Latin Festival Stuttgart · Format & Rules

Salsa Jack & Jill

Stuttgart landmarks: Jubilee Column, TV tower, Collegiate Church, the New Palace fountain and the Mercedes-Benz Museum

Get ready for a competition where one thing matters above all: how well you social dance. This is not about performing a rehearsed routine. It is about showing how well you adapt to different partners, different songs and whatever happens on the floor.

The Jack & Jill takes place at Latin Festival Stuttgart on the first weekend of December, on Saturday afternoon, after the workshops. The competition runs over three rounds.

How it works

You will not know the music

Competitors are not told in advance which songs will be played. The DJ picks the music during the competition — testing your adaptability, your musicality and your connection.

You change partners while the songs play. The judges watch every dancer and score each person individually.

Partner changes

Three changes per song

During every song the DJ pauses the music three times so that partners change.

You will dance with several leaders and followers. That is how the judges see how well each person adjusts to different styles, levels and approaches.

What the judges look for

Social dancing, first and foremost

  • Quality as a leader or follower
  • Dance technique
  • Connection with your partner
  • Musicality and connection to the music
  • Adaptability to different partners
  • Clarity and quality of body language
  • Correct timing and a style that fits the music
  • Joy in dancing — and in giving your partner a good dance

It is not about how many figures you know. It is about how well you dance with any person and build a connection that works.

Timing

On1 or On2?

Both are allowed. Dance the timing you are most comfortable with, as long as you hold it correctly and stay musical.

When partners change, followers may adapt to the new leader’s timing. A good connection and a smooth, enjoyable dance for both partners come first.

Format

Three rounds

The competition runs over three rounds, on Saturday afternoon after the afternoon workshops.

After the heats, the dancers who qualify for the final compete for the top three places in the Leader and Follower categories.

Prizes

  1. 1st place Leader & Follower A Full Pass plus a masterclass with an artist at next year’s Latin Festival.
  2. 2nd place Leader & Follower A Full Pass for the Salsa Marathon in May.
  3. 3rd place Leader & Follower €20 drinks credit at the festival.

Taking part

Entry fee: €12, paid at the box office during the festival.

A Full Pass is required to take part.

Come ready to dance with different people, to listen to the music, to adapt — and above all to enjoy the social dance.

It is not the dancer who knows the most figures who wins.
It is the one who dances best with their partner.

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