Dance Festival

Category Definitions

Acrobatic Dance
Routine which consists of gymnastic passes, walkovers, limbers, handstands, etc. Routine to incorporate more than 20% acrobatics, but must also include dance steps and choreography.

Adult Dance
Teachers, parents, College/University students, professional dancers competing to receive a placement in any category. Note: Adjudication only. Please indicate which dance discipline is being used so that the entries can be scheduled appropriately.

African Dance
African dance is a performing art deeply woven into the social fabric of Africa and generally involving aspects of music and theatre as well as rhythmic bodily movement.

Ballet-Classical/Ballet Demi-Pointe
Routines should contain classical ballet technique and be choreographed to instrumental music. Hand props may not be used.

Ballet Classical Pointe
Pointe technique choreographed to classical instrumental music only.

Ballet Contemporary
Contemporary ballet is a style of dance performed to appropriate music which will show choreography that uses the classical ballet vocabulary enriched with modern dance movements.

Ballet Demi-Character
Performance must portray a recognizable character throughout, whereby the dancer uses primarily classical technique, while incorporating mime, gestures and facial expressions to tell a story. Hand props may be used.

Ballet Other
Unique choreography that does not fit into the defined ballet categories. May be danced on flat or pointe.

Bollywood
The Bollywood dance style is a beautiful blend of all Indian dance styles be it classical Indian dance, folk Indian dance or the more current R&B and hip hop music.

Contemporary/Modern
Interpretive contemporary expression using modern dance techniques and movements.

Family Dance
An opportunity for parents and their child(ren) to compete together in any discipline. Please indicate which dance discipline is being used, so that the entries can be scheduled appropriately.

Folkloric Dance
Traditional folk dance from any country. Must be danced in traditional dress and to traditional music. Name of dance, country of origin and short description of the dance must be submitted with your entry form.

HIp Hop
Street style dance whereby entries are choreographed to contemporary music using dance styles like hip hop, street or funk. Dance to contain at least 80% urban dance steps. No more than 10% of words may be lip-synched or vocalized by competitors. No lyrics containing language of a sexual or violent nature will be permitted and could result in disqualification.

Indigenous Dance
Storytelling through dance. One of the major purposes of traditional indigenous dancing is to tell stories which have been passed down through generations.

Jazz Dance
Modern or classical jazz dance. No more than 3 acrobatic movements. No more than 10% of words may be lip-synched or vocalized by competitor.

Lyrical Jazz Dance
The routine will have its foundation based on expression and interpretation of the music. Movements consist of ballet, jazz and modern technique.

Open
Dance routine styles that do not fit into a defined category, typically containing dance steps from two or more categories. As well, this category can be used for ballroom and bollywood . A description of the dance must be provided with the entry.

Pre-Dance Style
Any dance medium. For competitors 5 years of age and under.

Production
Restricted to one entry per studio. Production numbers are typically large choreographies that tell a story or are built around a theme. The group size is restricted only by stage dimensions, but tends to include 30 or more competitors. Refer to rule 27.

Seniors Dance
Any dance medium, where the participants are 50 years of age or older. Please indicate which dance discipline is being used, so that the entries can be scheduled appropriately.

Song & Dance
Competitor must sing (no lip synching) to the instrumental music and incorporate a minimum of 30% dance steps in their presentation. Microphones will not be available.

Stage Dance
Any dance medium (tap, jazz, etc.) portraying a theme through acting and/or mime. Routine must contain at least 30% dance steps in their presentation. Microphones will not be available.

Student Choreography
Any piece completely choreographed by a student. Please indicate which dance discipline is being used, so that the entries can be scheduled appropriately.

Tap Dance
Dance must contain at least 80% tap steps. No more than 10% of words may be lip-synched or vocalized by competitor. Music may not contain pre-recorded tap sounds.

NOTE:
Please remember that the audience is filled with people of all ages so music in all categories should not contain inappropriate language or be of a sexual, bigoted or violent nature.