π Contests
Balorado is not a competition-centric event. Our aim with competitions is to create a fun and inspiring experience for both competitors and spectators, to challenge dancers in new ways, and to offer unique opportunities that may not be available at other events. We strive to ensure that contest time does not encroach too much on social dancing time.
π New for 2025: Balorado will be replacing the Crossover Mix & Match with an Amateur Mix & Match and an Advanced Mix & Match. We did this because we received feedback that our contest was very similar to Northwest BalFest's competition format, and that advanced-level dancers have limited opportunities to compete. We opted for a Mix & Match format to ensure that everyone was able to compete if they desired.
ποΈ Already registered for the event and want to add a comp? Click here.
Switch and Match
Prelims will be held Friday evening and finals will be held during the Friday main dance.
Open to dancers who:
Enjoy leading and following Balboa.
Description:
Competitors will sign up and randomly draw partners for each round.
Prelims will be danced in heats with competitors changing partners a minimum of three times.
1st song: Group "A" leads, and Group "B" follows
2nd song: Group "B" leads, and Group "A" follows
3rd song: Partners are encouraged to switch roles throughout the song.
4th song (optional) rotate partners, also switch song
Finalists will draw a partner then they will dance two all-skates where each partner leads for one song and follows for one song. Each couple will dance a 90-second spotlight (or dual spotlight) while switching roles. Couples must switch roles at least two times within their spotlight.
Both partners must demonstrate dancing and in the lead and follow roles.
Amateur Mix & Match
Prelims will be held Saturday afternoon, and finals will be held during the Saturday main dance.
As a community-focused event, we want this level of competition to showcase up-and-coming dancers. Please use your best judgment as to whether you qualify for the βamateurβ level, even if you technically meet the requirements below. If you make advanced finals and are registered in the same role as an amateur, your amateur registration will be forfeit. Please reach out to us at support@balorado.com with any questions.
Open to dancers who:
Do not travel to teach Balboa or earn a living from teaching Balboa or swing.
Have not placed in any regional or national Balboa competition in the past five years.
Have not made finals in a non-Amateur level Balboa competition within the past five years.
Dancers may register to compete in both roles, but may be asked to select one role if they make finals in both.
Dancers may register for both the Amateur and Advanced in the same role, but will not be allowed to compete in the Amateur if they make finals in the Advanced.
Description:
Competitors will sign up individually as a lead or follow and will randomly draw partners for each round of this competition.
Prelims will be danced in heats with competitors changing partners a minimum of three times.
Finalists will draw a partner and they will be judged as a couple for the entire final round.
Finalists will dance a warmup all-skate and will dance in spotlights to DJed music. Couples may dance further all-skates as deemed necessary by the judges.
Advanced Mix & Match
Prelims will be held Friday evening and finals will be held during the Friday main dance.
Open to dancers who:
Have not placed at regional or national advanced or open Balboa competitions.
Have not made finals more than once in an open-level Balboa competition.
May be teaching Balboa locally, or are starting to travel for teaching engagements, but do not earn a living from teaching Balboa or swing.
Dancers may register to compete in both roles, but may be asked to select one role if they make finals in both.
Dancers may register for both the Amateur and Advanced in the same role, but will not be allowed to compete in the Amateur if they make finals in the Advanced.
Description:
Competitors will sign up individually as a lead or follow and will randomly draw partners for each round of this competition.
Prelims will be danced in heats with competitors changing partners a minimum of three times.
Finalists will draw a partner and they will be judged as a couple for the entire final round.
Finalists will dance a warmup all-skate and will dance in spotlights to DJed music. Couples may dance further all-skates as deemed necessary by the judges.