September 17-20, 2009

Meet Me in St Louis Swing Dance Championships (TM) -  2009 Contest Rules

GENERAL:

1. MMISL SDC Competitions are open to all eligible contestants (*16 and over) who have purchased a weekend event pass. (*See exceptions and age requirements under Masters & Juniors divisions)

2. All categories are traditional male / female, lead / follow couples.

3.Costumes are acceptable in routine divisions.

4. This is a Swing Dance Competition and all recognized swing styles are allowed, including Whip, Push, West Coast Swing, Shag, Lindy Hop, Imperial, Swingout, Jitterbug, Steppers and others.

5. Dancers may not dance with the same partner in more than one Swing division.  An individual is not permitted to dance twice within the same division (Divisions: Jack & Jill, Strictly Swing, Masters, Rising Star, Pro-Am).  Exception: Pro dancers in the Pro-Am divisions.

6. MMISL SDC will provide music for the Jack & Jill, Strictly Swing and Pro-Am Divisions.  Music for all other divisions must be provided by the contestant.

7. At least one (1) contestant from each entry must attend the dancers meeting.  See the contest schedule for the assigned meeting times. NO PROXIES ALLOWED. 

8 . Music Time Limitations : All routine divisions, excluding Teams, have a music time limitation of no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.

9.Qualifications for Junior Dancers – Strictly Swing

Must be 17 years of age or younger, have signed parental consent, and have never danced in an Intermediate, Open or higher Class category, in Classic, Showcase, Strictly Swing or Jack & Jill to compete in any Junior category. (Juniors ages 12 – 15 may request an exception to be allowed to dance in other divisions - please contact Penny Davis at davis.penny@gmail.com to make your request. )

 

10. Qualification for Novice Dancers – Strictly Swing
You must have never danced in an 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.  This division is not open to all levels.

11. Qualification for Intermediate Dancers – Strictly Swing
You must have never danced in an 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. This division is not open to all levels.

12. Qualification for Advanced Dancers – Strictly Swing
All contestants may dance in this Class level except those who qualify as Professional Class dancers.  Dancers must not have placed top 3 in a national competition in Classic, Showcase, Strictly Swing/Just Dance style or any equivalent categories.  This division is not open to all levels.

13. Qualification for Professional Dancers
This division is intended for top national WCS competitors. You may compete in this division if: 1) You already compete at this level and have finished in the top 5 in the past 5 years; or 2) You have placed in the top 3 in NASDE Classic or Showcase divisions in the past 5 years; or 3) You have taught a workshop as an invited instructor at MMISL SDC in the past 3 years.

14. Definition of a LIFT:
That point when both feet are off the ground, and weight is not self supported.

15. Definition of a DROP:
The point at which the head goes below your partner’s waist and weight is not self supported.

16.  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.

17. All rules will be strictly enforced. 

Meet Me in St Louis Swing Dance Championships TM also reserves the right to have any and all lead/follow categories run in a heated format in lieu of prelims or spotlight format for time restraints, or to combine or cancel divisions with less than five (5) couples .

Each entry/waiver form must be accompanied by the appropriate fee.  Deadline for pre-registration August 15 th, 2009.

Jack & Jill: Entry /Waiver form must be accompanied by a $16 per person entry fee. Deadline for pre-registration is August 15 th , 2009. August 16 th and after, the registration fee is $26 per person.

Strictly Swing Divisions:   Entry/Waiver form must be accompanied by a $30 per couple, entry fee.  Deadline for Pre-Registration is August 15 th. August 16 th and after, the registration fee is $40 per couple.

Routine Divisions: Entry/Waiver form must be accompanied by a $40 per couple, entry fee.  Deadline for Pre-Registration is August 15 th. August 16 th and after, the registration fee is $50 per couple.

All competitors are required to purchase a weekend ticket and must be included or have verification of purchase with your entry form.
 
Strictly Swing Divisions (Juniors, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced or Pro)
1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)
2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 90% 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. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by MMISL SDC.  The music will be selected at random and couples will be given no prior music information.
5. No Costumes Allowed.

6. Juniors Divisions:   Pee-wee - ages 11 & under,
Young Adult - ages 12 – 17.

Masters Division: (Routine Division)
1. Both partners must be at least 50 years young at by September 17, 2009.
2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 70% that style.
3. Lifts, drops and aerials are allowed but not required.
4. Music Time Limitations: No less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
5. Costumes required.
6. There are no other restrictions.

Rising Star Division (Routine Division)
1. This division is open to any non-pro dancer.
2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 70% that style.
3.  Music Time Limitations: No less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
4. Judging and time of routines begin with first choreographed movement with or without music.
5.  Lifts, weight supported moves and aerials are allowed.
6. A maximum of 5 weight supported moves are allowed with no minimum requirements.
7. Costumes are required.

Pro-Am Division (Routine Division)
1. Any dancer that qualifies as a Novice or Intermediate may enter this category. (See General Rules)

2. Pros may dance with up to three (3) Ams. (Maximum of 15 routines total for this division – 1 st come, first served basis.

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 70% that style.
3. There are no Lifts or Aerials allowed.
4. Music Time Limitations: No less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
5. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

 

Pro-Am: Male & Female
1. The Pro partner may dance with up to five (5) different Am partners.
2. The amateur partner must:

Novice Level ; not qualify as an Intermediate, Advanced or higher level dancer,

Intermediate Level; not qualify as an Advanced or higher level dancer.
3. The Pro can qualify as either Advanced, All Star or Professional level dancer.
4. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 90% that style.
5. This is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.
6. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by MMISL SDC.  The music will be selected at random and the couples will be given no prior music information.  It will be approximately 112-124 bpm.
7. No Costumes Allowed.

Jack & Jills
ALL Jack & Jill entry fee for individuals is $15+$1 (WSDC fee) = $16 through August 15 th, 2009, after which time the fee is $25+$1 (WSDC fee) = $26.

Novice Jack & Jill
1. A competitor must stay in Novice until they have earned at least 20 points in Novice. In addition, a competitor may stay in the Novice division until they have both 20 points and a first place win in Novice.
2. You must sign up in person. No proxies.

Intermediate Jack & Jill
1. A competitor must stay in Intermediate until they have earned at least 25 points in Intermediate. In addition, a competitor may stay in the Intermediate division until they have both 25 points and a first place win in Intermediate.

2. You must sign up in person. No proxies.

Advanced Jack & Jill
1. You must have at least 25 points in Intermediate in order to move into Advanced.
2. You must sign up in person. No proxies. 

Pro Jack & Jill
1. Anyone that qualifies may enter this contest.
2. You must sign up in person. No proxies. 

First place winners and the top 20% in the division in the Novice and Intermediate Jack & Jill, and the Novice and Intermediate Strictly Swing, will also qualify for the AANCE Finals at America’s Classic in 2010. Please refer to www.americasclassic.com for more details.

 

 

Contact Information
Penny Davis, Event Director
Katie Slater, President, STL Rebels
Hosted by the St. Louis Rebels West Coast Swing Dance Club