Category: OPEN
Styles: Adagio & Variation and Jack & Jill – Rules, Evaluation Criteria, and Preparation Guidelines

 

ADAGIO & VARIATION (Salon and Stage)
We are excited to introduce the newest category of the LVTF Championship: "Adagio & Variation"! Here's how it works:

 

RULES:

The first step in this category is to choose the piece of music you want to perform. A maximum of 10 adagios and 10 variations, each a 1-minute-long excerpt from the song, selected by our Official DJ Rodrigo Saraibe, will be offered to the competitors. The list includes:

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• ADAGIO: “SuSu” (Forever Tango), “Adios Nonino” (Piazzola), “Responso“ (Troilo), “Recuerdo” (Forever Tango) , “Don Agustin Bardi” (Pugliese), “La Mariposa” , “El Andariego” (Pugliese), “Invierno Porteno” (Piazzola), “Oblivion” (Piazzola), “Viejo Ciego” (Goyeneche), “Pata Ancha” (Color Tango).

 

• VARIATION: VARIATION: “Mala Junta” (Color Tango), “Mato y Voy” (Pugliese), “El Oriental” (Donato Racciatti), "Amurado” (Pedro Laurenz), "Recuerdo", "Derecho Viejo" (Forever Tango), “Este es el Rey” (La Juan D’arienzo), “La Cumparsita” (Mato Rodriguez), “Pa que oigan bandoneon” (Varela), “Loca” (Tango Bardo).

 

** THE ORGANIZATION IS OPEN TO RECEIVE NEW SUGGESTIONS OF MUSIC FOR THIS CATEGORY.

 

EXECUTION: This category is OPEN, so either if you are Amateurs or Pro, performing Salon or Stage style you are welcome to join. Each couple will have the opportunity to perform only once. The order of songs will be randomly chosen by the Competition Coordinator. The same couple can choose to perform one piece (1 adagio OR 1 variation) or two pieces (1 adagio AND 1 variation), but NOT two pieces from the same list (2 adagios / 2 variations).

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA:  Technique, originality, creativity, precision, and dynamics will be considered in this category. This category encourages freestyle expression while considering each dancer's connection, musicality, technique, and style.

 

SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use the "ranking system" to evaluate performances. 

 

COMPETITION DAYS: Saturday (Semi-final) and Sunday (Final)

 

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $60 registration fee per person, per music. Adagio & Variation competitors must have a Festival Full Pass, Milonga Full Pass, or be registered in any other competition category.

 

PREPARATION GUIDELINES

 

Tip from the maestros: "Repetition is key to success. Repeating movements will create muscle memory and enhance harmony between you and your partner. Remember, movements should align with the music, not just impress the audience. Control during slow parts and power without rushing in fast sections are fundamental for a good execution."  Helena Fernandez

 

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JACK & JILL
NO PARTNER ~ NO PROBLEM
No previous competition experience is required, and no partner is necessary to participate in this category.

 

RULES:

NO PARTNER NECESSARY: Participants will be judged individually, not as couples. Any person, regardless of gender, can participate as a leader or follower.

 

EXECUTION: 3 rotations each round; each participant will dance 3 songs per round, each with a different randomly assigned leader/follower.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA: This category emphasizes freestyle expression while considering connection, musicality, technique, and style. Evaluation includes embrace, connection, individual technique, adaptability to partner styles, musical interpretation, style, creativity, and pista circulation. Open to all ages.

 

SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use the "ranking system" to evaluate performances. 

 

COMPETITION DAYS: Sunday only.

 

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $60 registration fee. Jack & Jill competitors must have a Festival Full Pass, Milonga Full Pass, or be registered in any other competition category.

 

PREPARATION GUIDELINES

Let's focus on the three T’s: Timing, Technique, and Teamwork.

 

Timing/Musicality: Ensure your steps align with the music. Practice basic movements like walks and rebounds to improve timing and agility.

 

Technique: Pay attention to posture, leg extension, balance, and coordination. Good technique enhances your dance quality.

 

Teamwork: Dance as a team, not as individuals. Adapt to your partner's style and communicate effectively through the embrace.

 

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Category: AMATEUR
Styles: Salon, Salon Senior and Triple Ace – Rules, Evaluation Criteria, and Preparation Guidelines

 

RULES: Participants will be judged as a couple, not individually. Any person, regardless of gender, can participate as a leader or follower. In the style of Salon Senior, participants should have minimum 50+.

 

EXECUTION: Each couple will dance 3 songs per round, one round per day, with the same assigned leader/follower of the registration.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Outline the criteria used for judging performances in each category, focusing on elements like:  individual and partner technique, musical interpretation, connection and communication (embrace, lead and follower skills), style and creativity, pista circulation (for salon categories), dynamics, artistic expression and stage presence (for stage categories)

 

SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a “point system” with full numbers and one decimal to evaluate performances. In case of a draw, another ronda can be extraordinarily created to place the competitors.

