Contests
At Stormy Weather, we see contests as an opportunity for artists to showcase their creativity, inspire one another, and help push the art form forward.
Our choice to use the word “contests” rather than “competition” is deliberate. We are not in competition against each other; we are in community with each other. We ask all participants to remember that contests are fleeting moments of shared energy on the floor, meant to uplift everyone in the ballroom. In this spirit and in keeping with PNW jazz dance tradition, we do not share score sheets.
Beyond technique and musicality, our judges are instructed to reward dancers with full body movement and personal style. Up to two Innovative Movement awards will be given to those who contribute something new to jazz dance. We can’t wait to see what YOU bring to the floor!
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This contest is for dancers who do not regularly teach swing dance and have not made finals in a level higher than amateur at a major swing dance event. If you win this contest, we ask that you move up to Open for the following year.
2025 Video:
https://youtu.be/na-qlcuo4e0?si=QzWzyeJDdkrAoHUlRegister as an individual leader or follower*. Contestants will dance with multiple randomized partners in prelims and will be judged as individuals.
In finals, dancers will be randomly paired and judged as a couple. Finals are spotlight style (warm up all-skate with everyone, half song spotlight featuring one couple at a time, final all-skate) and will be to DJed music at ~160bpm.
Entry Fee: $20/person
Date: Friday, Jan 1st* Ambi dancers are welcome to do both roles in prelims but must choose one role if they make finals in both. Please register twice if you want to compete in both roles!
* No lifts or aerials allowed in this division and is grounds for automatic disqualification.
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Open to all levels, including instructors. However, if you are new to contests, we recommend participating in the Amateur Lindy Social contest.
2025 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1vBTm7SmdsRegister as an individual leader or follower*. Contestants will dance with multiple randomized partners in prelims and will be judged as individuals.
In finals, dancers will be randomly paired and judged as a couple. Finals are spotlight style (warm up all-skate with everyone, half song spotlight featuring one couple at a time, final all-skate) and will be to DJed music at ~170bpm.
Entry Fee: $20/person
Date: Friday, Jan 1st* Ambi dancers are welcome to do both roles in prelims but must choose one role if they make finals in both. Please register twice if you want to compete in both roles!
* No lifts or aerials allowed in this division and is grounds for automatic disqualification.
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Open to all levels. Register as an individual. This is a role switching contest, so be prepared to dance both roles and switch mid-dance.
2025 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBE50tt-mfU
Finals are spotlight style (warm up all-skate with everyone, half song spotlight featuring one couple at a time, final all-skate) and will be to DJed music at ~160bpm.
Entry Fee: $20/person
Date: Friday, Jan 1st* No lifts or aerials allowed in this division and is grounds for automatic disqualification.
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Open to all levels. Register as a couple.
Finals will be spotlight format. Each couple will get a half song with live music at ~180bpm alongside a featured soloist musician.2025 Video:
https://youtu.be/jytXhOz6VgY?si=tvrXR1BFV4G_smM6
Entry Fee: $40/couple
Date: Thursday, Dec 31st* Switching lead and follow roles during the contest is allowed.
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Open to all levels. This is a solo dance contest.
Finals will be spotlight format. Each dancer will get a half song to live music at ~200bpm.2025 Video:
https://youtu.be/w3fS1PkNjjU?si=uCkHBoiuZe3GYgqg
Entry Fee: $20/person
Date: Saturday, Jan 2nd -
Open to all levels. Register as a couple.
Finals are jam style (warm up all-skate, 12×8s out, final all-skate). Music will range from 70-100bpm.
2025 Video:
https://youtu.be/rVVEi9hdk_w?si=l5XhkenszlJMcLpiEntry Fee: $20/person
Date: Saturday, Jan 2nd -
NEW THIS YEAR! Showcases must be between 30-90sec and can include anywhere from 1-8 dancers. Your music must be jazz but doesn’t not have to be swing jazz (ex: bebop, Blues, Latin jazz, jazz fusion genres, etc are allowed).
Each group must send a rehearsal video to info@stormyweatherjazzfest.com before Dec 25th for review. There will not be a prelims, but we are screening to make sure your piece is show ready.
Entry Fee: $40/group
Date: Sunday, Jan 3rd
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