Please note: You MUST have a Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass in addition to entry fee for the Jack & Jill

Please note: Must have a Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or be signed up for Volunteer Work Trade to be able to enter.

Reno Latin Dance Fest

Salsa/Bachata Jack & Jill

Four (4) Divisions for the 2024 Reno Latin Dance Fest

  • Beginner (Salsa/Bachata)

  • Intermediate (Salsa/Bachata)

  • Cumbia - Open Level

  • 40 and over (Salsa/Bachata) - Postponed ‘til 2025

Dates/Times

Beginner Division (Salsa/Bachata):

Preliminaries of the Beginner division of the Jack & Jill will be Friday during the day (See below for times).

Finals will be at night after the shows on Friday.

Call time Friday, 11:30AM in Silver Baron Ballroom C (Upstairs near RLDF Festival registration).

Competition Time (preliminaries): Friday, 12:00PM to 1:15PM in the Rum Bullions Back Patio (across from RLDF Festival registration).

Finals after shows on Friday in Mixed Music Room at 11:15PM (Downstairs in Grand Expo Pre Function Lounge).

Intermediate division (Salsa/Bachata):

Preliminaries of the Intermediate division of the Jack & Jill will be Saturday during the day (See below for times).

Finals will be at night after the shows on Saturday.

Call time Saturday, 11:30AM in Silver Baron Ballroom C (Upstairs near RLDF Festival registration).

Competition Time (preliminaries): Saturday, 12:00PM to 1:15PM in the Rum Bullions Back Patio (across from RLDF Festival registration).

Finals after shows on Saturday in Mixed Music Room (Approximately 11:15PM).

Cumbia (Open Level):

Preliminaries of the Cumbia division of the Jack & Jill will be Sunday during the day (See below for times).

Finals will be at night after the shows on Sunday.

Call time Sunday, 11:30AM in Silver Baron Ballroom C (Upstairs near RLDF Festival registration).

Competition Time (preliminaries): Sunday, 12:00PM to 1:15PM in the Rum Bullions Back Patio (across from RLDF Festival registration).

Finals after shows on Sunday in Mixed Music Room (Approximately 11:15PM).

Head Judges

Division Judges

Official Jack & Jill Dj - Dj Kris Kros

Please note: Old video but the info about “what is a Jack and Jill” is still correct. *New video coming soon…

Contest Description

Jack & Jill - Salsa/Bachata

The 2024 Reno Latin Dance Fest will be hosting a Salsa/Bachata Jack & Jill as part of their Reno Latin Dance Fest Amateur Cup.

NEW in 2024 - 40 and over division and a Cumbia Open Level division.

What is a Jack and Jill?

This is a social dance competition where dancers will be judged on their Lead or Follow social dance abilities.

What is the goal?

The goal of the Jack & Jill is to bring dancers together in community to see what level they are as a social dancer.

How does the competition work?

During preliminaries your partners will be randomly picked (lead and follow). Partners may or may not be asked to rotate during preliminaries.

What’s different?

There will be 3 leads and 3 follows chosen to advance to the final round by the judges (highest scores in preliminaries). During the final rounds the dancers will not dance with each other. The final 6 dancers will be dancing with the judges.

Will there be prizes?

Trophies be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lead and Follow.

1st place Lead and Follow will receive a Full Festival Pass to the 2025 Reno Latin Dance Fest (Celebrating 17 years).

Do I have to be an advanced dancer to join?

For 2024 we will only be offering a Beginner Division, an Intermediate Division a 40 and over division and a Cumbia open level division.

Definition of Beginner

The Beginner Jack and Jill division will be based on how well you work and connect with your partner during a basic social dance. An understanding of Salsa and Bachata timing and basic steps of Salsa and Bachata will be what the judges are looking for. The goal is not meant to evaluate how advanced you are but how well you work together with your partner as a team to have fun and create a smooth dance.

Definition of Intermediate

Dancer has solidified basic fundamentals of both Salsa and Bachata. A solid grasp of rhythm and timing. Able to link moves fluidly with good technique. Constantly communicating with partner in order to work as a team.

Timing, Technique and Teamwork

Judges will be looking for timing, technique and teamwork in both categories.

Remember to have fun and bring your friends to cheer in support!

Jack and Jill Terms & Conditions

  • The Beginner Division does not require previous experience in competitions to be able to participate.

  • No professional dancers. Our definition of an amateur dancers is a participant in the Jack & Jill that does not teach or perform any dance for financial compensation on a regular basis. Regular basis is defined as less than once every 3 months or taught full time over 5 years ago. If the dancer has participated in competitions inside or outside of the USA as professional or semi-pro the dancer will be disqualified.

  • Partner not required

  • Dance must enter as a Lead or a Follow.

  • No switching between Lead and Follow will be allowed.

  • Must dance both Salsa and Bachata.

  • Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass required in addition to entry fee for the Jack & Jill.

  • Jack And Jill is officiated by selected dance professionals in the Salsa and Bachata dance industry. The promoters of the Reno Latin Dance Fest have no influence on final judging.

  • Price $20 if paid before August 17th at 11:59PM. $30 if paid before November 30th at 11:59PM. $40 if paid before December 28th and $50 at the door (ONLY if space is available.

  • To Pre Register CLICK HERE. Registration will be open for limited time at the festival registration desk.

  • No Refunds. All sales are Finals.

  • SPACE IS LIMITED. We will limit the space to 20 Leads and 20 Follows. Note: we will expand to 25 if there is demand for the space.