Competitions
In-Person Competitions
| Division | Format / Tempo / Structure | Awards | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Open DRAW $15 / person |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~160 and 180 bpm) About 1 min 30 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~160 and 180 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
Finals Spotlights to DJ music Warmup: ~150 bpm Spotlights: ~170 bpm about 1 min All-skate finale: ~190 bpm |
1st – $150 2nd – $100 3rd – $50 |
|
Advanced DRAW $15 / person |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~170 and 190 bpm) About 1 min 30 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~170 and 190 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
Finals Spotlights to DJ music Warmup: ~160 bpm Spotlights: ~180 bpm about 1 min All-skate finale: ~200 bpm |
1st – $150 2nd – $100 3rd – $50 |
|
All-Star DRAW $15 / person |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~170 and 200 bpm) About 1 min 30 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~170 and 120 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
Finals Spotlights to live band Warmup: ~160 bpm Spotlights: ~180 bpm about 1 min 15 sec All-skate finale: ~215 bpm |
1st – $250 2nd – $150 3rd – $100 |
| Invitational DRAW |
Spotlights to live band Warmup: ~150 bpm Spotlights: ~175 bpm about 1 min 30 sec All-skate finale: ~215 bpm |
1st – $400 2nd – $250 3rd – $150 |
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|
Open Strictly $30 / couple |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~170 and 210 bpm) About 1 min 30 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~170 and 210 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
Finals 1st and 2nd place couples from each ILHC qualifier go straight to the Open Strictly finals Jam format to live band 1 song: each couple dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~170 bpm, then dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~210 bpm, then all-skate 2 blues choruses (12x8s) |
1st – $150 2nd – $100 3rd – $50 |
|
Advanced Strictly $30 / couple |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~180 and 220 bpm) About 1 min 30 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~180 and 220 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
Finals 1st and 2nd place couples from each ILHC qualifier go straight to the Advanced Strictly finals Jam format to live band 1 song: each couple dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~180 bpm, then dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~220 bpm, then all-skate 2 blues choruses (12x8s) |
1st – $150 2nd – $100 3rd – $50 |
|
All-Star Strictly $30 / couple |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~170 and 220 bpm) About 1 min 30 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~170 and 220 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
Finals 2nd place couple from each ILHC qualifier go straight to the All-Star Strictly finals Jam format to live band 1 song: each couple dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~165 bpm, then dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~225 bpm, then all-skate 2 blues choruses (12x8s) |
Top 3 are invited to the Strictly Throwdown 1st – $300 |
| Invitational Strictly |
Jam format to live band. 1 song: each couple dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~165 bpm, then dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~225 bpm, then all-skate 2 blues choruses (12x8s) |
Top 3 are invited to the Strictly Throwdown 1st – $300 |
||
| Strictly Throwdown |
Top 3 of the All-Star Strictly, 1 couple from each ILHC qualifier, and top 3 of the Invitational Strictly compete in a jam format to a live band Two songs, one mid-tempo and one fast-tempo. No airsteps or aerials are allowed in the mid-tempo round—support moves, such as drops, slides, and splits are allowed (but not required). Anything goes in the fast-tempo round. Mid-tempo song: ~160 bpm, jam format, each couple dances 1 chorus (16x8s) and an all-skate chorus (16x8s) Fast song: ~230 bpm, jam format, each couple dances 1 chorus (16x8s) and an all-skate chorus (16x8s) |
1st – $600 2nd – $300 3rd – $200 |
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| NORMAlizer |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~220 and 240 bpm) About 1 min 15 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~230 and 250 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
ANNOUNCEMENT: The NORMAlizer will be done in a double-elimination battle format, until the final round. The top 3 couples from the semi-finals and the winners of the 2023 NORMAlizer will battle. Round 1 battles: ~230 bpm, each couple dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) Round 2 battles: ~240 bpm, each couple dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) Final battle: ~250 bpm, each couple dances 1 chorus (16x8s), then each couple dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s), and 2 all-skate blues choruses (12x8s) |
1st – $700 2nd – $300 |
|
Open Solo Jazz $15 / person |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~180 and 220 bpm) About 1 min 30 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~180 and 220 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
Finals Jam format to live band 1 song: each dancer dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~180 bpm, then dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~220 bpm, then all-skate 2 blues choruses (12x8s) |
1st – $75 2nd – $50 3rd – $25 |
|
All-Star Solo Jazz $15 / person |
Prelims Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~180 and 230 bpm) About 1 min 30 sec each song |
Semis Heats to DJ music 2 songs per heat (~180 and 230 bpm) About 45 sec each song |
