I'm not gay or lesbian.  Can I still dance in this event?

Everyone is welcome: gay, lesbian, straight, whatever.  While many of our competitors will be lesbians and gay men, we expect many others to be students dancing with their teachers.  Some will be gay or lesbian, and some won't.  But, at this competition, you will either dance with a partner of your same sex against other couples of the same sex, or you will dance in a reverse-role couple (female leader and male follower).  Because the straight ballroom world does not allow participation of same-sex or reverse-role couples, our competition is limited to those categories of couples.

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If I'm a follower, do I have to wear a dress?

Do you like to wear a dress? Then feel free to do so, although cross-dressing is not something we are encouraging. 

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What should I wear?

You should wear something in which you are comfortable and which is appropriate for the style and level at which you are dancing.  At higher levels, you should consider wearing dance costumes, as appearance is one of the factors in adjudication.

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What is a One-Dance Event?

It is a single dance, danced in competition against other couples of the same proficiency level.  One-Dance Events have a style and a level as explained below:

 

Style:               International Standard, International Latin

                        American Smooth, American Rhythm

 

Level:              Bronze, Silver, Gold (syllabus figures only);

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How much can I dance in the One-Dance Events?

That depends on you and how many partners you wish to dance with.: Here are the rules:

 

1)     Each couple may enter any or all dances in any or all styles.  Example: you and your partner may dance in the Bronze American Cha Cha and the Silver International Tango

 

2)     A particular couple may only enter two (2) proficiency levels (either Bronze/Silver, or Silver/Gold) in the same style.  Example:  you and your partner may dance the Silver American Waltz and the Gold American Waltz, OR you may dance the Bronze American Waltz  and the Silver American Waltz; but you may NOT dance the Bronze American Waltz, the Silver American Waltz AND the Gold American Waltz.  Get it? Got it. Good!

 

3)     An individual may dance with more than one partner, but cannot dance in the same style and proficiency level with more than one partner.  Example:  you may enter the Bronze American Waltz with Chris, and the Silver American Waltz and the Gold American Waltz with Dana.  This is allowable as you haven’t broken #2 (above); it would, however, be impossible to dance the Bronze American Waltz with both Chris and Dana, as you would have to split yourself in two and dance against yourself.

 

4)     If an individual who has danced in the One-Dance Events wishes to enter a Graded Event in that same style, they must enter with either a different partner or with the partner with whom he/she danced at the highest proficiency level in that style.  Example:  as in #3 above, you would enter the Graded American Smooth Event with Dana (having danced with Dana at the higher proficiency level).  Chris could still dance the Graded American Smooth, but would have to do so with a different partner.

 

Are you confused by all this? So are we, but it’s clear if you go back and read it again!  Of course, if you still have questions, please call us and we’ll help you out.

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What is a Graded Event?

It is a multiple dance competition in which your proficiency level is determined only after you dance for a separate panel of grading judges.

 

Congratulations, you’ve entered a Graded Event, in which your steps and patterns are not restricted to syllabus figures (as they are in the One-Dance Events).  Now proceed to the Grading Rounds.  Grading Rounds consist of all the entrants in a particular style dancing two or three dances in randomly distributed groups.  Don’t panic; there may be some very experienced dancers on the floor at the same time as some very new dancers.  But the judges are only looking to separate the dancers by demonstrated proficiency levels or GRADES.

 

Once the initial grading is done, then each grade may be asked to dance again for the grading judges so they can make sure that they got it right.  If they didn’t, then adjustments to proficiency levels are made at this time.

 

Now that the couples have been GRADED, or sorted by proficiency level, the formal competition begins.  The lowest grade would dance only those dances used in the grading round.  As the grade gets higher, the number of dances is increased.

 

Example:  you’ve entered the Graded International Latin Event.  The first grading round will consist of Cha Cha, Rumba and Jive.  If a second grading round is needed, it will be Cha Cha and Rumba.  If the judges place you into the C grade, you will then compete against all the other couples in the C grade in Cha Cha, Rumba and Jive.  If you got placed into the B grade, you and your fellow B’s will compete over 4 dances: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba and Jive.  If you were placed in A, you’ll be competing over 5 dances: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive!

