2009 International China Salsa Championships

All couples and teams must register before September 15th, 2009.

RULES
The Objective of this Salsa contest is to judge the couple or team that can best interpret the character of Salsa music, regardless of the tricks or moves they perform. Simply, it’s not the tricks that are important but ensuring that they are an integral part of your routine reflecting what salsa represents.

Preliminary Round
Preliminary warm up rounds for the competition will be 2 minutes and Contestants will dance to the DJ’s pre-selected music. Each couple will then perform a 2 minute routine that they have choreographed to their own music. The routine cannot go over 2 minutes including their Entrance and Exit (STRICLY ENFORCED NO EXCEPTIONS). If the performance passes the 2-minute limit, points will be docked. The judges will have the final decision. There will be a timekeeper for each routine. All dancers are required to bring their own music on a CD Format

Music
The music MUST be at least 80% SALSA. The contestants are allowed to mix no more than 3 different songs in one routine. The 20% of the routine that can be music other than salsa can be any music of the contestant’s choice. Reminder: a maximum of 3 songs per routine can be mixed into each routine. We encourage contestants to prepare more than one choreographed routine for the various qualifying rounds in case you qualify. Please prepare 2 CDs with your music for each routine. Example: two routines equal 4 CDs. The CDs should be ready to be played as they are with no further editing. There should only be music for one routine on each CD. The DJ will not slow down or speed up your CD.

Judging

Dancers will be judged in the following Categories: Timing, Overall Presentation, Appearance, Partnering, Styling, Choreography, and Audience Reaction.
Judges will decide their Final Scores following these Guidelines:

Timing
As indicated in the guidelines, the Judges will be looking closely at the timing of the contestants. Contestants will be judged from the moment they are on the dance floor, be it the warm up period or the choreographed routine. We, the committee have decided not to deduct Points if you are Dancing "On 1" and return by Breaking "On 5", and similarly if you are Dancing “On 2” and return by Breaking “On 6”. If you are to return on any other beat other than those mentioned points will be deducted. The amount of Points will be determined by each judge depending on how many times the infraction occurs during the routine. Be aware that while you may look great, and perform some spectacular moves that the crowd loves you still need to stay on time.

Appearance (Includes Costumes)
No jeans allowed as costumes. Points will be deducted. We strongly suggest tasteful, colorful professional costumes. We also suggest that ladies wearing skirts or dresses also wear fishnets or nylons.

Partnering
You will be judged on how well you and your partner, or team executes your routine. Judges will be evaluating how balanced you are as a couple or team in the showmanship of your choreography. Leading and following is what this category is all about

Styling  
You will be judged on your styling technique and how it blends with the routine and music. Hands, movements, and how graceful and how clean certain moves are performed will all be judged in this Category.

Audience Reaction
The judges upon their own discretion can decide to give an extra percentage to their overall score depending on if they feel that the audience reaction is sincere.

Overall Presentation
You will be judged on your overall presentation. The judges will review all of the categories as a whole. The Judges will also be marking your confidence on stage.