2008 General Information

Updated: 16 April, 2008

MISSION STATEMENT

"TO PROVIDE THE ULTIMATE ACHIEVEMENT FOR SWING DANCE COMPETITORS AND THE BEST IN SWING DANCE ENTERTAINMENT IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS INSPIRING, EXHILARATING, RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS, AND FUN."

ORGANIZER
The US OPEN SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS, INC. is the Organizer of this event. Final decisions on all matters pertaining to these competitions rest solely with the Organizer.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ORGANIZER
1. USE OF MISSION STATEMENT - The Organizer will align decisions and policies with the Mission Statement.
2. STAFF - The Organizer will select a panel of Judges, an Information Manager, a Chief Judge, and a Contestants' Representative. The names of the people in these positions will be available prior to the event. In case of an emergency such as illness or transportation difficulties, the Organizer reserves the right to substitute a qualified person, and will announce that substitution as soon as it occurs.
3. CONTESTANTS' REPRESENTATIVE - The Organizer will appoint a Contestants' Representative as the official representative of the Competitors. The Contestants' Representative, in consultation with the Chief Judge and Competition Coordinator, will clarify all competition-related questions during the event.
4. SCHEDULE - The Organizer will determine the date and time for each competition and the location for the Competitors' Meeting, and will announce this information prior to the event. The Organizer reserves the right to cancel a division if the number of entries is under the posted minimum, and to rearrange the schedule if necessary. Cancellation of a division would result in the refund of any applicable competitor entry fees.
  
  Any schedule or location changes will be noted on the US Open Swing Dance Championships' website (www.usopenswingdc.com) if they occur prior to the event. If the changes occur during the event, they will be announced or posted in the foyer and the exact location will be announced at the Competitors' Meeting.
5. AWARDS - The Organizer will determine and award all prizes and money. Monetary awards will be given in the form of a check at the Awards Ceremony.
6. POSTING OF SCORES - The results of the competitions will be posted for Finalists to review after the Awards Ceremony. Adherence is required to the standard for receiving feedback that is stated in Section D-5, and the behavior standard that is stated in Section D-1.
7. PRELIMINARIES, SEMI-FINALS, FINALS, AND HEATS - At any time prior to the Competition, the Organizer reserves the right to determine whether or not a division will consist of a Preliminary, Semi-Final and a Final, and whether or not rounds are danced in heats or as spotlight and the number of competitors who will go on to a final round. This decision will be communicated as soon as possible, on the website or through announcements at the event. The number of competitors progressing to a final round may vary from Division to Division.
ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE
1. REQUIREMENTS - The US OPEN SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS encourages all Competitors, who believe they are qualified, to submit their application. All who plan to compete must adhere to the following requirements in (a) thru (e):
  1. Purchase a full weekend ticket to the 2008 US OPEN SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Competitors can purchase an Open Seat at a reduced fee of $100 to be held in Will Call. Tickets purchased after Oct 1, 2008 are $120. Staff members who are competing will be sitting in the Staff Section.
  2. Pay the required entry fees when the application is submitted.
  3. Sign the waiver. No Competitor will be allowed to compete without a signed Waiver. Waivers are signed at the time competitors get their wristbands at the event. Every member of a Team or Cabaret Act must sign the Competition Waiver. Competitors under 18-years of age must have a parent or guardian sign their Waiver and any other required forms
  4. Complete the entire registration by the official entry deadline: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 . Competitors are strongly encouraged to use the online forms. If you do not have access to the internet (how are you reading this?) please call the US Open office for assistance. If submitted by postal mail all items must be received by the US Open by that date.
    
    A complete registration consists of:
    - The complete Entry Form
    - A Bio (see online form for details)
    - A Picture (see online form for details)
    - Payment for Entry into the competition
  5. Meet all the specific requirements outlined in these rules.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMPETITORS
1. BEHAVIOR - All Competitors must demonstrate courteous and professional behavior at all times at the US OPEN SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS, both on and off the competition floor. Failure to adhere to these standards could cause disciplinary action by the Organizer, or penalties from the Judges.
2. RULES - All Competitors are responsible for reading and understanding the rules prior to the 2008 US OPEN SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether or not they have been read.
3. PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK - Competitors may discuss their performance with the Judges using only the appropriate times and channels, which are: 1) during the Competitors' Meeting, 2) by appointment with the Contestants' Representative.
  
  A Finalist may make an appointment with the Contestants' Representative for a detailed discussion. That appointment must occur at a time that is convenient for both the Competitors and the Contestants' Representative, and may occur either during the US OPEN SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS or anytime after the event. The standards for behavior from Section D-1 must be followed.
4. REFUND OF COMPETITION ENTRY FEE - After the cut-off date, October 1st, 2008, competition fees will not be refunded for any reason.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The Relative Placement System will be used to judge all the competitions at the US OPEN SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS. In all divisions, the amount of Swing content will be evaluated. All Competitors will be judged using the following criteria:
1. TIMING - Swing is danced beginning on the downbeat. Timing extends to much finer distinctions than a single beat. It includes fractionally ahead or behind the beat, as well as matching the syncopated "swing" of the music.
2. TEAMWORK - Swing is a connected, partner dance. The demonstration of this connection and the appearance of lead/follow or action/reaction between the partners is an expected part of any competition. One partner ignoring or out-dancing the other, or jeopardizing the safety of the other (or other Competitors), indicates poor teamwork.
3. TECHNIQUE - How well the Competitors execute the movements comprising their dance constitutes technique. This includes control of balance and weight, foot placement, bodylines, and spins.
4. CHOREOGRAPHY - The selection and order of movements and transitions executed during a dance comprises choreography. Good choreography demonstrates an intimate connection with the music and its phrasing, as well as variety and contrast.
5. PRESENTATION - To create an atmosphere of excitement by inviting and generating interest in a performance is the desired effect of good presentation. While providing a good show is one aspect of presentation, a good show is not a substitute for good dancing.
Judges decisions are final.
CANCELLATIONS
Entry fees will be refunded to any competitor who withdraws from a competition before the Wednesday, October 1, 2008 deadline. Because of the event's program production schedule, no refunds will be made for any cancellations after that date. Any partnership changes will require a new application process and will be considered a new competition entry.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE RULES
Please call the US OPEN SWING DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (800/537-8937) or e-mail Sharlot Bott, US Open Competition Director at USOpen@WayneandSharlot.com with any questions about these rules.