2025 Dance Competition Rules

Welcome to Furlandia's Dance Competition! This event is one of the most anticipated events of the convention, and all that’s missing is you! Here's your chance to join the amazing dancers of the community and bring excitement to the stage! We encourage you to sign up and think of this event not just as something to enjoy and have fun with, but also in helping to create a friendly and creative environment for the community.

To sign up for the Furlandia 2025 Dance Competition, please fill out this form.

Signups will close Friday, May 16th, 2025 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. We must have your audio file by this deadline! You will receive a confirmation email that you have signed up and your audio file was accepted.

You will need to provide a valid email we can contact you at. We also highly encourage you to join the Telegram chat to get the latest updates and information, as well as be able to communicate directly with the event organizers.

All sign ups must be submitted online. There will be no at-con signup available.

We understand plans can change and should you no longer wish to participate after signing up, we would very much appreciate it if you inform us by email.

Groups should select one member to be their lead member. The leader will submit a single signup for the entire group listing all its members and the group’s name. All communication about the event will be sent only to the leader and it is the leader's responsibility to ensure the rest of the group gets this information.

A single person may only perform in one performance. Each person may choose to sign up for either a solo competition or a group competition, but not both. The members of the group who try out must be the same members who perform for finals if they are selected to move on to the finals.

Groups will be competing in the same category as individual competitors unless we have 5 or more groups that would make it to finals.

Requirements

The Furlandia 2025 Dance Competition requires that all performers adhere to these rules to ensure that the event is as fair and safe as possible:

Costume: While fursuits are encouraged, they are not a requirement. Dancers can compete in any amount of fursuit parts, or none at all.
Clothing: All clothing worn must abide by convention standards. There should be no imagery displaying: hate, illegal activity, explicit imagery or language, violence, gang affiliations, or anything else that would be a breach of conduct. Whether in fursuit or not, all dancers must have shoes or other appropriate foot coverings.
Choreography: Performers must use their own original choreography or improvised freestyle for their dance. Some limited choreo which is not your own is acceptable on a case-by-case basis and should be made known to the organizers either during sign up or preliminaries (for example, using a few Michael Jackson moves in a MJ tribute dance would be acceptable). If a choreography is found to be copied or plagiarized, the dancer shall be disqualified. If this is found after awards or placements, the awards shall be revoked and given to the runner up.
Audio: The audio file you use must be in high-quality MP3 or MP4 format. The file should be named with the following format: DANCERNAME_FURLANDIA2025.mp3 (or .mp4) where "DANCERNAME" is the dancer name you signed up with or the group name for group entries.
- For Solo competitors, the audio may not exceed 2 minutes in length. Audio longer than 2 minutes will be faded out at the 2 minute mark.
- For Groups, an additional 30 seconds is allowed per each additional member, up to a maximum of 3 minutes (For example, a group of 2 will have a maximum of 2 minutes, 30 seconds).
All audio must be kept to a "PG-13" rating. "Radio/Clean cuts" of explicit songs are required. An easy way to do this is to utilize Audacity (free music editing software) and reverse any cursing sections. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
Props: Props may be permitted at the discretion of the event organizers and will require inspection prior to entry into preliminaries. Large heavier props such as baseball bats, staves, golf clubs, etc. will not be allowed. This is to ensure the safety of the event.
Conduct: All performers are expected to abide by the convention code of conduct. Performers are expected to set an example for other attendees.

Preliminaries

Dance competition preliminaries will be held at the con. Check the con schedule for the latest times and location. Competitors will be contacted via email before the convention and given an arrival time for preliminaries. Competitors should arrive no later than the time indicated. Contact us before the con if you must change your preliminary time due to schedule conflicts. Preliminaries are a closed-door event; only competitors who have signed up online are permitted along with their handler or parent/guardian. Photography and filming of other competitors' routines is not permitted; however, you may have someone that you designate film your own routine if desired. Auditions will be held on carpet, so plan accordingly.

Audition Format

Competitors will be called one by one to perform their full routine before a panel of judges. Please come prepared with your entire costume, including special clothing and props if needed. If you are part of a group performance, the entire group must be present and ready when called. Judges will announce not just the act auditioning, but also who is “on deck.” This means the performer(s) on deck will be the next up and should start getting ready so we can ensure all auditions are completed in a timely manner.

Preliminary Judging

The panel will consist of multiple judges who will independently rate each performance and those decisions will collectively determine the performances which will move on to the finals. Factors which may be considered in this decision include but are not limited to:

How well a competitor shows the music with their dance.
The emotional impact of the dance.
The quality of the movements used and how well executed they are.
The uniqueness to, or suitability of the performance as it might fit the entire show.

Finalists and cuts

Dance competition staff will do their best to fill the show for our allotted time slot. Some cuts may be necessary to fit the time constraints. A list of the finalists will be announced and posted prior to the final event. Those chosen must perform the same routine in the same costume as used in their preliminary performance.

Finals

All finalists should arrive at the "Grand Ballroom" (Main stage) 45 minutes prior to the start of the event. The event rundown, performance order, and other important information will be given at that time. Finalists will also verify their audio track with A/V during sound checks at this time, and they will be able to warm up and practice. All finalists will be called backstage before the doors open and will be required to remain there for the duration of the event, except when called to perform. The backstage area will have accommodations for fursuiters. No handlers are permitted backstage during the event due to space constraints; however, handlers are permitted to enter the ballroom early with you and secure seating first. Volunteers are available to provide assistance backstage. Performances will be on the tiled dance floor, not the stage.

Finals Format

Performances will be held on the main ballroom floor, facing the audience. Finalists will be called to perform in a predetermined order. Just as with auditions, one should expect to be called to standby during the performance before yours so be sure you are ready. When that performance ends, you will be directed towards the dance floor to perform. After your performance, the judges will give any comments they have and you will return backstage until the end of the competition.

Finals Judging

Finalists are judged by a panel of multiple judges. They will evaluate each performance individually and their scores will be tallied after the last competitor performs.

Judging Criteria

Foundations: Use of fundamental dance concepts such as levels, angles, steps, and effective use of the space provided. The roots of a chosen style. The building blocks of finer technique.
Execution: Quality of the approach to movements used. The degree of body control and awareness. Cleanliness and readability.
Expression: Intensity, energy, emotion, and confidence displayed. Storytelling through movement.
Musicality/Timing: How well the performance illustrates the music. Demonstration of musical mastery beyond the basic beat. Detail in timing.
Creativity: The originality of the routine including interesting or unexpected moves and variety. Use of difficult tricks and “wow” moments to good effect. Use of the costume itself in creative ways.

Each criteria is scored on a scale from 1-10 (1 being lowest, 10 being highest) and tallied for every performance. The top scoring finalists will be announced as the winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. In case of a score tie, judges will deliberate and decide on the final placements.

Exhibition Showcases

Exhibition showcase performances are not considered competitive and will not be scored. They are for entertainment purposes and may or may not be used in the overall show. Examples include judge showcases or entries by community dancers who are invited to do an exhibition performance. Because they are not competing, exhibitions may not strictly adhere to the competition requirements.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the dance events coordinator.

Good luck! We are excited to see you on stage!