POLE Stars - DANCE UNIVERSE Competition Rules
Eligibility
1. Entry is open to anyone aged over 18 years.
2. Entry is open to national and international competitors.
3. Applicants will be selected based on their video entry which should be a completely unaltered and single continuous video recording of the entrant’s dancing abilities on and around the pole.
a) The video does not need to reflect the entrant’s intended performance for the Competition Date.
b) Video entries will be judged on dance skills on and around the pole and performance ability.
Division Requirements
4.
A. To enter the Amateur First Timer Division:
a) Competitors must have never competed in a pole dancing or dance competition before, including social competitions.
B. To enter the Amateur Advanced Division:
a) Competitors must have competed in a pole dancing competition but must not have placed in the top three; AND
b) Must not be a current pole dance or dance instructor who taught and/or teaches choreography classes involving poles, chair and/or floor.
C. To enter the Amateur Elite Division:
a) Competitors must not have placed in the top three of any semi-professional or professional competitions, including social competitions.; AND
b) Competitors must not have won any amateur level pole dancing or dance competition before, including social competitions.
D. To enter the Semi-Professional Division:
a) Competitors must have not won a “Dance Focused Competitions” as defined below; AND
b) Competitors must not have competed in any “National Level Pole Dance Competitions” as defined below; AND
c) Competitors must not have won any semi-professional or professional level pole dancing or dance competition before, including social competitions.
E. To enter the Professional Division:
a) Competitors must be current pole dance or dance instructors who teach choreography involving poles, chair, and/or floor; OR
b) Competitors must have previously competed in any semi-professional and/or professional level pole dancing or dance competition before, including social competitions.
Definitions
A. “Dance Focused Competitions”
- These are any dance competitions or pole dance competitions where the focus is given more heavily to the dance elements over pole tricks.
- Examples include but are not limited to: Exotic Generation, Exotic Generation World, Floorplay, Dance Filthy, Floor Elements.
- If you are unsure, please contact the organizers at polestarscomp@gmail.com.
B. “National Level Pole Dance Competitions”
- These are any pole dance competitions where competitors from two or more states are able to apply or be invited to compete at an open level.
- These competitions give points to both dance elements and pole tricks/transitions/combinations.
- Examples include but are not limited to: Miss Pole Dance Australia, Pole Theatre (Professional Division), Pole Icon, Australian Pole Championships National Finals (Professional Division).
- Exempt Competition: Mr Pole Dance
- If you are unsure, please contact the organizers at polestarscomp@gmail.com.
Important Dates and Details
6. The following terms have these specific meaning when referred to on this page:
a. Competition: Pole Stars - Dance Universe
b. Competition Date: The competition is scheduled for Saturday 09 November & Sunday 10 November 2024 and will commence roughly around 3:30 pm (Sydney Time)
c. Rehearsals: Commence roughly 11AM AEDT (Sydney Time) on the Competition Date
d. Competition Venue: Casula Powerhouse Art Centre (1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula NSW 2170)
e. Props Approval Deadline: Sunday 20 October 2024
Props and Human Props
7. All Props MUST gain pre-approval from Organisers by Props Approval Deadline per section 6.
8. As a general rule, non-human props are NOT permitted if they involve:
a) confetti or glitter,
b) smoke,
c) liquid,
d) fire or sparks; and/or
e) takes longer than 1 minute to set up and cleared up within 1 minute by 2 persons.
9. BREACH of rules 7 and 8 will result in immediate disqualification from the Competition and possible ban from future competitions hosted by Wanderlust Pole Studio.
10. Competitors may have up to 2 human-props per performance if:
a) all human props are approved by Props Approval Deadline per section 6;
b) all human props have purchased a valid ticket to the Competition on the day; and
c) all human props sign a liability waiver by Props Approval Deadline per section 6.
Costuming
11. Regarding costuming:
a) Any type of footwear is allowed including bare feet, shoes, heels or boots;
b) Competitors are allowed to remove items of clothing during their performance however, no nudity or G-strings are permitted;
c) All private parts and nipples covered as complete nudity is not allowed (having said this, sensual and sexy styles are welcome, pasties are welcome, & cheeky bottoms and tops are welcome!); and
d) Gloves and knee pads are permitted.