 

In other words, if you enter a graded event, you will dance at least 2 rounds (one grading round and one competition round) and a minimum of 6 times (3 in the grading round and at least 3 in the competition round).  If your event, once graded, requires more than just a final, you may be dancing even more!  This is a golden opportunity to get out there and strut your stuff. 

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How much can I dance in the Graded Events?

Because you will not know until after the grading rounds the proficiency level at which you will be dancing, you will only be able to dance with one partner in a particular style in the Graded Events.

 

You could, of course, dance with different partners in different styles!

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Which events will be run as Graded Events?

Men’s International Standard, International Latin, American Smooth, American Rhythm, Women’s International Standard, International Latin, American Smooth and American Rhythm are guaranteed to be Graded Events as are Ten-Dance events.

 

Graded events will be held only if at least 3 couples have entered that event.

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Which dances in each graded event will be used for grading?

The following is a list of which dances will be used to do the grading. Keep in mind that if you get put into a higher grade, you will need to dance additional dance(s) appropriate to your category.

 

Standard: Waltz, Tango, Quickstep (1st round) - Waltz, Quickstep (2nd round if needed)

Latin: Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive (1st round) - Cha Cha, Rumba (2nd round if needed)

Smooth: Waltz, Foxtrot (both grading rounds)

Rhythm: Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing (1st round) - Cha Cha, East Coast Swing (2nd round if needed)

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I want to enter a Graded Event, but I don’t know all the dances.  What do I do?

This could happen.  Don’t panic!

 

Say you entered the Graded American Smooth, and you are really looking forward to dancing a beautiful waltz, a stunning tango and a dynamic foxtrot, but you’ve yet to learn Viennese waltz.  You anticipated getting placed in the B level, but the judges have rewarded your hard work by placing you in A.  Now you are supposed to dance the Viennese waltz.  What would you do?

 

You have choices!  You could bravely fake it, or do only those steps you know.  A bronze Viennese waltz might look very good and hold it’s own in competition.  Or you could stand at the side of the floor during the Viennese waltz and allow the judges to mark you last in that dance.  Either way, you still get to dance and get marked for what you DO know, as well as have a whole lot of fun!

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What is a Formation Team Event? 

There will be 2 categories of Formation Teams:

A. Open Dance Routine: Teams desiring to perform routines primarily for entertainment with significant dance content. 

B. Couple Dance Routine: Any routine that is performed as couples dancing together in a joined configuration throughout the routine except for: entrance, exit, transition, separation where partner changes are made, or a movement is executed where the perception of partnership is maintained.

1. Single-dance teams are fine, so are multiple-dance teams.
2. It does not have to be one of the International or American 10 dance forms - in other words, salsa, hip hop, Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, etc, are all OK.
3. A Couple Dance routine must be primarily partner dancing.
4. The majority (60%) of the time spent couple dancing must be same-sex or reverse role.
5. Routine must be at least 90 seconds, but no more than 6 minutes, from entering through exiting the floor.
6. Routine may include changes in rhythm, but they are not mandatory.
7. Routine must include at least (2) changes in formation.
8. Routine must have a minimum of (4) couples or 8 individuals.

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What is this new New & Not Luck-of-the-Draw event all about? 

This is a newly created event designed to encourage beginners to experience competition and have fun all at the same time.  We're hoping to see this sort of event incorporated into other competitions in the future.

 

Definitions:  A "New" dancer in a particular dance is defined as someone who has been doing this dance for no more than 8 months and has entered no more than one competition in it.  A "Not New" dancer is anyone who does not fit the definition of "New".  In other words, if you've been doing a particular dance for more than 8 months or you have competed in that dance more than once before, you are not eligible to enter this event as a "New" dancer.  In that case, you may, of course, enter it as "Not New"!

 

To participate in this event, each dancer must register as either "New" or "Not New".  An individual can be "New" in some of the dances and "Not New" in others depending on their experience as defined above.

