The Rules
GOAL
AANCE is the only Amateur Novice Swing Dance Tour in the Americas. The main purpose of the AANCE is to promote and preserve the art of West Coast Swing Dancing, and its many related regional styles. This tour will not consist of any dancers in the Rising Star/Advanced or Professional Levels.
MISSION
AANCE’s mission is to offer a national platform for all swing dance styles. The Tour events will focus on Novice and Intermediate level competitors.
LOCAL EVENTS - PHASE 1
Local Events will be considered the First Step in the progression to the Americas Amateur Novice Championship Events. Anyone may enter at this stage of competition, provided they are eligible to dance in that category. Winners of each division at the Local level will automatically be eligible to enter the National level of competition. In addition to the winners, the remaining top 20% will qualify and be eligible to enter the National level in that category.
For purposes of qualifications, AANCE will always round UP to qualify an entry rather than round DOWN (i.e. 31 couples X 20% = 6.2, therefore, 7 couples including the Division Winners qualify).
SEASON (PHASES 1 & 2 – See Below)
Each tour will last one year with the Americas Novice Championship Events, (AANCE). During the course of the year, Local Events will be held to determine the winners of the qualifying divisions. Once all Local Events have been held, the National Event will take place The winners of all Regional events will vie for the National Championship title at the annual ACC, Americas Classic Championships, held in January in Houston, Texas.
BOARD
The AANCE Tour will be governed by a board of directors. The primary responsibility of the board will be to oversee rules management, as well as, adoption of expansion events. This board will be comprised of:
1. Mario Robau, Jr.
2. Cher Peadon
3. Angel Figueroa
MEMBERSHIP
Any event, will be eligible to become a sanctioned AANCE™ event, provided the event is in good standing with the community. Failure to remain in good standing may be cause for immediate removal of the AANCE Tour. Actions include but are not limited to:
1. Failure to pay hired staff
2. Failure to pay prizes advertised
3. Failure to hold competitions in an ethical manner
4. Failure to hold competitions within the RULES set forth by the AANCE Tour Board
SYSTEM
Each member event will hold the following competition categories:
1) Novice Jack & Jill and Strictly Swing Divisions
A minimum of 10 couples must enter said category in order to sanction the event as an AANCE Tour qualifier.
2) Intermediate Jack & Jill and Strictly Swing Divisions
A minimum of 10 couples must enter said category in order to sanction the event as an AANCE Tour qualifier.
RULES
For continuity, we recommend the inclusion of Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill rules from Americas Classic Championships.
1. Qualification for Novice Dancers:
You must have never danced in a Non-Pro, Intermediate, Advanced/Professional or higher class category, in Classic, Showcase, Strictly Swing/Just Dance style or equivalent categories, or as a Pro in a Pro-Am, in any style of dance. Jack & Jill competitions are not excluded. You cannot have ever taught any style of partner dance. This division is not open to all levels.
2. Qualification for Intermediate Dancers:
You must have never danced in a Rising Star, Advanced/Professional or higher class category in Classic, Showcase, Strictly Swing/Just Dance style or equivalent categories, or as a Pro in a Pro-Am, in any style of dance. Jack & Jill competitions are not excluded. This division is not open to all levels.
LOCAL EVENTS (PHASE 1)
• Local Events will be considered the first step in progression to the Americas Amateur Novice Championships Events.
• Anyone may enter at this stage of competition provided they are eligible to dance in that category.
• Winners of each division at the Local level will automatically be eligible to enter the National level of competition.
• In addition to the winners, the remaining top 20% will qualify and be eligible to enter the National level in that category.
• For purposes of qualifications, AANCE will ALWAYS round up to qualify an entry rather than round down (i.e. 31 couples X 20% = 6.2 so 7 couples including winners qualify).
• All “National Champions” do not qualify to dance again in the “finals” if they have already won. All “National Champions” at their respective levels, must permanently move up to the next level in qualification for future competitions.
NATIONAL EVENT
• The National Event will be considered the third and final step in the progression to determine the Amateur National Champion
• Only those that have entered Local Events may enter at the National level
• All winners and qualifiers from the various Local Events will automatically be eligible to enter at the National Event
• Certain “Wild Card” entries may also enter at the National level, provided they have entered a Local Event
• “Wild Card” entries will consist of anyone who entered but did not win or qualify at the Regional level
• “Wild Card” eliminations will be held at the National Event to determine which “Wild Card” entries will dance in the actual National competitions
• For the purpose of the “Wild Card” category, qualifications will be the same 20% guide lines used to determine all other categories
• Winners of each division at the National level will earn the Title of “National Champion” for that division/category
• All “National Champions” do not qualify to dance again in the “finals” if they have already won. All “National Champions” at their respective levels, must permanently move up to the next level in qualification for future competitions
Mario Robau, Jr.
Board Member
Cher Peadon
Board Member