Stage & Pole Dimensions
12. Stage Dimensions: Elevated (level with audience); TBA
Diagram for Stage Dimensions will be provided upon being accepted as a Finalist to the Competition.
13. Pole Specifications:
- 1 x 40mm Brass X-Poles;
- 3.2 metres high;
- Poles may be set to Static or Spin.
14. Required Pole Settings:
If relevant to their Division, competitors will have the choice to keep the pole on spin or static.
Terms & Conditions of Entry
Competitors Are Fully Responsible for all Aspects of their Performance
15. Other than the stage and the pole, competitors are responsible for:
a) bringing all and any grips aids,
b) bringing all and any props and organising the transport to and removal of such props within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the Competition,
c) any other items or objects or persons permitted within the Competition Rules,
d) their own travel to and from the Competition Venue,
e) being on time to the Competition Venue,
f) to effectively participate in rehearsals and fully execute their performances on Competition Date.
Rehearsals, Warm Ups and Pre-Comp Briefing:
16. Competitors are expected to be at the venue and check in with competition staff no later than 30 minutes before their scheduled rehearsal time.
a) Rehearsal times will be allocated to each competitor on the Competition Date, so please do not be late otherwise you will forfeit your time;
b) Competitors are responsible for their own warm up and must ensure they have warmed up and stretched properly prior to rehearsals and performing;
c) All competitors must be at the venue for competitor briefing at the time allocated by the competition organisers.
Behaviour Protocols
17. Competitors must behave professionally towards audience members, competition staff, judges, and fellow competitors with courtesy. They must not consume or bring alcohol or any prohibited substances to the competition venue at any time. Breach of this rule will result in immediate disqualification and may lead to a ban from all future competitions organized by Wanderlust Pole & Aerial Studio.
Performance Length
18. Performances must be no longer than:
a) Amateur First Timer Division - 2 minutes
b) Amateur Advanced Division - 2 minutes 30 seconds
c) Amateur Elite Division - 3 minutes
d) Semi-Professional Division - 3 minutes 30 seconds
e) Professional Division - 4 minutes
Division Rules
19. Competitors agree to be subject to Division Criteria set out below and will enter the correct the Division in accordance with the Division Criteria.
a) Organisers reserve the right to:
i) adjust competitors’ division or
ii) disqualify the competitor if it is found out that a competitor has entered the incorrect division (prior to the competition).
b) Any competitor who is found to have competed in a division lower than they should be competing at, will be disqualified and subsequently stripped of their title and any prizes they may have received. They may also be banned from all future Competitions organised by Wanderlust Pole & Aerial Studio.
Waiver of liability
20. Competitors acknowledge and accept that Pole Stars and Wanderlust Pole Studio Pty Ltd and its owners, and staff (the Organisers) their directors, instructors, employees, agents and other related parties (“Related Parties”) are not responsible for injury or damage resulting from participation in the competition.
21. Competitors fully accept liability for and agree to fully reimburse Wanderlust Pole Studio Pty Ltd for any damage done to the venue caused either directly or indirectly by the Competitor due to their participation in this Competition on Competition Date and otherwise.
22. The competitors acknowledge and voluntarily accept the risks associated in participating in the competition. The competitors waive to the fullest extent permitted by law all legal rights of action against and fully releases the Organisers and Related Parties for the loss, damages, or injury howsoever arising out of or in relation to the participation by the competitors in the activities conducted or organised by the Organisers and Related Parties including without limitation, liability for any negligent or tortious act or omission, breach of duty, breach of contract or breach of statutory duty on the part of the Organisers or Related Parties.
Photos and Videos
23. As a competitor, you are aware that they may be photographed or videoed during their performance by a professional photographer or otherwise, and acknowledge this is particularly the case for a competition.
24. As a competitor, you acknowledge and accept that all photos or video taken of you during the Competition are the Intellectual Property of the Organisers and used for future promotional material by the Organisers.
