Open to Amateurs and Professionals
Participate in this World Class Latin Dance Competition open to everyone from beginner to advanced. Amateurs and Professionals alike can demonstrate their talent by competing in front of a live audience and judged by world renown dancers and compete for this year’s bragging rights for the best Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba dancer. See below for the complete list of dances, categories and levels.
Competition registration deadline!
HEATS & SHOWCASE PROFESSIONAL, AMATEUR, TEAM, & PRO-AM CATEGORIES
Welcome to the 2023 Montreal Bachata Festival Competitions!
The competitions are open to all national and international artists.
*All competitors must purchase Competitor Pass to access Montreal Bachata Festival activities
The competition will be held Friday November 17, 2023 from 10am to 5pm and will be open to the public. Judges will be present and final results will be presented at the end of the competition. Deadline to register is : Thursday November 15th, 2023
REGISTRATION FORMULA
Heats & Showcase
All competitors must be registered for a minimum of 4 heats OR 3 heats and 1 showcase division in order to be eligible for the reduced-price competitor pass.
Heats Levels:
Registration for a maximum of 2 levels of a dance style will be accepted in order to allow competitors to stand out and compete in a fair and balanced environment. Each director and or instructors will therefore be responsible for registering their students at the respective levels while respecting the guidelines of each level.
Steps for obtaining the competitor pass:
- First, simply register the categories in which the dancers will participate on the following link:
https://www.eventtabs.com/montreal-bachata-festival - Send proof of registration to MBF in order to receive the PROMO CODE
- Obtain their competitor pass online on EventBrite using a promotional code assigned to each competitor.
*Please note that competitor pass prices increase every week
The longer they wait, the higher the prices. See the price chart below
| Performer/Competitor Pass | Until October 15 | 99$ |
| Until October 24th | 119$ | |
| Until November 7th | 139$ | |
| Until the Event | 159$ |
★ REMINDER: There will be no general practice.
- Competition/registration fees are non-refundable
- The competition will take place on Saturday 19th of November.
- MBF reserves the right to adjust the competition schedule
- View Music Upload Link Tab to upload your show music
GENERAL RULES
Competition/entry fees are non refundable
It is a live event and no refund will be accepted after the purchase
If there are fewer than 3 entries in any division, the MBF reserves the right to cancel or combine that division. If a division is cancelled, the entry fee will be refunded. If a division is combined, the entry fee will apply to the combined division.
Competitors must wear a costume and shoes regardless of the environment in which they choose to film. Competitors are encouraged to wear costumes or matching outfits. We strongly suggest that jeans not be used as costumes. Costumes will be judged as part of Presentation.
All circumstances will be taken into consideration. (i.e. space and floor limitations and other restrictions related to current world circumstances). These circumstances will not affect your score.
NO PROPS are allowed in any category. What is considered a prop is an item which is not part of a dancer’s costume and is not attached for the entire duration of the choreography
Length of Routine:
- Solo showcases: 1:15 – 2:15 minutes
- Amateur Salsa & Bachata Showcases: 2:30 minutes or less
- Pro-Am Salsa & Bachata Showcases: 2:30 minutes or less
- Team Showcases (Mixed Gender, Same Gender, Juniors): 1:45 minutes to 3.5 minutes
For all couple and team divisions: Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance. Dips, drops & lifts allowed. Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides. Routine must consist of at least 95% recognizable Salsa or Bachata dancing.
Music: A maximum of 3 songs can be mixed into your routine. Songs must be edited to end where you choose.
The head judge will have final say on all discrepancies. All questions and/or disputes should be brought to the attention of the head judge.
By registering, competitors release the Montreal Salsa Conventions and judges of all liabilities. The dancer further acknowledges that the scores assigned to their submission will be publicly broadcasted. The dancer releases the rights for their submission for (but not limited to) public and promotional purposes.
DEFINITIONS
Professional
Once a dancer competes as a Professional, they can no longer compete as an amateur. Professional dancers may compete with an amateur in the Pro-Am divisions.
Amateur
Amateurs may not compete in Rising Star Professional, or Professional level competition, or as the Professional in a Pro-Am competition. Amateur level dancers may teach, and receive payment for teaching or performing.