Finals 2nd place couple from each ILHC qualifier go straight to the All-Star Solo Jazz finals Jam format to live band 1 song: each dancer dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~180 bpm, then dances 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~230 bpm, then all-skate 2 blues choruses (12x8s) at ~245 bpm |
Top 5 are invited to the Solo Jazz Throwdown 1st – $150 |
| Invitational Solo Jazz |
Dual jam format to live band for 2 songs First song: ~180 bpm, two dancers at a time dance 2 blues choruses (12x8s), then all-skate 1 blues choruses (6x8s) Second song: ~230 bpm, two dancers at a time dance 1 chorus (16x8s), then all-skate 1/2 chorus (8x8s) |
Top 8 are invited to the Solo Jazz Throwdown 1st – $150 |
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| Solo Jazz Throwdown |
Top 5 of the All-Star Solo Jazz, 1st place from each ILHC qualifier, and top 8 of the Invitational Solo Jazz battle to a live band. Round 1 (Sweet 16): ~225 bpm, 32-bar structure. Eight songs / 8 battles. Both dancers dance at the same time for 1 chorus (16x8s) Round 2 (Elite 8): ~235 bpm, 32-bar structure. Four songs / 4 jam battles. One dancer dances for 1/2 chorus (8x8s), the other dances for 1/2 chorus (8x8s), and all-skate 1/2 chorus (8x8s) Round 3 (Final 4): ~245 bpm, blues structure. Two songs / two jam battles. One dancer dances 2 choruses (12x8s), the other dances 2 choruses (12x8s), and all-skate chorus (6x8s) Round 4 (Finals): ~255 bpm, 32-bar structure. Each dancer dances a 1/2 chorus (8x8s), a second 1/2 chorus (8x8s), a third 1/2 chorus (8x8s), and all-skate chorus (16x8s) |
1st – $300 2nd – $150 3rd – $100 |
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|
Pro-Am Strictly $25 / couple |
Prelims 2-3 all-skate heats to DJ music 3 songs per heat (~170, 150, 190 bpm) About 1 min 15 sec each song |
Finals Spotlights to DJ music Spotlights: ~170 bpm about 1 min All-skate finale: ~190 bpm |
1st – $100 2nd – $75 3rd – $50 |
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|
All-Star Classic $30 / couple |
Lindy Hop routine division. Competitors (1 lead and 1 follow) dance to music of their choice. You may choose any song appropriate for lindy hop, including both modern and historical bands. You CANNOT do the same routine in the virtual classic and an in-person classic. No aerials, air-steps, acrobatics, or lifts in this division. “On the ground” moves (such as drops, slides, and splits) are allowed. Emphasis on partnering. Songs should be 2 – 2.5 minutes in length (or cut or faded within the time allotted). |
1st – $300 2nd – $200 3rd – $100 |
||
| World Finals Classic |
Top 5 from the previous ILHC Invitational Classic, 1st place from the previous ILHC All-Star Classic, 1st place from each ILHC qualifier, and invited dancers by the organizers. Lindy Hop routine division. Competitors (1 lead and 1 follow) dance to music of their choice. You may choose any song appropriate for lindy hop, including both modern and historical bands. You CANNOT do the same routine in the virtual classic and an in-person classic. No aerials, air-steps, acrobatics, or lifts in this division. “On the ground” moves (such as drops, slides, and splits) are allowed. Emphasis on partnering. Songs should be 2 – 2.5 minutes in length (or cut or faded within the time allotted). |
1st – $600 2nd – $400 3rd – $200 |
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|
Lindy Hop Team $100 / team |
Lindy Hop routine division. Teams (3 or more couples) dance to music of their choice. You may choose any song appropriate for lindy hop, including both modern and historical bands. Songs should be 2.5 – 3.5 minutes in length (or cut or faded within the time allotted). |
1st – $400 2nd – $200 3rd – $100 |
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Virtual Competitions
| Division | Format / Tempo / Structure | Awards |
|---|---|---|
|
Virtual Solo Jazz $10 / person |
Competitors will submit TWO videos: a prelims video and a finals video. The prelims video will be reviewed by the judges and finalists will be selected. If the competitor becomes a finalist, the finals video will be reviewed by the judges and winners will be selected from the finalist videos. Choreography is allowed, but not required. Videos must feature ONE dancer. Both videos submitted for this contest must feature the same dancer. Videos must contain competitors dancing to the selected songs as provided by ILHC DJs. Prelims Music – choose one of the following songs:
Finals Music – choose one of the following songs:
Competition Registration Deadline is April 1, 2024! Video submission deadline for both videos is April 15, 2024. |
1st – certificate and $100 credit to ILHC 2025 2nd – certificate |
|
Virtual Classic $20 / couple |
Lindy Hop routine division. Competitors (1 lead and 1 follow) dance to music of their choice. You may choose any song appropriate for lindy hop, including both modern and historical bands. You CANNOT do the same routine in the virtual classic and an in-person classic. Competitors will submit ONE video and the video must feature TWO dancers. No aerials, air-steps, acrobatics, or lifts in this division. “On the ground” moves (such as drops, slides, and splits) are allowed. Emphasis on partnering. Songs should be 2 – 2.5 minutes in length (or cut or faded within the time allotted). Competition Registration Deadline is April 15, 2024! Video submission deadline is April 30, 2024. |
1st – certificates and $200 credit to ILHC 2025 2nd – certificates |
|
Virtual Solo Jazz Team $50 / team |
This is a solo vernacular jazz dance contest (non-partnered team dancing). Competitors dance to music of their choice. You may choose any song appropriate for solo jazz, including both modern and historical bands. Competitors will submit ONE video which must feature at least THREE dancers in the Solo Jazz Team. You may compete in only 2 Solo Jazz Teams. Please be considerate of your fellow dancers! Songs should be 2 – 2.5 minutes in length (or cut or faded within the time allotted). Competition Registration Deadline is April 15, 2024! Video submission deadline is April 30, 2024. |