 

We will hold this event in 4 different International style dances:  Waltz, Tango, Cha-cha, and Rumba.  A dancer can participate in any number of these (meaning they will be treated as one-dance events).  The choreography for each of these dances is pre-determined, and all couples must dance the same choreography (although not necessarily in synch with each other).  The choreographies are all bronze level and are for one wall.  Couples are expected to repeat this wall as they dance around the floor.

 

For each of the individual dances, participants will be divided into FOUR groups:  New leaders, Not-New followers, Not-New leaders, and New followers.   Couples will be paired for this event without regard to sex/gender, but each couple will consist of a New and a Not New dancer.  These events will be run as Luck-of-the-Draw events, meaning that the pairing of dance partners will be done randomly. 

 

TWO events will be held: one for New leaders with Not-New followers, and the other for Not-New leaders with New followers. Otherwise couples with a Not-New leader would have an unfair advantage, so the two categories will be judged separately.

These 2 events will be held in each of the 4 dances: waltz, tango, cha-cha, and rumba.   Couples are expected to dance the published routine as is.  Minor deviations to the published routine may be permitted to allow for safety and floor craft.  Deviations from the routine are discouraged.  If a couple deviates, the judges have the right to mark down as they see fit.

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What is an Open Event?

An Open Championship means that anyone can enter regardless of where you live.  In other words, you don't need to live in California or, for that matter, in the United States, to win the California State Open Champion title.  Please note that the events in this competition for which the title of 2008 California State Champion will be offered, as sanctioned by the North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association, are Men's and Women's graded International Standard & Latin, and Men's and Women's graded American Smooth and Rhythm.

 

An Open Dance Event, on the other hand, is an event in a particular dance or group of dances that is not either a One-Dance Event or a Graded Event.   In the Open Events, all couples compete against each other at the same time.  If we get a large number of entries for a particular style, we might choose to run it as a Graded Event (what's this). Here is a list of the dances we intend to offer as Open Events. If you don't see something you would like to dance in, let us know. Maybe we can add it.

 

	Swing Events:	West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop
	Country/Western:	C/W Two Step, C/W Waltz
	Other Events:	Argentine Tango, Salsa, Merengue, Hustle, Nightclub Two Step
	Line Dance Events:	Mucara Walk, Loosen Up My Buttons

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What else do I need to know?

Here’s everything you should know before you enter.  If we miss anything, give us a call at 510-763-1343 or 415-971-0410 and we’ll try to answer your question as quickly as possible.

 

The Formal Rules:

 

1.                  Couples will consist of two women or two men dancing together (regardless of sexual orientation) or reverse-role couples defined as a woman leader and a man follower.

2.                  A couple may only enter two (2) proficiency levels in the same style One-Dance events (either Bronze/Silver, or Silver/Gold).

3.                  A couple may enter both the One-Dance and Graded Events in the same category. As per rule 2 above, this allows for a maximum entry of three (3) events per couple per style.

4.                  A couple may compete in as many styles as they wish.

5.                  An individual may enter different events with different partners, but may not enter the same event with more than one partner.

6.                  Post-operative transsexuals should dance in the sex category appropriate to his/her surgically assigned sex with a partner of the same sex.

7.                  Pre-operative transsexuals should dance in the sex category appropriate to the gender which he/she uses to live and function in public with a partner of the appropriate sex for that category.

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It is only for same-sex couples?

YES!!!! And NO!!!!

There are two main reasons we are running these same-sex dance events. The first is that there is no other opportunity for same-sex couples to compete unless we run our own competitions. The second is to provide an opportunity for those people who are interested in dancing in other same-sex competitions. 

That said, we recognize that many people are interested in learning the other role and need a place to practice. We will allow reverse-role couples to enter the competition, but they will be judged separately from same-sex couples.

A reverse role couple will be any couple where a woman is LEADING a man is FOLLOWING. The woman must lead the entire event. There will be a place on the entry form to indicate that you are a dancing in a reverse role couple.

