Please read the following important information below for the category/ies you want to register

TANGO DE PISTA (official category; for professional and amateur dancers)

 Tango de Pista is understood as a social dance, where the most important is the musicality, the embrace and the connection between the members of the couple.

In this category, couples will compete in groups, dancing to three pieces previously selected by the Committee.

1. About the Position of Tango Dance:
   •  Once a couple forms a dance frame, the partners shall not separate as long as the music is playing. This means that they cannot break the embrace, which is considered as the Tango dance position.
   • For the position to be considered correct, partners must constantly hold each other by means of the embrace. It is understood that, in certain figures, this may be flexible; but not throughout the entire piece of music.
   • All movements shall be performed within the space allowed by the couple’s embrace.
2. The Judges will give special relevance to musicality , couple´s connection,  posture, elegant walking and the search for the couple´s personality.
3. It is allowed to change the dynamics and the speed on the same tango.
4. Within these guidelines, participants may perform any figure commonly used, including “barridas” (sweeps), “sacadas” (close to the floor), “enrosques” (twists) as well as some embellishments.
5. None of the members of the couple may lift his/her legs beyond the line of the knees. Embellishments are allowed within this limit.
6. “Ganchos” (hooks), “saltos” (jumps), “trepadas” (climbs) and any other  possibilities typically used in stage tango where both feet lose contact with the floor are completely excluded.
7. Couples, as in a real dance hall, must constantly move counterclockwise without going backwards. However, they can perform one or two back steps if the movement requires it.
8.  Couples must avoid remaining in the same place for too long to allow the floor circulation. In the case of a couple staying more than two musical phrases on the same spot, making it difficult for the round to circulate, the jury will consider lower the score.
9. In the case of a couple stopping the dynamic of the floor circulation, it is not allowed to overtake. Jurors may consider whether this round should dance an extra song to solve the problem.
10. There is no need for the couple to separate between tangos.
11. Elegant social dance wear for women and traditional suits for men are advised although costumes will not be considered as a specific evaluation point in this category.

STAGE TANGO (official category; for professional and amateur dancers)

1. In the Stage Tango Category, each couple will compete individually, dancing to a choreographed song of their choice. Couples can use different pieces of music and choreograpy for the first and second parts of the Qualifying round; however, it’s possible to use the same piece and the same choreography.
2. Length of a piece has to be less than 3.30 minutes. Couples must prepare and submit a clean and good quality CD and/or pendrive that has 1-2 pieces of music (Tango only, no Milonga or Vals).
3. All music must be recorded at the proper speed. Speed control will not be adjusted. Labels must be attached to CD’s with the following information: couple’s name, song name and orchestra name. It is suggested that you bring a backup in case there is a problem with your master copy.
4. Participants will be able to express their personal view on the Tango dance: this means they may use movements, figures and applications that are not usually related to traditional Tango, however, the choreography must include traditional figures of Tango such as: ochos, turns, long walks, voleos, ganchos, and also the “milonguero embrace”.
5. Couples may break the embrace and use techniques derived from other dance disciplines, as long as these are justified and performed for the benefit of the interpreter.
6. Aerial tricks and other movements characteristic of other dances must not be excessive, (this means that they must not exceed one third of the performance). The couple must perform progressing (walking) sequences onto the floor using the whole scenic space.
7. Tango costumes and make up maybe considered for evaluation (use of inappropriate costumes that are not typically for performing tango such as salsa or ice skating costumes will be penalized).
8. If a technical problem should occur, the jury will decide if the  repetition of the choreography at the end of the assigned slot is necessary.
9. In the case of a couple having a problem with the choreography, the couple will decide whether to continue dancing or not, but the couple will not be allowed to repeat the performance. The jury will indeed evaluate the manner and grace with which the couple has solved the problem.
10.  The Judges will take into account the following criteria:

• Choreographic composition
• Preservation of the Tango essence
• Use of the stage space.
• Choreographic and postural techniques
• Couple’s synchronicity
• Choreographic effects
• Music Interpretation
• Musical accuracy

SALON TANGO SENIOR (for amateur dancers only)

1. Couples dance together on the same floor while being judged by a panel of knowledgeable Argentine Tango Judges with international reputations.
2. In this category, couples will compete in groups, dancing three tango songs previously selected by the Committee.
3. The embrace cannot be broken; partners must constantly hold each other by means of the embrace. It is understood that, in certain figures, this may be flexible; but not throughout the entire piece of music. All movements shall be performed within the space allowed by the couple’s embrace.
4. The Judges will give special relevance to the couple’s musicality, elegance, music interpretation and walking style.
5. Participants may perform any figure commonly used, including “barridas (sweeps), “sacadas al piso” (sacadas close to the floor), “lápices”, “enrosques” (twists) etc.
6. Ganchos (hooks), saltos (jumps), boleos altos (high boleos) and any other typically stage tango possibilities are completely excluded. Foot embellishments on the floor are allowed.
7. None of the members of the couple may lift his/her legs beyond the line of the knees.
8. Couples must constantly move counterclockwise and avoid remaining in the same place for too long.
9. Elegant social dance tango wear for woman and traditional suits for men are advised.

