LAUNCESTON FESTIVAL OF DANCE (Inc)
GENERAL CONDITIONS/RULES

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1. THE COMPETITION
1.1 AMATEURS – The Festival is open to amateurs only (except where otherwise specified).
An amateur shall mean a competitor whose regular income basis is not derived from the exercise of talent in the classification for which entry is made.
1.2 RESTRICTED SECTIONS -
(a) Competitors who have not received 1st or 2nd placing in type of genre section entered at any competition.
(b) Restricted competitors cannot enter championships, broadway, speed tap or slow/slow waltz tap sections, within that classification.
(c) Competitors may stay in restricted sections for current season (i.e. 1 January to 31 December) regardless of placing gained during the season at other competitions.
(d) Restricted sections do not include competitors who have won prizes in under 6 years.
(e) Competitors can return from straight age sections after not receiving a 1st or 2nd placing within 3 years.
1.3 OPEN SECTIONS – Open means competitors either professional or amateur.18 years and over are to compete in open sections.
1.4 AGE – Ages are taken as of 1 January of current Festival season.
1.5 DIVISONS – All dancing sections are grouped in Divisions. Competitors may not enter in more than one section in any division.
1.6 COMPETING – A competitor may compete only once in any division entered whether as a soloist or a member of a duo/trio or group.
1.7 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Can only be entered by competitors who have placed 1st or 2nd in the relevant genre (excluding restricted sections) in the two years prior to the current season’s (1st January – 31st December) entry submission.
Competitors must return to the straight age section if they have not received a placing in the two calendar years (1st January – 31st December) prior to entering for the current season. Placings that qualify are 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
Qualifying placings must be received at a Tasmanian dancing competition. This includes Southern Tasmanian Dancing Eisteddfod, Burnie City Eisteddfod, City of Devonport Eisteddfod, Launceston Competitions Association, and the Launceston Festival of Dance.
Placings awarded at fly in fly out competitions will NOT qualify a competitor to enter a championship section.
Open and Intermediate Tap Championship two separate routines must be performed, slow or slow waltz and speed. Junior Championship two rhythms must be included in the one routine.
1.8 SPLIT SECTIONS – A section may be split if entries exceed 25.
1.9 INSUFFICIENT ENTRIES – The Committee reserves the right, if there are 4 or less entries in any section, to combine these entries with the next age group.
1.10 PROMPTING – No prompting or assistance of any kind may be rendered to a competitor in any section during a performance. Any infringement of this will render the competitor liable for disqualification.
1.11 ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE – No competitor shall address the audience from the
stage during a section, except where such address is intrinsic to the performance. Any competitor violating this condition will be liable for disqualification.

1.12 REPEATING ITEMS – A competitor must not use the same item more than once during the festival season.
1.13 CURTAIN – In Tap, Jazz, Classical, National and Song & Dance solos, duo/trios, no front
curtain to be used. Curtain may be used to set props for Champion sections and Character solos / duos / trios only. Curtain will be used for all groups.
1.14 BACKSTAGE – Admission to side stage is by PASS ONLY and must be worn at all times (available from the Committee Office). There is to be no standing in wings (teacher/assistant of competitor on stage only permitted in the wings).
1.15 Venue Auditorium – STRICTLY NO FILMING / NO VIDEOING / NO PHOTOS / NO PHONE CALLS. Offenders will be asked to leave the Venue. Please be courteous and obey these rules - texting between sessions is permitted (i.e. when no competitors on
stage). Children under the age of 12, are permitted to sit in the back row of the Venue with electronic devices. Devices must either be on silent mode or used with headphones.
1.16 COPYRIGHT – The Launceston Festival of Dance Inc. holds a One Music Australia Licence and will not be liable for any infringement of copyright. Individual competitors/teachers are responsible for royalty payments. Where necessary appropriate permission or licence for the making of recordings of Copyright music works, must be obtained where these recordings are used as a backing for their Festival of Dance performance.
1.17 ERRORS – All care has been taken in the compilation of the Program, and the Committee reserves the right to rectify any errors.
1.18 MARKS – Marks are not recorded on critique sheets.
1.19 GROUPS – A group must consist of a minimum of 4 competitors.
1.20 LIGHTING – Lighting only available in Evening Sessions (unless at the discretion of the Committee). Requests for lighting must be lodged at the Registration Desk before 6:00pm. The Committee will not be responsible for receipt of lighting forms after this time. Visual effects, other than lighting, will be at the competitor’s cost and subject to availability. These requests are to be directed to the Venue Technician, 24 hours prior to performance.
1.21 TEACHERS - Anyone listed as teaching staff or on entries as a choreographer requires a WWVP card. (16 years and over) Updated cards to be sent to the Secretary prior to the commencement of the festival. In Tasmania, the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013 mandates that anyone aged 16 and over who works or volunteers with children (under 18) and have more than incidental contact with them, is legally required to hold a registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) card.

