Official Rules & Regulations Handbook 2027 
Last updated – August 17, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

Vivelo Dance Competitions (VDC) and the Baltimore Dance Festival (BDF) are divided into two parts: The festival begins Thursday evening with workshops, social events, pool parties, concerts, and more, running through Sunday, June 6, 2027. The competitions will take place throughout the day on Sunday, June 6, 2027, and (There will be no competitions on Friday and Saturday)

Vivelo Dance Competitions offers qualifiers for the Euroson Latino Finals and Semi-Finals.

All Salsa, Bachata, and Latin Fusion dancers are invited to participate in Vivelo Dance Competitions, which will take place in Baltimore, MD, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Vivelo Dance Competitions is honored to offer qualifying rounds for the prestigious Euroson Latino world competition, which will be held from November 30 to December 5, 2027, in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Please read the official rules and regulations describing eligibility criteria, standard procedures, and competition guidelines for all participants. VDC is part of the Baltimore Dance Festival, and the full competitor pass includes access to all Festival activities.

Important: Participation in the Euroson qualifying rounds is not mandatory. (You may win qualification for Euroson Latino World Competition or, win the VDC competition.)

Registration deadline to compete: May 26, 2027

1. REQUIREMENTS:

a) EUROSON LATINO WORLD COMPETITION QUALIFIERS: (Finals and Semi-Finals):

· Available Divisions: Salsa and Bachata

· First place Finalist qualifier: Minimum score of 8 points

· Second place Semi-finalist qualifier: Score from XXXXX up to 7.9

b) VIVELO DANCE COMPETITIONS:

·       Available Divisions: Salsa, Bachata, and Latin Fusion (Mix of Latin rhythms)

·       First place: Maximum score in their category

·       Second place: Score following the maximum

·       Third place: Score following second place

2. ELIGIBILITY: All competitors must have:

• Register on the Podium Platform.

• Purchase of Division/Category Pass.

• Full Competitor Pass.

• Wristband required at registration.

3. REGISTRATION PROCESS

• Register on the Podium platform.

• Select divisions/categories.

• Upload music, image, location, dancer names, and all required information.

• Return to (http://www.Vivelodancecompetition.com), purchase your competitor pass and the divisions and categories in which you wish to compete, and complete the payment. ALL COMPETITORS MUST HAVE THE COMPETITOR FULL PASS AND THE CATEGORY PASS.

4. ACCREDITATIONS: Prerequisites:

• Complete registration (name, ID, date of birth)

• Podium QR Code

• Present ID at registration.

• Attend initial meetings

• Minors under 17 must be accompanied by an adult

5. DIVISIONS:

1. Salsa Showcase

2. Bachata Showcase

3. Fusion Showcase

6. CATEGORIES:

• Soloist: One dancer, regardless of gender. This dancer must show a clear choreography with steps, timing, musicality, technique, stage presence, etc. (Limited to 10 registered soloists in each category).

• Couple: One man AND one woman. (Limited to 15 registered couples in each category).

• Duo: Two dancers of the same sex. (Limited to 15 registered duos in each category).

• Small Team (up to 6 dancers): (Limited to 8 registered small teams in each category).

• Large Team (7 to 20 dancers): (Limited to 8 registered large teams in each category).

Note: Once the spots are filled, an announcement will be posted on our social media channels: "CATEGORY FULL".

7. LEVELS:

a) Professional:

· The dancer is a director of a dance company and has experience participating in national and international competitions as a professional.

· Lives from dance and earns income by teaching, performing shows, or giving workshops. Age: (no restrictions)

b) Semi-Professional:

· Dancer who receives income from teaching, giving workshops, or choreographing, but whose main income comes from another profession. Age: (no restrictions)

c) ProAm Couple:

· Consists of a couple, woman and man. One professional dancer and the other an amateur or student, thus forming the couple to compete. Age: (no restrictions)

d) ProAm Duo:

· Consists of a couple of the same sex. One professional dancer and the other an amateur or student, thus forming the couple to compete. Age: (no restrictions)

e) Amateur:

· Dancer who practices dance for passion and not as a source of income, but who competes independently, without the constant guidance of a professional or instructor during the competition. Age: (no restrictions)

f) Student:

· Dancer who receives technical and artistic training from an instructor or professional with the main objective of learning, improving their skills, or preparing for performances and who follows the instructions and teachings of their instructor or teacher exactly. Age: (no restrictions)

g) Open:

· Category where dancers of any level, sex, or age participate, without restrictions.

8. AGE REQUIREMENTS

Junior: 8–12

Teen: 13–17

Adult: 18+

9. MOVEMENT DEFINITIONS

All categories have freedom of movement including dips, lifts, acrobatics, and spins, ensuring that no couple, duo, or team exceeds more than 50% in dips, tricks, lifts, acrobatics, and spins. This freedom does not apply to professional couples or duos.

· Dips: Any movement that takes a dancer off their axis of balance, requiring support from the partner.

· Tricks: Fluid and sequential movements where a partner remains in contact with the ground.

· Lifts: Movements where one dancer lifts the other off the ground.

