Rules EurOpen Modern Dance Championship 2018

Rules and regulations of

 EurOpen Modern Dance Championship

2018 Budapest, Hungary

1. DANCE DISCIPLINES
2. CATEGORIES
3. AGE GROUPS
4. START FEE
5. PRICES
6. JURY
7. GENERAL RULES FOR EACH DISCIPLINE AND DANCE
8. SEMI-FINALS AND FINALS
9. ADJUDICATION, EVALUATION
10. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS FOR THE DISCIPLINES

1. DANCE DISCIPLINES

Contemporary-Modern

Dance Show

Fantasy

Free Show

Acrobatic Show

Street Dance (Hip-hop)

Disco Dance

OPEN

2. CATEGORIES

• Solo: naturally danced by only one dancer
• Duo-Trio: danced by minimum 2, maximum 3 dancers.
• Group: danced by minimum 4, maximum 10 dancers.
• Formation: danced by minimum 11 dancers.

3. AGE GROUPS

for SOLO and DUO/TRIO categories:

These are the age groups in the year 2018:

MINI: dancers born in 2009 or younger.

KID: dancers born in 2007-2008

YOUTH: dancers born in 2005-2006

TEEN: dancers born in 2003-2004

JUNIOR: dancers born in 2001-2002

ADULT: dancers born in 2000 and those being elder.

AGE GROUPS for GROUP and FORMATION categories:

These are the age groups in the year 2018:

MINI: dancers born in 2008 or younger.

YOUTH: dancers born in 2005-2006-2007

JUNIOR: dancers born in 2002-2003-2004

ADULT: dancers born in 2001 and those being elder.

In Duos-Trios, Groups and Formations in case dancers are representing mixed age categories, the production should belong to the age group of the oldest dancer. For example: a formation should enter for the competition in Junior age group if the oldest dancer belongs to junior, but the other dancers may be younger (youth or mini).

4. START FEE

• Solo: 10 Euro
• Duo-Trio: 7 Euro / dancer
• Group/Formation: 5 Euro / dancer

5. PRICES:

    - diplomas for every dancers, and trophies to the 1-3rd places.

6. JURY:

    Jury members are high qualified international judges, there are 5 judges in each category.

7. GENERAL RULES FOR EACH DISCIPLINE AND DANCE:

• Music, choreography and costume should be in harmony!
• The choreographies should contain changes/shifts in pattern and configuration.
• A solo dancer may not compete in the same discipline with two different choreographies.
• In Group/Formation categories dancers may participate in two productions nominated in the same category: but dancers must be on the stage in time, can’t be in late because of changing costume. (So it’s possible but not recommended.)
• There may be contraction of categories with less than 3 competitors.
• Any deviation from the age group regulations results in CLASSIFICATION TO THE LAST PLACE.
• The same choreography may not be nominated in two or more different disciplines and/or categories.
• Stage sets are allowed only in Fantasy. In other dance disciplines the stage sets (decoration) are prohibited (chaire also).
• Hand props or tools are allowed in Dance Show, Contemporary/Modern, Fantasy, Free Show, Acrobatic Show, Street Dance, Open. Size: the dancer or dancers can hold it in hands as a tool, for example: shawl, hat, big size sheet, ribbon, and net.
• In Mini age group, only acrobatic jumps with hand support are allowable. Free cartwheel (arabel), flick, free turnover, salto etc. are NOT allowed in age group Mini. (Exception of Free Show Solo Mini and Acrobatic Show Solo Mini.)
• The size of the stage is 12 x 10 m, dancers should aim to dance on the whole surface of the stage, but they may not leave the stage during the performance. Stepping off the stage results point deduction in all disciplines and categories.
• In case of any technical problem or miss, the performance can only be valuated if the dancer keeps dancing. If the dancer leaves the stage, he/she may not called to stage again. The director has the right to allow that in the end of the category concerned, but off-competition, the dancer can perform the choreography.
• Continuous lip-synch (mouth movement for singing the text of the music, karaoke) is forbidden in all disciplines. Mimicry is important for the proper performance, one or two words, or even sentence are also allowed, but continuous singing for the music results point deduction.
• Lifting: element, when one of the dancers leaves the floor with both legs with the physical help of one or more other dancers.
• Acrobatic element: movement when the body turns around one of its axis, for example: somersault, cartwheel, flick, salto (except walkover, which is a flexibility element).
• It is the responsibility of the choreographer, trainer, and dance master to nominate performances in accordance with the regulations. Any deviation from regulations recognized during the competition results in disqualification or classification to the last place.
• This is a competition of amateur dancers, coaches or other professional dancers can’t be nominated in solo or duo-trio categories, only in group or formation.
• Music duration specified and described in the detailed regulations of disciplines should be applied. More than 5 seconds difference from the specified music durations results in CLASSIFICATION TO THE LAST PLACE.
• The music can be brought on flashdrive or on CD.
• The music (on CD-s or on flashdrive) should be handled over to the DJ latest 30 minutes before being one stage. Not having the music in due time, the dance will be disqualified.