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2. ENTRIES
2.1 - Please check your entry for correctness. ALL changes after the entry closure date will incur an administrative fee which will be double the amount of the original entry cost. Entry Changes (with payment) will be accepted up to 1 month before the commencement of the festival. All entry changes are to be sent to the secretary prior to this date.
2.2 ENTRIES – a separate entry must be made and include all the sections on the one entry
for each competitor. TEACHERS: DO NOT put students on your group entry form.
Separate entries must be made for each student or family.
2.3 ENTRY DATE – Entries must be submitted online on the official entry form by the due
date. Payment for entries is by credit card only at the time of entry.
2.4 AGE – The competitor's age must be as of 1 January of the current year, this shall be deemed the age required in the Section specifying age limits. Competitors must be prepared to produce a Certificate of Birth if required to do so.
2.5 NON-ENTRIES – Competitors presenting to compete in any section not entered in, will not be permitted to perform.

2.6 COMPETITORS NAME – All competitors must state correct name, address and date of birth on the entry form, including duo / trio partner name and their date of birth.
2.7 NON-ACCEPTANCE - The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry or refund any entry monies.
2.8 - DUOS/TRIOS and GROUPS - Names and date of birth of all members must be stated on the entry form. No competitor may compete more than once in these sections.
2.9 - Illness EXCEPTIONS - If a Duo/Trio entry has been received and a competitor cannot perform (because they have contracted an illness or sustained serious injury) a substitute is able to replace them in the performance. Any competitor that is a substitute into a Duo/Trio section must be in the correct age category and must only dance in one routine in that category.
If competitor numbers in groups are less than stated in the conditions (4 members for a group) they can still perform. (Adjudicator will be notified). The Secretary needs to be notified as soon as possible of any changes.
2.10 WITHDRAWALS – Competitors are requested to notify the Secretary of any withdrawals as soon as possible. Entry fees are non-refundable.

3. ADJUDICATORS
3.1 CO-ADJUDICATORS – The Committee reserves the right to appoint a co-adjudicator or assistant or substitute an adjudicator when necessary.
3.2 COMPLIANCE – The decision as to whether an item performed by a competitor complies with the genre, will be at the discretion of the Adjudicator.
3.3 COMMUNICATION – Communication with the Adjudicators either by competitors, teachers, parents or other interested parties during the Festival is prohibited.
3.4 CRITIQUE - A detailed critique sheet will be provided for competitors in each section by the Adjudicator. Any placing (no marks) will be placed on this sheet and may be obtained from the Committee's Office at the end of each section.
3.5 PRIZES – The Adjudicator has the right to select or withhold any prize.
3.6 SOUND LEVEL – The Executive committee, stage manager/s, teachers and adjudicator have the right to control the level of any amplified sound in the Venue.

4. COMPETITOR’S OBLIGATION
4.1 INSURANCE – The Committee requires all competitors (individuals and groups) to be responsible for adequately insuring themselves against personal injury arising out of participation in the Festival. The Launceston Festival of Dance (Inc) is insured for public liability, which does not comprehensively cover injury to performers while they are on the premises or performing on stage. Entry into the competition is therefore at your own risk. Teachers and Parents are responsible for their own first aid equipment.
4.2 PERFORMANCES – Are restricted to the Stage Area only and should be designed to be safe for the performer, audience and venue staff.
4.3 WEARING OF HOSIERY – All competitors are required to wear appropriate hosiery when their costume or attire does not include trousers - knee length or longer. This applies to everyone regardless of gender. Hosiery should be suitable to the performance and provide comfort and support. Options may include footed, footless, stirrup, knee-length, or mid-
thigh length hosiery. Competitors who do not comply with this requirement will be ineligible to perform.

