Rules

Rules & Information of The Festival

General

1. The competition is for amateur and students (who do not attend full-time vocational dance college) or the majority of their income is from teaching or performance of dance. Under 21 years of Age.

2. The age of the competitor is taken as on the previous 1st September which is the beginning of the festival year. E.g. for October 2024 festival age is taken from September 2024. Duets, Trio’s & Quartets and Stage Groups Class in determined but the oldest competitors age. Southsea Dance Festival reserves the right to request proof of age if necessary in the case of a dispute.

3. Southsea Dance Festival reserve the right to return an entry without assigning a reason.

4. All Entries must have permission from your Teacher/Principal of Dance school, there is a check box on the entry form to confirm this.

5. Southsea Dance Festival may combine classes when entries are small, divide when large and make other rules and regulations as occasions may arise.

6. The Adjudicator’s decision is final, any communication with the adjudicator concerning any matters of the competition is strictly prohibited.

7. Competitors must enter and dance in the correct category for their age and genre. Competitors are required to dance in the order of the programme.

8. We advise Competitors to arrive around an hour before their class in order to get ready and warm up, however, backstage space is limited so priority will be given to the order of performance. Competitors must report to stage official 30 minutes before the start of their class and be ready in the wings before their number is announced, anyone absent runs the risk of disqualification.

9. Competitors may not perform more than once in solo classes of their age group, or twice in Duets/Trio/Quartet (with the same partner). 

10. Groups are 5-25 Dancers

11. In all classes please ensure the costume, movement and music is appropriate for the age of the entrant.

12. Pointe work is not allowed for any entrant under 13 years of age.

13. No food allowed in the auditorium. Drinks may be consumed if in a sealable bottle.

14. This is a non-smoking venue, including e-cigarettes.

15. All lost property must be claimed by 30th November 2024, please email any enquiries.

16. The Southsea Dance Festival comply with the Data Protection Act 1998.

17. Any inappropriate or unsportsmanlike behaviour will not be tolerated, this also includes any altercations with staff/volunteers & fellow competitors. Southsea Dance Festival reserve the right to disqualify an entry on these grounds and not refund entrance fees.

18. Please ensure all mobile phones are turned off so it doesn’t disturb the performance.

19. Strictly no fees will be refunded under any circumstance – including having to self isolate costs will have already been incurred.

20. Solo’s –

• Novice – A participant that has NOT gained over 84 marks & placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd Position at a British & International Federation of Festivals festival. Ideal for first time festival participants, please use your own judgement & keep in mind having a novice section is for those less experience to enjoy the festival environment. 
• Open – Any participant who HAS placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd & over 84 marks in a specific genre EVER at a British & International Federation of Festivals, however, any participant can enter into the open section regardless of previous placing.  Example – Florence has won her ballet section in 2017 at Southsea dance festival this means her ballet will forever more be in the open section, regardless of if the music/costume/age changes, However as she hasn’t placed her jazz or tap solos they remain in the Novice section. The aim is to get all solos in the open section by age 13 when all sections become open. 

21. Where appropriate 

Classical – This includes Ballet, Character, Lyrical, Contemporary, Greek & National.

Stage– This includes Modern, Tap, Acro & Song & Dance.

22. Please email any complaints to [email protected] These rules are final, but complaints will be carefully considered by the festival organiser.

Child Protection

23. Photography, film, video or tape recording is prohibited in the performance hall. We have an official photographer, photos can be viewed in the auditorium. Please advise the festival organiser asap if you do not wish any entries to not be photographed. We take this extremely seriously, you will be asked to leave if caught filming.

By entry to this competition competitors and their guardians agree to perform before the cameras of the media or any agent of the competition.

24. All staff and volunteers have been DBS checked and will also adhere to The Southsea Dance Festival Child Protection Policy.

25. The Festival’s Safe Guarding Policy and approach to Creating Safer Festivals for Everyone is published explicitly in our Syllabus, Programme and Website.  By completing and signing the entry form all parents / guardians / carers and teachers of competitors under 18 (or vulnerable adults of any age) confirm that they give (or have obtained) the necessary consents for the competitors to take part in the Festival.  Without consent, the entry to the Festival cannot be accepted.

26.  Acknowledgement of reading and complying to safeguarding policies, rules of the festivals has been ticked on the entry form when entering.

Music

27. Southsea Dance Festival does not accept liability for the infringement of copyright, recording or performing rights arising out of any competitors accompaniment or performance. Teachers and choreographers using music created from commercial recordings are advised that they are responsible for seeking the permission to re-record from the recording companies concerned.