· Acrobatics: Any movement where a dancer is propelled into the air, losing complete contact.

· Spins: A maximum of 8 bars (32 beats / 4 phrases of 8 counts) of continuous spins are allowed.

· Combinations: Sequences that combine dips, lifts, acrobatics, and spins performed in a fluid manner.

10. CATEGORY PARAMETERS

• Professional couples must maintain the timing (on1, on2, etc.) from the beginning to the end of their routine according to the division they chose. A maximum of 5 tricks is allowed, where at least one foot or any part of the body from the waist down must always remain on the ground while the trick is being executed. Failure to follow this rule and lifting both feet during the execution of the trick will be considered a lift and will result in a penalty from the competition's head judge.

• A dancer of a specific age cannot compete in different levels (Student, Amateur, Semi-Professional, Professional) in the competition, except in the Open level.

• A dancer can compete in several divisions (Salsa, Bachata, Latin Fusion) within the same age.

• A competitor can participate in a different category using the same costume and music, provided they meet all requirements for that category.

• For team categories, at least 80% of the dancers must be at the skill level corresponding to the category in which the team is competing. Except in the Open level.

• For team categories, at least 80% of the dancers must be within the age corresponding to the category in which the team is competing. Except in the Open level.

11. MUSIC SUBMISSION

Deadline: May 26, 2027

Changes allowed until: May 20, 2027

MP3 required

a) Music duration:

• Soloist: 1:30–1:50

• Couples and Duos: 1:40–2:00

• Teams: 2:00–4:00

12. COSTUMES

• Professional standards are required.

• Costumes that expose intimate parts of the dancers are not allowed.

13. STAGE ENTRANCE AND EXIT

• Be ready and on time to enter the stage and exit as soon as your choreography has finished. Taking too long to enter or exit can cost you points.

14. JUDGES

• All Judges are certified.

• Head judge who will oversee fairness.

15. SCORING CRITERIA

Timing: 20%

Choreography: 20%

Technique: 20%

Musicality: 10%

Difficulty: 10%

Connection: 10%

Stage Presence: 10%

16. SCORING CRITERIA DEFINITIONS:

Timing: Evaluates how well the dancer synchronizes their movements with the rhythm and beats of the music. Judges look for precision at the start and end of movements, as well as maintaining a constant tempo throughout the performance.

Choreography: Refers to the creativity and originality of the dance routine. Judges evaluate the complexity of the movements, the transitions between different sections, and how well the choreography fits the music and the theme of the performance.

Technique: Focuses on the dancer's execution of movements, including body alignment, balance, control, and the ability to perform dance styles and techniques correctly. Judges look for clarity and precision in every movement.

Musicality: Evaluates the dancer's ability to interpret the music through their movements. Judges observe how well the dancer expresses the mood, dynamics, and nuances of the music, as well as their ability to highlight specific musical elements.

Difficulty: Evaluates the level of challenge presented in the dance routine. Judges consider the complexity of the choreography, the variety of movements, and the incorporation of advanced techniques. A higher degree of difficulty can improve the overall score if executed well.

Connection: Refers to the dancer's ability to connect with the audience and other performers. Judges evaluate the emotional expression and narrative within the performance, as well as how well the dancers communicate with each other in couple or group routines.

Stage Presence: Evaluates the dancer's confidence and charisma while performing. Judges look for energy, composure, and the ability to engage the audience. A strong stage presence can elevate a performance and leave a lasting impression.

a) TIES: If total scores are identical, ties will be resolved in this order:

1. Technique

2. Choreography

3. Difficulty

4. Timing

5. Musicality

6. Connection

7. Stage Presence

If there is still a tie, the Head Judge will call for a majority vote among the panel of judges.

17. PENALTIES

Each infraction results in a 1% deduction of the total score (cumulative).

Infractions include:

• Exceeding limits for dips, tricks, or lifts

• Timing errors or missed steps

• Falls

• Costume malfunctions

• Inappropriate costume

• Music violations

• Exceeding performance time

**Serious or repeated infractions may result in disqualification.

18. DISQUALIFICATION

Reasons for disqualification include:

• Inappropriate behavior

• Unsportsmanlike conduct.

• Failure to show up to the competition or failure to notify the organizers of an absence.

19. GENERAL GUIDELINES

a) Minimum of 3 competitors per category. (If the minimum is not met, dancers will be assigned to another category).

b) The competition will be divided into two sessions: Morning (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) and Afternoon (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm). The sessions will be published in the Podium Minute-by-Minute, no later than two days before the competition.

c) At the beginning of each session, there will be an informative meeting where all competitors must present themselves for roll call according to the established schedule. Failure to show up for roll call will result in a 1-point penalty, and if this occurs again, the competitor will be disqualified without the right to a refund (no exceptions).

d) Late arrival to meetings or competitions will not be allowed. If any soloist, couple, or team is not present, the judges will be notified and they may be disqualified at the discretion of the head judge, without the right to a refund.

e) All competitors must be in the competition room at least 30 minutes before the start of the competition, according to the schedule on the published Podium System.

20. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

The rules must be accepted and signed.