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5. ORDER OF COMPETING
5.1 NUMBERS – Competitors places will be numbered and the order of appearance shown in the official program. Competitors must compete in order of appearance, unless approved by the Stage Manager.
5.2 PUNCTUALITY – Competitors who are not present in the auditorium within 2 minutes of the adjudicator bell will be disqualified.
5.3 BEHAVIOUR – The Committee expects behaviour from all teacher/studio representatives, competitors and patrons to be appropriate to the occasion. All patrons at our event are required to comply with our code of conduct policy. Any breaches of this Code of Conduct and competitors may be disqualified; spectators will be removed from the venue and teacher
passes may be removed.
5.4 REHEARSALS – No rehearsal or practice is permitted on stage during the Festival. Any competitor not observing these conditions will be disqualified, except for champion classical sections.
5.5 RESTARTS – Any competitor who is unable to perform their routine due to the fault of the Festival Committee, faulty equipment or accident beyond reasonable control, will be allowed to restart their routine (once only) and be adjudicated normally without penalty. Any competitor in an under 13 section who leaves the stage due to forgetting their routine, will also be allowed to
restart their routine (once) for critique only. No restarts permitted for championship sections.

6. GENERAL ADVICE
6.1 ELECTRONIC RECORDING DEVICES – The use of any form of electronic device for recording purposes by members of the audience during performances is strictly prohibited. Offenders will be removed from the Venue and recordings deleted. Pagers and phones must be turned on silent mode during all performances. Please be courteous and obey these rules - texting between sessions is permitted (i.e. when no competitors are on stage). Children under the age of 12 are permitted to sit in the back row of the Venue with electronic devices. Devices must either be on silent mode or used with headphones.
6.2 PHOTOS – a professional photographer and videographer will be available for action shots and videos of solos, duo/trios and Groups (as per the dancing school) available in the foyer. Please indicate on your entry if you DO NOT wish the local media or our advertising photos to be displayed. In groups it is the responsibility of teachers to obtain this information before entering their groups.
6.3 PROTESTS – Protests on any section must be in writing as per our policy, signed and
lodged with an executive committee member at the conclusion of the relevant section and prior
to the commencement of the following session, together with a lodgment fee of $50.00.
6.4 JINGLE TAPS – are not permitted. Competitors in Champion Tap solo sections will have their shoes checked by the Stage Manager. Other tap sections will be checked at random.
6.5 STAGE EFFECTS – Bales of hay, straw, lit candles, sparklers, lit cigarettes or any naked flames are NOT permitted. Balloons or any inflatable objects are to be weighted or attached and are not permitted to be released on stage. Approved smoke or fog effects are permitted in appropriate sections, with prior approval by the Venue Technician.
6.6 MUSIC – iPod / iPad and USB connections are available for performances. If a competitors’ teacher is unavailable, competitors must report to the Registration Desk in the office prior to the start of the section with their music (competitor's name, number and section clearly labelled.)
6.7 ROSIN – Rosin is strictly prohibited. Competitors found using rosin will be disqualified.
6.8 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT – All electrical equipment brought into the Venue must be ‘tagged and tested’ by a qualified electrician.

6.9 DRESSING ROOMS – Areas are allocated by the Committee, competitors and teachers are responsible for maintenance and cleanliness, any damages or extra cleaning incurred will be charged to the school concerned. No changing is permitted in the toilets.

7. PRIZES
7.1 PRIZES – Trophies and medals for sections are available from the Committee Office after each section. All other prizes and special awards are given at the final trophy presentation night.
7.2 MEDALS and RIBBONS – Unless otherwise stated, all solo and duo/trio sections, medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and a ribbon for Highly Commended. These may also be purchased by competitors if awarded a place in group sections.
7.3 MERIT CERTIFICATES – are available for purchase in all sections from the Committee Office.
7.4 AGGREGATE POINTS -

1st place: 4 points

2nd place: 3 points

3rd place: 2 points

Highly Commended: 1 point.

If there is a tie, a count back will occur to determine the prize winner.
7.5 PERPETUAL TROPHIES – Will be held by the winner for 11 months and must be returned to an executive committee member one month prior to the commencement of the competition. All holders of trophies will be held responsible for their safe custody and returned in good condition. Engraving and maintenance of trophies is at your own expense. Perpetual trophies must not be taken out of Tasmania.
7.6 TROPHIES – The Committee reserves the right to present any trophies donated after the printing of the program.

