Rules and Guidelines

CLASSES
Novice: Solo, Duet/Trio – all age categories – may have competed previously in a group or line but not a solo or duet or trio. Group or line – up to age 11 and must be 75% novice. Groups older than 11 can compete in Performance (train 6 hours or less/ week or move up to Advanced).
Performance: Dancers who train 6 hours or less/week.
Advanced: Dancers who train more than 6 hours/week.
Adult: A dancer over 19 years of age, and defined as a recreational/amateur dancer. This classification has been created to accommodate the growing trend of moms and dads entering competition. Groups must be 75% adult. This category is not eligible for the overall awards.

DANCE FORMS

A maximum of 2 gymnastics or acrobatic tricks are allowed in any of the dance forms listed below. We classify an acro trick as a movement where the hips pass over the head. A continuous line is 1 trick. This is permissible if used to get into or out of a lift.
Jazz: Consists primarily of jazz technique.
Tap: Must consist primarily of tap technique.
Ballet: Classical ballet steps & movement.
Character Ballet: Ballet steps & movement portraying a character in either pointe or demi-pointe technique.
Pointe: Pointe toe technique in pointe shoes.
Modern: Should demonstrate balance, extension, isolation & control, using modern styles.
Lyrical: A combination of jazz and ballet. A routine which interprets the lyrics or musicality of a song. Usually set to ballad style music. Shows "clean, classic body lines" and solid "traditional" technique.
Contemporary:
**NEW**		 Strong ballet fundamentals with modern techniques utilizing strength, flexibility, alignment, breath,contraction, suspension, tension and relaxation while emphasizing artistic expression and unique choreography.
Musical Theatre: Must consist of one of the above dance forms and may contain lip synching - may portray a character. Please check our prop rule.
Song & Dance: 50% song, 50% dance, no pre-recorded vocals during the song section. If a microphone is used the setup, MUST be pre-arranged with the technicians. There may be a charge for this technical service. Rhythm Dance discourages the use of microphones. Please remember that a solo or duet/trio should not require more than 10 seconds setting up.
These categories below may include more than 2 acrobatic or gymnastic movements.
Acro: Must consist of more than 5 acro tricks & gymnastic technique with dance moves, steps & choreography.
Open: Must be a combination of any of the above categories with a maximum of 5 acro tricks.
Street Style: A routine choreographed to urban music using free-style, hip-hop, funk or music video style dance.
National: A routine of national origin. e.g. Highland, Celtic.

CATEGORIES
Ages: Individual ages in all categories. For Duet/Trios, Groups and Lines, average the ages and drop the decimal. Age is as of December 31, 2010.
CATEGORY # OF DANCERS TIME LIMIT
Solo 1 Less than 3 minutes
Duet/Trio 2 or 3 Less than 3 minutes
Group 4-9 4 minutes
Large Group 10-15 4 minutes
Line 16 or more 4 minutes
Extended Large Group 10-15 4-6 minutes
Extended Line 16 or more 4-6 minutes
Production Minimum 20 5-8 minutes

Time limits will be strictly enforced at the judges' discretion, and a 1 mark deduction will be applied for every 15 seconds over time.

Please notify of us of routines that require extra time for set up. We understand that productions and big group routines sometimes have elaborate props but solos, duets and trios should not require more than 10 seconds to set up.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Music: Teachers will play their own music and are welcome to bring their music recorded on CD’s. ipods may also be used at some locations. Please call ahead to verify compatibility. At the Sanderson Centre, music is played from FOH with a technician. Waterloo, Richmond Hill, Calgary, Brock and River Run all have the music set up backstage and the teacher is responsible for playing the music.
Judge's Critiques: Three qualified, professional judges will critique and record the dancers at each location using DRC Video DVD’s, which will be delivered to the studio following the competition. Visit the Video Judge Website.
Entry Package: All fees are due January 21 with your entry forms and summary sheet, without exception. Your studio cheque may be post-dated to February 28, 2011. Remember that the G.S.T. is included for Calgary entries and the H.S.T. is included for all Ontario locations. We would appreciate one studio cheque to cover your entries. Including an e-mail address with your entries will speed up the arrival of your schedule. Make your cheque payable to Rhythm Dance. Fees are non-refundable. Please substitute dancers if there is an injury.
Ontario locations, please mail to:
216 Edgewater Crescent
KITCHENER, Ontario
N2A 4M2
or e-mail: nancy@rhythmdance.com

