This is the DanceSport competition for dancers of all ages and proficiency levels and we welcome all newcomers and social dancers. Your interest is greatly appreciated. Chapter 638 (SouthernStar) of USA Dance is the event organizer for this competition. This is designed to explain the plans for the event and to facilitate your registration to participate.

Because this is a sanctioned event, USA Dance membership is required for all dancers to participate in this competition. Your membership must be confirmed, so please send a copy of your USA Dance membership card with your application and bring your card on the day of the competition. You may join USA Dance at the time you register for this competition.

All competitors certify by signing the entry form that they are eligible under USA Dance rules to compete in the events they have marked on the entry form. A competitive couple consists of a male and female dancing in a partnership. You need not dance with the same partner for all events; however, you may dance with only one partner per event. The USA Dance Rulebook is available for viewing and/or printing on the USA Dance web site at: http://usadance.org/dancesport/athlete-information/rules-policies-and-bylaws/

GENERAL FORMAT/ENTRY DIVISIONS

All events are danced in freestyle format. Events consist of one, two, three, four or five dances in succession. The best combined score for all dances in the event will determine places in that event. The scoring system used is the skating system. Awards will be presented to the top six couples in each event and age category. The competition events are organized into Syllabus(Newcomer, Bronze, Silver, Gold) and Non-Syllabus (Open Novice, Pre-Championship, Championship)

A couple shall not compete in any classification
below the minimum proficiency level
for which they are eligible.

For instance, Gold steps are not allowed in Silver or Bronze. Entry into multiple age and skill levels may result in shorter than normal break times between heats.
 

Couples should select the appropriate age group(s) on the entry form. Eligibility is determined by the age of the younger partner; both partners must be at or above the ages specified to dance in a category. Senior couples may elect to dance in two age categories, at the same proficiency level for any given style.

For purposes of eligibility at this competition, the age of an individual is determined by the age reached during the calendar year, whether or not it precedes the date of the competition. For example, a dancer who will turn 45 in August 2010, is considered to be 45 for purposes of dancing in the Senior category, even though this competition is held in July. 

EVENT ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open to all USA Dance amateur members in good standing and to amateur competitors registered with any of the member organizations of the IDSF. Proof of membership is required at the registration desk when check-in is done on the day of the event. Dancers may join USA Dance or upgrade to competitor status at the registration desk; however, you are urged to upgrade prior to the event with USA Dance National. This takes about four weeks to get the card back. Please keep a copy of the check and your application to bring to the event as proof of the upgrade, in case the card has not arrived. It is the responsibility of each competitor to read the rules of the competition and adhere to them. 

DANCE LEVELS

Within the competition, the following dance levels will be offered. A list of allowable syllabus steps is available through the USA Dance web site at http://usadance.org/dancesport/athlete-information/the-syllabus/

NEWCOMER - Amateur dancers in this division must not have competed in an amateur or ProAm competition before. In addition, they are restricted to dancing the Pre-Bronze level. Dancers presenting material not included in the figures allowed will be penalized.

 

BRONZE - USISTD syllabus. Dancer presenting silver, gold or other work will be penalized.

SILVER - USISTD syllabus. Dancers presenting gold or other work will be penalized.

GOLD - USISTD syllabus.

OPEN - In this category, dancer may present figures from the bronze, silver, and/or gold dance levels, as well as any other work of their choosing. However, dancers should be aware that all work should adhere to the basic character of the dance presented.

A couple is only allowed to dance in two consecutive dance levels.  Please Note: This year the novice category has been made an official category.  As a result, the only level that can be danced if you dance Novice would be either Gold or Pre-Championship.  Silver or Bronze dancers can no longer dance Novice because this will result in skipped levels .

SYLLABUS

Closed level (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) events are restricted to their respective syllabus as defined by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD). Any competitor that dances outside the syllabus as determined by the Chairman of Judges will be marked down in placement. Lifts are not allowed in any category. A lift is defined as any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time, with the assistance or support of their partner.

DRESS CODE

Competitors may wear costumes at any level of competition; however, it is not required. Competitors should be dressed and ready to dance 20 minutes prior to their first event. If costumes are worn, the following guidelines apply:

Smooth & Standard Events – Costumes should be ball gowns for ladies and tuxedos or tail suits for gentlemen.

Rhythm & Latin - Appropriate costumes may be worn at levels above the Newcomer level.

ENTRY DEADLINES

Entry fees and completed entry forms MUST be postmarked by July 17, 2010. After that date, a $15 late fee per competitor will be charged. Participants are urged to register early so that any registration problems may be resolved by the deadline. In the event there are more registrants than the competition schedule can accommodate, entrants will be accepted on a first-paid basis. Checks should be made payable and mailed to:

USA Dance,
13321 Lewis Raulerson Road
Dover, FL 33527

A full refund is only available prior to the July 17, 2010 deadline.

