rules and regulations

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SPECTATOR INFORMATION: Admission is free and the general public is welcomed to all events. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the first scheduled act. No food, drinks or smoking is allowed in the competition performance area or inside the contracted venue unless otherwise posted. All participating teachers, dancers and spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship. Failure to comply may result in immediate disqualification and may not be able to participate in future Variety Competitions.

NO PHOTO/VIDEO RULE: The use of ANY electronic device for photography and videography is STRICTLY PROHIBITED during all performances as well as in dressing rooms and lavatories. Failure to comply with this rule may result in a point deduction to the act being recorded and/or photographed as well as confiscation of the recordings and/or photographs. It is the responsibility of the Studio Owner/Director to inform their students and parents of the NO Photo/Video rule. All contestants grant permission for Variety to use photography and videography of their performances for promotional purposes including advertising, publicity and posting on social media outlets.

SAFETY: Variety Competition and all employees, well as the hosting facility are not responsible for any kind of damage, loss or injury sustained by contestants or spectators or their property while attending any area of the venue premises. Dancers competing take certain inherent risks when involved in any physical activity. Participation in Variety Competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by the performers. Therefore, upon registration to any Variety event, it is agreed that participants will not hold Variety Competition, its directors or employees responsible for injuries that occur or illnesses that may be contracted during the competition event. Studio Owner/Directors agree to adhere to the Release of Liability Clause which is completed during the registration process.

This competition is a public event and Variety encourages all attendees to:

• Supervise children at all times
• Be responsible for personal belongings
• Be aware of surroundings and inform a Variety employee of unsuitable or suspicious activity
• Stay safe and have fun while attending your Variety Competition!
• Masking is optional.

PROPS must be easily set up and torn down within a one (1) minute time limit.  There may be limited space to store props at the venue, so please limit your prop size if possible.  NO fire, smoke, knives, throwing of glitter, confetti etc. or sprays will be allowed.  NO helium balloons that are not weighted.

CHECK IN AT LEAST 2 HOURS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED DANCING TIME.  IF THE BEGINNING START TIME OF THE COMPETITION IS AT 8AM, THE VENUE WILL OPEN AT 7AM FOR COMPETITORS AND 7:30AM (OR 30 MINUTES BEFORE EVENT START TIME) FOR SPECTATORS.

We are a FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMPETITION!  Please no profanity in the music or risqué dance moves.  Costuming should be age appropriate please.

Only CERTIFIED FUNDS will be accepted for payment. Make Payable to: Variety Competition and mail to 6331 Gabriella Trl. Kalamazoo, MI 49009.   Registration may be done ONLINE ONLY for accuracy, contact us for how to enter ONLINE if you are unsure.  If paying online there will be a 3% convenience fee added to the fees.

Entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis & limited to the amount of performance time available.   

A conformation e-mail will be sent via  e-mail/mail two weeks prior to the regional competition, unpaid entries will not receive an individual schedule. A general performance schedule will be posted on the website a week prior to the competition. If entry fees are not paid then we will not to allow performers to participate in the competition.  

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE FOR ANY REASON…credits can be issued for future events based on the individual situation. Studio Directors must facilitate this communication, our office will not speak with parents/guardians of performers. 

Early Bird/ Special Discounts

Please email or call for special discounts.

Late entries will incure an additonal 5% penalty fee.  Make sure to have payment paid by the registration deadline.  Mailed payments must be postmarked within 21 days of the event date.  No entries will be accepted on the day of the competition.

PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL FOR ENTRY FEES.

Solo                                1 dancer                                     3 minute time limit

Duet/Trio                    2-3 dancers                             3 minute time limit

Small Group              4 - 9 dancers                            3 minute time limit

Large Group              10 - 19 dancers                     4 minute time limit

Line                                20 or more dancers             5 minute time limit

Production        15 or more dancers                    8 minute time limit

           *Production may include all levels of dancers.                 

Recreational - dancers that have minimal or no dance competition experience and have less than 6 hours of dance instruction per week.

Competitive - dancers that have significant dance competition experience and have more than 7 hours of dance instruction per week.

• Studio Directors/Instructors please use your own discretion when choosing your entry level.  The Directors of Variety Competition reserves the right to add, change, or modify categories based on entries.   Be aware, that if all 3 judges agree, the performance could be moved up or down if the judges feel the performance has been put in the wrong level.

Mini                            5 years and under

Petite                          6 - 8 years

Junior                        9 - 11 years

Teen                            12 - 14 years

Senior                         15 - 19 years

Adult                          20 years and older

Pro-Am                      18 years and older   

               *if instructor dances in any performances, it must be placed in this level.

