COMPETITIONS FOR BEST OF THE BEST
The Best of the Best Event is a World Swing Dance Council (“WSDC”) Registry Event with points allocated in the Jack & Jill competitions!
THE COMPETITIONS:JACK & JILL COMPETITION
Jack & Jill competitions are designed to highlight skills in spontaneous WCS dancing and the ability to dance well with a variety of partners. Competitors enter as individuals, are randomly assigned partners, and dance to music pre-selected by the Best of the Best Head DJ. Competitors must enter as either "leaders" and or "followers" regardless of gender. This event is gender neutral but once a competitor enters a division as a leader or follower they must remain that throughout the whole of the event.
DRESS PANTS & SLACKS are a requirement of competing in all Jack & Jill divisions.
The Best of the Best West Coast Swing Jack & Jill guidelines:
CATEGORIES:
Novice Category
A person should compete in Novice if they have earned fewer than 15 Novice points and do not otherwise qualify for the Intermediate category. If a person is competing in the Intermediate Strictly Swing competition but does not meet the Intermediate Jack & Jill requirements individually (ie: they are dancing up because of their partner), that person may compete in this category.
Intermediate Category
A person should compete in Intermediate if they have already competed at the Intermediate level and hold Intermediate points (and don't qualify for a higher category) or they have earned 15 or more Novice points.
Advanced/All-Star Category
A person should compete in Advanced/All-Star if they already have advanced points or qualify for this category.
Sophisticated Category (not WSDC)
The Sophisticated Category is an additional fun division for persons over the age of 35 years! No World Swing Dance Council points will be allocated in this category. Persons over 35 years can dance in their respective category level as well as the Sophisticated Category.
Pro-Am Jack & Jill
The division is a fun division for Amateur leaders & followers at the novice and intermediate level. Amateur dancers will dance with professionals in the preliminary rotation. The final will be an all skate. The best 3 Amateur leader or followers will be awarded trophies.
Please note that each category will only proceed if 5 or more leaders and 5 or more followers pre-register for the relevant category.
STRICTLY SWING COMPETITION
The Strictly Swing is a social dancing competition where the competing couples choose their own partner and enter as a couple. It is meant to be fun & to show off how well you can lead & follow.
The Best of the Best Strictly Swing guidelines:
CATEGORIES:
Novice Category
Couples should compete in Novice if both dancers have earned fewer than 15 Novice points and do not otherwise qualify for the Intermediate category.
Intermediate Category
Couples should compete in Intermediate if one or both dancers qualify for the Intermediate Jack & Jill Competition.
Advanced/All-Star Category
Couples should compete in Advanced/All-Star if one or both dancers qualify for the Advanced Jack & Jill Competition or higher.
GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION FOR JACK & JILL & STRICTLY SWING COMPETITION:
Spotlight dances (one couple on the dance floor at a time) will be held for the Intermediate and Advanced Allstar divisions only. All other finals will be 'All Skates with a Jam' (all finalists on the dance floor at once with a short Jam session included for finalists).
Trophies will be awarded to the first 3 placings of each category.
To enter the Jack & Jill or Strictly Swing please pre-register online when you purchase your event pass. In the event of changes to your competition entry please email BestoftheBestWCS@gmail.com.
Competition Entry fees: Please note that the competition entry fees are already included in the Full Event Passes price. If you haven't purchased a full event pass then you will need to pay the nominated fee for the individual event.
PRO-AM Routine Division
This division is designed to develop routine dancers and showcase an amateur dancing with their Professional instructor.
Pro-Am routine division must contain 80% WCS.
Lifts and Aerials are not allowed. Drops are permitted. Each Pro is limited to three (3) students.
To qualify for this Pro/Am Routine Category, there must be an instructor/student relationship. An Amateur is someone who HAS NOT RECEIVED payment for teaching or for teaching privates. A Professional is someone who HAS RECEIVED payment for teaching group classes, privates lessons or been paid for a dance show or demonstration in the last three years.
Music must be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
CLASSIC DIVISION COMPETITION - The Best of the Best Classic division is for couples with a West Coast Swing Choreographed Routine.
GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION FOR CLASSIC COMPETITION:
No lifts or aerials allowed. “On the ground” partner weight support moves (such as drops, slides, and splits) are allowed. Breakaways should not exceed 8 beats.
Music must be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
Costumes are required.
Trophies will be awarded to the first 3 placings.
To enter the Couples Classic Division you must pre-register by emailing BestoftheBestWCS@gmail.com and forwarding your music to the same email address. Your registration will be confirmed by email once your music is received.
