SALSA

Click here to purchase your entries: https://www.danceplace.com/ticket/buy/11958

What is the prize?

The top 3 placements will earn the following;

1. 1st place gets a full event pass to RI Salsa & Bachata Festival in November

2. 2nd place gets a 3 night party pass to F.O.L.D. Congress 2024!

3. 3rd place gets you a F.O.L.D. merch t-shirt

This competition is de-gendered. Any gender can compete in either the leader or follower role.

Make sure you pick up your bib number when you arrive and check in at the registration desk for the Congress.

Being on time

• Arrive to check in for the competition at the check-in time on the schedule. Those not present at check-in time will lose their spot in the competition.

• If you are late for finals, your place in the competition will be given to the next available alternate competitor.

  *Keep an eye on the schedules and don't miss your opportunity!

Basics

• All songs for all levels will have a consistent salsa beat.
• All songs played will adhere to 4/4 time music.
• Timing must be consistent.
• DJs will play 1 slow/medium (80-90 bpm) speed song with a clear beat.
• Then 1 medium/fast (90-100bpm) speed song with an salsa beat.
• Music will be a mix of old school salsa & new school jazzy salsa songs.

‍How It Works

1. Timing & Musicality

   1. Interpretation of the song being played with appropriate breaks and holds, being rhythmically in sync with the music.

      1. Competitors must demonstrate basic timing for a minimum of 60% of each song

      2. Seen in foundation movements such as cross body leads

2. Technique

   1. Solid salsa motion and posture – how well the competitors execute the movements.

   2. Proper use of Salsa foundation movements

      1. Basic, Cross body lead, Turns/spins, Change of Tempo, and Lines.

      2. Correct footwork in all foundation movements

      3. Clean footwork during patterns

   3. Individual fundamental dance technique

      1. footwork placement, frame, balance, how well steps are executed

   4.  Incorporating arm styling

   5.  Adding some personal spice/sauce to the basic moves

3. Connection & Engagement with each other and the audience

   1. How well the couple interacts with the audience's reaction.

   2. Carries the vibe throughout the dance engaging with the audience.

   3. Good energy and vibe flow building throughout the dance.

   4. Telling a story with the interpretation of the music, the connection with your partner and engagement of the audience's attention.

4. Teamwork

   1. How well the couple works together.

   2. Appearance of lead/follow or action/reaction between the partners.

   3. Partner compatibility – adjusting personal styles to compliment the partnership

   4. Ability to work together as a team, one partner ignoring or out-dancing the other indicates poor teamwork

5. Difficulty

   1. Complexity of the foot work

   2. Complexity of overall improvisation

   3. Originality and musicality of patterns

6. Appearance

   1. Dance shoes required for safety reasons

      1. Heels, flats, dance sneakers

      2. Heels are not required but do add a level of difficulty that will be taken into account by the judges.

   2. Dress to impress, what you would wear to a social dance party

      1. Consider you want to stand out to the judges

      2. It never hurts to look well put together.

      3. Appropriate clothing for dancing at a social not a strip club.

      4. Clothing should not interfere with the dancers ability to move or with the judges ability to see movement.

What is the prize?

The top 3 placements will earn the following;

1. 1st place gets a full event pass to RI Salsa & Bachata Festival in November

2. 2nd place gets a 3 night party pass to F.O.L.D. Congress 2024!

3. 3rd place gets you a F.O.L.D. merch t-shirt

Click here to purchase your entries: https://www.danceplace.com/ticket/buy/11958

BACHATA

Click here to purchase your entries: https://www.danceplace.com/ticket/buy/11958

What is the prize?

The top 3 placements will earn the following;

1. 1st place gets a full event pass to F.O.L.D. Congress next year!

2. 2nd place gets a 3 night party pass to Boston Salsa Festival

3. 3rd place gets you a F.O.L.D. merch t-shirt

This competition is de-gendered. Any gender can compete in either the leader or follower role.

Make sure you pick up your bib number when you arrive and check in at the registration desk for the Congress.

Being on time

• Arrive to check in for the competition at the check-in time on the schedule. Those not present at check-in time will lose their spot in the competition.

• If you are late for finals, your place in the competition will be given to the next available alternate competitor.

  *Keep an eye on the schedules and don't miss your opportunity!

Basics

• All songs for all levels will have a consistent “bachata” beat.
• All songs played will adhere to 4/4 time music.
• Timing must be consistent.
• DJs will play 1 slow/medium (80-90 bpm) speed song with a clear beat for a sensual/modern bachata. 
• Then 1 medium/fast (90-100bpm) speed song with an “Dominican Republic” or “traditional” beat.
• Traditional bachata songs, new age modern/sensual bachata songs as well as the top 40 remixed songs are allowed.

How It Works 

1. Timing & Musicality

   1. Interpretation of the song being played with appropriate breaks and holds, being rhythmically in sync with the music.

      1. Competitors must demonstrate basic timing for a minimum of 60% of each song 

      2. Seen in foundation movements, basic steps, shadow position and other steps.

2. Technique

   1. Bachata motion and posture – how well the competitors execute the movements.

   2. Proper use of Bachata foundation movements

      1. Basic in place, Basic moving forward and back, Turns/spins, Change of dimension with Leg Lifts, Arm movements and Lines.

      2. Correct footwork in all foundation movements 

      3. Clean footwork during patterns

   3. Individual fundamental dance technique

      1. footwork placement, frame, balance, how well steps are executed

   4.  Incorporating arm styling 

   5. Good use of hips & shoulders 

   6.  Adding some personal spice/sauce to the basic moves

3. Connection & Engagement with each other and the audience

   1. How well the couple interacts with the audience's reaction.

   2. Carries the vibe throughout the dance engaging with the audience.

   3. Good energy and vibe flow building throughout the dance.

   4. Telling a story with the interpretation of the music, the connection with your partner and engagement of the audience's attention.

4. Teamwork

   1. How well the couple works together.

   2. Appearance of lead/follow or action/reaction between the partners.

   3. Partner compatibility – adjusting personal styles to compliment the partnership

   4. Ability to work together as a team, one partner ignoring or out-dancing the other indicates poor teamwork

5. Difficulty

   1. Complexity of the foot work

   2. Complexity of overall improvisation

   3. Originality and musicality of patterns

6. Appearance

   1. Dance shoes required for safety reasons

      1. Heels, flats, dance sneakers 

      2. Heels are not required but do add a level of difficulty that will be taken into account by the judges.

   2. Dress to impress, what you would wear to a social dance party

      1. Consider you want to stand out to the judges

      2. It never hurts to look well put together.

      3. Appropriate clothing for dancing at a social not a strip club.

      4. Clothing should not interfere with the dancers ability to move or with the judges ability to see movement.

What is the prize?

The top 3 placements will earn the following;

1. 1st place gets a full event pass to F.O.L.D. Congress next year!

2. 2nd place gets a 3 night party pass to Boston Salsa Festival

3. 3rd place gets you a F.O.L.D. merch t-shirt

Click here to purchase your entries: https://www.danceplace.com/ticket/buy/11958