8. PRELIMINARIES, SEMI-FINALS AND FINALS

• Finals are organized in case of having nominations up to 12 in a certain category.
• Semi-finals round in case of having more than 12 nomination.

The results of semi-finals should be hanged out to publish them on the Results Publication Area as soon as possible after the concerned competition round. The Speaker is obliged to communicate the list of the qualified dancers for the next round.

It is a general rule that the same category should always be adjudicated by the same jury also in different rounds, except for the case of vis maior.

9. ADJUDICATION, EVALUATION

The adjudication system is a combined system. Each dance is adjudged always by at least five properly examined and experienced judges. These principles of the adjudication are the followings:

• Technical content, and in case of performances of 2 or more dancers, the synchrony: 0-10 point

Here the following aspects are evaluated: the difficulty level and number of dance technical elements, the diversity of the elements, the elegance and balance of the dancer, the body control, how the dancer can follow the dynamics of the music, changes of rhythm and in case of 2 or more dancers the synchrony.

• Choreography and overall impression: 0-10 points

In the evaluation of the choreography the followings are important: the synchrony of the chosen music, dance steps and elements, the age and dress of the dancer, the dancers should dance on the whole surface of the stage, in group choreography there should be changes in pattern and configuration.

• Presentation: 0-10 points

Here the jury evaluates the artistic impression, the ability to express emotions, story or message interpreted and transmitted to the audience.

Calculation:

The judge summarizes the 3 points given according to the above 3 aspects and forms a rank among the competitors. From the placement numbers coming from the judges, the skating system calculates the final placement of the competitors.

The skating system is a fair calculation system which well filters favoritism, because the final result depends on placement numbers decided by the majority of the judges. (If only one judge puts forward or back a competitor, it cannot influence the result.)

For the preliminaries and semi-final rounds the so-called X (cross) system is used.

This means that after the judges pointed for the three principles as described above, in accordance with the rank indicated by the summarized point values, they issue the X-es and /-es (half-cross) as possible for the given category. 

For example: for a category with 15 dancers (semi-final) six (6) crosses and two (2) half-crosses may be issued. The numeric value of one cross is ten (10) point, the numeric value of a half-cross is (1) one.

The six competitors getting the highest results will get into the final. In case of mathematical equality on the sixth position, all the competitors on the sixth position get into the final, so it may occur that we have 7 or 8 competitors in the final.

10. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS FOR THE DISCIPLINES

* CONTEMPORARY/MODERN

Music: any music at own discretion fitting the technic applied.

Categories and time duration:

Description and characteristics:

All modern ballet technics (Graham, Limón, Metox, Cunnigham, etc.), other modern movements based on classical ballet and art jazz style.

The choreography may present a story, or a person / a character, but in this style the presentation of any other contemporary or modern dance style is also allowed, in harmony with the music and having no other message.

Presentation of gymnastic exercise (RG) is not sufficient even in mini and kid age groups. The specific and proper positions, holds, steps, turns and jumps of the dance technic concerned – in clear form or mixed.

Title: the choreography should obligatory have a title reflecting its message or story.

Elements:

• Only walkover and cartwheel is allowed, any other acrobatic jumps are prohibited.
• Ground and contact elements are allowed.
• The performance in small group and in formation should contain pattern changes.