Teams Routine Division
This division consists of teams of six or more dancers comprised of any combination of gender and/or skill-level. They will be judged as a group. This is a Swing division open to all styles that can include but is not limited to Carolina Shag, Dallas Push, East Coast Swing, Hand Dancing, Hollywood Swing, Houston Whip, Imperial Swing, Jive, Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Rock-nRoll, and West Coast Swing.
Team routines must contain at least 60% swing content. Lifts, aerials, dips, acrobatic moves, drops, slides, break-a ways, switching of partners, and reverse lead/follow are all allowed, but not required.
Costumes are required.
Music must be no less than 3 minutes and no more than 4 minutes.
Competition Entry fees are already included in the Full Event Passes price.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMPETITORS
1. Planning Ahead. Competitors should check the weekend schedule in advance in order to arrive in time to meet registration deadlines. They should bring appropriate competition attire. They should also plan ahead so as to be on time for all meetings & competitions. Competitors are responsible for checking at the event for any changes to previously announced schedules, which are always subject to change.
2. Knowing the Rules. All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to attending the contestant meeting for their competition. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. Questions about the rules should be asked at the contestant meeting, or addressed in advance to the Contest Co-ordinator or the Chief Judge.
3. Be Prepared to Compete. Competitors should be present in the auditorium at least 15 minutes prior to the start of their competition. Competitors are responsible for their bib numbers – please keep them safe for the duration of the event.
4. Demonstrating Good Sporting Conduct. Competitors must demonstrate good sporting conduct at all times, both on & off the competition floor. Competitors must also refrain from any behavior that the judges deem inappropriate. Failure to adhere to this code of behavior may result in disqualification.
5. Discussing the Competitions Only Where Appropriate. Competitors may only discuss the competitions with the contest officials or judges using appropriate channels. Please do not approach judges seeking advice on their decisions.
6. Wavier. By entering any of the competitions above you expressly grant the directors of Best of the Best, and it's assignees, licensees, vendors, and legal representatives the unlimited right and authority to use your name and any photograph or video recording of your participation at Best of the Best in any and all media, in whatever manner, for any lawful purpose, without any obligation to you. You further agree for myself, your heirs, executors and administrators, to waive and release any and all right for damage you might have against the Directors of Best of the Best for any injuries and damages you may suffer by participating in this event and your traveling to and from the event.
WORLD SWING DANCE COUNCIL POINTS ALLOCATED:
Points are awarded and then recorded by the World Swing Dance Council for the winners and place getters (and possibly finalists) of the Novice, Intermediate & Advanced Jack & Jill Competitions. (Points are not recorded for the Strictly Swing Competitions).
The WSDC then tracks points for every competitor and these points are used to identify the category a person should compete in.
There must be a minimum number of five couples per category for points to be recorded.
Eligibility for each category will be applicable at the time of the competition and you will be able to enter the competition upon arrival at the event by attending the Best of the Best Competition Registration Desk if you haven't already pre-registered (which is encouraged at the time of booking your event ticket) Any changes to your pre-registration can be made at the event by attending the Competition Registration Desk.
WSDC Points will be checked on the day of the competition if they need to be clarified.
If you want to enter a category for which you do not meet the entry requirements stated or want to change categories, you may submit a petition. Please indicate same on your entry form at the time of competition registration.
Competitors must submit such petitions at the contest registration desk prior to the earliest registration deadline for the competition(s) in question. (Please do not attend minutes before the closing of registration!)
Petitions for reclassification will be reviewed by the Contest Co-ordinator, in consultation with the Chief Judge & it will be approved or denied based on your reasons and dance history. Contestants will be notified as quickly as possible of the outcome 'should it not be granted'.
The Organiser reserves the right to re-classify any contestant for any reason.
It is the Organisers goal to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to a fair & appropriate classification using the honor system.
In the event that competitors classify themselves incorrectly, & the error is discovered before the start of the competition in question, they will be given the option to reclassify themselves correctly or withdraw.
If you have competed previously in a WSDC event and you are unsure of points you may have, and therefore you would like to check on the amount of points you have, please see the www.swingdancecouncil.com and search for your name under the Points Registry Search section.
THE COMPETITIONS:JACK & JILL COMPETITION
Jack & Jill competitions are designed to highlight skills in spontaneous WCS dancing and the ability to dance well with a variety of partners. Competitors enter as individuals, are randomly assigned partners, and dance to music pre-selected by the Best of the Best Head DJ. Competitors must enter as either "leaders" and or "followers" regardless of gender. This event is gender neutral but once a competitor enters a division as a leader or follower they must remain that throughout the whole of the event.
