Competition fun for everyone!
The Northwest Balboa Festival is a fun and supportive space for up-and-coming dancers in the local & national scene to stretch their competition skills on the floor!
Our 2024 competition line-up:
Amateur Strictly
Novice/Advanced Mix & Match
Shuffle & Switch NEW
Novice/Advanced Mix & Match
- Saturday Evening -
Novice dancers are randomly partnered with Advanced dancers. Embrace the chaos!
Free to enter. Event pass prizes.
Prelims
When: Saturday, shortly after classes finish.
Format: Couples dance to three songs in heats, with new partners assigned between each song.
Finals
When: Saturday, during 1st band break.
Format:
Warmup all-skate
1-minute spotlights for each couple
Final all-skate
Novice finalists will draw names to select their Advanced partners. Finalists will be judged as couples.
Tempo range: 180 BPM - 220 BPM
Amateur Strictly
- Saturday Evening -
Amateur dance couples take the floor to show off their best moves!
$30 per couple to enter. Cash prizes.
Prelims
When: Saturday, shortly after classes finish.
Format: Couples dance to three songs in heats.
Finals
When: Saturday, during 2nd band break.
Format:
Warmup all-skate
1-minute spotlights for each couple
Final all-skate
Finalists will be judged as couples.
Tempo range: 170 BPM - 220 BPM
Shuffle & Switch
- Sunday Evening -
A switch dancing contest, open to all levels. Switch roles with your smoothest transitions!
Free to enter. Fun prizes and serious cred.
Details
When: Sunday, time TBA
Format: Couples register on the spot at contest time (no advance signup). In each round, all couples dance at the same time; judges will tap-in to select couples who proceed to the next round.
Tempo range: 180 - 240 BPM
What level am I?
You’re considered Novice if:
You have never competed before, or have not competed in more than three balboa contests recently
You are new to Balboa
You are not in the Perfectors class track
You’re excited to dance with folks whom you might not have met yet!
You’re considered Amateur if:
You have not placed in any open level Balboa competition finals
You don’t regularly teach Balboa in your local scene
You’re considered Advanced if:
You have made finals in an advanced or open Balboa competition in the last three years
You are in the Perfectors class track, or would qualify for it
You're a higher level dancer who frequently social dances and/or attends events
You want to help the Novice dancers shine!
How do I sign up for competitions?
Sign up for the Strictly and/or Mix & Match when you complete your weekend registration. There is no advance registration for the Shuffle & Switch.
What happens if I sign up as an Amateur, but I make finals in a Balboa competition before NWBF?
The organizing team will work with you to find a competition that is suitable for your level, per our competition guidelines.
Where will competitions be held?
All competitions will take place at Om Culture, our venue for the evening social dances.
Other competition sign-up questions?
Feel free to reach out!
admin@nwbalfest.com
taylor@nwbalfest.com
