QuickSteps is now holding 4 dance challenges each year.
Keep an eye out on our email newsletter and socials for dance styles being done and
FAQ’s and Price List
How do I enter the competition?
Every competition has its own entry form. Check the most recent newsletter email from QuickSteps for a link to the entry form.
If you have any questions, speak with any of the QuickSteps Team.
Do I have to have private lessons to compete?
If you’re competing with a teacher we require you to have at least six private lessons.
If you’re competing with another member we require that you have minimum two lessons to
ensure that you’re able to work well as a partnership and to make sure that the material that you’re dancing is within the competition guidelines & rules.
If you are not currently taking private lessons feel free to approach your teacher, or speak with Rhys, Michael or Michelle to discuss a suitable teacher for you.
What are the costs involved?
Single members dancing with their teacher
Entry Fee $50
Heat Fee $20 per heat
Couples dancing together
Entry Fee $50
Heat Fee $20 per heat
Spectators can buy a $15 spectator ticket. Or $20 at the door.
Spectator tickets have always sold out prior to the event.
How do I pay?
We will debit the entry and heat payments a couple of weeks before the competition.
We will debit the money using the payment details we have saved.
If you would like some other arrangement, please speak with front of house.
Can I compete if I am a beginner?
Certainly, in fact, we encourage it! There will be separate heats for Level 1, 2, 3 and Specialist/level 4.
Can I bring a friend or family member to watch?
Yes! We’d love for them to come along. You can purchase a spectator ticket for $15
Will the bar be open?
It absolutely will be!
What do I wear to the competition?
You will not be judged on your outfit, only on your dancing however, to get into the spirit of the competition it’s always nice to put on something nice.
Women tend to wear longer dress for ballroom, shorter dress for Latin
Men tend to opt for shirts and pants (jacket optional).
The better you feel, the better you dance 😉
What is the cut off for enrolling into the comp?
Enrollments close 4 weeks prior to the competition.
If you would like a last minute entry, please speak with Adriana – [email protected]
What does the competition look like on the night?
The competition will start at 4:30pm and go for around three to four hours.
There will be a brief welcome at the beginning and then we’ll get straight into the first heats, after a short awards ceremony there will be time for social dancing . Then we’ll move onto the next dance style, with a following award ceremony. We’ll finish the night with social dancing and drinks.
We generally place the less fast paced dance style first. So it’s generally ballroom before Latin.
How long will the music go for?
The music will go for 1.5 minutes in every heat and we will provide a playlist of music which we will be used on the night.
Who will be judging the competition?
We’ll have three external judges who all have a background in social Latin & Ballroom dancing.
What will I be judged on?
Please refer to the “Spirit of Competition” document with all rules and competition guidelines
Can I come along and watch?
Sure can! Even if you don’t feel like competing this time round, we know you’ll love the atmosphere, dancing and interaction on the night. $15 spectator tickets available prior) or $20 on the day.
The Spirit of Competition
A guide for how to behave and what to expect at the QS Dance Challenge
It’s important to us here at QS that the QuickSteps Challenges are Fun, Friendly and Fair
- Be vocal, enthusiastic and supportive when others are dancing
- Be complementary of each other, no negative comments or remarks
- Trust that we, as a team/judging panel, are doing our absolute best to run a competition that is fair and in accordance with the outlined rules
- Accept the judges decision with grace and poise
- Have fun and enjoy the process!
- Be kind to our teachers. They all work hard, care about you and are doing their very best to help you improve and succeed- regardless of your result on the night.
- Be a good sport all round. Enter in what is fair for your level of dancing and play by the rules
Outfits/Appearance
Dancing Syllabus Material
Whilst you will not be eliminated for dancing steps outside of our specific syllabus we ask you to please refrain from doing so. This would not be fair on other competitors at that level. You also won’t be judged on steps you do above the level you’re dancing in, so you would be missing out on the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge to the judges.
Specialist Competitors/ ‘Level 4’
***Note: Specialist does not have a syllabus for any dances outside of Viennese Waltz, Q.Step and Samba.
For the sake of the Dance Challenge Waltz Salsa your Level will be labeled Level 4.
Use this as an opportunity to learn something new with a teacher to push yourself in the Specialist category!
What we are NOT looking at (pssst mistakes don’t count)
As this is a fun, friendly comp the judges will be giving you some leeway. They will not see your mistakes. They are only looking for things people are doing right. This means you could forget all of your moves, trip over your partner and fall on your bottom, get up and do a box step and the only thing the judges will mark you on is the box step.
What we ARE looking at;
Timing;
Starting on time, remaining on time
Technique;
Correct Technique used, Technique is comfortable, Technique is consistent
Styling;
Arm styling, dancing with the feel of the song (character/energy), head movements (for Level 3 and Specialist)
Dance Structure;
Are the combinations paired nicely, in a way that flows? Are competitors dancing a good range of step patterns from that syllabus (for example someone won’t win level 1 salsa even if they are executing the basic step perfectly if they are not attempting any other moves)
We will be marking each category out of 5 to get a total for each participant.
Competing in the level that is the best fit for you.
We ask that you enter and participate in the level that you honestly think will be the best fit for you after discussing this with your teacher (or if you are a Groupie chat with a teacher that knows your dancing). You may compete ‘up’ a level but not ‘down’.
Example: A Level 2 member can compete in Level 2 or Level 3 but not in the Level 1 category as that would not be in the ‘spirit of competition’.
Think about the other members you will be dancing alongside and make sure it is a fair comp for all.
***Still unsure of what to enter into? Your teacher is the best person to guide you and fill in your entry form, speak to them.
Will I be dancing a ‘routine’ with my teacher during the comp?
Yes, you will be dancing a loose routine. In the private lessons leading up to the Dance Challenge Waltz Salsa you will practice;
- entering the floor appropriately
- starting with the music
- dancing the appropriate material for your level in appropriate combinations
- perfecting the step patterns within your routine
exiting the floor
