September 25-28, 2008

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2008 Contest Rules
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 General:

1 . The Meet Me In St. Louis Swing Dance Championships (MMISTLSDC) is open to all eligible contestants.

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

3 . Costumes are acceptable in all categories except Strictly Swing, Pro-Am and Jack & Jill.

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

5 . Dancers may compete in multiple swing contest categories during the weekend. However, dancers must have a different partner per contest entered.

Exception, the Pro-Am Division.

6 . MMISTLSDC 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.

Proxies allowed for Friday’s competitors or for the Pro-Am Divisions ONLY. NO PROXIES ALLOWED FOR OTHER SATURDAY AND SUNDAY COMPETITORS.

8 . Dance Order: Will be determined at the mandatory dancers meeting. Competitors meeting to take place Friday afternoon for Friday competitors; Saturday, for Saturday competitors; Sunday for Sunday competitors.

See schedule for exact times .

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

10 . Qualification for Novice Dancers:

You must have never danced in an Intermediate, Advanced, 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. Jack & Jill competitions are notexcluded. You cannot have ever taught any style of partner dance. This division is not open to all levels.

11 . Qualification for Intermediate Dancers:

You must have never danced in an Advanced, 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. Jack & Jill competitions are not excluded. This division is not open to all levels.

12 . Qualification for Advanced Dancers:

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 those that teach and/or compete as a primary source of their income.

14. Qualification for Junior Dancers:

Young America Division is for dancers between the ages of 6 and13. Both partners must be within this age category to dance in this division.

Young Adult Division is for dancers between the ages of 14 and 20. Both partners must be within this age category to dance in this division.

15 . Definition of a Lift:

That point when both feet are off the ground, and weight is not self supported.

16 . Definition of a Drop:

The point at which the head goes below your partner’s waist and weight is not self supported.

17 . 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.

18. Waiver Forms: A waiver form must be signed by all competitors no later than the Competitors Meeting, and will be available at the meeting or on the MMISTLSDC web site prior to the event. For registration, entry & waiver forms, go to www.meetmeinstlouissdc.com.

18 . All rules will be strictly enforced.

 

1. Entry Deadline : ONE HOUR before the mandatory competitor’s meeting.

Sign-ups to be held at the Registration desk located outside the Promenade Ballroom.

REGISTRATION CUT OFF IS ONE HOUR BEFORE THE COMPETITOR’S DANCER’S MEETING. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

There is no limit to entries to any division with the exception of deadline regulations. If there are fewer than (5) entries in any division, the MMISTLSDC reserves the right to combine or cancel that division.

Meet Me In St. Louis Swing Dance Championships 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.

2 . Each entry/waiver form ( Excluding Jack & Jill) must be accompanied by a $50.00/per couple, per contest, fee. (Exception-Junior Division fees are $20.00 per couple) Deadline for pre-registration is Sept. 1, 2008. On Sept. 2nd, and at the door, the registration fee is $60.00/per couple, per contest. (Exception-Junior Division fees will remain at $20.00 per couple) All Entrants are required to purchase a weekend ticket and must be included, or have verification of purchase, with your entry form.

 

You may sign up one hour before the designated Mandatory Dancers Meeting.

See schedule for exact times .

 

Discounted entries may be submitted online at www.meetmeinstlouissdc.com or via mail postmarked no later than Sept. 1 st, 2008 to: Meet Me In St. Louis Swing Dance Championships, Attn: Katie Slater, 2533 W. Hwy U, Hawks Point, MO 63349.

Checks, Money Orders and Credit Cards accepted.

 

 

 

 

Strictly Swing Divisions:

1. D ancers may compete in only ONE (1) Strictly Swing contest and must meet the requirements for the entered class (See General Rules).

Exception: Dancers may also compete in the

Pro-Am Strictly Swing Divisions.

2. This is a swing category and dance content must be 90% that style.

3. This is a lead/follow category. Spontaneous choreography is expected. Choreographed routines are not allowed.

4. No Lifts, Drops or Aerials are allowed.

5. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by MMISTLSDC. The music will be selected at random and couples will be given no prior music information.

6. Heated and/or Spotlight formats may be used for prelims or finals. The Pro-Am Strictly Swing contest will be danced as finals.
7. Costumes are not allowed, but matching colors and complimentary attire are encouraged.
9. Imperial Swing Strictly Swing Division: This is a traditional Imperial Swing Competition. Imperial Swing can be danced either in the round or in slot.

 

Male & Female Pro-Am Divisions:

1 . The Pro partner may dance with up to five (5) different Am partners.

2 . Novice Level: The amateur partner must not qualify as an Intermediate, Advanced, Open or higher level dancer.

3 . Intermediate/Advanced Level: The amateur Intermediate/Advanced partner must not qualify as an Open or higher level dancer. (See General Rules for Class Qualification clarifications).

4 . The Pro can qualify as either an Advanced or Professional level dancer.

5 . This is a Swing category and dance content must be 90% that style.

6 . No Lifts, Drops or Aerials are allowed.

7 . This is a lead/follow category. Spontaneous choreography is expected. Choreographed routines are not allowed.

8 . Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by MMISTLSDC. The music will be selected at random and couples will be given no prior music information.

9 . Costumes are not allowed, but matching colors and complimentary attire are encouraged.

Young America and Young Adult Divisions

1. This is a swing category and dance content must by 90% that style. Any style of swing is allowed.

2. This is a routine division. Judging will include entrance and exits from the floor.

3. Costumes are required.

4. Music will be provided by the dancers and should be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes long.

5. Lifts, aerials and acrobatic moves are allowed, but not required.

 

 

 

 

 

Jack & Jills:

 

Jack & Jill entry fee for individuals $15 + $1 (for WSDC fee) = $16.00

 

All contestants must meet the World Swing Dance Council minimum points and wins requirement for the contest they enter (see below for more details). In addition, see the WSDC Points Registry at: http://www.swingdancecouncil.com/index.asp
The WSDC point registry will be used for all point verifications, and will be available at the event. Dancers may petition to the Event Director or Head Judge to dance up or down a level prior to the competitor’s meeting.

 

1. Dancers may dance in only ONE (1) Jack & Jill contest and must meet the points requirement for WSDC competition in the contest they enter.

2. This is a swing category and dance content must be 90% that style.
3. No Lifts, Drops or Aerials are allowed.
4. Heated and/or Spotlight formats may be used for prelims or finals.
5. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by MMISTLSDC. The music will be selected at random and couples will be given no prior music information.

 

Novice Jack & Jill:

All dancers qualify for the Novice level.

A competitor should 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.

Intermediate Jack & Jill:

A competitor should 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.

Advanced Jack & Jill

You must have earned at least 25 Intermediate points to dance in the Advanced division.

Petitions : Petitions for reclassification should be submitted to the Head Judge. A decision will be made after reviewing the dancer's record. Please note that if you have petitioned to dance in a higher division at one event, this does not carry over to the next Event.

 

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 2008. Please refer to www.americasclassic.com for more details.

 

Contact Information
Cory Johnson, Event Director
314-409-9886
Sponsored by the St. Louis Rebels West Coast Swing Dance Club