1st – certificates and $300 credit to ILHC 2025 2nd – certificates |
|
Video Showcase $20 / team |
This is a Lindy Hop Contest. Competitors dance to music of their choice. You may choose any song appropriate for lindy hop, including both modern and historical bands. No-holds barred—all lifts, drops, aerials, airsteps and acrobatics are encouraged. There are no restrictions for camera use or editing in this competition. Please consider: Is the video edited well? Does it make appropriate use of pacing and music? Does it drag on, or will it hold an audience’s attention? We strongly encourage creative editing, ideas, etc of your videos. Keep your videos short and punchy. Competitors will submit ONE video and must feature no more than THREE dancers. Routines may be a maximum of 2 minutes in length. Competition Registration Deadline is April 15, 2024! Video submission deadline is April 30, 2024. |
1st – certificates and $200 credit to ILHC 2025 2nd – certificates |
Youth Virtual Competitions
| Division | Format / Tempo / Structure | Awards |
|---|---|---|
|
Youth Solo Jazz FREE entry |
Competitors 17 and under. Competitors dance to music of their choice. Routines must be a minimum of 1 minute and a maximum of 2 minutes in length. Competitors will submit ONE video which must feature ONE dancer. Competition Registration Deadline is April 30, 2024! Video submission deadline is May 7, 2024. |
1st – certificate 2nd – certificate 3rd – certificate |
|
Youth Showcase FREE entry |
Competitors 17 and under. Competitors dance to music of their choice. There are no restrictions for camera use or editing in this competition. You may include people from multiple locations as long as they are edited into the video before submission. Competitors will submit ONE video which must feature TWO or more dancers. Couples and teams are allowed to participate! Routines may be a maximum of 2 minutes in length. Competition Registration Deadline is April 30, 2024! Video submission deadline is May 7, 2024. |
1st – certificates 2nd – certificates 3rd – certificates |
Divisions
Open Division – Open to all dancers who have not placed in the top 3 of a high national/international competition and who do not compete regularly in high national/international competitions.
Advanced Division – Open to advanced dancers who compete regularly at high national/international competitions.
All-Star Division – Open to dancers who compete and place in the top national/international level competitions (to be determined by the organizers).
Invitational Division – Open to dancers determined by the organizers.
Multiple Entries
When submitting multiple entries for competitions, please note that each competition has specific rules and guidelines regarding entries across different divisions and roles. Here’s a breakdown:
- Solo Jazz Comps: Participants are allowed only one entry into one division.
- Strictly Comps: Competitors can enter one division per role (e.g., Open as a leader and Adv as a follower).
- Draw Comps: Like Strictly Comps, participants can enter one division per role.
- Classic Comps: Participants can enter one division. Participants may submit an additional entry on waitlist if they enter a different division, dance a different role with a different partner.
- Teams: Competitors can participate in up to 2 Solo Jazz Teams and/or 2 Lindy Hop Teams.
In partner and team divisions, only 1 person needs to register for the division. Please be considerate of your fellow dancers and DO NOT register under two names. ALL TBD partners will need to be established and named by the deadline.
Virtual contests are treated separately and you may join both a virtual competition and an in-person competition.
Definitions
Virtual and In-Person Contests
You may compete in both in-person and virtual competitions. Our Virtual competitions are open to all levels and our in-person competitions have multiple level divisions.
Also, note that you CANNOT do the same routine in the Virtual Classic and an in-person Classic.
Draw Contests
Lindy Hop Draw contests are social dance competitions. In the preliminary rounds, leaders and followers are randomly paired together and dance to songs of varying styles and tempos but are judged as individuals. In the finals, leaders and followers are randomly paired again, but will be judged as a couple as they dance in a spotlight format.
Strictly Contests
Lindy Hop Strictly contests are social dance competitions. Dancers register as couples and will dance to music selected by ILHC. The finals will be danced in a jam format to a live band. Although choreographed sequences are not disallowed, the judges will be looking for spontaneity, creativity, and connection to the music.
Solo Jazz Contests
Solo Jazz contests are solo American vernacular jazz dance competitions. Dancers must include Charleston and vernacular jazz movements. Dancers will dance to music selected by ILHC.
Pro-Am Contests
This is a social dance, strictly competition. The Amateur will dance with a Pro dancer. Only the amateur will be judged. Pros are dancers who are competing in All-Star or higher level divisions at ILHC 2024 or who teach Lindy Hop as their main occupation.
If you are competing in All-Star or higher level divisions at ILHC 2024, or teach Lindy Hop as your main occupation, you CANNOT compete as an Amateur in the Pro-Am contest.
Each Pro is limited to 3 Amateur participants.
Classic Contests
Competitors display their Lindy Hop choreographed creativity without aerials, air-steps, acrobatics, or lifts in this division. “On the ground” moves (such as drops, slides, and splits) are allowed. The emphasis is on partnering.