Dance Experience Festival Information/Etiquette 2020-2021
April 14 - 18, 2021 Gravity Dance
Festival (festival classes only)
April 21 - 25, 2021 Standing
Ovation Dance Festival (festival classes only)
April 26 - May 2,
2021 Dance
Power (festival classes only)
Dance Experience
Festival Information & Etiquette
Dance Experience
Festival Class ~ Agreement
Dance Experience
Festival Information & Etiquette 2020-2021
Before registering
your child in a festival class ensure you have read this entire document and
fully understand the commitment required not only from your child but from
parents as well. Festival classes are more involved than recreational
classes.
Select classes will
have the opportunity to participate in local dance festivals during the
season. A dance festival differs from a competition in that typically 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are not assigned. Each routine will receive a Gold, Silver
or Bronze medal for their performance. Additional awards such as most
promising, most outstanding, choreography can also be handed out. Each
group is placed in a category with groups from other studios of similar ages
and/or ability/level. These divisions are set by the different festivals
and will vary between events. The festivals will take place at theatres
throughout the city and neighbouring communities. While each group is
performing an adjudicator writes comments and corrections regarding their
routine and assigns a mark. These marks then determine what medal the
group will receive. The mark range associated with each medal is set by
the festival organizers and varies between events. Marks are based on
what each individual adjudicator feels can be expected of a specific age and
level. The marks are not assigned by comparing the groups in a category
to each other. All groups could receive a gold medal
or all could receive a Bronze medal. Various ages and levels of a
particular dance style are grouped together in approximately one
hour sections. At the end of each grouping the dancers return to
the stage and the adjudicator will address the groups with comments and hand
out medals and awards.
Festivals typically
run Wednesday to Sunday with performances from 8:00am - 9:00pm. All
scheduling is done by the event organizers and dance studios do not have a
say. Entries must be submitted by the participating dance studios by
November/December and all entry fees must be paid at this time. Festival
Schedules are not usually available until March. Once the studio receives
the schedule, we review it to ensure there are no errors, and the festival
organizers send out final schedules in April. Dancers may be participating
in an event during school hours. Each number requires approximately 2 to 2.5
hours. Dancers are expected to arrive at the festival venue at least one
and a half (1.5) hours prior to scheduled performance time in full costume with
hair and make-up complete (NO EXCEPTIONS).
When you (parent[s])
arrive at the festival venue, you will meet your instructor in the lobby.
At this time, you will leave your dancer with her/his instructor. Once
all the dancers have arrived, they will warm up and rehearse. Parents are
not allowed to stay with the group as rehearsal space is often quite small and
there is not room for families. Once the dancers have performed, they
will stay with their instructor until after adjudication. After adjudication the dancers will return to the lobby where you
can pick them up.
Festivals are a
great experience for dancers: the more a dancer performs, the more
comfortable he/she becomes on stage and the better his/her performance
skills. Emphasis is placed on commitment, teamwork
and a love of dance. The adjudicator’s comments will be discussed with
each group when they return to class. This gives the dancers another
perspective on their routine with things they do well and things they can work
on. The dancers should pay particular attention
to the comments made by the adjudicator on stage. The adjudicator often
addresses each grouping as a whole with tips and
techniques on ways to improve.
Festivals may have
spectator admission fees which vary between events and are set by the
organizers. Festivals do not allow photography or video recording at the
events. If you are caught doing so, your child’s group will be disqualified and the entire studio can be removed from the
event. Photos and videos are available for purchase at the events.
The theatres do not allow food or drink (other than water) inside. Wait to
enter or exit the theatre until the music has stopped. It is distracting
to the dancers on stage when people are moving around while they are
performing. When you enter the theatre, take your seat quickly or you may
be standing in front of the parent(s) of a dancer on stage.
A dancer's
eligibility to participate in a festival class is at the discretion of the
instructors. You will be informed at the beginning of each year if we
recommend a festival class for your child. You don’t
have to participate in the festival class - there will also be a recreational
class indicated. We encourage families to think carefully before committing
to a festival class. Although, we think it is a great opportunity for the
dancers, it may not work with your family’s lifestyle and other
commitments. If you question your ability to make the commitment, we do
not recommend registering in these classes. It is not fair to the dancer
should they be withdrawn from the class part way through the year.
There is a great
deal of work from instructors and dancers that goes into each routine and
therefore dancers must commit to all classes (even non-festival classes).
Dancers registered in festival classes will be permitted to miss a
maximum of four classes throughout the year. Up until choreography
begins, a dancer can make up a missed class in a level below or equivalent and,
in turn, that dancer will not be counted as absent in her/his missed
class(es). If you make this commitment, you commit to all events in which
the group is entered. All classes will be participating in two festivals
(additional events will only be entered only with parental consent) along with
our Talent Day and Year End Shows.
Class instructors
will select a costume and set hair and makeup requirements. These are not
recommendations; these requirements must be followed. Failure to do so will
result in your child not being permitted to perform (this does not justify a
refund of festival fees).
When you register
for a festival class you are responsible for all festival costs. You will
be given the dates of the festivals your dancer will be participating in before
she/he is registered. If you know she/he will be unable to attend, you
must inform the studio and this dancer will not be registered. If the
studio is not informed, then you are responsible for fees even if your dancer
does not participate. If your dancer does not fulfill the requirements
for attendance and is withdrawn from the class, you are still responsible for
the festival fees.
Festivals should be
a positive experience for all dancers. Having fun and gaining experience
performing on stage should be every dancer’s goal. Participating in
festivals is about more than just the medal earned. Regardless of the medal
standing, dancers can take pride in working together as a team to do their
best. Help us make sure all dancers learn as much as possible and have a memorable
year by adhering to the following:
·
All dancers and parents are expected to maintain a high standard of
personal conduct and to always behave in a sportsmanlike manner.
·
Create a positive environment for all dancers.
·
All comments regarding adjudicators, performers
and the studio they represent must be positive, you never know who might be
standing nearby. It can be very upsetting for a young dancer to overhear
negative comments.
·
You may not agree with an adjudicator’s decision or comments, but
your opinions are not to be voiced at the event.
·
Negative comments, conversation or behavior will not be permitted
in the waiting areas, halls or classrooms at Dance
Experience Studios, shows or festivals.
·
It takes a great deal of courage to get on stage and all dancers
should be commended for this.
·
Ensure you applaud for all routines regardless of studio.
·
Encourage and congratulate your child’s group and other
participants (regardless of studio).
·
Treat teachers and other performers with respect and courtesy.
·
Acknowledge the effort and abilities of other dancers.
·
Encourage all dancers to work hard and give their best effort.
·
When the instructor is talking or instructing, pay attention (no
talking) even if the comments are not directed at you.
·
All dancers should set realistic goals each week and think about
what they need to do to achieve these goals.
·
Dancers should be proud of all their achievements.
·
All dancers must attend classes on-time with the appropriate attire
and grooming.
·
Avoid leaving dance classes once they have begun.
·
Parents need to ensure that dancers
practice at home or during open studio times.
·
Stay informed regarding festival/studio information by reading the
bulletin boards and all emails.
·
Respect the venues at which the festivals are held and leave the
venues clean and free of damage.
·
Follow the rules that festival organizers set forth.
·
Parents must ensure dancers and siblings behave appropriately at
all events.
Remember these events are for the dancers, help all dancers enjoy
their experience and leave feeling like a star.