Age is determined by January 1st of the competition year.

Acro Dance - routine containing acrobatic technique with dance steps to connect movement  

Ballet -  routine containing ballet technique and steps.  No Arco/Gymnastic tricks. 

Clogging -  routine using clogging technique and steps. 

Contemporary -  A blend of modern and lyrical styles with an edge. 

Ethnic -   routine using movement native to particular culture or nationality .

Hip Hop - routine consisting of pop locking, funk or street style dance. 

Jazz - routine using jazz technique and steps. 

Liturgical - routine incorporating praise and worship. 

Lyrical -  routine must contain interpretation of music, use of extension, control and balance. 

Modern - The interpretation of idea with use of isolations, contractions, and demonstrate a feel for music. 

Musical Theater/Character - routine portraying a Broadway or film character or theme, lip-syncing allowed. 

Open -  A combination of dance styles and any acrobatics/gymnastic tricks are allowed. 

Pointe - routine containing ballet technique and steps while wearing Pointe shoes. No Acrobatics/Gymnastics Tricks.  

Pom Pom -  a routine using pom pons with dance movement. 

Tap -  routine containing tap technique and steps. Try to avoid tap sounds in music. 

Variety - Our signature category!  In this category anything goes! This is an open category for creative routines!

Optional Categories - separate fee of $25

Student Choreography - routine in any style choreographed by the student. 

          *Student Choreography is broken into 2 levels - 12 and under and 13 to 19 years

Photogenic Competition - a professional photograph that is judged.

          *Photogenic is broken into 2 levels - 12 and under and 13 and up

Improv Competition - dancers will compete against each other to music and show off their technicality and musicality skills.

          *Improv is broken down into 3 levels - 8 and under, 9 to 13 and 14 and up

Photogenic Entries: Entries must bring to the competition a recent 8 x 10 in black & white or color to the competition.  Please write/affix a label with name, age, and studio on the back of the photo.  Photos will be returned at the competition but contestants are responsible for retaining their photo on that day.  Variety Competition is not responsible for any damages to the photograph submitted.  You must enter photogenic on the day of competition.  You do not have to be a registered competitor to enter the photogenic category, but you must be affiliated with a registered studio.  DO NOT SEND PICTURES OR MONEY FOR PHOTOGENIC ENTRIES-you must enter at the competition.  There is a $25.00 fee per photo entered in the photogenic category. Photogenic Entries are awarded a Trophy & Rating for each photo. 

Contestants will be judged by a panel of well-qualified judges, and all decisions of the judges will be accepted as final. 

Each performance will be evaluated on the following five judging elements:

1.) Technique – 40 points total

2.) Stage Presence – 25 points total

3.) Execution of Performance – 20 points total

4.) Choreography – 10 points total

5.) Overall Appearance – 5 points total

Variety Category performances will be evaluated on the following judging elements:

1.) Technique – 30 points total

2.) Overall Entertainment Value – 25 points total

3.) Stage Presence – 20 points total

4.) Execution of Choreography – 15 points total

5.) Costume – 10 points total

There is a maximum of 100 points per judge for a total of 300 points. The total points attainable varies per level. If a dance, costume, or music is deemed inappropriate for family viewing by the judging panel, it will be scored lower by judges and may not be eligible for Overall High Point awards. Ties will not be broken for the general competition awards. However, all ties will be broken for Overall High Point awards.

Please click on the button below to be taken to our online registration system.  Everyone is required to register online for the accuracy of the names, for both the students and performance names, and birthdates.  Fees can be paid online with an additional 3% added.  You also have the option of sending the fees in Certified Funds to 6331 Gabriella Trl. Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

Variety uses an electronic music file upload system for all performances. You may bring a CD, but it is encouraged to send us your music.  Please always have a back up, in case of technical difficulties.  

• Music files can only be uploaded after entries have been registered.
• The Music Manager will assign the file names automatically once upload is complete. However, please label the file with the name of each act.
• Please be sure to upload the exact version of your performance music, because pitch/speed of music cannot be adjusted at the event.
• MP3, M4A, and MP4 files. The maximum file size is 20MB.
• Uploaded music files must be DRM free.
• Music Manager will be closed 3-5 days prior to the start of competition. We will not accept new versions of music files at the competition. We will only use backup media formats (CD, iPod, USB) if there are technical difficulties.
• We require that all studios bring a backup CD, iPod, or USB for all performances in the event of a malfunction of the original music submitted. Music can be picked up at the registration table at the conclusion of each presentation of awards. CD’s that are not claimed at the end of the competition will be discarded unless previous arrangements were made with the our office.