Rules & Regulations

Scoring of the Showcase Routines will be based upon the following criteria, and will be weighted in the scoring room in the following manner:

I. 20% Timing: Recognized Salsa Timing is designated for this competition as 1-2-3, 5-6-7. Competitors can choose to break ON 1 or ON 2, but must maintain consistency for the duration of the routine. The direction of the break step can be either to the front or the back, as long as the timing of the break is consistently maintained (either 1 and 5, or 2 and 6). The majority of the routine should show recognizable Salsa Timing.

II. 15% Musicality: Couples will demonstrate their ability to creatively work with the timing of their individual music. This can be done in a variety of ways, including patterns, footwork, “hits”, tricks, etc.

III. 15% Technique: Technique is reflected through balance, placement and line. This refers also to general techinique for partner dance, where the movement is “grounded”, and there is clarity of proper weight changes from foot to foot. Technique and/or body styling that is specific to Salsa Dance. Movement should appear to be both clear and effortless.

IV. 15% Difficulty: Reflected by difficulty of patterns, turns, intricacy of shine movements, and level of tricks, dips, drops and flares.

Examples: The amount of turns done on both double and single foot. How intricate were the shines? In the cabaret division, what was the difficulty of the lift-work? Was it properly executed? How about jumps, kicks, extensions? Any movements requiring exceptional balance, flexibility or strength? In order to get credit for any of these things, the movement must be successfully executed.

V. 15% Partnering/Connection: This is reflected in the lead/follow aspect of the dance. Are partners truly connected, or are they merely executing choreography while holding hands? Synchronicity during side by sides or shines will also help determine the score in this category.

VI. 10% Choreography: The couple’s interpretation of the music. Good choreography should contain clever turn patterns and shines. All choreography should be musical, and couples should show a good usage of the space itself. Originality is a factor here.

VII. 10% Overall Presentation: You Will Be Judged By Your Overall Presentation. This includes costuming, showmanship, and also good sportsmanship.

A. Partnerships in all Showcase Divisions will be designated as one male and one female partner unless specifically designated as a same gender division.

B. Time for Showcases:  All showcase should be no less than 2.5 minutes. This includes optional entrance and/or exit music.  These Time Limits apply for all Showcase routines in all Styles of Dance.  Couples will have no more than 20 seconds to get into place for performance.  Any choreography prior to the beginning of the music will be counted toward the overall timing of the performance.  Likewise, dancers will have a maximum of 20 seconds at the conclusion of the performance to exit the floor..

C. Props are not allowed.

D. Salsa Cabaret or Bachata Cabaret Division:  Tricks are allowed. Couples can choose to dance either On1 or On2, but must maintain consistent to that timing for the duration of the routine. Recognized timing for this competiton is 1-2-3, 5-6-7. Routines must be 50% recognizable salsa. The remaining 50% can be made up of tricks, flares, dips and side by sides (shines).  Note:   If the word “Classic” is not designated in the title of the Showcase division, it means the Couple or Team can elect to include lifts and tricks in the routine, but it is not a requirement.

E. "On1" ,  "On2" and Classic Bachata Showcase Divisions:  One foot must remain on the floor at all times even during tricks. If both feet of either partner leave the floor via the assistance of the other partner, it will be considered a lift and there will be a 10% deduction from the final score. A maximum of 3 tricks/dips or flares are permitted for the routine. A maximum of 8 bars/32 Beats/4 counts of 8 are allowed for continuous turns. More than this will result in a penalty of 10% off off the final score.  All Music for Classic style divisions must be a minimum of 80% recognizable music for that style of dance.  Note:   If the word “Classic” is not designated in the title of the Showcase division, it means the Couple or Team can elect to include lifts and tricks in the routine, but it is not a requirement.

F. Team Divisions: May utilize actual lifts and overheads. The same rules apply to this division as the Cabaret Division. Routines must be 50% Salsa Dancing.  Amateur Teams must consist of All Amateur/Student Dancers.  Pro Am Teams can have a maximum of 50% Professionals.

G. Music Format:  Music for all Showcase Performances to be uploaded via the Website.  Music will be submitted and competition line up order to be drawn at the competitors meeting.  Please see our Information page regarding music by clicking on Music as written above.

H. Tricks, Dips, Drops, Leverage Moves and Flares: A trick is defined as any movement that requires the support of the other partner to maintain. This is regardless of whether the feet remain on the floor or not. 

I. Continuous/Multiple Turns:  Contestants are allowed a maximum of 8 Bars/32 Beats/4 Counts of 8 are allowed for continuous turns.  More than this will result in a penalty of 10% off the final score.

J. Costumes: Costumes are not required, but are highly recommended. All costumes should be in good taste with all private parts covered by non-transparent material.