Stage decoration and hand props or tools:

• Hand props or tools are allowed. Size: the dancer or dancers can hold it in hands as a tool, for example: shawl, hat, big size sheet, ribbon, and net.
• Stage sets or decoration are prohibited.

Prohibitions. Any deviation from these prohibitions results classification to the last place:

• Any other technic is not allowed.
• Beside cartwheel any other acrobatic element is not allowed.
• Stage decoration are not allowed.
• No continuous lip-synch (mouth movement for music, singing).

* DANCE SHOW

Music: Any styles at own discretion.

Categories, time duration:

Description:

Dance show reflects in its name, this should be mainly a show. The choreography may present a story, a character, a feeling or an ambiance. You can use the following dance technics: jazz, classical, modern or contemporary ballet, jazz styles including afro, American, wild and street versions (not art jazz), character or folk dance from any age and from any culture. The dance styles and technics may be mixed. If the choreography is of only one certain dance style which has its own disciplines in this regulation, then the performance should be nominated in the discipline dedicated for that type of dance.

The harmonic presentation of a situation, feeling, story, role or known personality with fitting steps, dance technics, music, costume, stage props, tools and presentation must be highly evaluated.

The choreography must be like a show, not simply a modern dance, ballet or gymnastic/RG routine!

Characteristics:

The dance piece always must present some kind of feeling/emotion or a story to the audience.

The used dance technics must be clearly seen and performed.

Solos in the formation/small group choreographies and standing parts in the dance are allowed but must not dominate.

Title: the choreography should obligatory have a title reflecting its message.

Elements:

• Liftings are allowed, but must not dominate.
• Acrobatic elements: no more than 3 and must be correctly presented and smoothly involved in the dance steps.
• Force element: only one force element is allowed.
• Flexibility elements: no limit on flexibility elements.

Stage decoration and hand props or tools:

• Stage sets are prohibited (chair also).
• Hand props or tools are allowed. Size: the dancer or dancers can hold it in hands as a tool, for example: shawl, hat, big size sheet, ribbon, and net.

Prohibitions. Any deviation from these prohibitions results classification to the last place:

• Pure contemporary, modern or ballet dance technical elements, or gymnastic routines without message in the whole choreography is prohibited.
• Stage sets are prohibited.
• Hand props bigger than a chair is not allowed. (except sheet, net, ribbon)
• Combination of more than 3 acrobatic jumps or separate application of more than 3 acrobatic jumps is not allowed.
• Force elements are prohibited.
• Usage of disco dance, hip-hop, break, funky, electric boogie, Caribbean/Latin and rocky technics and steps are not allowed.
• For mini age group, only the acrobatic jumps and elements with hand support are allowable, while for the mini age group, saltos, free turnovers, arabel, flick etc. are prohibited.
• No lip-synch (mouth movement for music, singing).

* DISCO DANCE

Music: In the preliminaries and semi-finals the federal music is continuously mixed of actually trendy disco music styles (e.g. pop, dance floor, new Latin, disco, rave, house, dance, club, etc.) with identical pace having a speed ranging from 140 to 148 bpm. In the final the own music must be of disco character and must also have the following speed ranging. Speed ranging will be checked therefore the music should be handled over at the technical desk in time.

Speed limits:         in solo, duo categories:            140-148 bpm

                              in group categories:                 132-150 bpm.

Categories and time durations:

Description and characteristics:

The dance should be disco-like character, dynamic, continuous in movements and presentation, fitting to the music character and pace. Utmost utilization of the available stage area and the pattern changes are desirable.

Elements:

• Smoothly connected steps, kicks, turns and pirouettes, slides,
• with at least one floor figure,
• at least two different turns or pirouettes.
• Liftings are allowed for small group and formation choreographies, but no more than two of these may be used.
• Ground elements are allowed but may not be dominated, they should smoothly connected to the continuous movement.

Prohibitions. Any deviation from these prohibitions results classification to the last place:

• usage of acrobatic elements,
• usage of hip-hop elements,
• usage of the steps of other disciplines,
• usage of aerobic steps are prohibited.
• Any deviation from the given music speed is prohibited.
• Usage of stage decoration, props, tools are not allowed.
• No continuous lip-synch (mouth movement for music, singing).

