must be no longer than 2:30 minutes, including entrance and exit.
• All the couples in the Professional category will dance together in a warm-up song chosen by the DJ (not exceeding 1:30 minutes). Each couple will then present their choreographed routine using their choice of music. Routine must be no longer than 2:00 minutes, including entrance and exit.

* Once you have competed, no changing of partner can occur
** The head judge will have final say on all discrepancies. All questions and/or disputes, should be brought to the attention of the head judge that evening.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Choreographed routines will be judged by the following criteria:

1. TIMING 40 %
   Was correct rhythm maintained throughout the routine? Were syncopations deliberate and within the acceptable deviations of timing for the dance?
   Points will NOT be deducted if you are dancing “on 1” and return by breaking on “5”. The same if you are dancing “on 2” and return by breaking on “6”. If you were to return on any other beat than that mentioned you will be deducted points.
2. TECHNIQUE 20 %
   Reflected through balance, placement and lines. Partners must reflect adequate Latin/Salsa Motion” and “Isolations” as designated by the dance style. Movement should appear to be effortless. These are all reflections of good dance technique.
3. DIFFICULTY 10 %
   What was the level of the turns used in the routine? Were there single footed and multiple turns incorporated? Were spins performed by both dancers or only one? How intricate were the shines? Were there any movements in the choreography requiring exceptional balance, flexibility or strength? Were all movements attempted successfully executed?
4. CONNECTION & PARTNERING SKILLS 10%
   How well did the couple work together as a team? Was there an actual Lead/Follow relationship established? How synchronized was the team during side-by-side movement, shines or turn patterns?
5. CHOREOGRAPHY & ORIGINALITY 10%
   How well put together was the performance? Did the routine flow easily from one movement to the next? Was there something clever or new that was part of the routine? How musical was it? Did the routine reflect the music chosen?
6. APPEARANCE & SHOWMANSHIP 10%
   How professional and polished did the couple or team appear to be? Did they project to the audience and capture their attention?

* All decisions are final and are to be determined by the Scrutinizer and the Head Judge

• 2 roundtrip flights paid from Montreal to the United States to compete at the World Salsa Championships 2010 – representing the Summer Salsa Festival Laval.
• Direct pass to the Semi-Final Round.