BASED ON US & CANADIAN COMPETITIONS

1.    Amateur: Defined as a student or person who does not make a living as a Dance Instructor, Performer, Dance Competitor or Dance Adjudicator receiving minimal compensation. Amateurs may not compete in Rising Star Professional, or Professional level competition, or as the Professional in a Pro-Am competition. If a dancer is a professional in any genre of dance (ballet, tap, contemporary, ballroom, etc.) the professional status carries over to other styles of dance. For example, a professional ballet dancer is not able to compete as an Amateur in Salsa.

2. Amateur Intermediate Showcase: Amateur Intermediate Showcase is an entry level amateur division.  Should a dancer win Amateur Intermediate Showcase 3 times in a dance style with a minimum of 3 competitors, they will no longer be permitted to compete in Amateur Intermediate Showcase in that style in the future.  Intermediate dancers can challenge Amateur Advanced Showcase as many times as they want, but if an Amateur Intermediate dancer wins the Amateur Advanced division with a minimum of 3 competitors, and/or makes the final with a minimum of 8 couples, they will no longer be permitted to compete in Amateur Intermediate Showcase in that style.

3. Rising Star Professional: Rising Star is an entry level professional division. Once a dancer competes as a Rising Star Professional, they can no longer compete as an amateur. Rising Star Professional dancers may partner an amateur in the Pro-Am divisions. Rising Star Professionals may also compete in the Professional division. Should a dancer choose to give up their professional status, they must sustain from earning compensation as a Dance Instructor, Performer, Dance Competitor or Dance Adjudicator for at least 2 years from the date of their last professional gig before re-entering as an Amateur competitor. If a dancer is a professional in any genre of dance (ballet, tap, contemporary, ballroom, etc.) the professional status carries over to other styles of dance. For example, a professional ballet dancer is not able to compete as an Amateur in Salsa.

4. Professional: Once a dancer competes as a Professional, they can no longer compete as an amateur. Professional dancers may partner with an amateur in the Pro-Am divisions.  Should a dancer choose to give up their professional status, they must sustain from earning compensation as a Dance Instructor, Performer, Dance Competitor or Dance Adjudicator for at least 2 years from the date of their last professional gig before re-entering as an Amateur competitor. If a dancer is a professional in any genre of dance (ballet, tap, contemporary, ballroom, etc.) the professional status carries over to other styles of dance. For example, a professional ballet dancer is not able to compete as an Amateur in Salsa.

5. Open Showcase: A competition division which is open to all levels, ages, and styles unless otherwise specified in the division title.

6. Pro-Am Ladies: A professional dancer dancing with an amateur lady, only the amateur is judged.

7. Pro-Am Men: A professional dancer dancing with an amateur man, only the amateur is judged.

8. Showcase Divisions:  Defined as a category whereby the partnership, solo dancer, or team showcases choreography, and dances to the music of their choice. 

9. Heat (or just dance) Divisions:  A category where all dancers dance together on the stage or floor to music that is selected by the organization or deejay. Heats generally last 1-1.5 minutes. This is a lead/follow division, rather than choreographed, designed to show the ability to connect with one's partner and display timing, musicality and creativity to whatever music is played. No lifts are permitted.

10. Solo: A competition of 1 dancer.

11. Same Gender Teams and Couples: Dancers of the same gender.

12. Shines Showcase: Shine categories may include tricks but may not include lead and follow patterns.

13. Cabaret: May include lifts, tricks, and must include at least 50% recognizable dance (example 50% Salsa dance in Salsa Cabaret) 

14. Non-Cabaret: Must include 80% recognizable dance for that style (example 80% Salsa in a Salsa showcase division). Both dancers should maintain a connection with the floor with a part of their body if assisted. Dancers who exceed the above requirements in Non-Cabaret divisions will have a penalty applied to their score of 10% of their overall score. Showcase division which do not state Cabaret, Non-Cabaret, On1 or On2:Lifts and tricks are permitted, but not mandatory.

15. Teams: Small Teams consist of 4 couples or 8 dancers or less (Shines Teams). Large Teams consist of 5 or more couples, or 9 dancers or more (Shines teams).

16. 17 and under: All dancers must be 17 years of age or under on the day of the competition to compete in this division.

17. Over 40: All competitors being judged dancers must be 40 years of age or older on the day of the competition to compete in this division. For example, in Pro-Am divisions, the amateur competitor must be over 40 years of age.

18. Showcase Music: May be no less than 1.5 minutes and no more than 2.5 minutes long. This includes optional entrance and/or exit music.  Dancers will have no more than 20 seconds to get into place for performance.  Any choreography prior to the beginning of the music will be counted toward the overall timing of the performance.  Likewise, dancers will have a maximum of 20 seconds at the conclusion of the performance to exit the floor.

19.  Tricks, Dips, Drops, Leverage Moves and Flares: A trick is defined as any movement that requires the support of the other partner to maintain. This is regardless of whether the feet remain on the floor or not.

20.  Open Division:  Means the division is open to any competitor, whether they are Amateur, Rising Star or Professional.   Amateurs will not lose Amateur status if they choose to compete in the Open Divisions.