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DEADLINE: Pro-Am Strictly Swing due by March 12, 2008. Please check schedule. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.
NOTE: Pro-Am Traditional deadline is March 12, 2008. Dance order in all contests, except Pro-Am Traditional, is based solely on date of returned registrations. Dancers may sign up as late as cut-off time however, the last couple to register will dance first.
Entry & Waiver
Flyer with entry form & waiver (pdf): Download event flyer & waiver.
Mail to: SWWC
P.O. Box 631933
Houston, TX 77263-1933
Novice Invitational 2008 Contest Rules
General
1. The Novice Invitational is open to all eligible contestants in every division.
2. All categories are traditional male/female, lead/follow couples.
3. You must be 15 years of age to compete in any of the divisions other than the Junior Division.
4. Costumes are acceptable in all categories except Strictly Swing, Pro-Am
Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill.
5. This is a Whip, Push, and West Coast Swing Dance Competition.
Definition of Whip, Push, and West Coast Swing for Novice Invitational:
West Coast Swing is a slotted dance where the Follower travels up and
down an imaginary slot and the Leader remains basically at the halfway point
of the slot. Comprised mainly of 6 and 8 count patterns, each pattern can be
identified by an even number of weight changes during the first two beats,
with the Follower moving forward. Furthermore, each pattern ends with an
odd number of weight changes, normally called an anchor, where both
Leader and Follower are not traveling. Additionally, West Coast Swing is
known to have 2 beat (normally walks) and 4 beat (normally triples) extensions
during the course of a pattern. However, these extensions are considered
to “dilute” the dance if done with great frequency. East Coast Swing
movements, like Shag and Lindy patterns, are also considered to “dilute” the
dance. Whip and Push are the Texas derivatives of West Coast Swing.
While many patterns have the same timing regarding weight changes, the
styling of the Texas forms normally includes a double resistance exhibited on
the last two beats of virtually every pattern. Furthermore, a delay on the first
two beats (known as a Hitch Step) occurs during the Follower’s movement
forward at the beginning of most, if not all, patterns.
6. Dancers may compete in multiple swing contest categories during the weekend.
No one may enter a particular contest more than once with the exception
of the Pro-Am Divisions.
7. Contestants must dance at least two (2) minutes and no more than three (3)
minutes to music they provide (except the Jack & Jill, Strictly Swing and Pro-Am Strictly Swing categories for which Novice Invitational will provide). Failure
to dance at least two (2) minutes will result in disqualification. The penalty for
any other rules violation(s) will be the loss of one placement for each infraction
in the final contest standing.
8. There will be no dancers meeting. All competitors must attend the mandatory roll call before their division. 9. Dance Order will be determined by reverse order of entry: First in, last to dance.
9. Dance Order will be determined by reverse order of entry: First in, last to
dance.
10. Qualification for Newcomer Novice Dancers:
This division of competition is designed and intended for anyone who has never
competed as a NOVICE competitor or AM competitor in a Pro-Am and has
never taught dancing in an organized class setting. Dancers may only compete
in this category once.
11. Qualification for Amateur Novice Dancers:
You must have never danced in a Non-Professional (Intermediate), Open or
higher Class category, in Classic, Showcase, Strictly Swing/Just Dance
style or
equivalent categories, or as a Pro in a Pro-Am, in any style of dance.
Sanctioned
Jack & Jill competitions are not excluded. You cannot have ever taught
any style of partner dance. This division is not open to all levels.
12. Qualification for Non-Professional Dancers:
Considered the equivalent of “Intermediate” or “Novice
Intermediate”, you must
have never danced in a Rising Star, Open or higher Class category, in Classic,
Showcase, Strictly Swing/Just Dance style or equivalent categories, or as
a Pro
in a Pro-Am, in any style of dance. Sanctioned Jack & Jill competitions
are not
excluded. This division is not open to all levels.
13. Definition of a LIFT: That point when both feet are off the ground, and
weight is not self supported.
14. Definition of a DROP: The point at which the head goes below your partner’s
waist and weight is not self supported.
15. Definition of an AERIAL: The point at which one partner is off the ground
due to the other partner and not maintaining contact with their partner.