MILONGA (for professional and amateur dancers)

In this category, couples will compete in groups, dancing to three pieces previously selected by the Committee

1. About the Position of Tango Dance:
   • Once a couple forms a dance frame, the partners shall not separate as long as the music is playing. This means that they cannot break the embrace, which is considered as the Tango dance position.
   • For the position to be considered correct, partners must constantly hold each other by means of the embrace. It is understood that, in certain figures, this may be flexible; but not throughout the entire piece of music.
   • All movements shall be performed within the space allowed by the couple’s embrace.
2. The Judges will give special relevance to the musicality, fluidity, personality, and especially the milonga rhythm as essential evaluation points.
3. Within these guidelines, participants may perform any figure commonly used.
4. Ganchos (hooks), saltos (jumps), trepadas (climbs) and any other typically stage tango possibilities are completely excluded.
5. Couples, as in a real dance hall, must constantly move counterclockwise and avoid remaining in the same place for too long to avoid the floor circulation.
6. Costumes will not be considered as a specific evaluation point in this category.

“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN TANGO?” (for amateur dancers only)

STAGE TANGO GROUPS (for amateur  dancers only,- directed by a teacher/choreographer)

1. In this category, groups must be a minimum of 6 members and up to 12 members (3 to 6 couples).
2. Each group will dance to a choreographed song prepared by a tango teacher/tango studio director/choreographer).
3. Teachers must choreograph one tango piece or a compilation of two tango songs (please note that a potpourri of different rhythms such as tango and milonga ; tango, milonga and vals, or tango and vals are not allowed).
4. Length of a piece has to be no longer than 3 minutes. If the selected piece of music is longer than 3 min, the end of the song can be edited to match the 3 minute length.
5. Teachers must prepare and submit a clean and good quality CD and/or pendrive the piece of music (Tango) that the group will perform. All music must be recorded at the proper speed. Speed control will not be adjusted. Labels will be provided for music and must be attached to CDs with the following information: teacher or group name, song name and orchestra name. It is suggested that you bring a backup in case there is a problem with your master copy.
6. Whole scenic space must be used. The size of the dance floor should be taken into account when preparing the choreography, being 66’ x 40’.
7. If any object/element is incorporated into the choreography, which is optional, (e.g., hats, chairs, fans,) it must be used in a way that makes sense in the choreography. The use of harmful materials such as powders, liquid, fire is prohibited. If the stage is littered by participants’ props or costumes, please be prepared to clean the stage immediately after the routine has finished.
8. The routines will consist primarily of tango moves with proper technique (all tango styles are allowed) but it is mandatory routines include traditional figures of Tango such as ochos, long walks, voleos, ganchos, molinetes and also the “milonguero” embrace. Movements should be expressive of feelings and should interpret the music.
9. Techniques, movements, figures and applications that are not usually related to traditional Tango derived from other dance disciplines can be used, as long as these are justified in the choreography.
10. A maximum of 3 aerial tricks are permitted in this category, (although they are not compulsory).
11. Choreographic components must be present in the choreographic composition:  Introduction, body and end.
12. Use of space, time, energy and shape of the movement (row formations, canons, displacements, focus) creativity, style, richness and complexity of movement, dynamics,  the shape and choreography design will be taken into account.
13. There should be similarity and accuracy in the execution of choreographed movements among the group members; fluidity and apparent ease in his realization will be observed. If choreographic resources such as CANON are used, it must be done with integral precision, certainty and clarity by each and everyone of the competitors.
14. The choreography must be adapted to the level of the dancers, according to the age of each participant and individual development, without demanding more than what they can really do and using what they indeed can achieve. When the choreography is very demanding due to its difficulty, the competitor cannot enjoy performing it and therefore this will prevent them to express their spontaneity.
15. The Judges will take into account the following criteria:

• Choreographic composition (choreographic effects & resources;  choreographic and postural techniques; use of the stage space)
• Preservation of the Tango essence
• Synchronicity: group and couple’s synchronicity
• Musical Interpretation (ability to use of both rhythmic and melodic variations as well as the harmony achieved between the music and the movement in the whole group will be taken into account).