DRESS PANTS & SLACKS are a requirement of competing in all Jack & Jill divisions.
The Best of the Best West Coast Swing Jack & Jill guidelines:
- We strongly encourage participants to wear slacks/dress pants when competing.
- No lifts are allowed (lifts will be determined as both of the followers feet leaving the ground).
- Dancers will be judged individually in the heats & as a couple in the final.
CATEGORIES:
Novice Category
A person should compete in Novice if they have earned fewer than 15 Novice points and do not otherwise qualify for the Intermediate category. If a person is competing in the Intermediate Strictly Swing competition but does not meet the Intermediate Jack & Jill requirements individually (ie: they are dancing up because of their partner), that person may compete in this category.
Intermediate Category
A person should compete in Intermediate if they have already competed at the Intermediate level and hold Intermediate points (and don't qualify for a higher category) or they have earned 15 or more Novice points.
Advanced/All-Star Category
A person should compete in Advanced/All-Star if they already have advanced points or qualify for this category.
Sophisticated Category (not WSDC)
The Sophisticated Category is an additional fun division for persons over the age of 35 years! No World Swing Dance Council points will be allocated in this category. Persons over 35 years can dance in their respective category level as well as the Sophisticated Category.
Pro-Am Jack & Jill
The division is a fun division for Amateur leaders & followers at the novice and intermediate level. Amateur dancers will dance with professionals in the preliminary rotation. The final will be an all skate. The best 3 Amateur leader or followers will be awarded trophies.
Please note that each category will only proceed if 5 or more leaders and 5 or more followers pre-register for the relevant category.
STRICTLY SWING COMPETITION
The Strictly Swing is a social dancing competition where the competing couples choose their own partner and enter as a couple. It is meant to be fun & to show off how well you can lead & follow.
The Best of the Best Strictly Swing guidelines:
- Slacks and or Dress pants are required when competing.
- No choreography is allowed and the dance should be spontaneous lead and follow style
- No 'costumes' are allowed. Matching or complementary (classy) outfits are acceptable.
- Drops, leans, circular movements & other partner weight support moves are allowed as long as both partners keep at least one foot on the floor. The competitors will not know the music they are dancing too and the music will be randomly selected by the Best of the Best Head DJ.
CATEGORIES:
Novice Category
Couples should compete in Novice if both dancers have earned fewer than 15 Novice points and do not otherwise qualify for the Intermediate category.
Intermediate Category
Couples should compete in Intermediate if one or both dancers qualify for the Intermediate Jack & Jill Competition.
Advanced/All-Star Category
Couples should compete in Advanced/All-Star if one or both dancers qualify for the Advanced Jack & Jill Competition or higher.
GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION FOR JACK & JILL & STRICTLY SWING COMPETITION:
Spotlight dances (one couple on the dance floor at a time) will be held for the Intermediate and Advanced Allstar divisions only. All other finals will be 'All Skates with a Jam' (all finalists on the dance floor at once with a short Jam session included for finalists).
Trophies will be awarded to the first 3 placings of each category.
To enter the Jack & Jill or Strictly Swing please pre-register online when you purchase your event pass. In the event of changes to your competition entry please email BestoftheBestWCS@gmail.com.
Competition Entry fees: Please note that the competition entry fees are already included in the Full Event Passes price. If you haven't purchased a full event pass then you will need to pay the nominated fee for the individual event.
PRO-AM Routine Division
This division is designed to develop routine dancers and showcase an amateur dancing with their Professional instructor.
Pro-Am routine division must contain 80% WCS.
Lifts and Aerials are not allowed. Drops are permitted. Each Pro is limited to three (3) students.
To qualify for this Pro/Am Routine Category, there must be an instructor/student relationship. An Amateur is someone who HAS NOT RECEIVED payment for teaching or for teaching privates. A Professional is someone who HAS RECEIVED payment for teaching group classes, privates lessons or been paid for a dance show or demonstration in the last three years.
Music must be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
CLASSIC DIVISION COMPETITION - The Best of the Best Classic division is for couples with a West Coast Swing Choreographed Routine.
GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION FOR CLASSIC COMPETITION:
No lifts or aerials allowed. “On the ground” partner weight support moves (such as drops, slides, and splits) are allowed. Breakaways should not exceed 8 beats.
