Competition Events
There are 9 events in the 3rd annual Melbourne Lindy Battle:
1. The Melbourne Lindy Battle
2. Charleston Challenge
3. Strictly Lindy
4. Fast and Furious
5. Teams Event
6. Balboa Battle
7. Slow and Smooth
8. Swing Rookie
9. Jack ‘n’ Jill
Below are the specific guidelines for each division, please read carefully before registering. Aerials are allowed in all events unless otherwise stated.
The Melbourne Lindy Battle: Competitors (entered initially as a couple) are randomly divided into one of two teams on the night. Following allocation, each team has a short period to formulate a game plane and then battle it out (by whatever means necessary) phrase by phrase to 2-3 songs. The teams can send any number of the couples onto the floor and anything and everything goes (including underhanded tactics…!)
BPM Range: Medium paced track
Format: Phrase-by-phrase
Charleston Challenge: Creativity and individuality is the key to winning this event. Competitors will dance solo charleston in a spotlight to 1-2 songs in a phrase per phrase fashion. The top dancers from the heats will then go through to a HOT final consisting of a spotlight (phrase per phrase) format, at the conclusion of the night. No rules whatsoever, get in and out of the spotlights in the craziest manner possible; just keep the dance style as Charleston.
BPM Range: Medium paced track
Format: Phrase-by-phrase
Strictly Lindy: This division is for the Lindy lovers at heart. Couples get on the floor and dance Lindy Hop to the music provided in a phrase by phrase format (2 phrases twice per couple) followed by an all-skate to finish the song. Emphasis is all about getting onto the floor and having some serious fun.
BPM Range: 160 – 200bpm
Fast and Furious: If you can’t handle the heat, don’t get on this dance floor. This will be extreme and ridiculously fast. Bring whatever dance style you like… Shag, Balboa, Charleston, Lindy Hop… just make sure you keep up with the pace.
BPM Range: 250bmp +
Format: Phrase-by-phrase = 2 phrases per spotlight. Each couple will get 2-3 phrase-by-phrase spotlights. There will be a short all-skate before and after the phrase-by-phrase format.
Teams Events: T Get a bunch of your swingin’ buddies together and enter this exciting team showcase event. This division will consist of teams (min. of 3 & max. of 5 couples) dancing a choreographed performance (maximum length: 2min 30sec) to a song of your choice. As with other categories, there are no specific rules except that a swing style will be assumed.
Balboa Battle: Bring it and bust it … as long as its balboa. All types of balboa (pure and or bal-swing) are permitted and each couple will dance in a single spotlight (60-90secs) followed by an all-skate (till the songs ends) once the remaining couple have finished.
BPM Range: 180 – 220bpm
Slow and Smooth: This division is not about speed but style and grace. Bring on the slow and smooth dance styles that we normally restrict to our after parties. Speed demons beware… this one is definitely not for you. Couples will dance in a phrase by phrase format (1 blues phrase per couple twice) to music slower than 125bpm. All swing styles are allowed.
Swing Rookie: It’s a great opportunity for newer dancers to gain experience on the competition floor. All dancers who started learning swing after Feb 1st 2007 are eligible to enter. Couples will dance lindy hop to a medium paced track for a maximum of 2min in an all-skate format. You don’t need to worry about spotlights or phrase by phrase formats, just get in there and have some fun.
Jack and Jill: This event is for everyone and anyone of any level to jump in, and have some fun. In a Jack n Jill dancers are judged on their ability to lead/follow. Dancers will also be expected to dance lindy hop and will be judged accordingly as per the judging criteria. You enter as an individual and you don’t know who your partner will be… it’s completely random!
Heats: Your partners will be determined randomly. You will dance to 3 tracks, of various tempos – with a different partner each time. You will be judged individually.
Note: There are 24 lead places and 24 follow places available in the Jack and Jill heat. Places will be filled on a first come first served basis, so get in quickly!
Finals: Your competition number will be pulled out of a hat to determine your final partner. All couples will dance in three sections: all-skate, spotlight, all-skate…all approximately 60 sec long. You will be judged as a team.
Comp Registration Deadline: Thursday 28th February, 2008. Registrations will not be accepted after this date.