Calgary location, please mail to:
22 Zaduk Court
CONESTOGO, Ontario
NOB 1N0
or e-mail: donna@rhythmdance.com
Advertising in the Rhythm Program:

Send your camera ready artwork and payment to Rhythm Dance before February 28th 2011.

Cost - $300.00 for 1 full page 5 1/2" wide by 8 1/2". Your ad will appear at all of our locations.
POLICIES
1. A Dancer making a second start may re-dance but is not eligible for category placement or overall awards. There will be no penalty for re-dances due to technical difficulties.

There is no limit to the number of entries a studio may enter with the following exceptions:
2. Any number that won 1st place Rhythm Cup in 2010, or Super Star 2010 or Rhythm Rookie 2010, is ineligible to compete in RHYTHM 2011.
3. Rhythm Dance reserves the right to refuse or disqualify routines that are not appropriate for family viewing and to add or subtract days depending on entries.
4. Rhythm Dance reserves the right to cancel a competition up to 14 days prior due to a lack of registration and to add days if warranted by the number of entries received. (All registered studios will receive a full refund in the case of a cancellation).
5. Rhythm Dance reserves the right to determine the amount of all cash awards based on registration, at its discretion.
6. General audience members will not be allowed to VIDEOTAPE, PHOTOGRAPH, or take ANY KIND OF REPRODUCTION. Rhythm Dance will have professional videographers and/or photographers who will be selling their reproductions of the performers over the weekend.
7. There will be NO admission fee.
8. Soloists will be separated into heats on the occasion that 12 or more soloists fall into one particular category.
9. Competitors may not compete against themselves in ANY category. If a competitor has more than one routine in the same category they must move up an age category or change to a different discipline with one of their routines.
10. Rhythm Dance will not issue refunds or be held responsible for sudden cancellation or time lost due to extreme weather, bomb threats, terrorism or any other extraneous circumstances. Rhythm Dance will not be held responsible for injuries, damage and lost or stolen property over the duration of the competition.
11. Rhythm Dance will not be held responsible for any additional fees incurred (i.e. Parking fees, parking tickets, etc.) by dancers, teachers, studio owners or any participants may encounter while attending one or more of the events.
12. Birth certificates are not required, but it is advised teachers have them available at the competition in case of a discrepancy. Failure to provide birth certificates upon request, before the conclusion of the event in which the dancers in question are registered, may result in the disqualification of that particular routine.
13. Performances will be recorded for the use of judges' critiques as well as for sales and advertising purposes.
14. Rhythm Dance reserves the right to use photographs of dancers taken at the competition venue for promotional purposes.
15. Solos, Duet/Trios: Dancers must be able to carry props on and off stage. Extended set-up time is not allowed. Props for groups must be kept to a minimum.
16. THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES IS FINAL.

Rhythm News!



2010-06-12 - Brantford #2 Results
The final results of the year - from Brantford #2 are posted HERE


2010-05-20 - Calgary Results
The results of the Calgary competition are now available! They can be viewed in the results section or HERE


2010-05-20 - Guelph #2 Results
Guelph #2 Results are now posted HERE


2010-04-30 - Richmond Hill - Results
The results from the Richmond Hill location can be viewed in the results section or HERE


2010-04-29 - Calgary Schedule & Letter
The schedule is posted for the Calgary location. Click "Schedule" on the menu bar or find them HERE


2010-04-22 - Guelph #1 Results
All of the results from Guelph #1 can be seen in the results section or HERE