Preliminaries, semi-finals:

In preliminary rounds, quarter- and semi-finals, federal music is used for solo category. During these rounds, two solo competitors are dancing for one minute depending on the quantity of nominated dances. In the preliminary rounds, quarter and semi-finals, the competitors are allowed to use only their stage segments, respectively and must not cross to the other competitor’s area. Deviation of this rule results in disqualification.

* FANTASY

Music: any music at own discretion.

Categories and time durations:

Description and characteristics:

Fantasy is a special version of show-like dance, in which the presentation bears the utmost importance with the usage of suitable dance technique, costumes, stage props, tools and sceneries. Fantasy choreography should contain one of the followings: story, character, film figure, tale figure. Small group or formation choreography should contain changes in pattern. Solo parts needed for the story chosen may be implemented in the choreography.

Title: the choreography should obligatory have a title reflecting its message or story.

Elements:

• Liftings are allowed.
• Acrobatic jumps are allowed but these must be correctly presented and smoothly involved in dance steps.

Stage decorations and props:

• Usage of stage decoration is obligatory!
• Tools or hand props are allowed.
• The stage decoration can be involved in the choreography or it may serve as the presentation of the ambiance of the choreography, but in all cases it should be reasonable, should connect to the performance.
• The size of the stage decoration should be bigger than 40 x 40 cm.
• The stage decorations and hand props should be handled by the dancers themselves (except in solo one person may help), such should be taken into the stage within one run when coming to the stage. It can be helped to take out, when they are leaving the stage.

Prohibitions. Any deviation from these prohibitions results classification to the last place:

• Lack of stage decoration causes immediate classification to the last place.
• The usage of pure choreographies of disco, hip-hop, techno, funky, electric boogie, Caribbean/Latin and rocky supplemented with scenery is prohibited.
• For mini age group, only the acrobatic jumps and elements with hand support are allowable, while for the mini age group, saltos, free turnovers, arabel, flick etc. are prohibited.
• No continuous lip-synch (mouth movement for music, singing).

* FREE SHOW and ACROBATIC SHOW

Fitness floor (tatami) on the stage.

Music: any music at own discretion.

Categories and time durations:

Description:

• Free show is a spectacular acrobatic show dance which performance may use any kind of dance technics. The dance styles and dance technics may be mixed and may be presented in clean form.
• It is not a precondition for the dance piece to present some kind of feeling or story to the audience. 
• Altogether the presentation must be a dance show and not a fitness or gymnastic exercise.
• Fitness routines may be nominated to free show taking into account the followings: the evaluation of the elements will be shown up in the technical points (1-10 points). Judges evaluate also the choreography (1-10 points) and the presentations (1-10 points). The 2/3 of the total score evaluates the dance therefore it is very important that not only the elements, but also the dance parts should be emphasized in the creating of the choreography!

Elements:

• The performance of minimum 4 elements is obligatory, mixed in acrobatic, flexibility and force elements, altogether maximum 14 in solos and 20 in other categories.
• In duo/trio and group choreographies the joint performance of minimum 4 elements is obligatory (4 elements which are performed by all of the dancers at the same time or in canon).
• If the dancer performs less than 4 elements, or in duo/group the dancers perform less than 4 elements together, then the performance should be nominated in Open discipline.
• In duo/trio and group choreography the elements presented by only one or several dancers should be also counted in the 20 elements.
• Elements in row (combination): the elements may be performed independently or connected in a row. A combination counts as much as many elements are connected together in the row.
• In Free Show solo category the acrobatic row may contain maximum 3 acrobatic elements. If there are more than 3 acrobatic elements combined, should be presented in Acrobatic Show.
• Acrobatic elements must be correctly presented and smoothly involved in the dance steps.
• Liftings are allowed.
• Solo and standing parts in the dance are allowed but must not dominate.
• Turns and jumps are part of the dance, they do not count in the elements.

Stage decorations and props:

• Usage of small hand props, which can be held in hand as a tool, are allowed.
• Usage of stage decoration is prohibited - a chair or any other object, which can harm the fitness carpet is not allowed. 