8. SAFETY
8.1 INJURIES - The Stage Manager or Adjudicator has the right to stop any item if they are of
the opinion a competitor has suffered an injury or there is a possible risk of serious injury. Items stopped may be repeated and adjudicated at an appropriate time, subject to the approval of the Adjudicator and Stage Manager.
8.2 MINOR ACCIDENTS – Minor accidents which occur due to faulty property, choreography, or costume design are not necessarily a reason for a stop or restart of an item. Only the ultimate safety of the competitor is to be considered.
8.3 PATRONS – all patrons must observe directions or instructions given by the Venue Personnel, Launceston Festival of Dance (inc) committee/volunteers, and fire wardens. Failure to do so may be deemed as a breach of the LFOD code of conduct and you will be asked to exit the venue.

9. PROPS
9.1 PROPS/BACKDROPS & SCENIC ITEMS – Items should be kept to a minimum. There is no storage facilities at the venue. All items should be labelled (either Dancing School or Competitors details). All items must be removed from the stage area after use and not stored backstage. Launceston Festival of Dance do not take any responsibility for lost or damaged props/equipment.
9.2 RESPONSIBILITY – The Committee will not be responsible for stage property not claimed on the day or after the performance.

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10. GENRES
10.1 BALLET – Ballet must be based on classical techniques. In solos, short tutus must be worn by female competitors – romantic tutus are not permitted.
10.2 DEMI-CHARACTER – A portrayal of a character or story by acting ability and expressive dancing using classical techniques. Must not contain vocal or narrative in music.
10.3 NATIONAL – A theatrically choreographed presentation of a folk or traditional dance. Dance costume and music should be authentic of the country portrayed.
10.4 MODERN/NEO/LRYICAL/CONTEMPORARY – Must include Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical or Neo-classical creative styles.
10.5 BROADWAY JAZZ/CABARET/MUSICAL THEATRE – Routine is theatrical in nature and is choreographed to music from a Broadway Show or Musical. May include Cabaret or Musical Theatre. Singing is not permitted.
10.6 TAP- Tap dance is characterized by the creation of percussive choreography using tap shoes by striking on the floor in accordance with the dancing music.
10.7 SONG & TAP and SONG & DANCE – All competitors should perform a routine with 50% song and 50% dance.
10.8 JAZZ – Shall include Jazz, Commercial Jazz, Disco and Funk styles. Cabaret may be performed in sections where competitors are unable to enter the Broadway Jazz section due to age/eligibility.
10.9 HIP HOP- This style of dance infuses hip-hop street culture with styles such as breaking, popping and locking and is typically danced to hip hop or rap music.
10.10 CHAMPION GROUP – Any form of dance. No vocals or narratives by any competitor
within the Group.
10.11 SPECIAL STAGE PRESENTATION – Dancing, singing, calisthenics, physical culture or any other feature may be introduced. Maximum time 30 minutes including setting and striking stage. May not use vocal backing whilst singing. No lip syncing or miming of vocals by any competitor within the Group. A deposit of $400.00 is required with entry – redeemable upon appearance.
10.12 KICKING ROUTINES – All kicks must be performed standing from the hip.

Open, 100 kicks (minimum)

Under 16 years, 80 kicks (minimum)

Under 13 years, 60 kicks (minimum)

Under 10 years, 40 kicks (minimum)

Failure to comply will mean disqualification.
10.13 NON-COMPETITIVE GROUPS (Under 6) – May not appear in any other group sections, excluding champion & scena groups.
10.14 NON-COMPETITIVE (Dance Abilities) - Competitors entered into the Dance Abilities (Special Needs Performers) section may not appear in any other section (solos, duos/trios or
groups).

11. TIME LIMITS
11.1 PERFORMANCE TIME – is taken from the start of correct music until the end of the music or when the competitor leaves the stage (whichever occurs first). Time limits for each section can be found on our website. Click here for time limits.
11.2 OVERTIME/UNDERTIME – Overtime/undertime will be strictly enforced. Any routine running overtime by 10 seconds or more or undertime (where a minimum time is set) will be charged a $50 fine.
11.3 PREPARATION TIME – time allowed to prepare the stage is strictly limited.
11.4 SESSION STARTING TIMES – 8:30am, 12:00pm, 3:30pm and 7:30pm unless otherwise stated.

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12. RIGHTS OF THE COMMITTEE
12.1 FINAL DECISION – The decision of the Committee, in all conditions shall be final.
12.2 GENERAL CONDITIONS – Failure to comply with any general condition, for any section
may involve disqualification and/or the withholding of prize money by the Committee, which
shall not be subject to any appeal.