Music must be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
Costumes are required.
Trophies will be awarded to the first 3 placings.
To enter the Couples Classic Division you must pre-register by emailing BestoftheBestWCS@gmail.com and forwarding your music to the same email address. Your registration will be confirmed by email once your music is received.
Teams Routine Division
This division consists of teams of six or more dancers comprised of any combination of gender and/or skill-level. They will be judged as a group. This is a Swing division open to all styles that can include but is not limited to Carolina Shag, Dallas Push, East Coast Swing, Hand Dancing, Hollywood Swing, Houston Whip, Imperial Swing, Jive, Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Rock-nRoll, and West Coast Swing.
Team routines must contain at least 60% swing content. Lifts, aerials, dips, acrobatic moves, drops, slides, break-a ways, switching of partners, and reverse lead/follow are all allowed, but not required.
Costumes are required.
Music must be no less than 3 minutes and no more than 4 minutes.
Competition Entry fees are already included in the Full Event Passes price.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMPETITORS
1. Planning Ahead. Competitors should check the weekend schedule in advance in order to arrive in time to meet registration deadlines. They should bring appropriate competition attire. They should also plan ahead so as to be on time for all meetings & competitions. Competitors are responsible for checking at the event for any changes to previously announced schedules, which are always subject to change.
2. Knowing the Rules. All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to attending the contestant meeting for their competition. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. Questions about the rules should be asked at the contestant meeting, or addressed in advance to the Contest Co-ordinator or the Chief Judge.
3. Be Prepared to Compete. Competitors should be present in the auditorium at least 15 minutes prior to the start of their competition. Competitors are responsible for their bib numbers – please keep them safe for the duration of the event.
4. Demonstrating Good Sporting Conduct. Competitors must demonstrate good sporting conduct at all times, both on & off the competition floor. Competitors must also refrain from any behavior that the judges deem inappropriate. Failure to adhere to this code of behavior may result in disqualification.
5. Discussing the Competitions Only Where Appropriate. Competitors may only discuss the competitions with the contest officials or judges using appropriate channels. Please do not approach judges seeking advice on their decisions.
6. Wavier. By entering any of the competitions above you expressly grant the directors of Best of the Best, and it's assignees, licensees, vendors, and legal representatives the unlimited right and authority to use your name and any photograph or video recording of your participation at Best of the Best in any and all media, in whatever manner, for any lawful purpose, without any obligation to you. You further agree for myself, your heirs, executors and administrators, to waive and release any and all right for damage you might have against the Directors of Best of the Best for any injuries and damages you may suffer by participating in this event and your traveling to and from the event.
WORLD SWING DANCE COUNCIL POINTS ALLOCATED:
Points are awarded and then recorded by the World Swing Dance Council for the winners and place getters (and possibly finalists) of the Novice, Intermediate & Advanced Jack & Jill Competitions. (Points are not recorded for the Strictly Swing Competitions).
The WSDC then tracks points for every competitor and these points are used to identify the category a person should compete in.
There must be a minimum number of five couples per category for points to be recorded.
Eligibility for each category will be applicable at the time of the competition and you will be able to enter the competition upon arrival at the event by attending the Best of the Best Competition Registration Desk if you haven't already pre-registered (which is encouraged at the time of booking your event ticket) Any changes to your pre-registration can be made at the event by attending the Competition Registration Desk.
WSDC Points will be checked on the day of the competition if they need to be clarified.
If you want to enter a category for which you do not meet the entry requirements stated or want to change categories, you may submit a petition. Please indicate same on your entry form at the time of competition registration.
Competitors must submit such petitions at the contest registration desk prior to the earliest registration deadline for the competition(s) in question. (Please do not attend minutes before the closing of registration!)
Petitions for reclassification will be reviewed by the Contest Co-ordinator, in consultation with the Chief Judge & it will be approved or denied based on your reasons and dance history. Contestants will be notified as quickly as possible of the outcome 'should it not be granted'.
The Organiser reserves the right to re-classify any contestant for any reason.
It is the Organisers goal to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to a fair & appropriate classification using the honor system.
In the event that competitors classify themselves incorrectly, & the error is discovered before the start of the competition in question, they will be given the option to reclassify themselves correctly or withdraw.
If you have competed previously in a WSDC event and you are unsure of points you may have, and therefore you would like to check on the amount of points you have, please see the www.swingdancecouncil.com and search for your name under the Points Registry Search section.
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Matt Nolan & Libby Collins-Nolan
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2018 All-Star Champions
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