Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize: Competition Rules, Format and Judge's Sheet

Entry Requirements :

Entrants must:

• be able to accept the Prize to travel to Camp Lismore, January 23-27, Lismore, NSW.
• agree to participate in media commitments organised by the AHP Committee and sponsors of the Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize in order to promote the Harlem Jazz Dance Festival, Hellzapoppin' and the Australian Lindy Hop scene, and
• hold Australian Residency status at the time of entry.

Competition Rules:

None.

Competition Format (may be revised):

The Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize Lindy Hop Competition consists of 5 heats with 5 couples per heat. Music tempos vary from 270 bpm to 120 bpm. Each couple is judged upon two elements:

Shine: (one couple spotlighted on floor)
All-skate: all couples within a given heat sharing the floor simultaneously)

Couples are expected to recognize phrasing and are held accountable for entering and exiting their shines as timing requires. Musical phrasing is varied and includes Standard and Blues song forms.

Limit 25 couples. Registration fee is $25 per couple. First place prize consists of 2 registrations to Camp Lismore plus travel costs not exceeding $400 per person for each of the 2 winners. Prizes are not transferrable. Domestic tickets to Coolangatta from the nearest Australian capital city will be purchased for the winners by AHP Organisers. No other costs will be included.

ELEMENTS
Shine: one couple spotlighted on floor

All-skate: all couples within a given heat sharing the floor simultaneously.
Couples are expected to recognize phrasing and are held accountable for entering and exiting their shines as timing requires. Musical phrasing is varied and includes Standard and Blues song forms.

WARM-UP
All couples on the floor, dancing to moderate music. Judges circulate, identify couples who will qualify for the competition. 2-5 minutes.

ROUND 1
All-Skate: 25 couples dance 1-2 songs, during which judges will identify 25 couples to progress to the semi-finals. 5 minutes.

ROUND 2
Semi-Finals: 10 couples dance 2-3 songs, during which judges will identify 8 couples to progress to the finals.

ROUND 3
Finals: Winners of the semi-finals, will battle it out in the final round. Couples dance 2-3 songs.

HEAT ROUND
If a forced tie occurs, the two finalists compete one last time.

Judge's Sheet: Criteria by which dancers will be evaluated (optional reading)

Couples will be judged on musicality, balance, innovation, connection and audience feedback.

1. Musicality
   
   
   1. Interpretation - Dancers are judged on ability to improvise and respond as music dictate, within the context of the partnership, without disrupting lead and follow.
      
      
   2. Song form - Dancers are expected to recognize various phrasing including Blues and Standards song forms. Dancers are judges on ability to reflect beginning and ending of phrases through movement. Timing is requisite.
      
      
2. Balance
   
   
   1. Partnership - Followers are judged on ability to improvise within the paradigm the leads create. Leaders are judged upon maturity in allowing followers opportunity to improvise.
      
      
   2. Repertoire - Couples are judged upon breadth of Lindy Hop repertoire including swing-outs, charlestons, breakaways and air steps. Dancers will be judged on ability to select dance steps appropriate to music.
      
      
3. Innovation
   
   Creativity is encouraged.
   
   
4. Connection
   
   Couples will be judged upon ability to have a conversation within the dance using verbal, tactile and visual lead and follow. Call and response is encouraged.
   
   
5. Audience feedback
   
   The reaction of spectators will be monitored and gauged independent of designated judges.