Amateur Intermediate Showcase is an entry level amateur division. Should a dancer win Amateur Intermediate Showcase in a dance style with a minimum of 4 competitors, they will no longer be permitted to compete in Amateur Intermediate Showcase in that style in the future. Intermediate dancers can challenge and enter Amateur Advanced Showcase as many times as they want.
Amateur Advanced Showcase: An advanced amateur level of showcase competition. There are no limits to how many times a dancer can win Amateur Advanced Showcase.
Pro Am Ladies
A professional dancer dancing with an amateur lady
Pro Am Men
A professional dancer dancing with an amateur man
Showcase Divisions
Defined as a category where the partnership, the solo dancer or the team showcases their choreography and dances to the music of their choice.
Heated (Just Dance) Divisions
A category where all partners or couples dance together on the stage or floor to music that is selected by the organization or DJ. Heats generally last 1- 1.5 minutes. This is a lead/follow division, rather than choreographed and is designed to show the ability to connect with one’s partner and display timing, musicality and creativity to whatever music is played. No lifts, tricks, flares or drops are permitted.
Professional Showcase & Heated Divisions
A couple is defined as one male and one female dancer.
Amateur Showcase Divisions
A couple is defined as one male and one female dancer.
Amateur Heated Divisions
A couple is defined as one lead and one follow.
Open
A competition division which is open to all levels (professional, rising star, amateur or a mix of all three), all ages and all styles unless the style is otherwise specified in the division title.
Team Division
A team must consist of a minimum of 3 dancers. No maximum number of dancers.
Pro Am Team Showcase Divisions
A team must consist of a minimum of 3 dancers. No maximum number of dancers. At least one dancer must be a professional. At least one dancer must be an amateur.
Pro Am Over 40 Divisions
Amateur partner must be 40 years of age or older on the day of the competition. A couple is defined as one lead and one follow (ie. a female instructor can lead a female student).
Pro Am Over 50 Divisions
Amateur partner must be 50 years of age or older on the day of the competition. A couple is defined as one lead and one follow.
Amateur Over 40 Divisions
Defined as an amateur couple whose partners are BOTH 40 years of age or older on the day of the competition. A couple is defined as one male and one female.
Amateur Over 50 Divisions
Defined as an amateur couple whose partners are BOTH 50 years of age or older on the day of the competition. A couple is defined as one male and one female.
Shines Showcase
A shines categories may include tricks but may not include lead and follow patterns
Salsa
All styles of Salsa are accepted. Couples can choose to dance either On-1 or On-2 but must maintain consistent to that timing for the duration of the routine or heat. Recognized timing for this competition is 1-2-3/5-6-7. Pro Am & Amateur Heated Divisions will have separate categories for Salsa on 1 and for Salsa on 2.
Professional
Professional Salsa Showcase
Professional Salsa Solo Showcase, Female
Professional Salsa Solo Showcase, Male
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Professional Bachata Showcase
Professional Bachata Solo Showcase, Female
Professional Bachata Solo Showcase, Male
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Professional Cha Cha Showcase
Professional Cha Cha Solo Showcase, Female
Professional Cha Cha Solo Showcase, Male
Amateur
Amateur Salsa Showcase, Female
Amateur Salsa showcase, Male
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Amateur Bachata Showcase, Female
Amateur Bachata Showcase, Male
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Amateur Cha Cha Showcase, Female
Amateur Cha Cha Showcase, Male
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Am-Am Salsa Showcase
Am-Am Bachata Showcase
Am-Am Cha Cha Showcase
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Amateur team Salsa Showcase
Amateur Team Bachata Showcase
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Amateur Open Ladies Styling Team
Amateur Open Mens Styling Team
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Amateur Duo Shines Showcase
Pro-Am
Pro-Am Duo Shines Showcase
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Pro-Am Female Salsa Showcase
Pro-Am Female Salsa Showcase, Over 40
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Pro-Am Female Bachata Showcase
