Judging Criteria
So our competitors know exactly what criteria our judges are looking for we're posting the same categories and descriptions our judges are instructed to grade upon. Find below the categories listed in order of importance.
Blues Aesthetic: were they dancing firmly in the blues aesthetic? Could you see the athletic, African roots of the dance, and/or specific, identifiable idiom dances? Did they dance in a grounded fashion, with a reliable pulse and demonstrated lag? Were their movements consistently in the realm of blues (not tango, swing, salsa, etc)? These being blues dancing competitions this is the most important criteria.
Blues Aesthetic: were they dancing firmly in the blues aesthetic? Could you see the athletic, African roots of the dance, and/or specific, identifiable idiom dances? Did they dance in a grounded fashion, with a reliable pulse and demonstrated lag? Were their movements consistently in the realm of blues (not tango, swing, salsa, etc)? These being blues dancing competitions this is the most important criteria.
Dance Technique: did they exhibit good connection? Did they seem easy to partner with, regardless of the level of their partner? Did they give their partner space to play? Did they show good technique and good body control? Did they have a good quality of movement?
Expression: did they seem confident in their dancing? Did they attempt interesting moves and make them work well? Did they dance to the music, and change their dance as the music changed? Did they exhibit good showmanship?
And finally (only for use by “secret” judges in the Big Damn Social Comp):
Overall Enjoyability: was this person fun to dance with? Did they seem invested with you, did they make you feel good about yourself/your dancing? Did they have good, positive energy?