Judging Criteria

1. TANGO DE PISTA (UNRESTRICTED ENTRY, AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS)
Tango de Pista is conceived as a social dance, where the most important aspects are the improvisation, embrace and connection between the dance partners.
Circulation of couples: Couples, as in a real dance hall, will dance in rounds and will have to constantly move counterclockwise without going backwards. They will be allowed, if needed, to walk one or two step backwards at most always within the space of the couple.
The couple must be aware and respectful of their own and other couples’ space in the round in order not to break the harmony when moving around. If a couple performs more than two phrases in the same spot, obstructing the circulation on the dance floor, the Jury may consider lowering their score.
In the event that one couple stops the flow of traffic around the dance floor, it is not possible for other couples to go past them. If the jury deems it necessary, the round of couples may have to dance to another tango to solve the inconvenience.
Once formed, the couple must not separate while the music is playing. For the position to be considered correct, the body of one of the members of the couple must be contained at all the time by the arm of the other. It is understood that in certain figures this may be flexible, but not throughout the whole duration of the dance. All movements and figures must be made within the space allowed by the couple’s embrace, so as not to get in the way of the other couples dancing.
The leader may invite the follower to walk and/or turn to their right or left, without taking steps backwards on the dance floor.
It is not necessary for partners to break the embrace between tangos.
Evaluation criteria: The couple may perform any commonly used figures of “social” tango, including barridas (sweeps), sacadas al piso (drawn to the floor), enrosques (twists), ganchos (hooks), boleos, etc., as well as embellishments always within their own space, without standing in the way of couples dancing around them. Jumps, figures that involve lifting both feet off the ground and any other choreographic possibilities typical of Stage Tango are completely forbidden.
The Jury will take into account the couple’s own interpretation in different styles as fundamental to the score. They will also consider their musicality, elegant walking style, but especially the connection between partners and the search for their own expression, as well as the ability to change the dynamics and speed accordingly depending on the tango being played.
Costumes: Outfits will not be taken into consideration during the judging process, but dancers are recommended to dress smartly. When choosing the outfit, hairstyle and make-up, please be reminded that Tango de Pista is a social dance and not a stage dance.
2. STAGE TANGO (UNRESTRICTED ENTRY, AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS)
Performance: Each couple will offer an individual performance with a song of their choice that shall not be more than four (4) minutes long.
In case of having a problem with the choreography, the couple will decide whether to continue dancing or not, and the Jury will evaluate the manner and grace with which they solve the inconvenience; but the couple will not be allowed to repeat the performance.
If a technical problem should occur, the Organization along with the Jury will evaluate the repetition of the choreography at the end of the assigned performing time slot.
Evaluation criteria: Participants will be able to express their view of the Argentine tango dance.
This means that couples will be allowed to perform movements, figures and embellishments that are not directly related to the traditional tango dance. But the choreography must include traditional elements of tango: figure eights, spins, long walks, boleos, hooks, and the “milonguero embrace.” Couples will be able to break the embrace and use techniques from other dance disciplines, as long as they are justified and enrich the performance of the dancer.
Aerial tricks and movements from other dance disciplines must not be excessive. This means that they must not exceed a third of the overall performance. The couple must include floor movement sequences throughout the whole stage floor.
Costumes: Outfits may be taken into consideration during the judging process.