Rules - Pride in Dallas Sep 2026 Dance Competition

Judging Criteria

We've uploaded our full judging criteria sheets as PDFs. Check them out so you'll know exactly what the judges are looking for!

Go to Folder!

Overall Rules

  • Dancers and spectators must be 21+ years old in order to enter the venue (a bar).
  • Dancers must be near the dance floor and ready to compete by the scheduled time of the competition.
  • A dancer can enter one or multiple divisions, such that they meet the criteria for the division(s).
  • Dress Code: Typical “going out” wear. There are no requirements for what to wear however, clothing should be presentable and appropriate. Costumes or props are subject to removal prior to the start of the competition at the discretion of the judges and/or event coordinators. It is recommended that dance shoes (of any style) be worn. Any shoe that can damage the dance floors will not be allowed. Inappropriate clothing or shoes can result in disqualification. If an outfit or article of clothing is called into question, the judges and/or the event coordinators will have the final say.
  • If needed, some dancers may be asked to return for a Finals round - finals will occur during the same evening.

Event Format

This competition event has 2 contests: Partner Dance and Line Dance.

Partner Dance

Two divisions

  • Two Step Novice
  • Just Dance West Coast Swing Novice

Special Rules

  • Two Step Novice is scored and eligible for prizes
  • Just Dance WCS is a just for fun, no-stakes/no-prize division
  • Dancers will sign up as a couple for Two Step Novice
  • Dancers will sign up as either a couple or solo for Just Dance WCS (we’ll pair up the solos)
  • A dancer can compete in one or both Partner Dance divisions, such that they meet the criteria (outlined in rules below)
  • The songs will be selected by the event coordinators and announced when registration opens
  • Each couple will dance to the same two (2) songs, dancing to two (2) minutes of each song
  • No lifts or aerials in any division (see Definitions)
  • Cannot use more than one (1) drop

Details

  • Max Dancers: 20 individuals across all divisions
  • Heats: Max 5 couples per heat - heats will be divided evenly
  • Two Step’s basic timing is QQSS (1&2 3)
  • West Coast Swing’s basic timing is 1 2 3&4 5&6 and 1 2 3&4 5 6 7&8.
  • See Definitions for full classifications of Two Step and West Coast Swing dances

Line Dance

One Division, Two Phases

  • Phase 1 - Qualifier Line Dances (2x) (Improver/Intermediate)
  • Phase 2 - Finals Line Dance (Intermediate+)

Special Rules

  • Dancers will sign up individually
  • Two (2) line dances in the qualifiers round and one (1) line dance in the finals round - all dances must be performed to qualify for prizes
  • The songs will be selected by the event coordinators and announced when registration opens - every dancer will dance to the full length of the selected song
  • The designated step sheet and video will be provided with the song during registration to ensure everyone is doing the same version

Details

  • Max Dancers: 45 individuals across all divisions
  • Heats: Max 15 individuals per heat (3 rows of 5 dancers) - heats will be divided evenly
  • Step Sheet: The designated step sheets and video demos will be provided on the online registration page at the opening of registration (see rules below)

For Phase 2 - Finals Round

  • Max Dancers: At the judges’ discretion, no more than a full heat of 15 individuals
  • Heats: One (1) heat composed of the highest scoring individuals from prior round
  • Step Sheet: The designated step sheet and video demo will be provided on the online registration page at the opening of registration (see rules below)

Registration Info

Online registration opens September 3, 2026, here on dallasdoesdance.org.

Song Selections

Music, step sheets, and demo videos will be posted here on Sep 3 when online registration opens - check back in a few days!

Division Rules

Two Step | Novice

Two Step Novice

  • Skill level: Beginner and Novice only.
  • Beginner = A dancer may have competed in a max of three Country Two Step competitions.
  • Novice = A dancer may have won (first place) a max of one local/smaller Country Two Step competition and has not won any interstate competitions (such as ACDA or UCWDC).
  • Dancers will sign up as a Couple; each dancer pays the registration fee.
  • The songs will be selected by event staff and announced when registration opens - every couple will dance to two (2) minutes of each selected song.
  • No lifts or aerials; cannot use more than one (1) drop (see Definitions) - TL;DR at least one foot must be on the floor at all times.

West Coast Swing | Novice

Just Dance WCS Novice

  • Skill level: Beginner and Novice only.
  • Beginner = A dancer may have competed in a max of three West Coast Swing competitions.
  • Novice = A dancer may have won (first place) a max of one local/smaller West Coast Swing competition and has not won any interstate competitions (such as ACDA, UCWDC, WSDC, or NASDE).
  • Dancers will sign up either as a couple or solo; each dancer pays the registration fee.
  • The songs will be selected by event staff and announced when registration opens - every couple will dance to two (2) minutes of each selected song.
  • No lifts or aerials; cannot use more than one (1) drop (see Definitions) - TL;DR at least one foot must be on the floor at all times.

Line Dance | Improver - Intermediate

Improver+ Line Dance

Line Dance - Phase 1 - Qualifiers

Two Improver/Intermediate level line dances will be selected by the event coordinators and announced at registration. Dancers sign up as individuals. Each dancer will dance the full length of both of the same songs (see rules).

Style: Line Dance | Level: Improver -> Intermediate

  • Dancers will sign up individually.
  • The songs will be selected by the event coordinators and announced when registration opens - every dancer will dance to the full length of the selected songs.
  • The designated step sheet and video will be provided with the songs during registration to ensure everyone is doing the same version.
  • The dancer may add their own styling and variation as long as it remains within the general flow of the dance.
  • Dancers must dance both line dances to qualify for the Finals round.
  • Some dancers will be asked to return for a Finals round - finals will occur during the same evening.

Line Dance - Phase 2 - Finals

An intermediate level line dance will be selected by the event coordinators and announced at registration. Dancers sign up as individuals. Each dancer will dance the full length of the same song (see rules).

  • Dancers cannot sign up for this round and will be asked to return for this round based on performance in their Phase 1 line dance round.
  • The song will be selected by the event coordinators and announced when registration opens - every dancer will dance to the full length of the selected song.
  • The designated step sheet and video will be provided with the song during registration to ensure everyone is doing the same version.
  • The dancer may add their own styling and variation as long as it remains within the general flow of the dance.