Rules & Regulations

All competitors must register by March 31st 2009. There is a competition fee of $50 per Professional couple, $40 per Pro-Am couple, and $25 per Juvenile couple.
Click here to download registration form (PDF file).
The contact information is on the website ; www.montrealsalsaconvention.com

1. OVERVIEW OF EXTREME SALSA COMPETITION: This competition will be a “one – shot” deal meaning that each couple will present a 2 minute choreographed routine using their choice of music. The international panel of judges will judge each couple and the 1st place winner will represent Montreal, Canada at the World Salsa Championships in Florida.

2. DEFINITIONS: Couple is defined as one male and one female. Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance. Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides. Routine must consist of at least 80% recognizable salsa dancing.

3. REGISTRATION: Couples must register in advance. There will be no last minute registration allowed on the day of the event.

4. FEES: All couples competing will be required to pay an entry fee of $50 per Pro Couple; 40$ per Pro-Am Couple; 25$ per Junior Couple. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable and must be paid in advance.

5. LIFTS: Lifts will be allowed in this competition. Please note that for the World Salsa Competition, the rules are different regarding lifts!

6. WARM-UP: All of the couples will dance together to a warm-up song chosen by the DJ (not to exceed 1:30 minutes). Each couple will then present their choreographed routine using their choice of music. Routine must be 2 minutes or less, including entrance and exit.

7. MUSIC: A maximum of 3 songs can be mixed into your routine. All competitors must bring 2 CDs with their pre-recorded music (i.e. in case one CD does not work). Only one track on each CD. Song must be edited to end at no more than 2 minutes (it is not the DJ’s responsibility to fade out or cut music at 2 minute mark).The DJ will not slow down or speed up your CD. Please protect your CDs by using covers for each one. Each CD must be identified with your name.

8. COSTUMES: Contestants are encouraged to wear costumes or matching outfits. We strongly discourage jeans. One person from each couple will be asked to wear a number sign pinned to their back.

9. PROPS: No props are allowed. A prop is defined as any item that is not part of their regular costume worn by the dancers, and that is not attached to the dancnd that is not attached to the dancer or their costume for the full duration of their routine.

10. ORDER OF COMPETITION: Order of competitors will be determined the night of the competition by lotto. The competitors will meet the stage manager to choose by lotto the order in which they will be competing. ALL dancers need to be present to draw a number. If you or your partner is not present, you will be disqualified; the entry fee will not be refunded. All dancers must be backstage in costume, ready to go before the competition begins. While waiting in the holding area, no extra people will be allowed. No exceptions. 

11. All contestants will sign a release form consenting that the MSC can record and use their image for videos, films, photos, television programs or any other image-related recordings, with licit and legal purposes and not opposed to any moral standard. Parents must sign for Junior competitors.

12. The head judge will have final say on all discrepancies. All questions and/or disputes should be brought to the attention of the head judge that evening.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Choreographed routines will be judged by the following criteria:

Timing- 40%   Was correct rhythm maintained throughout the routine? Were syncopations deliberate and within the acceptable deviations of timing for the dance?

Points will NOT be deducted if you are dancing “on 1” and return by breaking on “5”. The same if you are dancing “on 2” and return by breaking on “6”. If you were to return on any other beat than that mentioned you will be deducted points. Please note that this is in keeping with the official rules for the World Salsa Championships.

Technique ~ 20%   Reflected through balance, placement and line. Partners must reflect adequate Latin/Salsa Motion” and “Isolations” as designated by the dance style. Movement should appear to be effortless. These are all reflections of good dance technique. 

Difficulty ~ 10%     What was the level of the turns used in the routine? Were there single footed and multiple turns incorporated? Were spins performed by either dancers or only one? How intricate were the shines? Were there any movements in the choreography requiring exceptional balance, flexibility or strength? Were all movements attempted successfully executed? See below for levels of difficulty.

Connection / Partnering Skills ~ 10%   How well did the couple work together as a team? Was there an actual Lead/Follow relationship established? How synchronized was the couple during side-by-side movement, shines or turn patterns?    

Choreography/Originality ~10%    How well put together was the performance? Did the routine flow easily from one movement to the next? Was there something clever or new that was part of the routine? How musical was it? Did the routine reflect the music chosen?

Appearance and Showmanship ~ 10%     How professional and polished did the couple appear to be? Did they project to the audience and capture their attention?

Difficulty can be ranked as follows:

A Level:  Basic movement, no single footed turns, no multiple turns, no single leg balance elements, no splits, dips etc…. 0-5.9

B Level:   Intermediate level salsa patterns, double turns, single pirouettes or variations of such, basic syncopations or shine movements, Basic Dips 6.0 – 7.9

C Level:    Multiple Touch and Go Spot Turns, Intricate Multi-Level Hand Changes in Patterns, Single Leg Independent Balance Elements, Intricate Syncopations and Movement for Shine Patterns and Choreography, Intricate Dips or Flairs 8.0 -10.0.

Infractions:   5 points will be deducted from technique for a major fall.

                       5 points will be deducted from connection/partnering if there is a major misconnection.

All decisions are final and are to be determined by the Scrutinizer and the Head Judge.

Absolutely no filming, video cameras, photography and/or sales of videos/tapes will be allowed at any time.  This includes: Workshops, Contests, and Shows.  Thank you for your cooperation.

The MSC committee