 

COMPETITION DAYS: AM competitions will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

 

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $350 registration fee. See more details here.

 

PREPARATION GUIDELINES:

 

Partner Connection: Cultivate a strong connection with your dance partner by practicing effective communication, mutual trust, and synchronization of movements. Work on maintaining a comfortable and responsive embrace while staying attuned to your partner's lead or follow. Consistent Practice is very important in this process.

 

Technique Enhancement: Focus on enhancing your individual technique, including posture, balance, footwork, and fluidity of movement. Work on strengthening your core muscles and maintaining a relaxed yet engaged frame throughout your dance.

 

Performance Preparation: Prepare mentally and physically for the demands of competition by focusing on relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and mental visualization. Rehearse your routines thoroughly, paying attention to transitions, timing, and spatial awareness on the dance floor.

 

Supportive Community: Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow dancers, instructors, and mentors who can offer encouragement, guidance, and constructive feedback. Engage in social dancing events, workshops, and practice sessions to broaden your dance network and gain valuable insights.

 

Self-Care: Prioritize self-care and well-being throughout your competition journey. Maintain a balanced lifestyle, including adequate rest, nutrition, hydration, and stress management practices, to ensure peak physical and mental readiness for performance.

 

Enjoyment and Growth: Above all, approach your competition experience with a sense of enjoyment, curiosity, and growth mindset. Embrace the learning process, celebrate your progress, and savor the joy of dancing Argentine Tango with passion and enthusiasm.

 

Category: PRO-AM

Styles: Salon, Stage, and Triple Ace – Rules, Evaluation Criteria, and Preparation Guidelines

 

RULES: Participants will be judged as a pair, consisting of one professional (pro) and one amateur (am). Any gender can assume the role of the professional or amateur dancer.

 

EXECUTION: Each pair will perform routines tailored to their chosen style, whether it's Salon, Stage, or Triple Ace. The execution should demonstrate a seamless blend of the professional's expertise and the amateur's potential.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Judging will focus on the amateur participant's overall performance, including connection, communication, technique, musical interpretation, style, creativity, and pista circulation. Both the leader and follower will be evaluated based on their respective roles within the partnership.

 

SCORING SYSTEM: A comprehensive point-based scoring system will be utilized by the judges to evaluate each performance, taking into account the criteria mentioned above. The final scores will determine the ranking of the pairs in the competition.

 

COMPETITION DAYS: PRO-AM competitions will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

 

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: To participate in the PRO-AM category, each pair must complete registration and pay the required fee of $350. See more details here.

 

PREPARATION GUIDELINES: Pro-am pairs are encouraged to focus on developing a strong partnership characterized by effective communication, mutual trust, and shared artistic expression. Professional dancers should support their amateur partners in refining their technique and musicality, while amateurs should strive to learn from their professional counterparts and contribute their unique style to the partnership.

Tip from the maestros:

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Category: PRO

Styles: Salon, Stage, and Triple Ace – Rules, Evaluation Criteria, and Preparation Guidelines

 

RULES: PRO category is reserved for professional dancers who have extensive experience and expertise in Argentine Tango. Participants may compete in either the Salon, Stage, or Triple Ace styles, showcasing their mastery of the chosen style.

 

EXECUTION: Each performance should exemplify the highest level of skill, artistry, and creativity inherent in professional Argentine Tango dancing. Professionals are expected to execute complex choreography with precision and finesse while maintaining a strong connection with their partners.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Judges will evaluate each performance based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including connection, communication, technique, musical interpretation, dynamics, artistic expression, creativity, and pista circulation. Professionals will be assessed on their individual performance as well as their ability to work cohesively with their partners. Competitors are not allowed to repeat or start over for performance reasons. If technical problems occur during performance, competitors will be allowed to perform again.

 

SCORING SYSTEM: The judges will utilize a “numerical scores” based on the established criteria to assess each performance. The scores will be aggregated to determine the final ranking of the participants in the PRO category.

 

COMPETITION DAYS: PRO competitions will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

 

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: Professional dancers wishing to compete in the PRO category must complete registration and pay the requisite fee of $350. See more details here.

 

PREPARATION GUIDELINES: Professionals are encouraged to dedicate ample time to rehearsing and refining their routines, ensuring that every element of their performance is executed flawlessly. Emphasis should be placed on maintaining a strong connection with their partners, delivering dynamic and expressive choreography, and captivating the audience with their artistry and stage presence.

 

Is important to develop a good musical interpretation, a deep understanding of tango music and its nuances. Practice dancing to different rhythms, accents, and musical phrasings to improve your musical interpretation and synchronization with the music.