28. All music must be uploaded to your account by 17th September.  Any music not received after this date will be assumed as a no dance & the entry removed, your space will then be offered out to the waiting list. Refunds will not be given. Any changes to music after the deadline will incur a £2 admin fee per track. You can playback your tracks in your account so please double check them prior to coming to the festival. Changes at the festival will also incur an admin fee of £3 per track & may not always be possible. Please bring a back up on another device. We will not have a way of playing CD’s.

29. Time limits for dances must not be exceeded.

30. Please provide the title of the dance for Character, Greek, Global Dance, Contemporary and Group dances only and a short synopsis (Character & Greek Only) for no more than 30 words. This will be announced at the beginning of the number.

31. The sound box is out of bounds.

32. The quality of the sound and recording of the music may be taken into consideration by the adjudicator.

33. Re-dance is at the discretion of the adjudicator or if a fault with the music. 

34. Live singing is only allowed in the song & dance class. Pre-recorded singing or chanting is NOT allowed in the song & dance class.

35. Pre-recorded music in the tap class must NOT include any recorded tap or similar sound effects.

Stage 

36. The stage and wings are completely out of bounds except to an authorised persons and competitors about to perform. Once performed competitors should swiftly leave the stage and only return to the wings 3 numbers before the end of their class. ONE Assistant may be side of stage to accompany children under 8 as we appreciate younger competitors new to the festival world may need some support although due to space side of stage we encourage you to prepare your performers to be unaccompanied side of stage with officials only. You may also be side of stage to help with any props or wardrobe changes that may take place during the number.

Props are bought and stored at the festival at your own risk, Southsea Dance Festival does not accept liability for any damage of props. Overly large or dangerous props may be asked to be removed from the premises if deemed unsafe by the festival organiser.

Audience

37. The Audience must not enter during a performance or adjudication and at the discretion of the stewards.

38. The Audience is encouraged to show their appreciation of performance through clapping NOT cheering or chanting.

39. A maximum of 2 teachers tickets will be allocated per school, these are to be used by the same 2 teachers for the duration of the festival, any additional tickets must be paid for. These must NOT be passed to audience members who are not teachers 

40. Tickets for spectators for each session can be purchased on the day of performing. Please note these will be colour coded wristbands which will be required to be presented in order to gain entry.

Trophies & Certificates

41. Trophies are not awarded to each class, they are normally only awarded to a competitor achieving over 84 marks or above (except for Novice/younger classes). This is at the sole discretion of the Adjudicator.

42. Trophy winner may have their name inscribed on the trophy at their own expense keeping in style of the trophy.

Medals can be awarded for 1st 2nd & 3rd Place, all competitors will receive a certificate of commemoration.

43. Trophies must be returned in good condition no later than the following 31st August.

44. If a trophy is lost or damaged Southsea Dance Festival reserves the right to charge the recipient for the repair or replacement, failing that the charge will be made to the dance school of entry. This may result in any further trophies not being rewarded the to recipient/school.

45. Adjudicators marks and certificates will be available for collection from Dance schools boxes outside the auditorium these will be handed to you please do not go through the box yourself & please allow at least 30 mins after your section ends before coming to check.

Changing rooms/backstage plus additional classrooms provided

46. Schools and parents are responsible for leaving the premises, especially the changing rooms, clean and tidy at the end of each day. The festival is charged a penalty per half hour for overstaying our agreed time. Please help us to keep our costs down by leaving promptly at the end of each day. 

Any accidents/spillages must be reported to the organisers to minimise the cost and effort involved in cleaning them up.

47. Changing rooms backstage are provided, these are for everyone’s use to relax and prepare before performing.

Performers will only be allowed backstage 1 hour before their class time (space dependent) please take your belongings with you when you leave, we will not allow reservations of areas. On arrival at the entries door the performer will be ticked off this is your signing in & music drop off performers are allowed ONE adult into the backstage changing area with them.

48. The main changing area will be girls only, we have an additional number of smaller rooms 1 will be a boys only changing room one will be a family room. The family changing room is open to all however please be aware both male & females will be using. 

Additional information – 

We have a cafe area available selling snacks, drinks & light lunches.

Southsea Dance Festival will have use of a card machine, admission, programmes & tuck shop. 

Southsea Dance Festival does not accept liability for any loss of possessions or valuables. 

In the event of a fire please make your way swiftly and sensibly out of one of the fire exits and meet in the main carpark.

Performers must be medically fit to perform. 

Please inform the festival if there are any medical conditions we should be made aware of. 

If first aid is required please ask one of the organisers, please be aware the stage is a working environment, the lights are hot & there are trip hazards please make the dancers aware & to follow stage instructions which will be displayed side of stage.

The main rule is that we hope you all have a wonderful experience at Southsea Dance Festival. Good Luck to all!

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