Toronto Bachata Competition Rules
TBC RULES DEFINED
Preliminaries:
Competitors must dance 95% bachata (meaning a reggaeton move could be added, or tango) to 100% bachata music selected by the DJ.
For Semis and Finals:
Competitors must dance 95% Bachata and can have a maximum of 2 bachata songs edited during the choreographed routine. There is no mixing with salsa, reggaeton or other dance music. This is a bachata competition, not a performance. The 5% means you are crumping, hip hopping, salsaing, chachaing or dancing reggaeton styling to bachata music.
Judges are from Toronto for the semis.
In the photo: Steps Dance Studio, Latin Groove Productions, Latin Energy, Ifreestyle, Dance to Live, Pose Dance Troupe, The Bachata Club, City Dance Corps, Los Salsomanos, United Salseros, Enamorarse Dance.
Read the rules below carefully, and the judging criteria BEFORE you start choreographing.
Finals will be held Sunday February 19, 2012 @958 Broadview Ave. N of the Danforth. House (All International judges).
This section outlines the Terms and Conditions for Choreographed routines for the Toronto Bachata Competition 2010/11 during Semi-Finals and Finals.
Semi-Finals& Finals will be judged by the following criteria:
Timing, Phrasing and Variety of Rhythm 20 %
Were rhythmic variations clear? Were syncopations deliberate and within the acceptable deviations of timing for the dance? Did the couple show rhythm through different parts of their body? Were half times (or single steps each taking 2 counts) on time? Were there many rhythmic variations or was one used as a crutch, several times? Were syncopation used, or even switching from dancing on 1, to dancing on 4? (This is completely encouraged as opposed to salsa competitions!) Show us you know how to play with phrasing.
Chemistry and Connection 20%
Did the partners connect emotionally and feel bonded? Did the audience feel their emotions while dancing? How natural was their flirting and enjoyment of the partnership? Was it forced? Were they showing the love of dance? Was it sensual, confident, natural, or forced and contrived? Was the couple meeting each other half way, and dancing as a unit, whether in closed, open or breakaway handholds? Did we look at only one of the dancers or both together (Was one partner particularly individualistic or were they dancing together, for each other?). Did their connection allow them to cover mistakes up well, and did the couple simply ‘move on’, in unexpected situations?
Musicality 20%
Was the routine choreographed well to the music? Were breakaway shines danced at an acceptable point in the music? Did movements match the sounds? Did they make us want to dance? Did the dance move the dancers? Was the couple enjoying themselves? Were they looking at each other, or just looking at the audience for show?
Leading & Following Technique & Synchronization 10%
Was the couple reflecting good balance, placement, line and frame? Were movements clear and precise? Were hands missed? Was non-verbal communication clear? Was the man leading and woman following? Was the woman domineering or trying to please the audience more than follow? Was the man forgetting about his partner, or was he focused on leading her? Were hips in synch? Improvisation where one partner does one rhythm and the other partner does another rhythm would not be suitable for a choreographed routine.
Difficulty on the Whole 10 %
This does not refer to difficulty of acrobatic, showy moves unless the couple shows creativity, connection or musicality. Was it a move randomly picked as a wow factor or did the move show the couple’s strength, grace and dance experience? Judges evaluate the level of difficulty in fluidity of movement, body movements (isolations), variety and difficulty of rhythms (like syncopations), breakaway shines and musicality (mirroring the accents and inflections of the music).
Choregraphy & 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? Was there contrast between fast and slow moves? Was there contrast between moods? Contrast between levels (up/ down, high/low)? Did the selection of music show off the couples’ skills? Was there variety of body movement, footwork and different holds? Did partners use the floor or stay in the same spot? Were the moves adequate moves as designated by the bachata dance style?
Expression & showmanship 10%
How professional and polished did the team appear to be? Were they captivating and entertaining? (even if the couple was not looking at the audience?). Did it feel like the couple was sharing their experience with the audience? Was their expression unapologetic, confident and true to themselves? Were the judges engaged personally, regardless of the audience’s reaction to the routine? Did the dancing elicit any emotive response at any point in the couples’ routine? Was the couple DANCING, or were they poorly rehearsed and just executing a choreography? Did they look and feel happy? Were they having fun?