EVENT RULES AND FORMAT

For all multi-dance events, couples must dance each dance in the event. Events may be separated into two or more heats at the discretion of the Chairman of Judges.

Depending upon the number of couples entered, some age groups may dance at the same time as others, even though each group is being judged as a separate event.

The Competition Chairman
reserves the right to combine or cancel
events for which there are
an insufficient number of entries.

The on-deck system will be used for all events. Competitors must be in the ballroom and ready to dance 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time for the event in which they are competing.

They must report to the Deck Captains two heats prior to their event. If they are scheduled for two events in a row, competitors are to report to the Deck Captain immediately following the first event.

Any competitor who does not take the floor by the time the music begins will be disqualified from that event.

VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY

Private videotaping and photography will be allowed. Please be courteous and do not obstruct the view of others during videotaping and photography. Absolutely no tripods will be allowed for safety reasons. All video taping MUST be done from the designated area.

Each person in the ballroom gives permission to be photographed and/or videotaped, and waives all rights and claims of copyright, privacy, and publicity relating to the use of the photographs and/or videotapes. If any person has an objection to the possibility of being seen in any photograph or video, please notify the Competition Staff. Failure to do so will be considered "permission granted." 

 

WAIVER OF LIABILITY

Persons attending the event do so at their own risk. The organizers, the facility, its staff or agents and USA Dance, cannot be held responsible for injuries sustained by persons attending the event, nor will they assume responsibility for the loss or theft of articles left in changing rooms, the ballroom, hotel rooms, or other event facilities. All persons attending this event, whether as spectators, amateur athletes, officials, or guests of the organizer, shall be bound by the rules of USA Dance for those portions of the event sanctioned by USA Dance. 

 

FACILITY & PARKING

Overflow parking is available in the Golden Corral lot which is two buildings south of the ballroom. Entrance to the Rhapsody Ballroom is from the south side of the building. Dancers are to use the south office-side hallway in order to get to the dressing rooms from the Registration and Spectator area. Restrooms, a warm-up area and staging for the competition are all located at the rear of the ballroom.

 

SMOKING IS PROHIBITED
IN THE BALLROOM AT ALL TIMES. 

UNLOADING & LOADING

Entry to the Ballroom will be from the SIDE DOOR on the South side of the building (NOT through the front door). Please keep the unloading area around the side door clear. 

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Several scholarships will be awarded. Specifics will be announced at the competition

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, July 30, 2010

5:30 p.m.
Please join us for a wine & cheese reception before practice at the Rhapsody Ballroom.

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Warm-up Practice at the Rhapsody Ballroom

Saturday, July 31, 2010

8:00 a.m.
Doors open for ballroom practice/ package pickup

8:55 a.m.
Opening Ceremony

9:00 a.m.
International Standard followed by American Rhythm Events

12:00 p.m.
International Standard & American Rhythm Awards

12:15 p.m.
Break for lunch.
(Bring your own, or there are many restaurants close by.)

1:00 p.m.
International Latin followed by American Smooth Events

5:45 p.m.
International Latin & American Smooth Awards

6:00 p.m.
Dinner

7:30 p.m.
Ballroom opens for Evening Dance

8:30 p.m.
Honors Dances

9:30 p.m.
Ballroom Closes

For a map to the Rhapsody Ballroom, click here.
For Hotel Information, click here.
For Restaurant Information, click here.

The SouthernStar
Chapter of USA Dance

Located in Tampa, Florida, our amateur organization is devoted to the promotion of Ballroom Dancing to the public. We have 242 members actively involved in Ballroom Dance, including a talented group of twenty amateur competitors who have won many awards in southwest Florida and the region. 

We’re very proud of our National Award-Winning Newsletter.

Our social dances are held the second Wednesday of each month and are open to the public. They feature a group lesson, dance mixers, entertainment by professional and/or amateur dancers, and LOTS of general dancing! Three of our social dances -each year are covered dish and all are well attended and much enjoyed by our members. Everyone is welcome!

Our Outreach Program is very active in bringing the joy of Ballroom Dancing to the community, especially to local senior citizen centers.

Each year, we raise money for a local charity at our annual Gold Star Charity Ball. All. proceeds from the event are donated and SouthernStar has raised over $41,000 for charitable causes since 1992.

Our great ballroom music is courtesy of Mike and Peg Johnston and the beautiful Rhapsody Ballroom is our home.