Rules for the Canadian Salsa Championships

Canadian Salsa Championships 2010 – Rules, Definitions & Judging Criteria

1. OVERVIEW OF COMPETITION:

This competition will be a “one – shot” deal meaning that each couple will present a 2 minute choreographed routine using their choice of music. The international panel of judges will judge each couple.  The 1st place and 2nd place winners of the professional division will represent Canada at the World Salsa Championships in December.  The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the amateur division will receive various prizes, trophies and medals.

2. DIVISIONS:

Professional Division – one or both dancers have been paid to teach or to perform

Couple (defined as one male, one female).
Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.
A maximum of 3 dips or drops allowed. For these skills, at least 1 foot must remain on the floor at all times. No lifts allowed (see definitions below).
Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides.
Routine must consist of at least 80% recognizable salsa dancing.

Amateur Division – neither dancer has ever been paid to teach or to perform

Couple (defined as one male, one female)
Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.
Dips, drops and lifts are allowed.
Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides.
Routine must consist of at least 80% recognizable salsa dancing.

Pro-Am Salsa Showcase Division - one dancer has been paid to teach or to perform, the other dancer is an amateur or student.

Couple (defined as one male, one female)
Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.
Dips, drops and lifts are allowed.
Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides.
Routine must consist of at least 80% recognizable salsa dancing.

Pro-Am Salsa Heated Division - one dancer has been paid to teach or to perform, the other dancer is an amateur or student.

Couple (defined as one male, one female)
Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.
Dips & drops are allowed, lifts are not allowed.
Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides.
Must be recognizable salsa dancing.

Pro-Am Hustle Showcase Division - one dancer has been paid to teach or to perform, the other dancer is an amateur or student.

Couple (defined as one male, one female)
Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.
Dips, drops and lifts are allowed.
Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides.
Routine must consist of at least 80% recognizable hustle dancing.

Pro-Am Hustle Heated Division - one dancer has been paid to teach or to perform, the other dancer is an amateur or student.

Couple (defined as one male, one female)
Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.
Dips & drops are allowed, lifts are not allowed.
Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides.
Must be recognizable hustle dancing.

3. REGISTRATION:

Couples must register in advance. There will be no last minute registration allowed on the day of the event. See General Info page for how to register.

4. FEES:

All professional and amateur couples competing will be required to pay an entry fee of $50 per couple. All pro-am couples will be required to pay an entry fee of $30 per couple.  These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable and must be mailed in advance or paid by credit card over the phone. See General Info page for details.

5. GUEST LIST:

Competitors will be on the guest list on Thurs. Oct. 7th and will therefore not have to pay the $20 admission fee for the Opening Night Gala.

6. LIFTS (Professional Division & Pro-Am Heated Divisions):

A lift is defined as any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner. Whether the feet are 2 inches off the floor or 10 feet off the floor, this type of assisted movement will still be considered a lift or trick.
In the Professional Divison, in keeping with the rules of the World Salsa Championships, no move in which both feet leave the ground at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner will be permitted. If both feet of either dancer leave the ground, points will be deducted. If any part of the body of either dancer goes above the partners’ shoulders, the couple will be disqualified with no refund.

7. WARM-UP:

All of the couples in the Amateur division will dance together to a warm-up song chosen by the DJ (not to exceed 1:30 minutes). Each couple in the Amateur division will then present their choreographed routine using their choice of music. Routine must be 2 minutes or less, including entrance and exit.
All of the couples in the Professional division will dance together to a warm-up song chosen by the DJ (not to exceed 1:30 minutes). Each couple in the Professional division will then present their choreographed routine using their choice of music. Routine must be 2 minutes or less, including entrance and exit.

8. MUSIC:

Music must be at least 80% salsa (or hustle for the hustle showcase division). A maximum of 3 songs can be mixed into your routine.
All competitors of all divisions must bring 2 CDs with their pre-recorded music (ie. in case one CD does not work). One track on each CD only. Song must be edited to end at no more than 2 minutes (it is not the DJ’s responsibility to fade out or cut music at 2 minute mark).
The DJ will not slow down or speed up your CD.
Please protect your CDs by using covers for each one.
Each CD must be identified with your name and the division that you are competing in.

9. COSTUMES:

Contestants are encouraged to wear costumes or matching outfits. We strongly suggest that jeans not be used as costumes. One person from each couple will be asked to wear a fabric number sign pinned to their back.

10. PROPS:

No props are allowed in any division. A prop is defined as any item that is not part of their regular costume worn by the dancers, and that is not attached to the dancer or their costume for the full duration of their routine.

11. ORDER OF COMPETITION:

Pro-Am divisions will compete first then the Amateur division and finally the Professional division.
Order of competitors in each division will be determined the night of the competition by lotto. All competitors must be at the Competition/Opening Night Gala venue no later than 6:45pm. The competitors will meet with Jennifer or the stage manager at 7:00pm to choose by lotto the order in which they will be competing. ALL dancers need to be present to draw a number. If you are not present, you will be disqualified; the entry fee will not be refunded.
At the 7:00pm meeting, competitors will also sign the release form and give their CDs to the stage manager.
The venue will be open at 6pm if competitors would like to arrive early and quickly test the floor.
All dancers must be backstage in costume, ready to go 30 minutes before the competition begins. No exceptions. Competition will begin at approximately 8:30pm therefore competitors must be backstage at 8:00pm

12. CANCELLATIONS:

If there are fewer than 3 entries in any division, the CSC reserves the right to cancel or combine that division.

13. RELEASE:

All contestants will sign a release form consenting that the CSC can record and use their image for videos, films, photos, television programs or any other image-related recordings, with licit and legal purposes and not opposed to any moral standard.

14. QUALIFYING:

Once you have entered the qualifying round, no changing of partners can occur.

15. DISPUTES:

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:

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. Please note that this is in keeping with the official rules for the World Salsa Championships.

Technique ~ 20%

Reflected through balance, placement and line. 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.

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? See below for levels of difficulty.

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?

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?

Appearance and Showmanship ~ 10%

How professional and polished did the couple or team appear to be? Did they project to the audience and capture their attention?

Difficulty can be ranked as follows:

A Level: Basic movement, no single footed turns, no multiple turns, no single leg balance elements, no splits, dips etc…. 0-5.9
B Level: Intermediate level salsa patterns, double turns, single pirouettes or variations of such, basic syncopations or shine movements, Basic Dips 6.0 – 7.9
C Level: Multiple Touch and Go Spot Turns, Intricate Multi-Level Hand Changes in Patterns, Single Leg Independent Balance Elements, Intricate Syncopations and Movement for Shine Patterns and Choreography, Intricate Dips or Flairs that do not leave the floor 8.0 -10.0.

Infractions:

5 points will be deducted from technique for a major fall.
5 points will be deducted from connection/partnering if there is a major misconnect or if a team loses synchronicity for more than 2 bars of 8 counts.
In the professional division, no move in which both feet leave the ground at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner will be permitted. If both feet of either dancer leave the ground, points will be deducted. If any part of the body of either dancer goes above the partners’ shoulders, the couple will be disqualified with no refund.
All decisions are final and are to be determined by the Scrutineer and the Head Judge.