Subject to Disqualification if:
*...There are any lifts above the shoulders. This is not a ballroom or salsa competition.
*...You forget your music and you don't want to dance to a song the DJ has.
*...Competitor slanders, gossips, posts negative comments about another TBC competitor or judge. *Competitor will be barred from future TBC competitions should they direct any act of malice or extreme emotional display, towards fellow competitors and TBC judges.
More Terms and Definitions
(Modelled after the World Salsa Championship Rules)
Preliminaries
Amateur and Pro Divisions will warm up together for 1.5 minutes. Then all amateurs will compete freestyle, meaning with no choreography, no costumes, to the DJ's selection, for 2 minutes altogether, (not separately, except if there are less than 4 couples in total.) We will shorten the competition as best as we can so there is ample social dance time.
Semi-Finals
Warm up rounds for Amateur and Pro divisions are 1.5 – 2.0 minutes and competitors will dance to the DJ's pre selected music. Each couple will then perform a routine no longer than two minutes that they have choreographed. We will have a time keeper for each routine. If routine is longer than two minutes the team or couples will be deducted one percentage points for each second over two minutes.
All dancers of all divisions are required to bring their own two-minute or less pre-recorded music on a CD format. Only music of one performance is allowed on each CD. No ipods, iphones accepted.
You cannot qualify twice on the same night with a different partner.
No changing of partners can occur after you have entered the preliminary rounds.
MUSIC & CD
Ensure that 95% is bachata rhythm in your edited song. It's always best to get edits and transitions done by a professional or on the loudspeaker it may sound very unprofessional!
IMPORTANT
Should the DJ have technical difficulty with your cd brand, ensure that you have another type of blank cd with your choreography song, as a back up plan. If the dj has your song, he'll play it for 2 minutes without your edits. If the dj doesn't have your song, you can either choose another and try and dance your choreography anyway, or be disqualified.
Couples will pick a number out of a hat to see what order they will compete in.
SHINES-not more than 4 counts of 8.
Shines are permitted in the semis and finals, where you break away from your partner and face the judges or audience (they were not permitted in the qualifying rounds). You can only break away to do shines ONCE, and not more than 32 counts or 4 counts of 8. (Different from last year). Therefore, starting with shines, counts as your maximum allowance for shines. It is recommended not to start with shines. Again it's a competition not a show. Ensure you choose the appropriate place to insert the shines, so that they go with the music.
TRICKS, LIFTS, DIPS,and DROPS
All are allowed but not preferred. Judges score higher marks for musicality, complex rhythm, complex body movement and connection. This year there are no limits on lifts or tricks, however remember that judges do not like fancy tricks that look like salsa in your bachata routine.
There are no lifts above the shoulders permitted in the Toronto Bachata Competition.
COSTUMES & DANCE ETIQUETTE
Contestants are encouraged to wear costumes or matching outfits. We strongly suggest that jeans are not used as costumes and that ladies wearing dresses or skirts wear nylons (without seams) or dance tights/fishnets.
Suggestion: Gentlemen wear socks with your costumes when wearing long pants. Wear darker colours to avoid sweat stains.
Contestants will show etiquette during contest by refraining from distracting others while competing couples are performing.
You do not have to spend a lot of money on the costumes. Just put thought into them so there is a unison and harmony in your couple.
TURNS AND CONTINUOUS TURNS:
Multiple/Continuous turns such as Stationary Multiple Turns or Touch and Go style turns cannot last longer than one 8-count.
STOPS / FREEZES:
Dancers cannot maintain an extended Stop or Freeze position for more than one 8-count. Extended Stops or Freezes cannot happen more than two times in the routine.
CONTENT AND CHOREOGRAPHY:
Routines must ideally reflect the following – Turn Patterns, Open Shines, Footwork, Floorcraft (proper usage of the stage space). Any style is allowed ie Dominican, Urbana, traditional.
PROPS: Props are not permitted. Extra costume pieces such as hats or jackets are permitted if they are part of the costume, and are not discarded at any time during the performance. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in 20% off of the final score.
Information on Finals will be posted after the Semi-Finals and same rules will apply as the Semi-Finals.