Prohibitions:

• One extra element results point deduction, more extra elements results classification to the last place.
• Usage of element prohibited - punishment: classification to the last place.
• No continuous lip-synch (mouth movement for music, singing). Punishment: point deduction.

* ACROBATIC SHOW

On fitness floor (tatami).

Music: any music at own discretion.

Categories and time durations:

Description:

• This is a special solo category of FREE SHOW SOLO with more acrobatic elements.
• Acrobatic Show is a spectacular acrobatic show dance which performance may use any kind of dance technics. The dance styles and dance technics may be mixed and may be presented in clean form.
• It is not a precondition for the dance piece to present some kind of feeling or story to the audience. 
• Fitness exercises may be nominated to free show taking into account the followings: the evaluation of the elements will be shown up in the technical points (1-10 points). Judges evaluate also the choreography (1-10 points) and the presentations (1-10 points). The 2/3 of the total score evaluates the dance therefore it is very important that not only the elements, but also the dance parts should be emphasized in the creating of the choreography!

Elements:

• Acrobatic, flexibility and force elements are allowed, altogether maximum 20 (minimum 4 elements are obligatory).
• Elements in row (combinations): the elements may be performed independently or connected in a row. A row counts as much as many elements are connected together in the row. There is no limit for acrobatic combinations.
• Acrobatic elements must be correctly presented and smoothly involved in the dance steps.
• Turns and jumps are part of the dance, they do not count in the elements.

Stage decorations and props:

• Usage of small hand props, which can be held in hand as a tool, are allowed.
• Usage of stage decoration is prohibited - a chair or any other object, which can harm the fitness carpet is not allowed. 

Prohibitions:

• The maximum of the elements is 20, if there are 21 elements in the performance the punishment is point deduction, more than 21 elements results classification to the last place.
• No continuous lip-synch (mouth movement for music, singing). Punishment: classification to the last place.

* STREET DANCE

Music: any music at own discretion.

Categories and time durations:

Description and characteristics:

Choreographies of hip-hop, funky, break and street dance revue may be nominated in street dance discipline.

Elements:

• Funky, hip-hop, break and other street dance elements.
• Acrobatic and ground elements are allowed, but must not dominate and must be correctly presented.
• Liftings are allowed, if the typical street figures are applied, but must not dominate.

Stage decorations and hand props:

• Hand props or tools are allowed. Size: the dancer or dancers can hold it in hands as a tool, for example: shawl, hat, big size sheet, ribbon, and net.
• Stage decoration is not allowed.

Prohibitions. Any deviation from these prohibitions results classification to the last place:

• Usage of disco element in more than 4 paces is prohibited.

• For mini age group, only the acrobatic jumps and elements with hand support are allowable, while for the mini age group saltos, free turnovers, arabel, flick etc. are prohibited.
• Ballet-like liftings are prohibited.
• Stage decoration is not allowed.
• No continuous lip-synch (mouth movement for music, singing).

* OPEN

Music: any music at own discretion.

Categories and time durations:

Description and characteristics:

• Those show-like choreographies, which cannot listed any other dance styles, or are a mix of other dance styles, may be nominated in OPEN discipline. If the choreography consists of clearly one dance style which has a separate discipline according to this regulation, it should be nominated in the dance discipline concerned.
• Presentation of a story is not obligatory.
• Music, choreography and costume should be in harmony!
• Ballet, ballroom show, Caribbean / Latin, disco free style, step, folk / folkish dance should be nominated in OPEN.

• Solo parts can be involved in the choreography.
• The performance in small group and in formation should contain pattern changes.

Elements:

• Liftings and acrobatic elements are allowed, but must not dominate.

Stage decorations and hand props:

• Usage of stage decoration is not allowed.
• Hand props or tools are allowed. Size: the dancer or dancers can hold it in hands as a tool, for example: shawl, hat, big size sheet, ribbon, and net.

Prohibitions. Any deviation from these prohibitions results classification to the last place:

• For mini age group, only the acrobatic jumps and elements with hand support are allowable, while for the mini age group saltos, free turnovers, arabel, flick etc. are prohibited.
• It is prohibited to nominate a dance style in OPEN if there a separate discipline for that dance style according to this regulation.
• No continuous lip-synch (mouth movement for music, singing).