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INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS FROM COMPETITIONS

We warmly welcome participants from all around the world to join our competition. The competitors are required to purchase a full pass and register to each division. Make sure you are certain about which category you can register for.


Euro Open allows Brazilian Zouk and Lambada dancers to participate in any competition, with a strict condition that you must not mix Zouk timing with Lambada until the end of your performance. If this occurs, you will be automatically placed last in the competition. Dancers should be consistent with the timing of the chosen dance style.

There is a division and category for everyone!
The competition includes Solo categories and Partnered categories.

Euro Open - Brazilian Zouk Championships .jpg

Don't hesitate to join the dance competition, even if you're just starting out! In the world of dance, each person has their own category to compete in. Whether you're an amateur or a professional, there's a place for everyone.

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If you're new to dancing, you'll compete with others who are also beginners, just like you. It's all about enjoying the rhythm and learning new moves along the way. Remember, everyone begins their dance journey somewhere, and each journey is special.

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For those at the professional level, you'll have your own division to compete in. It's an opportunity to showcase your talent and perform alongside others who share your level of expertise.

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So, let's embrace the joy of dance competition! Whether you're a novice, an amateur, or a seasoned professional, there's space for everyone to participate and revel in the beauty of dance. Let's compete and celebrate the art of movement together!

DIVISION DEFINITIONS:

  • AMATEUR

Defined as a student/person who does not make a living from or has had any financial gain from any dance related activities. This includes teaching, performing, judging, dance studio ownership/management, etc. A person who engages in dancing strictly as an avocation and/or recreational activity only.

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  • SEMI-PRO

Defined as a person who has previously received or currently receives financial compensation for dance related activities (e.g. teaching, performing, judging) but does these activities on a part-time/casual basis and makes the majority of their income in another profession.

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  • PROFESSIONAL

Defined as a person who receives financial compensation for dance related activities (e.g. teaching, performing, judging) and makes the majority or entirety of their income from these activities.

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  • TEACHERS/ STUDENTS

Defined as a partnership between a teacher and student, in which only the student is judged. There are 2 types of student/teacher categories.

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  • PRO/AMATEUR (previously  Pro-Am)

Pro or Semi-Pro with Amateur 

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  • OPEN

  • The open division allowed for a mixture of different level dancers. ​​

Let's find out what your division is.

Euro Open - Brazilian Zouk Championships .jpg
Euro Open - Brazilian Zouk Championships .jpg

THE CATEGORIES ARE:

  • Classic Category – Competitors Allowed = PRO 

  • Classic Category – Competitors Allowed = SEMI-PRO

  • Cabaret Category – Competitors Allowed = AMATEUR

  • Cabaret Category – Competitors Allowed = SEMI-PRO

  • Cabaret Category – Competitors Allowed = PRO

  • Teachers/ Students – Competitors Allowed = AMATEUR + PRO/SEMI-PRO

  • Solo Category - Competitors Allowed = AMATEUR

  • Solo Category - Competitors Allowed = PRO / SEMI- PRO

  • Group Solo Category - Competitors Allowed = OPEN

  • Group Team Category - Competitors Allowed = OPEN

These are the categories in which you can register for competition!

Euro Open - Brazilian Zouk Championships .jpg

CATEGORY RULES:

  • CLASSIC CATEGORY

  • Must consist of a minimum of 80% Brazilian Zouk content, including recognized vocabulary, tempo/rhythm, and body movement. Judges will assess this criterion at their discretion.

  • Lifts are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification during preliminaries or a last-place ranking in finals.

  • Tricks, flares, dips, falls, inclinations, circular and linear movements, and other partner weight-supporting movements are allowed, as long as both partners maintain at least one foot on the ground.

  • Separate entries are allowed, but the couple must reunite by the 16th beat of the music.

  • Presentation time must be between 2 to 3 minutes. Props are not permitted in any category.

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  • CABARET CATEGORY

  • Tricks and lifts are allowed.

  • Must contain a minimum of 50% Brazilian Zouk content, including recognized vocabulary, tempo/rhythm, and body movement. Up to 50% can involve Lifts, tricks, flares, dips, falls, inclinations, circular and linear movements, and other partner weight-supporting movements. 

  • During the choreography, you can separate from your partner and dance solo for 16 counts.

  • A minimum of 3 lifts, AMATEUR minimum of 2 lifts is required, but there is no maximum limit.

  • Separate entries are allowed, but the couple must be physically together by the 32nd beat of the music.

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  • TEACHER/STUDENT

  • Defined as a Professional dancer (teacher) dancing with an Amateur dancer (student).

  • Must consist of a minimum of 70% Brazilian Zouk content, including recognized vocabulary, tempo/rhythm, and body movement. Judges will evaluate this criterion at their discretion.

  • Falls, inclinations, circular and linear movements, and other partner weight-supporting movements are allowed.

  • Lifts are permitted, maximum 3

  • Separate entries are allowed, but the couple must be physically together by the 32nd beat of the music.

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  • SOLO CATEGORY

  • Must contain a minimum of 70% Brazilian Zouk content, including recognized vocabulary, tempo/rhythm, and body movement. Judges will assess this criterion at their discretion.

  • Floor movements, jumps, circular and linear movements are allowed.

  • Competitors will be evaluated based on musicality, timing, technique, and x-factor.

  • Both men and women can compete.

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  • TEAM SOLO CATEGORY

  • Requires a minimum of 3 people.

  • Must contain a minimum of 70% Brazilian Zouk content, including recognized vocabulary, tempo/rhythm, and body movement. Judges will evaluate this criterion at their discretion.

