          
TAHDC
Sylvana Avila_Alonso Service Award Walley Godinez |
The Latino Dance and
Music Festival
July 15-19,2008 Texas Woman's University Guest Instructor Silvia
Lozano Gran Competencia de
Cuadros Folkloricos The Latino Dance and Music Festival at Texas Woman's University is perhaps the most important folklórico event ever held in the United States. While folklórico conferences have been held at universities, this is the first folklórico event that attempts to create a bridge opening the doors of the university to folklórico dancers and to teachers who would like to learn folklórico. This bridge is important for increasing the number of the number of teachers capable of introducing folklórico to public school children and for increasing the number of folklórico dancers studying dance in university programs and earning a state teacher certification. Unlike the festival sponsored in the past this festival is open to students 13 years of age and older, folklórico master teachers, as well as teachers who would like to learn folklórico basics. More information will be available soon. |
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Who May Participate Public and private schools, community and church groups, private dance studios and senior citizen groups, as well as university groups and professional companies are invited to participate in the festival. Different events allow dancers of all ages and levels of ability and opportunity to participate. Competition events are open to dancers who are not directors or full time professional teachers or performers. Directors and full time professional dancers are encouraged to participate in the events open to them: La Gran Competencia de Cuadros Folklóricos, Showcase Performances, and Master Classes.
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What People Say About our Festival "We had a wonderful time at the festival. I am barely functional today, but the exhaustion is tempered by such wonderful experiences." "At every turn nice people were so helpful." "I realize now after our first competition that we have lots to do to prepare for next year, but the kids are ready to work even harder and they are excited about learning more." "The Gran Competencia was everything you said and more. What an inspirational evening!" "The experience made the kids closer." "We are all going to do research on the regions and the costumes and dedicate extra time to areas we need to improve." Judy Vieira "Gracias por la oportunidad de haber disfrutado al maximo esta competencia. Nos trajimos dos trofeos de tercer lugar y uno de segundo lugar y uno de primero. La communidad hispana en Tulsa esta muy orgullosa de nuestro papel en Dallas. Le agradezco infinitamente la oportunidad que nos ha brindado." Rafael Espitia
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The Folklórico Competition The Folklórico Festival of Texas competition is designed to recognize and reward student achievement and to give professional feedback to the students and teachers. Each group will receive a written critique from adjudicators. The entrance, exit, and the usage of the stage space, the choreography, as well as the technique, projection, timing, costuming, and authenticity will be evaluated. Decisions of the adjudicators are final.
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La Gran Competencia La Gran Competencia features five of the best dance companies in the USA on Saturday evening. This event is the highlight of the festival. Each group selected to perform will receive a plaque in recognition of their artistic achievement. To enter this competition in 2006 applicants are to submit a video tapes for pre-adjudication by the deadline, midnight November 30th. There is no entry fee for this category. Groups are encouraged to submit more than one video entry. Please read La Gran Competencia new Rules and Procedures carefully.
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Guest Maestros de Mexico Friday Master Classes Three maestros will teach master classes on Friday. Senior and adult intermediate/advanced master classes will be held on Friday, March 31st. The fee for the 4.5 hours of instruction is $30. Names and resumes of our guest maestros will posted as soon as the invitations are confirmed. In 2006, The Folklórico Festival of Texas will host five maestros de Mexico to adjudicate performances. 2005 List of Honored Judges. |
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Seven Hours of Free Fun Dance Classes Students and teachers are not required to participate in any other event or pay any additional fees to take advantage of the Free Fun Dance Classes. Previous experience or special equipment is not necessary. Guest teachers' credentials and the New schedule will be posted as soon as they become available to us. Class space is limited so sign up early and to take advantage. FREE Dance Classes will begin at 9 a.m. and continue to 4 p.m. |
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Showcase Performances Participants not competing in the festival may present two showcase performances at the Folklórico Festival. For the 2006, the number of Showcase Performances has been reduced from fifteen to ten and a performance fee of $35 will be charged for each Showcase. Applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis. Because of the difficulty of scheduling, dancers competing are not eligible to perform in the Showcases. Dancers of all ages and levels of ability are encouraged to apply. Showcase Performances Application
Ballet Folklorico de San Antonio performing a Flamenco Showcase |
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The goal of our festival is to create an inclusive environment where all types of folklórico groups can join together to celebrate la Cultura Hispana. Over the years the festival competition has grown to over 500 entries. The skill level among many of our participants is what one would expect at a National or International festival. For these reason an Elite Division has been created. Groups that have received an average score of 95 or higher are encouraged to participate in this category. All groups and individuals wishing to compete at this level are encouraged to submit an Elite application. |
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Hispanic Entries The Folklórico Festival of Texas encourages the study and performance of the vast diversity of Hispanic culture including Spanish/Flamenco, Central & South America, traditional Afro-Latino, Salsa, traditional Hispanic social dances, and Latin Pop. Salsa Entries The Salsa and Latin Pop categories were added to the competition for the purpose of allowing public school groups who do not have extensive budgets or who may not have directors who specialize in folklórico an opportunity to participate in the Festival. Non-profit and Private studios are not excluded from participation. However, the Salsa and Latin pop categories have been scheduled in a time block that facilitates public school participation. Please study the schedule to determine the possibility of participating without a tardy penalty.
