Rules

Admissibility

Feel the Beat is basically an amateur dancer competition. Semi-professional dancers are admissible, but they must all be registered in the semi-professional category.

A dancer is classified as a semi-professional if he/she earns more than 5000$ per year for dancing.

Teachers may take part in the competition. If a routine contains 25% of semi-professional dancers or more, the routine will automatically be classified as semi-professional.

Payments

Payment must be made by cheque, Paypal or interac (info@ftbeat.com). Your registration will be processed upon receipt of your payment.

Individual payments made by dancers, parents or choreographers will not be accepted, except for the workshops or if a dancers register without being associated to a dance studio.

Payment must be sent to the following address:
FEEL THE BEAT 21 Hill Street, Edmundston NB E3V 1H7

A 50$ fee will be added to any cheque refused by a banking institution, for any and whatever reason.

Accessories

Props are allowed; however, they must be pre-approved by FEEL THE BEAT.

There is a 2-minute time limit for installing props and decors.

FEEL THE BEAT will not be held responsible for any damage or loss of props or costumes.

Music

Music must be downloaded to the Dropbox account or directly in your FTB account before March 29 2024

Each song must be action-ready. Musical modifications or mixing will NOT be made by our technicians. Each song will be played from beginning to end.

You should have a copy on a USB key with you at all times and available to our technicians.

Lyrics may NOT contain inappropriate, obscene, violent or offensive language.

Duration of Music

The length of each song will depend upon the categories.

• SOLO: 2:30 minutes
• DUO-TRIO: 3 minutes
• SMALL GROUP: 4 minutes
• LARGE GROUP: 4 minutes
• PRODUCTION: 6 minutes

One point will be deducted for each 10-second span that exceeds the time limit.

The length of the music is determined by three methods:

1. Our sound technician documents the length of all music.
2. Our stage manager times each choreography.
3. Our technical director documents the length of each music by videotape.

The chronometer will generally start at the first musical note and stop at the last note. If the choreography begins before the music starts, the chronometer will start with the first choreographed movements and stop when the last movements are finished.

Evaluation Criteria

Performance: 40%

Technique: 40%

Choreography: 20%

The judges’ decision is final. Each dance school director will receive a copy of the evaluation along with the judges’ comments.

In case of a tie, the technical not will be privileged.

In order to preserve impartiality during the competition, titles and costumes must NOT indicate the identity of the group or dance school.

Penalities and Deductions

The technical director coordinates the judges’ work and is responsible for any deduction. His/her deductions will be final.

There is no limit to the amount of points deductible. All points are deducted from the total mark of 100.

• 5 points for exceeding the music time limit (1 point per 10 excessive seconds span, for 5 points maximum).
• 2 points for exceeding the 2-minute time limit for preparing props and decors.
• 3 points for music containing inappropriate, violent or obscene lyrics.
• 2 points for routines containing props not authorized by FEEL THE BEAT.
• 3 points for not being present backstage for the on-stage call.
• 3 points for routines containing violent or inadequate movements.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism of a choreography will not be tolerated. Any copied choreography will be penalized or may be disqualified from the competition.

General Rules

• Smoking is strictly prohibited on the competition site of FEEL THE BEAT.
• Participants agree to the use of their videos/phots by FEEL THE BEAT for promotional purposes.
• Cellphones and all other electronic devices must be turned off and stored away while in the competition hall.
• Participants are not allowed to rehearse in the competition hall.
• Respect and courtesy are expected toward FEEL THE BEAT personnel, volunteers, spectators and dancers. Any show of disrespect may bring about a disqualification or expulsion from the competition site.
• Dancers’ dressing-rooms must be kept clean.
• Neutral lightning will be used for all groups.
• The use of resin is prohibited.
• It is strictly prohibited to speak to the judges during competition!!
• The stage is 48 ft. wide by 28 ft. deep.
• For amateur copyright reasons, the use of video cameras and photo cameras is strictly prohibited during the competitions.
• It is strictly prohibited to use the same dances 2 years in a row.