Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize 2011

Devil City Swing Introduces The Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize 2011

Hellzapoppin' Prize Hobart 2011ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Both individuals in each couple entering the AHP must:

  • hold Australian Residency status at the time of entry;

  • properly register and pay the entry fee prior to registrations closing;

  • arrive at The Huon Quays between 7.00pm and 7.30pm on the night to complete the registration process and receive their competitor number;

  • attend the compulsory competitor meeting at 7.30pm on the night of the competition;

  • agree to abide by the judges’ decision, which is final;

  • agree to participate in media commitments organised by DCS and sponsors of the Australian Hellzapoppin’ Prize (AHP) in order to promote DCS, Hellzapoppin’ and the Australian lindy hop scene.

PRIZE:

The winning couple will receive an official AHP trophy each and a FULL PASS each for:

SWING CAMP OZ
January 22-27, 2012
Adelaide, SA

HULLABALOO
April, 2012
Perth, WA

MELBOURNE SWING FESTIVAL
June, 2012
Melbourne, VIC

MELBOURNE LINDY EXCHANGE
November 24-28, 2011
Melbourne, VIC

CANBERRANG
August, 2011
Canberra, ACT

CHURCH CITY BLUES
October 21-23, 2011
Adelaide, SA

BALBOA ON THE RIVER
September 22-25, 2011
Brisbane, QLD

PLUS...
DEVIL CITY SWING
June 22-24, 2012

That's OVER $2000 worth of prizes EACH!!!

Please also note that the Australian Hellzapoppin’ Prize is NOT a qualifying round for the Hellzapoppin’ World Championship.

COSTS:

The competitor entry fee is $10 per competitor when purchased with an DCS EARLY BIRD Weekend Pass (expires 21st April) or $20 per competitor for DCS Full Weekend Pass holders. The fee is $50 for non pass holders (including AHP fee + entry to the AHP event).

COMPETITION RULES:

  • The Australian Hellzapoppin’ Prize is not a rules-based competition, but instead aims to capture the spirit of lindy hop.

  • There are no rules regarding men or women leading and following. Anyone can lead and anyone can follow.

  • There are no rules about “swing content”.

  • There are no disqualifications.

  • Competitors are asked to lend their dancing the Savoy edge with glamorous 1930s, 40s or smart evening attire (ie not Tshirts and jeans). Exception: Shoes, wear anything that gives you the Hellzapoppin’ edge.

  • Simply ensure you are registered properly, respect your fellow competitors, stay safe and have fun!

ELEMENTS:

Within the competition couples will dance in two different formats:

  1.  All-skate (i.e.: social dance format): all couples within a given heat/round dance on the floor simultaneously. The judges will circulate to view all couples. Couples are expected to practice safe and responsible floor-craft in the all-skate without endangering other couples on the dance floor.

  1. Shine Battle (i.e.: phrase battle or jam session format): onecouple dances at a time, dancing for two phrases. Like a jam session, the couples take turns, dancing one at a time in an assigned order, until the song ends. It will be ensured that all couples receive the same number of shines. Couples are expected to recognise phrasing and are held accountable for entering and exiting their shines as timing requires. Musical phrasing will be varied and will include both Standard and Blues song forms.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Couples will be judged on musicality, partnership, repertoire, innovation, connection and audience feedback. The Judges decisions are final.

  1. Musicality

a. Interpretation – Dancers will be judged on their ability to improvise and respond to the music, within the context of the partnership, without disrupting lead and follow.

b. Song form – Dancers are expected to recognise phrasing, including Blues and Standard song forms. Dancers are judged on their ability to reflect the beginning and ending of phrases through movement. Timing is essential.

  1. Partnership

Followers are judged on their ability to improvise within the paradigm the leads create. Leaders are judged upon maturity in allowing followers opportunity to improvise.

  1. Repertoire

Couples are judged on the breadth of their lindy hop repertoire including swing-outs, Charleston, breakaways and air steps. Dancers will be judged on their ability to select dance steps appropriate to the music.

  1. Innovation

Creativity is encouraged.

  1. Connection

Couples will be judged upon their ability to have a conversation within the dance using verbal, tactile and visual lead and follow. Call and response is encouraged.

  1. Audience feedback

The reaction of spectators will be monitored and gauged independently of the designated judges.

COMPETITION FORMAT:

The Australian Hellzapoppin’ Prize consists of 3 preliminary heats (each with no more than 10 couples), a semi-final featuring 5 couples, and a final featuring 2 couples.

The heats, semi-final and final will be run at the start of the evening, 8.00pm til 9:30pm, with time for the competitors to catch their breath.

Which heat you are in and what order you are in that heat will be randomly assigned on the night. You will be told this information at the compulsory Competitor Meeting at 7.30pm.

Music throughout the competition will range in tempo from Medium, i.e. 160bpm to Very Fast, i.e. 320bpm.

As a guide use the following:
160-190 = Medium
190-220 = Medium fast
220-260 = Fast
260-320 = Very Fast

The competition format is as follows (this may be revised):

  1. HEATS

All the competitors will be divided into at most three heats. You will compete in one heat only.

Each heat will consist of:
1. Shine Battle, fast tempo, 1 song
2. All-Skate, medium to fast tempo, 1 song

The judges will then select 5 couples out of all of the heats to progress to the semi-final. The judges may choose any number of couples out of any heat, there is no requirement for them to choose a couple from each heat.

  1. SEMI-FINAL - Five couples.

The semi-final will consist of:
1. Shine Battle, fast tempo, 1 song
2. All-Skate, fast tempo, 1 song
The judges will then select two couples to progress to the final.

  1. FINAL - Two couples

Two final songs, consisting of:
1. All Skate / Shine Battle, very fast tempo, 1 song

PROCESS ON THE NIGHT:

Hellzapoppin’ program:
7.00pm – 7.30pm: Competitor Registration
7.30pm – 8.00pm: Compulsory Competitor Meeting
7.30pm: Doors open to public
8.00pm sharp: Competition begins
9:30pm - late: Social dancing

  1. Competitors have special entry to Huon Quays from 7.00pm to 7.30pm (before the doors open to spectators at 7.30pm). All competitors MUST arrive and register at the Competitor Registration Desk BEFORE 7.30pm, where you will complete the registration process, and receive your competitor number (leads only will be required to wear a number).

  2. You will not be able to compete unless your registration is complete and checked and you have been given your number. This must be completed before 7.30pm.

  3. A COMPULSORY competitor meeting will be held from 7.30pm sharp. ALL competitors must attend this meeting. You will receive information about which heat you are in, your order in that heat, the format of the evening, competition rules, elements and judging criteria and any important last minute information. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the other competitors.

  4. You are responsible for being ready for your heat on the night. Please ensure you are ready and warmed up for your heat: the competition will go ahead without you if you do not arrive when your name is called out. Listen out for the MC who will keep everyone aware of the format throughout the evening.

  5. Leads, you will be required to wear a number for the competition. Please ensure you wear it in a clear and obvious place. This is for your benefit – if the judges can not see your number, they will not be able to note you down to advance to the next round.

  6. During your heat, the MC may ask you to stand still in your place or face a certain direction so the judges can see your number – please pay attention and listen closely to the MC for such instructions.

Hellza Prize

"The Golden Ticket", 2011