25. As a competitor, you releases all rights or claims over any photos or videos, and acknowledges that such material is the property of and can be used by the Organisers for promotional or other uses, without your permission and without compensation to you.
26. Competitors may film their own performances and are free to use them as they see fit unless instructed otherwise by the Organisers.
27. By submitting the application to enter the Competition and by accepting any consequent invitation to be a finalist of the Competition, the competitor acknowledges they have understood, agree to and accept to be bound by:
a) the terms of the clauses from 1 to 27; AND
b) Clauses below: 28 Video Entry Guidelines, 29. Category Criteria, and 30. Judging Criteria.
28. Video Entry Guidelines
Video must be at least 1 minute long but no longer than 4 minutes.
Video segment showing the Applicant’s dancing must be filmed in one single take.
Video segment showing the Applicant’s dancing must not have been cut, altered or edited in any way to prevent disqualification without refund of any and all entry fees.
Video entries will be judged on presentation, dance skills on and off the pole, and performance ability.
Videos must be on YouTube or Vimeo or Gmail. Downloadable files are not allowed. Videos may be on unlisted setting in Youtube or Vimeo, or password access needs to be granted.
Videos must be of good quality with sufficient lighting.
Videos does not need to reflect the style of the Category they are entering.
Videos do not need to reflect the Applicant’s intended performance for the Competition.
29. Category Criteria
The following applies to all Categories:
a) Dancing on and off the pole, dancing around the base of the pole, and dance on the floor are permitted.
b) The following limitations apply on pole tricks:
i) Pole Tricks that require the following are NOT permitted during the actual performance:
a. climbing the pole;
b. aerial inversions (including but not limited to aerial inverts, aerial shoulder mounts, etc);
c. require more than one inversion (moves where the legs are above the head) on the pole in a row
ii) Heavy emphasis will be placed on musicality and/or the suitability of pole tricks as elevating and serving the performance piece as a whole.
1. NOVA (Power)
This category focuses on strong, powerful movements that convey confidence and attitude. Dancers can incorporate dynamic tricks, athleticism, and bold expressions. The choreography should reflect a commanding presence, showcasing power and precision.
2. ECSLIPSE (Emotion)
This category emphasizes emotional connection through dance. Routines should evoke feelings and can convey a narrative through storytelling. The focus is on dance evoking strong emotions through fluidity, grace, expressive movement, and/or storytelling.
3. AURORA (Sensual)
This category celebrates sensuality and body movement, allowing dancers to explore themes of allure, and sensuality/sexuality . The choreography should focus on fluid, sensual movements that highlight the dancer's body and ability to seduce the audience through dance.
4. COSMOS (Freestyle) - open to Semi-pro and Professional divisions ONLY
In this category, dancers will be challenged to create spontaneous choreography based on 2 randomly selected songs from a predetermined list of 30 tracks (10 tracks from Nova (Power), 10 tracks from Eclipse (Emotion), and 10 tracks from Aurora (Sensual) genre style of music). This category emphasizes the dancers' ability to think on their feet, creatively interpret music, and express themselves without prior preparation. The goal is to showcase their improvisational skills, adaptability, and artistic intuition.
30. Judging Criteria
Dancing Technique (10)
The dancers execution must be technically sound, display of lines, difficulty or originality of relevant pole-dance, basework, and floorwork tricks and/or transitions
Musicality (10)
Ability to dance in harmony with the chosen music, ability to express concept of performance through connection between music and dance
X-Factor (10)
Audience engagement, unique dance style or movement, creative use of space and surroundings or props, and/or visual impact
Presentation (5)
Costume, Make-up, Overall Aesthetic andaAppropriateness of presentation to theme/dance/concept being performed
Alignment with Category theme (15)
The performance as a whole, with all the factors above combined, how well did it serve the theme of the category?
- Nova (Power): focuses on strong, powerful movements that convey confidence and attitude.
- Eclipse (Emotion): focus on emotional connection through dance. Routines should evoke feelings.
- Aurora (Sensual) : focus on sensuality/sexuality and expression through body movement, seduction of the audience through dance.
- Cosmos (Freestyle): focus on improvisational skills, adaptability of style, and artistic intuition.