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What about Professionals vs. Amateurs?

Both professional and amateur dances are welcome and encouraged to participate.

You will be asked to identify on the registration form whether you identify as a professional or an amateur.  Our definition of professional is a dancer who earns the majority of his or her income from dancing and/or teaching dancing.  Entry forms for specific events will have a place to indicate if you are entering that particular event as a pro-am couple, meaning one of you is professional and the other amateur.  Judges will be asked to judge such couples separately and only against each other.  If there are enough pro-am couples entered in any one event, they may be asked to dance separately from other couples.

While we recognize that the definition of 'Professional' can be tricky, we want to give students an opportunity to experience competition with their teachers.  Pro-am couples, like all others, must be either same-sex or reverse role couples to compete.

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Can I enter with more than one partner?

YES!!!!

You may enter with as many different partners as you want, HOWEVER......

You cannot enter the same event with more than one partner.

 

Your name and your partner's name for any particular event must be on the entry sheet  for that event before the event begins.

There are a few other restrictions having to do with One-Dance and Graded events events. Please read about One-Dance and Graded events for those details.

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Can I still dance if I don't enter the competition?

YES!!!!

 

There will be blocks of time all day and during the evening when we will put on music for social dancing as well as warm up time for the competitors. Come and DANCE DANCE DANCE as well as support your friends who are competing.

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Do we dance in groups or one couple at a time?

Short answer: GROUPS.

 

All the competitions will be held by having groups of couples dance together at the same time to the same music. This is called a ROUND. Each round will last at least 90 seconds. If there are too many couples to dance together all at once, then they will be divided into HEATS and each heat will dance for at least 90 seconds. So a ROUND consists of one or more HEATS of couples. The judges will look at your dancing and select those couples from each ROUND who they wish to see dance again. There will be as many ROUNDS as necessary to get down to 6 couples for a final.

Once there are only 6 couples left, those couples will dance a final round and be ranked in order from first place to sixth place.

Each ROUND lasts at least 90 seconds per dance. There must be at least 20 minutes rest time between each round. There must be at least 30 seconds rest time between each dance of a multi-dance event (like the graded events.)

Don't worry if you don't understand. We will have people standing by to make sure you know when to be on the dance floor for your event.

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Do I need to bring my own music?

NO. (unless.....)

 

Since all the events are group competitions, we will pick music appropriate to the dance event and play that music for all couples to dance to at the same time.

 

If you have contacted us and made arrangements to do a special performance, then BRING YOUR OWN MUSIC!  We assume that Formation Teams will bring their own music.

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Is Night Club Two Step the same as Country/Western Two Step?

NO.

 

They are completely different styles of dancing. If you know both, please enter both! But if you have never hear of Night Club Two Step, don't worry we won't make you dance it. And if you enter the wrong event by accident, we will be happy to put you in the RIGHT event before you have to dance.

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Can we switch between Leading and Following?

YES! That's one the great things about same-sex dancing..

 

It is not so much that you actually get extra points for changing roles with your partner since points are not used to do the judging, but it does demonstrate a great command of the dancing form to be able to both lead and follow, and the judges will be inclined to reward those couples who switch over those who don't if  their dancing is otherwise about the same.

 

You don't have to do roles changes, so don't worry if you don't. The best couple will win regardless of role changes.

 

If you DO choose to change roles, those changes should be integrated into the dancing in a way that does not disrupt the flow of the dancing. In other words, don't STOP, change around, and start up again. Just keep dancing and gracefully flow from one role to the other (and back again, if you want.)

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Do we have to have a routine?

NO.

 

Some couples will, some won't. Routines are nice, but if you are used to just dancing with your partner free-style, or have not had time to put together a routine and still want to dance, then you will be just fine.

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I don't have a partner. Is there any way for me enter the competition?

YES!

 

You could come to the competition, find someone you know or would like to know, and ask them to enter an event with you.  You need to be sure that both of you are registered, that each of you has received a number, and that you have entered your names as a competing couple on the entry sheet for your event well before the event begins.

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