  • Connections between dancers are allowed, including up to 3 connected/assisted moves. Connection time between individuals for these moves should not exceed two counts of eight. Exceeding this limit results in a 2-point deduction from the final score.

  • A maximum of 2 lifts are allowed.

  • Floor movements and jumps are permitted.

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  • GROUP TEAM CATEGORY

  • Requires a minimum of 3 couples.

  • Must contain a minimum of 70% Brazilian Zouk content, including recognized vocabulary, tempo/rhythm, and body movement. The judge will assess this criterion at their discretion.

  • Partner changes are allowed during the competition.

  • Shines and footwork are permitted, but the choreography must be recognized as a couple's dance by the judges.

  • Floor movements and jumps are allowed.

  • A maximum of 3 lifts are permitted."

Euro Open - Brazilian Zouk Championships .jpg

CRITERIA DESCRIPTIONS:

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  • TIMING
    ​Dancers should be consistent with the timing of the chosen dance style.
    Timing as a judging category is defined as the relationship between the dancers and the music

  • MUSICALITY
    Dancers will demonstrate their ability to creatively work with the timing of their Musical interpretation (how the dancer hears and applies the song)  This can be done in a variety of ways, including patterns, footwork, “hits”, tricks, etc.
     

  • FLOOR CRAFT
    Dancers should demonstrate effective utilization of the available space, showcasing originality in their movements.
     

  • PRESENTATION
    Dance costumes are required, showmanship and expression.

  • Props are not allowed in any division and shoes are compulsory. Competitors are allowed to wear foothong, Jazz or Ballet shoes.
     

  • DIFFICULTY
    The difficulty of patterns, turns, and the inclusion of tricks, dips, counterbalances, drops is a key factor in the evaluation process. Difficulty is determined by the level of technical or musical complexity in the dance, and it enhances the overall quality of the performance. All levels are assessed equally in terms of difficulty. To receive credit for any of these elements, the movements must be executed successfully
     

  • TECHNIQUE
    Technique is reflected through balance, body line, Posture. This refers also to general technique for partner dance, where the movement is “grounded”, and there is clarity of proper weight changes from foot to foot. Footwork (how the competitor places and uses the feet), quality of the movements, ability to dance on time. Technique and/or body styling that is specific to the chosen dance style. Movement should appear to be both clear and effortless.
     

  • PARTNERSHIP
    The partnership is the beautiful demonstration of the connection between dance partners, where they complement each other's unique styles and strengths. It's about the dynamic interplay of action and reaction between partners, where they engage in Body Leading/Following – this entails leaders using their bodies to guide, and followers expressing themselves through their body while following, all while maintaining a seamless connection and clear communication
     

  • TEAMWORK
    Refers to the unison of a team during side-by-side movement, partner work, line placement, footwork and styling, connection between the team
     

  • CONTENT FROM BRAZILIAN ZOUK OR LAMBADA
    Fundamental movements, which encompass the Basic, Lateral, Simple turns, Soltinho, Lunges, Elastic with contraction, Boneca Bonus or boomerang… Variations of these basics, based on the competitor's level). Adequate incorporation of head movements and cambres (aligned with the competitor's level). Effective execution of body waves, isolations, and other body manipulations. Skillful use of pre-movement and preparations, Proficient execution of turns and spins, encompassing both horizontal and vertical axis turns. Feel free to include these movements in your choreography to enhance your performance

Euro Open - Brazilian Zouk Championships .jpg

SCORE CRITERIA:

  1. • Choreography should have a smooth flow between movements.

  2. • Strong routines should incorporate clever patterns.

  3. • Creativity in movements can boost your score.

  4. • Competitors should showcase lifts and tricks with creativity and seamless transitions.

  5. • All routines must be musical, and dancers should demonstrate excellent use of space.

  6. • Originality is a key factor in scoring.

Euro Open - Brazilian Zouk Championships .jpg
Euro Open - Brazilian Zouk Championships .jpg

GENERAL COMPETITOR RULES:

  1. Competitors should be aware of and follow any additional rules and guidelines provided by the competition organizers
     

  2. Couple consists of one leader and one follower
     

  3. All competitors must finalize their registration for choreography categories by 1 September 2024
     

  4. Competitors will need to send their choreography competition music to info@brazilianzoukchampionship by the closing of the registration date (1 September 2024). If your music is not submitted by this date your registration will be considered incomplete. Please note that once you have submitted your music, we will not accept any re-submissions of music. Competitors also need to bring with them a backup of their music on USB
     

  5. Performance time is a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3 minutes.
     

  6. Competitors can only enter once in each category, exceptions to this rule exist for Teacher/Student choreography, The Professional can have unlimited entries in the Teacher/Student category, and only the students will be judged.
     

  7. Euro Open Brazilian Zouk championship reserves the right to photography or filming during the competition/event and usage of this content.
     

  8. Euro Open will not accept responsibility for loss or injury to persons or possessions in relation to this event.  
     

  9. Props are not allowed in any division and shoes are compulsory. Competitors are allowed to wear foothong, Jazz or Ballet shoes.
     

  10. Make sure you are certain about which category you can register for.
     

  11. The number of participants in each category is limited, and once the limit is reached, registration may be closed at any time

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JOIN US IN THIS UNDERFUL STAGE EXPERIENCIA

In addition to having an amazing experience, you will also have the opportunity to enhance your dancing skills, capture wonderful videos of this special moment, and, if luck is on your side, you might even win fantastic prizes, including cash and other rewards

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