Competition Events
The London Jitterbug Championships comprise 10 events: -
* Like a Virgin (for those who have never competed before)
* Up & Coming (for those dancing since Jan 2009)
* Showcase
* Slow Swing
* Strictly Lindy
* Fast and Furious
* All Balboa Jam
* Solo Charleston
* Jack and Jill
Please find the specific guidelines for each division below. Make sure you read carefully before registering. Aerials are allowed in all events.
Like a Virgin: If you’ve never before felt the thrill of entering a swing competition, then you are a competition virgin and eligible for this division! It doesn’t matter how long you have been dancing for, as long as you’ve never competed before (excluding Jack ‘n’ Jill comps). You must enter as a couple and dance Lindy Hop. Everyone will dance on the floor at the same time in an all-skate.
BPM Range: Medium paced track
Format: All-Skate for 90sec – 2 mins
Up & Coming: This event is only available to those who began swing dancing AFTER Jan 2009 (you may only enter an Up & Coming division once). It’s a great opportunity for future advanced dancers to get out there and strut their stuff. You must enter as a couple and dance Lindy Hop. Everyone will dance on the floor together in an all-skate. Get out there and have some fun!
BPM Range: Medium paced track
Format: All-Skate for 90sec – 2 mins
Showcase: This is an exciting & highly entertaining division where individual couples choreograph their own routine to the music of their choosing. Swing styles are assumed and may include Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, 20’s Charleston and Blues.
Max. performance length: 3 minutes.
Slow Swing: This division is all about expressing and highlighting the subtleties of the music… now that you have the time and skill to do it. You may do any kind of slow swing dancing….lindy hop, blues, ballrooming, slow drag, swingwalk, mooche...anything that allows you to shine in slow swing. You must enter as a couple.
BPM Range: less than 130bpm
Format: Phrase-by-phrase = 1 phrase per spotlight. Each couple will get 2 spotlights (blues phrasing = 6 × 8’s per phrase). There will be a short all-skate after the phrase-by-phrase format. The spotlights and the all-skate will be judged.
Strictly Lindy: This division is for pure Lindy lovers. Couples get on the floor and dance Lindy Hop to the music provided. You must enter as a couple.
BPM Range: 160 – 200bpm
Format: Phrase-by-phrase = 2 phrases per spotlight. Each couple will get 3 spotlights. There will be a short all-skate after the phrase-by-phrase format. The spotlights and the all-skate will be judged.
Fast and Furious: This division is all about speed and style! A Lindy Hop event with flying feet and racing tempos, it’s an adrenaline rush that you won’t forget. You must enter as a couple.
BPM Range: 250bmp +
Format: Phrase-by-phrase = 2 phrases per spotlight. Each couple will get 3 spotlights. There will be a short all-skate after the phrase-by-phrase format. The spotlights and the all-skate will be judged.
All Balboa Jam: Balboa lovers, this is your chance to showcase the shuffly dance we love so much. This division is not necessarily about pace; it’s about style, finesse, and your chance to demonstrate an understanding of what Bal is all about! You must enter as a couple and dance Balboa (Pure Bal and/or Bal-swing) to the music provided.
BPM Range: 180 – 220bpm
Format: Single Spotlight of 60-90 seconds. There will be a short all-skate after the spotlight section. The spotlights and the all-skate will be judged.
Solo Charleston: It’s solo…just you and the music. It’s Charleston…the best dance after all. There are no other rules! We’ll provide the music and using a phrase-by-phrase format, competitors will bust out their best moves. The crazier, the better!
Jack and Jill: This event is for anyone and everyone to jump in and have some fun. Dancers are expected to dance lindy hop and will be judged on their ability to lead/follow. You enter as an individual and you don’t know who your partner will be… it’s completely random!
Heats: Your partners will be determined by the throw of a dice! You will dance to 3 tracks of various tempos, with a different partner each time. You will be judged individually.
Note: There are 24 lead places and 24 follow places available in the Jack and Jill heat. Places will be filled on a first come first served basis, so get in quickly!
Finals: Your competition number will be pulled out of a hat to determine your final partner. All couples will dance in two sections: spotlight & all-skate…all approximately 60 sec long. You will be judged as a team.
There are no rules, no judging criteria, no entry fee and no trophy… You just need to turn up on the night, put your name on the list and go for it. Judged by audience appreciation.
Heel Slide: Who can slide on their heels unassisted for the longest? The audience will be the judge, so make them cheer for you! The Heat is ON!