16. All rules will be STRICTLY enforced.
Entries
1. There is no limit to entries to any division with the exception of deadline regulations. Deadline for all divisions is 30 minutes before every contests with the exception of Jack & Jill categories and Pro-Am Strictly Swing. In place of a Dancers Meeting there will be a MANDATORY roll call prior to each contest. ANY COMPETITOR NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DANCE. Pro-Am Strictly Swing due by March 12, 2008. (Please check schedule. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS). If there are fewer than five (5) entries in any division, the Novice Invitational reserves the right to combine or cancel that division. Novice Invitational also reserves the right to have any and all lead/follow categories run in a heat format in lieu of prelims or spotlight format for time restraints.
2. Each entry form (Jack & Jill excluded) must be accompanied by a $15/a person ($30 per couple) per contest, fee through 2/29/08, after 2/29/08 $20/per person ($40/ per couple) per contest. All entrants are required to purchase a weekend ticket and must be included or have verification of purchase. All competitors must attend the mandatory roll call before their division. See above General Notes #8. Mail entries to: Novice Invitational, c/o Southwest Whip Club, PO Box 631933, Houston, Texas 77263-1933.
Newcomer Novice Strictly Swing
1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)
2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.
3. This is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.
4. No lifts, drops or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.
5. No apart dancing other than free spins.
6. This division is danced in heats of 3-5 couples.
7. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by Novice Invitational. The music will be selected at random at the time of the contest and the couples will be given no prior music information.
Amateur Novice Division
1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)
2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 80% that style.
3. There are no lifts or aerials allowed.
4. Apart dancing allowed within first 32 beats of music. No breakaways or other apart dancing except free spins.
5. There are no other restrictions.
Amateur Novice Strictly Swing
1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)
2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style. It is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.
3. No lifts, drops or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.
4. No apart dancing other than free spins.
5. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by Novice Invitational. The music will be selected at random at the time of the contest and the couples will be given no prior music information.
Non-Professional Division
1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)
2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 80% that style.
3. There are no lifts or aerials allowed.
4. Apart dancing allowed within first 32 beats of music. No breakaways or other apart dancing except free spins.
5. There are no other restrictions.
Non-Professional Strictly Swing
1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)
2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.
3. This is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.
4. No lifts, drops or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.
5. No apart dancing other than free spins.
6. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by Novice Invitational. The music will be selected at random at the time of the contest and the couples will be given no prior music information.
ProAm Strictly Swing - All Divisions
1. Pro may dance with up to five (5) different Am partners per division.
2. The Novice partner must not qualify as a Non-Pro, Rising Star,
Open or higher level dancer. The Non-Pro partner must not qualify as
a Rising Star, Open or higher level dancer.
3. The Pro can qualify as either Rising Star, Open or Professional
level dancer.
4. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.
5. It is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.
6. No lifts, drops or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.
7. No apart dancing other than free spins.
8. Couples will dance approximately ninety (90) seconds to music provided
by Novice Invitational. The music will be approximately 112-124 bpm, and
will be selected at random. The couples will be given no prior music
information.
9. Costumes are not allowed.
Mixed ProAm Division
1. The Am must be eligible to qualify as a Newcomer Novice, Amateur Novice, or Non-Professional dancer. (See General Rules)
2. Any Am who has previously won any Pro-Am competition at the Novice Invitational will not be allowed to dance as an Am again at this event.
3. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 80% that style.
4. No minimum or maximum bpm (music speed) limitation.
5. There are no lifts or aerials allowed.
6. Apart dancing allowed within first 32 beats of music. No breakaways or other apart dancing except free spins.
7. There are no other restrictions.
Amateur Novice Jack & Jill
1. Anyone that qualifies may enter this contest.
2. You must sign up in person. No proxies.
Non-Professional Jack & Jill
1. Anyone that qualifies may enter this contest.
2. You must sign up in person. No proxies.
Junior’s Novice Division Jack & Jill:
1. You must be 10-17 years of age and qualify for the Amateur Novice Division to compete in this division.
2. A Sunday ticket and entry fee must be purchased.