Dancing competitions
Standard and Latin competitions
Competition categories
The same sex and mixed couples standard and latin competitions are subdivided according to age: adult (18 years+ for both dancers) and senior (Please note the change in age requirements for seniors: 80 years+ for the couple).
It is possible to participate in the adult and senior competitions with different partners. The winning couple from each group will be asked to compete in the next level.
Competitions categories for mixed (opposite sex) couples:
- Standard mixed
- Latin mixed
Competition for same-sex couples:
- Standard adult men
- Standard adult women
- Standard senior men
- Standard senior women
- Latin adult men
- Latin adult women
- Latin senior men
- Latin senior women
- Combined standard and latin men
- Combined standard and latin women
Classes and dances
The standard and latin sections are each divided into five levels from A to E, where A is for top level dancers and E is for beginner level dancers:
- E class: Beginner level dancers
- D class: Lower level dancers
- C class: Mid-level dancers
- B class: Upper level dancers
- A class: Top level dancers
When you register, we ask you to declare your level. This is for planning purposes only and will not have any bearing upon your final level.
You should be prepared to dance in the levels above that in which you register in case you have to dance a higher level.
Classification dances in the standard competitions are waltz, tango and quickstep.
Classification dances in the latin competitions are cha-cha, rumba and jive.
In the qualification heats the tango and the rumba are optional.
Note that if you choose not to dance the optional dance, you will be marked for the E class/lowest class in that dance.
Standard dances by classes:
- E class: waltz, quickstep (two dances)
- D class: waltz, tango and quickstep (three dances)
- C class: waltz, tango and quickstep (three dances)
- B class: waltz, tango, slow fox and quickstep (four dances)
- A class: waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow fox and quickstep (five dances)
Latin dances by classes:
- E class: cha-cha and jive (two dances)
- D class: cha-cha, rumba and jive (three dances)
- C class: cha-cha, rumba and jive (three dances)
- B class: samba, cha-cha, rumba and jive (four dances)
- A class: samba, cha-cha, rumba, pasodoble and jive (five dances)
Dances by classes in the combined standard and latin competitions:
- Dances for combined E class (four dances) are waltz, quickstep, cha-cha and jive.
- Dances for combined D and C class (six dances) are waltz, tango, quickstep, cha-cha, rumba and jive.
- Dances for combined B class (eight dances) are waltz, tango, slow fox, quickstep, cha-cha, samba, rumba and jive.
- Dances for combined A class (ten dances) are waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow fox, quickstep, cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive.
Classification dances in the combined standard and latin competitions are waltz, tango, quickstep, cha-cha, rumba and jive.
In the qualification heat the tango and the rumba are optional.
Note that if you choose not to dance the optional dances, you will be marked for the E class/lowest class in that dance/those dances.
Note that all dances during the event must be danced with the same partner.
Sanctioning will be announced later.
All of the above is subject to change.
Standard and latin show dancing competitions
No gender or age restrictions.
Competition categories:
- Couples
- Small groups (3-6)
- Large groups (7 or more)
Rules and guidelines
- Standard and latin show dancing routines may be performed in standard dances styles, latin dance styles or in a combination of standard and latin American dance styles: All categories must base their routines on the waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow fox, quickstep, samba, cha-cha, rumba, paso doble and jive.
- The routines must not exceed 6 minutes including entry and exit.
- Routines will be judged as a whole. However solo, duo or ensemble parts may be performed with in the routine.
- Adequate arrangements will be made for team rehearsals, an equal amount of time being allocated to each team in the ballroom and with the music.
- A chairman must be appointed to secure that the rules are not infringed.
- The dance routine and music used at the rehearsal are the only permitted during the competition.
- Judging: Musicality, variety of dances and patterns, originality, total performance and individual choreography will be judged along with technique, composition, image, and show value.
The following criteria should be used in determining the show value of the routine: Entertainment or audience appeal, originality and creativity of the concept, story idea or theme. Appropriateness of the costume as it relates to the concept, story, idea or theme. Inventive and creative visual effects using props and creative designs.
The rules and guidelines the competitions will follow are designed to be as liberal as possible, because we want to encourage potential participants to compete and develop the awareness of alternatives to couples dancing in the context of Outgames.
There is a possibility that the competing teams will be of different sizes and will have very different choreographies. This may result in difficulties for the judging panel, who is obliged to place the teams from winner to last. With this said we cordially invite you to join in the Standard and Latin show dancing at World Outgames 2009.
All of the above is subject to change.
Anonymity:
Start lists for all the dance disciplines will be made accesible to the dancers on a regular basis.
If you wish to be anonymous send us an email and let us know