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, we do not share score sheets.
Beyond technique and musicality, our judges are instructed to reward dancers with full body movement and personal style. 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.
Register 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
* Ambi dancers are welcome to do both roles in prelims but must choose one role if they make finals in both.
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Open to all levels. However, if you are new to contests, we recommend participating in the Amateur Lindy Social contest.
Register 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 ~180bpm.
Entry Fee: $20/person* Ambi dancers are welcome to do both roles in prelims but must choose one role if they make finals in both.
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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.
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 -
Open to all levels. Register as a couple.
Finals will be spotlight format. Each couple will get a half song with live music at ~200bpm.
Entry Fee: $40/couple*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 ~180bpm.
Entry Fee: $20/person -
We’re honored to carry on this contest tradition from its first home at Montreal Swing Riot, to its second home at Lindy Bout, and now its third home at Stormy Weather.
Open to all levels. This is a solo dance contest.Be prepared to dance to a variety of musical styles with varying tempos. This year’s styles include: Trad Jazz, Blues, Jazz House, Bebop, and Latin Jazz.
Judges will be looking for groove, musicality, accurate idioms, and innovative movements that blend with the musical style. However, this contest is inherently experimental and difficult to judge. We recommend enjoying the process & the exchange of energy above all.Finals Format: Warm-up all skate, 2 dancers out at at a time for ~1min rounds twice through, final all skate
Entry Fee: $20/person -
Open to all levels. Register as a couple.
Finals are jam style (warm up all-skate, 16×8 out, final all-skate). Music will range from 70-100bpm.
Entry Fee: $20/person
