Saturday 3rd October
The AHP is a national contest designed to encourage lindy hop in Australia. Technically allowing any move or style of swing dancing, the only real rule in the AHP is that dancers embody the spirit of lindy hop and jazz music - inspired, improvised and exciting! Rather than following a strict set of rules, judges look for musicality, partnership, repertoire, innovation and connection in the competing couples.
Prizes - $1000
History of the AHP
The inaugural AHP was planned by a committee of interested dancers to coincide with the 2002 Melbourne Lindy Exchange and to adhere to the rules and criteria of the Harlem Jazz Dance Festival (HJDF). The AHP follows these rules today and is endorsed by the American Institute for Vernacular Jazz Dance (AIVJD), founded by world-renowned lindy hopper Janice Wilson.
The AHP emphasises wild and fast lindy hop, no-rules dancing in the spirit of the dance competitions of the Savoy Ballroom and 1930s lindy hop. Each AHP competition sees air steps, seriously hot jazz and the burn of a dance floor on fire.
This year the MJDA hosts the competition for the first time and challenges Australian dancers to bring their very own hot stuff in competition for the Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize.
Previous AHP winners:
2008 Noni Clarke & Cam Mitchell (VIC)
2007 Cathie Gough & Kieran Yee (VIC)
2006 Annie Ryan & Shane McCarthy (WA)
2004 Noni Clarke & Josh McKiterick (VIC)
2003 Sarah Farrelly & Anthony Wheaton (VIC)
2002 Nicole Smith & John Tenaglia (VIC)
Competitor Information
Please note: the number of competitors in the AHP is limited to 30 couples, so please register early to ensure your place. Places in the AHP are only comfirmed on payment from BOTH partners.
Entry Requirements
Both individuals in each couple entering AHP must:
- hold Australian Residency status at the time of entry;
- properly register and pay the entry fee prior to registrations closing;
- arrive at Marrickville town Hall between 7.00pm and 7.30pm on the night to complete the registration process and receive their competitor number;
- attend the compulsory competitor meeting at 7.30pm on the night of the competition;
- agree to abide by the judges' decision, which is final;
- agree to participate in media commitments organised by the MJDA and sponsors of the Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize in order to promote SLX, Hellzapoppin' and the Australian lindy hop scene.
Entry Fee: $20 for Mega Pass, Mini Pass or social pass holders
$45 for those without passes
AHP Audience
Hellzapoppin' at the Deco Dance is not a quiet night for sitting back and relaxing - not even for the audience. The AHP asks its audiences to get involved as well. Competitors are awarded points for the 'audience feedback' - the couples who pull the crowd to their feet, have them cheering and applauding and making some serious noise will win extra points.
Competition Rules
- The Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize is not a rules-based competition, but instead aims to capture the spirit of lindy hop.
- There are no rules regarding men or women leading and following. Anyone can lead and anyone can follow.
- There are no rules about "swing content".
- There are no disqualifications.
- But competitors are asked to lend their dancing the Savoy edge with glamorous 1930s, 40s or smart evening attire (ie not Tshirts and jeans). Exception: Shoes, wear anything that gives you the Hellzapoppin' edge.
- Simply ensure you are registered properly, respect your fellow competitors, stay safe and have fun!
Elements
Within the competition couples will dance in two different formats:
- All-skate (i.e.: social dance format): all couples within a given heat/round dance on the floor simultaneously. The judges will circulate to view all couples. Couples are expected to practice safe and responsible floor-craft in the all-skate without endangering other couples on the dance floor.
- Shine Battle (i.e.: phrase battle or jam session format): one or two couples dance at a time, dancing for two phrases. Like a jam session, the couples take turns, dancing one or two at a time in an assigned order, until the song ends. It will be ensured that all couples receive the same number of shines. Couples are expected to recognise phrasing and are held accountable for entering and exiting their shines as timing requires. Musical phrasing will be varied and will include both Standard and Blues song forms.
Judging Criteria
Couples will be judged on musicality, partnership, repertoire, innovation, connection and audience feedback. The Judges decisions are final.
1. Musicality
a. Interpretation - Dancers will be judged on their ability to improvise and respond to the music, within the context of the partnership, without disrupting lead and follow.
b. Song form - Dancers are expected to recognise phrasing, including Blues and Standard song forms. Dancers are judged on their ability to reflect the beginning and ending of phrases through movement. Timing is essential.
2. Partnership
Followers are judged on their ability to improvise within the paradigm the leads create. Leaders are judged upon maturity in allowing followers opportunity to improvise.
3. Repertoire
Couples are judged on the breadth of their lindy hop repertoire including swing-outs, Charleston, breakaways and air steps. Dancers will be judged on their ability to select dance steps appropriate to the music.
4. Innovation
Creativity is encouraged.
5. Connection
Couples will be judged upon their ability to have a conversation within the dance using verbal, tactile and visual lead and follow. Call and response is encouraged.
6. Audience feedback
The reaction of spectators will be monitored and gauged independently of the designated judges.