Dance Competition

Welcome to Furlandia’s Dance Competition! This 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 furry community and bring excitement to the stage! 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 dancers of all styles.

Sign-ups are open now! Click the button below to sign up!

Sign-ups end May 15th, 2026 at 11:59pm PDT. We must have your audio file by this deadline! You will receive a confirmation email that you have signed up and that your audio file was accepted.

You will need to provide a valid email where we can contact you. We also highly encourage you to join the Dance Competition 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 sign-ups.

We understand plans can change. 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 dancer to be their lead member. The leader should submit a single sign-up for the entire group listing the group’s name and all its members. All communication about the event will be sent only to the leader and it is the leader’s responsibility to ensure that the rest of the group gets the information.
A single person may only perform in one performance. Each person may choose to sign up for either a solo performance or a group performance, 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 compete.
Groups will be competing in the same category as individual competitors unless 5 or more groups advance to the finals.

Requirements

The Furlandia 2026 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 required. Dancers can compete in any amount of fursuit parts, or none at all.
Clothing: All clothing worn must abide by convention dress code. There should be no imagery depicting: 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 during sign-up or preliminaries (for example, using a few Michael Jackson moves in a MJ tribute dance would be acceptable). If any choreography is found to be copied or plagiarized without prior discussion, the dancer shall be disqualified. If this is found after placements or awards, that placement shall be rescinded and awarded to the next runner-up.
Audio: The audio file you submit must be in high-quality MP3 or MP4 format. The file should be named in the format DANCERNAME_FURLANDIA2026.mp4, where DANCERNAME is the 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 2:30.
Props: Props may be permitted at the discretion of the event organizers and will require inspection prior to entry for preliminaries. Large or heavy props such as baseball bats, staves, golf clubs, etc. are not allowed. This is to ensure the safety of the event.
Conduct: All performers are required to abide by the convention code of conduct. Performers are expected to set an example for other attendees. Any breach in conduct observed should be brought to the attention of Con Ops.

Preliminaries

Dance Competition preliminaries will be held at the convention. Check the schedule for the time and location. Competitors will be contacted by email before the convention and given an arrival time for preliminaries. Competitors should arrive no later than the time indicated. Contact us before the event if you must change your prelim time due to schedule conflicts. Competitors must use the music they submitted at sign-ups in their preliminary performance. 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 competitors’ routines is not permitted; however, you may have someone film your own routine if you wish. Auditions will be held on carpet, so plan accordingly.

Preliminary Judging

Preliminaries will be judged by a panel of multiple judges who will independently rate each performance and those decisions will collectively determine which performances will advance 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, often referred to as “energy”.
The quality of the movements used and how well executed they are.
The ability of the competitor to dance with their costume.
The 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 these time constraints. A list of the finalists will be announced on social media and posted in the event space prior to the finals. Those chosen must perform the same routine and in the same costume as in their preliminary performance.

Finals

All finalists should arrive at the 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, 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 finalists including water, seating, fans, and storage. Handlers are not permitted backstage during the event due to space constraints; however, handlers are permitted to enter the ballroom early and secure seating during sound checks. Volunteers will be available to provide assistance backstage.

Finals Format

Performances will be held on the dance floor in front of the stage. Finalists will be called to perform in a predetermined order. Similar to the preliminaries, you should expect to be called to standby during the performance before yours so that you have time to prepare and get into costume. When that performance ends, you will be directed to the dance floor to perform. After your performance, the judges will give any comments or feedback they may have, then 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

Foundation: Use of fundamental dance concepts such as levels, angles, steps, and effective use of space. 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: 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 tricks or “wow” moments. Use of costume in creative ways.
Overall impression: How well the aspects of the routine work together. How well it connects with the audience and judges. The impact the dance leaves with you when it’s over.

Each criteria is scored on a scale from 1–10 (1 being lowest, 10 being highest) and tallied for each performance. The top scoring finalists will be announced as winners for first, second, and third place. In case of a 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 performances by a judge or entries by community dancers who are invited to do an exhibition performance. Because they are not competing, exhibitions may not adhere strictly to the competition requirements.

Freestyle Faracas

Looking for a less formal competition? Want to show off your improv skills? Look no further!

Freestyle Faracas is a dance event where competitors go head-to-head and paw-to-paw in a 1v1 style dance battle. Songs will be selected at random, but competitors may suggest songs during sign-ups!

Freestyle Faracas signups close at the same time as the main Dance Competition, May 15th, 2026 at 11:59pm PDT. There will be no at-con sign-ups. Freestyle Faracas participants must adhere to the same requirements as Dance Competition (aside from audio file requirements).

Divisions

This event will feature two separate divisions; more ways to compete! There will be one competitor chosen per division after the final round of battles; Full Fursuit and Open/No Fursuit. To participate in the Full Fursuit division, you must wear a fursuit that covers your entire body or most extremities, such as a partial fursuit (head, hands, tail). Those who do not want to wear a fursuit, or have just a fursuit head, or any other combination of fursuit parts may enter into the Open/No Suit Division. Competitors must adhere to the division they chose at sign-ups for the final event.

Fracas Format

Unlike the Dance Competition which includes rehearsed and choreographed performances, Freestyle Fracas is entirely improv. Competitors will face each other 1v1 on the dance floor, and a random song will be played by the DJ. One dancer must start their improv, and dance for 45 seconds. Then, the other dancer must perform. Two songs will be played in succession for each round. The winner chosen for that round will go on to perform against another winner from a different round, until only one dancer remains!

Judging

Competitors are judged by a panel of multiple judges. They will evaluate each 1v1 performance after two turns by each competitor, and select which dancer they believe executed the random song best. Should the judges enter a tie or omit their decision, then the competitors will dance one more turn each, and a decision must be made after this tie-breaker.

Questions?

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

LuLu - Dance Competition Lead

Cactus - Dance Competition Co-Lead

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