Anthro Northwest 6 Dance Competition Rules

Welcome to Anthro Northwest's Dance Competition! This event is one of the most exciting events of the convention, and that requires you! Join us and the other amazingly talented dancers of the community in making the crowd laugh and cheer! We encourage you to sign up and think of this event not just as something to enjoy and have fun with, but also in helping to create a friendly and creative environment for the community.

Dance Surface Notice

Both preliminaries and finals will be held on a carpeted surface. The main stage provided by the hotel is carpeted, so in the interest of consistency and fairness, we will also be holding preliminaries on a carpeted floor. Please plan and practice your routine accordingly!

Sign Up

Online signups will close on Wednesday, January 1, 2024 at 12 midnight Pacific Time. We must have your audio file by this deadline! You will receive a confirmation email that you have signed up and your audio file was accepted.

You will need to provide a valid email we can contact you at. We also highly encourage you to join the Telegram chat to get the latest updates and information, as well as be able to communicate directly with the event organizers.

All signups must be submitted online. There will be no at-con signup available.

We understand plans can change and should you no longer wish to participate after signing up, we would very much appreciate if you inform us by email.

Group Signup Info

Groups should select one member to be their lead member. The leader will submit a single signup for the entire group listing all its members and the group's name. All communication about the event will be sent only to the leader and it is the leader's responsibility to ensure the rest of the group gets this information.

A single person may only perform in one group. Each person may choose to sign up for either a solo competition or a group competition, but not both. The members of the group who try out must be the same members who perform for finals if they are selected to move on to finals.

Requirements

The Anthro Northwest Dance Competition requires that all performers adhere to these rules to ensure that the event is as fair and safe as possible:

Costume: All performers must perform in fursuit – no other costumes are eligible. At a minimum, that means an animal (or "animal-like species" such as Gryphons, Dragons, Protogen, etc.) costume consisting of a head/mask which fully encompasses the head, handpaws, tail, and feet paws. No skin shall be showing. "Happy Feet" oversize "shoes" are allowed in lieu of feet paws. If other kinds of footwear are required as part of your act, we can make exceptions for specific footwear. Please contact the organizers with your reasonsing and we can discuss.
Choreography: Performers must use their own original choreography or improvised freestyle for their dance. Some limited choreo which is not your own is acceptable on case-by-case basis and should be made known to the organizers either during sign up or preliminaries (for example, using a few Michael Jackson moves in a MJ tribute dance would be acceptable).
Audio: The audio file you use must be in high-quality MP3 format. The file should be named with the following format: DANCERNAME-ANW2024.mp3 where "DANCERNAME" is the dancer name you signed up with or the group name for group entries. For Solo competitors, the audio may not exceed 2 minutes in length. Audio longer than 2 minutes will be faded out at the 2 minute mark. For Groups, an additional 30 seconds is allowed per each additional member, up to a maximum of 4 minutes (For example, a group of 2 will have a maximum of 2 minutes 30 seconds). All audio must be kept to a "PG" rating. "Radio/Clean cuts" of explicit songs are required.
Props: Props may be permitted at the discretion of the event organizers and will require inspection prior to entry into preliminaries. Large heavier props such as baseball bats, staves, golf clubs, etc. will not be allowed. This is to ensure the safety of the event.
Conduct: All performers are expected to abide by the convention code of conduct. All activities at ANW are PG / SFW. Performers are expected to set an example for other attendees.

Preliminaries

Dance comp preliminaries will be held at the convention. Check the event schedule for the latest information on times. Competitors will be contacted via email before the convention and given an arrival time for the preliminaries. Competitors should arrive no later than the time indicated. Contact us before the convention if you need to change your preliminary time due to a schedule conflict or submit a video preliminary prior to the convention. Preliminaries are a closed door event; only competitors who have signed up online are permitted, along with a handler or parent/guardian. Photography and filming of other competitors' routines are not permitted; however, you may have someone that you designate film your own routine if desired.

At-con Preliminary Format

Competitors will be called one by one to perform their full routine in full costume before a panel of judges. Please come prepared with your entire costume, including special clothing and props if needed. If you are part of a group performance, the entire group must be present and ready when called.

Video Preliminaries

Video submissions for preliminaries will be accepted prior to the convention. In order for your video submission to be eligible for the competition, it must consist of one continuous, unedited shot of your full performance. Just like at-con preliminaries, you must use your full costume that you would use for finals. Group submissions must consist of the group which will be present and perform at the convention if selected. You will be given the opportunity to provide your video preliminary submission on the sign-up form.

Prelim Judging

The panel will consist of multiple judges who will independently rate each performance and those decisions will collectively determine the performances which will move on to the finals. Factors which may be considered in this decision include but are not limited to:

How well a competitor shows the music with their dance.
The emotional impact of the dance, often referred to as “energy.”
The quality of the movements used and how well executed they are.
The ability of the competitor to dance with their costume.
The uniqueness to, or suitability of the performance as it might fit the entire show.

Final Allotment

Dance competition staff will do their best to fill the show for our allotted time slot. Some cuts may be necessary to fit the time constraints. A list of the finalists will be announced and posted prior to the final event. Those chosen must perform the same routine in the same costume as used in their preliminary performances.

Finals

All finalists should arrive at the Main Stage 1 hour prior to the start of the event. The event rundown, performance order, and other important information will be given at that time. Finalists will also verify their audio track with A/V during sound checks at this time, and they will be able to warm up and practice. All finalists will be called backstage before the doors open and will be required to remain there for the duration of the event, except when called to perform. The backstage area will have accommodations for fursuiters. No handlers are permitted backstage during the event due to space constraints; however, handlers are permitted to enter the ballroom early with you and secure seating first. Volunteers are available to provide assistance backstage.

Finals Format

Performances will be held on the main stage facing the audience. Note: the stage surface is carpeted! Finalists will be called to perform in a predetermined order. Expect to be called to standby during the performance right before yours so be sure you are ready, with your head on at that time. When that performance ends, you will be directed toward the stage to perform. After your performance, the judges will give any comments they have and you will return backstage until the end of the competition.

Finals Judging

Finalists are judged by a panel of multiple judges. They will evaluate each performance individually and their scores will be tallied after the last competitor performs.

Judging Criteria

Foundation: Use of fundamental dance concepts such as levels, angles, steps, and effective use of the space provided. The building blocks of finer technique.
Execution: Quality of the approach to movements used. The degree of body control and awareness. Cleanliness and readability.
Expression: Intensity, energy, emotion, and confidence displayed. Storytelling through movement.
Musicality: How well the performance illustrates the music. Demonstration of musical mastery beyond the basic beat. Detail in timing.
Creativity: The originality of the routine, including interesting or unexpected moves and variety. Use of tricks or "wow" moments to good effect. Also includes the use of the costume itself in creative ways.
Overall Impression: How well each aspect of the routine works together and how well it connects with the audience and judges.

Each criterion is scored on a scale and tallied for every performance. The top scoring finalists will be announced as the winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. In case of a score tie, judges will deliberate and decide on the final placements. In addition to winning placements, each judge will pick their favorite from the remaining competitors to be awarded a Judge's Pick to be mentioned after the winners.

Exhibition Showcases

Exhibition showcase performances are not considered competitive and will not be scored. They are for entertainment purposes and may or may not be used in the overall show. Examples include judge showcases or entries by community dancers who are invited to do an exhibition performance. Because exhibition performers are not competing, exhibitions may not strictly adhere to the competition requirements.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the dance events coordinator at .

Good luck! We are excited to see you, dancers!