Latin Pop/Hip-Hop Entries In 2006, Latin Pop Entries will be placed in a separate category Based upon the judges' recommendations Latin Pop Entries will not compete against the Salsa Entries. Entries containing overly sexual movement will be disqualified from the competition. Overly sexual disqualification will be based upon the judges' discretion.
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Categories
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Age Divisions
Students younger than 5 years are encouraged to perform a Showcase Performance
The goal of our festival is to encourage dance as a lifetime activity. |
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Age divisions are
determined by the age of the dancers on the day of competition. If a
dancer is going to turn 13 on April 5th, on the day of the competition the
dancer is still 12 years old and he or she should compete as a Junior. If however the same
dancer competes in a duet with a dancer who is thirteen, the average age is
12.5 and the dancer must compete in the Intermediate Duet/Trio Competition.
The average age is determined by adding the ages of the dancers on the day
of the competition and dividing by the number of dancers in the group.
Directors, please have a photocopy of all competitors’ birth certificates with you on the day of the competition. Please do not mail birth certificates. Keep them in a file for reuse each year. Directors are required to provide documentation if a challenge arises. Failure to produce documentation will result in disqualification. Dancers may use valid drivers license as proof of age. |
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Level Awards Level Awards are presented in categories with ten or more entries. Level Awards are Best Beginner Entry, the Best Advanced-Beginner Entry, and the Best Intermediate Entry. Levels will be marked on all critique sheets to allow judges to evaluate the students based on their length of study. Levels are calculated counting SEMESTERS of study. If a student studied 4 semesters with you and 2 semesters previously with another instructor, the student has studied a total of 6 semesters. To determine levels add the number of completed semesters of study and divide by the number of dancers. Do not count the current semester because it has not been completed. If the average level of a group falls between divisions with a fraction of .5 or larger the group will be required to complete the next level. Summer study will be counted as one semester. Please read the criteria carefully errors in filling out the level and age divisions will result in disqualification of the routine.
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Levels
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Professional Dancers Dancers who receive monetary compensation for performing, teaching, or assisting classes are invited to take part in the Folklórico Festival of Texas. They will be considered professional regardless of their years of experience. Groups comprised of both professional and amateur dancers will have a pro/am level. Full time professional dancers and directors are only eligible to compete in La Gran Competencia de Cuadros Folklóricos. Full time professional dancers may also take part in the Maestro Classes and perform a Showcase. |
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Time and Performance Blocks In 2006, we are changing the length of our festival to accommodate groups that travel long distances. A fourth stage has been added and the festival will finish between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 2. In the past the number of entries determined our schedule. This year the schedule will determine the number of entries that can be accepted. Our intent is to adhere to the proposed schedule with only minor adjustments. The final schedule will be Emailed to directors on or before March 1st. Tardy Penalty The maximum number of entries that a contestant may enter during a time block is four. Performing in more than one location during a time block is greatly discouraged. Dancers who are not ready to perform when their number is called will receive a five point penalty from each judge and will have to go to the end of the line. Contestants competing in multiple age divisions (example Jr. solo and senior large group or with a public school and a non-profit/private studio) will need to study the enclosed schedule and make their best selections.
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Division Ratings Our competition presents division certificates to all contestants. Dancers will receive a Division I, Division II, or Division III Rating certificate for each entry. Division I, II, and III Ratings are determined by scoring above a set of required points. Only a few entries in each category will be rewarded with a trophy. All dancers who work hard can be rewarded with a Division I Rating.