Pro-Am Female Bachata Showcase, Over 40
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Pro-Am Male Salsa Showcase
Pro-Am Male Salsa Showcase, Over 40
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Pro-Am Male Bachata Showcase
Pro-Am Male Bachata Showcase, Over 40
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Amateur Hustle Showcase, Female
Amateur Hustle Showcase, Male
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Pro-Am team Salsa Showcase
Pro-Am Team Bachata Showcase
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Pro-Am Open Ladies Styling Team
Pro-Am Open Mens Styling Team
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Pro-Am Open Ladies Styling Team
Pro-Am Open Mens Styling Team
Same Gender
Same Gender Am-Am Salsa Showcase
Same Gender Am-Am Bachata Showcase
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Same Gender Pro-Am Salsa Showcase
Same Gender Pro-Am Bachata Showcase
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Same Gender Pro-Pro Salsa Showcase
Same Gender Pro-Pro Bachata Showcase
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Heats
All Amateur Heated Divisions in Salsa on 1, Salsa on 2, Bachata, Cha Cha, & Latin Hustle
All Amateur Heated Divisions in Over 40 & Over 50
All Pro Am Ladies Heated Divisions in Salsa on 1, Salsa on 2, Bachata, Cha Cha, & Latin Hustle
Pro Am Ladies Heated Divisions Over 40 divided by levels for Salsa on 1, Salsa on 2, Bachata & Latin Hustle
Pro Am Ladies Heated Divisions in Over 50
Pro Am Men Heated Divisions in Salsa on 1, Salsa on 2, Bachata, Cha Cha, & Latin Hustle
Pro Am Men Heated Divisions in Over 40 and Over 50
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Teams
Amateur Team Salsa Showcase (4 dancers)
Amateur Team Salsa Showcase (6 dancers)
Amateur Team Salsa Showcase (8 dancers or more)
Amateur Team Bachata Showcase (4 dancers)
Amateur Team Bachata Showcase (6 dancers)
Amateur Team Bachata Showcase (8 dancers or more)
Amateur Mixed Gender Shines Teams
Pro-Am Mixed Gender Shines Teams
Pro-Am Open Men Styling Team
20% TIMING The majority of the routine should show recognizable Timing in that dance genre (ie. Salsa, Bachata, Hustle*)
15% MUSICALITY Couples will demonstrate their ability to creatively work with the timing of their individual music. This can be done in a variety of ways, including patterns, footwork, “hits”, tricks, etc.
15% GENERAL DANCE TECHNIQUE & DANCE SPECIFIC TECHNIQUE Dance technique is reflected through balance, placement and line. This refers also to general technique for partner dance, where the movement is “grounded”, and there is clarity of proper weight changes from foot to foot. Movement should appear to be both clear and effortless. Dance specific technique is sometimes referred to as “latin motion” or “sabor”
15% DIFFICULTY Reflected by difficulty of patterns, turns, intricacy of shine movements, and level of tricks, dips, drops and flares. Examples: The amount of turns done on both double and single foot. How intricate were the shines? Were moves properly executed? How about jumps, kicks, extensions? Any movements requiring exceptional balance, flexibility or strength? In order to get credit for any of these things, the movement must be successfully executed.
15% PARTNERING/CONNECTION This is reflected in the lead/follow aspect of the dance. Are partners truly connected, or are they merely executing choreography while holding hands? Synchronicity during side by sides or shines will also help determine the score in this category.
10% CHOREOGRAPHY The couple’s interpretation of the music. Good choreography should contain clever turn patterns and shines. All choreography should be musical, and couples should show a good usage of the space itself. Originality is a factor here.
10% OVERALL PRESENTATION/SHOWMANSHIP Overall Presentation score includes costuming, showmanship, and also good sportsmanship.
* Recognized Salsa Timing is designated for this competition as 1-2-3, 5-6-7. Competitors can choose to break ON 1 or ON 2, but must maintain consistency for the duration of the routine. The direction of the break step can be either to the front or the back, as long as the timing of the break is consistently maintained (either 1 and 5, or 2 and 6). The majority of the routine should show recognizable Salsa Timing.
MUSIC UPLOAD LINK
Use this link to upload your competition showcase music onto our Google Drive.
Suggested file type should be mp3 format. Please identify your file as follows:
[PerformerName – SongName.mp3]