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Trophy Awards Each group will receive the highest award and trophy that they earn. Trophies will be presented in each age division as follows: Pre-Junior, Juniors, Intermediate, Seniors, Adults, and Pro-Amateur. The number of trophies in each category will be determined by the number competitors in the category. Groups with six or less entries will receive smaller trophies presented. Over-All High Point Awards In the past, we have recognized the highest score of the competition with a special trophy. In 2006, the highest score went to a Pre-Junior entry. We have accepted the recommendation of the judges that separate Over-all High Point Awards be presented in each division: Elite, Public School and Non-Profit. |
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$300 Scholarship Award All dancers ages 13 to 21 yrs who are full time students with a grade point average of 85 or higher are encouraged to participate in the $300 Scholarship Award. All Solo competitors are eligible to compete for the $300 Scholarship Award at no additional cost. To enter submit the Scholarship Application Entry Form and extra material by January 31st. Students who work as part-time directors or part-time instructors are eligible to apply. The scholarship award of $300 is designed to assist with summer dance study, with college tuition, or with book fees. Extra materials are to be postmarked by the January 31st deadline: proof of grade point average (GPA) official report card or transcript, an essay on "What Folklórico Means to Me," a letter of recommendation (no form letters) and two photos (a headshot and a full body action shot in a folklorico costume). |
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Junior and Senior In 2006, we will continue the Cuadro Competitions. In addition to preparing the dances, students are required to present an introduction including information on: the costume, the origin, symbolism, legend, history or any other information of significance. Bilingual presentations are encouraged because some of the adjudicating professors from Mexico may not understand English and many audience members may not understand Spanish. The background information will be 20% of cuadro evaluation. Creative presentations of the costume and background information are encouraged. A limited number of applications will be accepted on a first come first basis in 2005. Groups will be limited to two cuadro presentation: one in the Junior Division and one from either Intermediate, Senior, or Adult Age Divisions. Junior Cuadros will have a time limit of nine minutes. Intermediate, Senior, and Adult Cuadros will have a time limit of fourteen minutes. Time limits are to include dancing and introduction. Our schedule allows for only four Junior and 12 senior cuadros. Cuadro Applications will be accepted on a first come first serve basis beginning December 1st. |
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Over 150 Trophies Scholarship Contest $300 School Spirit Award |
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Put your picture on the Cover
of the Souvenir
Program Earn Money &
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 Vendors Add Fun to Festival |
Festival Fundraiser Project All groups and individual students participating in the festival are eligible to take part in the Souvenir Fundraiser Project. Earn money and Free Photo Pages in the Souvenir Program
For Rules and Deadlines: Festival Fund Raiser Project
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Festival Photographs The thousands of Folklórico Festival photographs (2001 to 2005) by Bruce Davis are available for sale. Only a few selected photographs are presented on this website with reduced pixels.Professional quality prints are available at very reasonable prices. 11 x 14 is $45 • 8x10 is $28 • 5x7 is $14
• 4x6 is $9 To purchase photos contact Bruce at Davis at 1502 Bolivar St., Denton, TX 76201 940-390-6365 or email at davistud2@verizon.net Take a note of proof numbers. Bruce Davis is available for bookings across the United States. A picture is worth a thousand words. If you are going to spend months preparing for a performance and if you are going to spend hundreds of dollars on costumes, then it is not worth a little more to have a professional product to promote your organization and as a keep sake? |
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Hotel Information Out of town guests will need to make hotel accommodations early.
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Rules and Procedures Read all the rules and procedures carefully. Failure to comply with festival policies is ground for disqualification. La Gran Competencia has additional rules. |
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Deadlines All entries must be Postmarked and paid in full by midnight January 31st. Late entries will not be accepted after January 31st.All video submissions for La Gran Competencia de Cuadros Folklóricos must be postmarked by midnight November 30th. Payment Information Full payment will be required by January 31st. When sending payments, send one check or money order for your group. Make your check or money order payable to the Texas Association for Hispanic Dance and Culture (TAHDC ). Send entries accompanied by payment to Attn. Liz Gallego, PO Box 227496, Dallas, Texas 75222. |
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Contact Information Director, Liz Gallego, is available to receive phone calls from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST M-F at 972-571-6368 Email is
lizgallego@hawkpci.net |
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