Attention
We need more Leads for all the Jack & Jill Competitions!!!
More Follows are welcomed too :-)
Description
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 in Reno?
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.
Salsa/Bachata
If you are entered into a Salsa/Bachata division, you will be expected to dance both Salsa and Bachata.
Cumbia
If you are entered in the Cumbia division, you will be expected to only dance Cumbia.
Who can compete?
No Partner required or needed
Beginner - Salsa/Bachata
Dancers who have never competed before or who have never competed higher than a beginner division in Salsa or Bachata are welcome.
Intermediate - Salsa/Bachata
Dancers who have competed before but never in an open or pro division of Salsa or Bachata.
Open - Salsa/Bachata and Cumbia
All Dancers welcome. Both Amateur and Pro level.
Date, Time and Location
Location: All Jack & Jill Competitions will be held downstairs in the Grand Expo Hall - Salon & Bar.
Friday, January 8, 2027
Beginner - Salsa/Bachata Division
Competitor Call Time - 12:45PM
Preliminaries - Daytime - Friday - 1:30PM
*Finals - Evening - Friday - After the shows - 11:15PM
Saturday, January 9, 2027
Intermediate - Salsa/Bachata Division
Competitor Call Time - 12:45PM
Preliminaries - Daytime - Saturday- 1:30PM
*Finals - Evening - Saturday - After the shows - 11:15PM
Sunday, January 10, 2027
Open Division - Cumbia
Competitor Call Time 12:45 PM
Preliminaries - Daytime - Sunday- 1:30PM
*Finals - Daytime - Sunday - right after the preliminaries during the day.
Sunday, January 10, 2027
Open Division - Salsa/Bachata
Competitor Call Time 2:30 PM
Preliminaries - Daytime - Sunday- 3:00PM
*Finals - Evening - Sunday - After the shows - 11:15PM
Official Rules
Definition of Beginner - Salsa/Bachata
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 - Salsa/Bachata
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.
Definition Open Division - Salsa/Bachata
All Skill Levels Welcome. Dancer are recommended to have advanced technique in both Salsa and Bachata. Rhythm and timing are a must! Musicality will be considered as well as solid Lead or Follow technique. Able to link moves fluidly with good technique. Constantly communicating with partner in order to work as a team.
Definition of Open Division - Cumbia
Dancers can be beginner, intermediate, advanced or pro.
Timing, Technique and Teamwork
Judges will be looking for timing, technique and teamwork in all categories.
Jack and Jill Terms & Conditions
The Beginner Division does not require previous experience in competitions to be able to participate.
No professional dancers allowed in Beginner or Intermediate divisions. 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 expected to compete in the Open Division.
Partner not required
Dancer must enter as a Lead or a Follow.
No switching between Lead and Follow will be allowed.
Must dance all styles required in the division entered.
VIP Full Festival Pass, Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass is required in addition to entry fee for the Jack & Jill.
NOT ALLOWED to compete with All Evening or Single Evening Pass.
Jack And Jill is officiated by selected dance professionals in the Latin dance industry. The promoters of the Reno Latin Dance Fest have no influence on final judging.
Entry Fee
Please note - Additional Fee
You MUST have a VIP Full Festival Pass, Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass in addition to entry fee for the Gózalo Dance Championship - Jack and Jill Division Entry Fee.
$30 before December 3, 2026 at 11:59PM
$40 until December 30th at 11:59PM
$50 at the day of the contest (Venmo or Cash)
Be sure to use a 10% Discount code!!!
To Pre Register CLICK HERE. 10% discount already applied.
No Refunds. All sales are Finals.
SPACE IS LIMITED. We will limit the space to 25 Leads and 25 Follows per division.
25 each are firm numbers. We will NOT add more at the last minute.
Attention:
We need more Leads for all the Jack & Jill Competitions!!!
More Follows are welcomed too :-)
Prizes
Beginner - Salsa/Bachata
1st Place - TBA soon (Sponsored by the Festello App), plus a Medal AND a Full Festival Pass to the 2028 Reno Latin Dance Fest!
2nd Place - Medal
3rd Place - Medal
Intermediate - Salsa/Bachata
1st Place - TBA soon (Sponsored by the Festello App), plus a Medal AND a Full Festival Pass to the 2028 Reno Latin Dance Fest!
2nd Place - Medal
3rd Place - Medal
Cumbia - Open Division
1st Place - TBA soon (Sponsored by the Festello App),plus a Medal AND a Full Festival Pass to the 2028 Reno Latin Dance Fest and entry into the 2028 Jack & Jill Open Division to defend your title!
2nd Place - Medal
3rd Place - Medal
Open Division - Salsa/Bachata
1st Place - TBA soon (Sponsored by the Festello App), $500 ($250 each) plus a Medal. Also a Full Festival Pass to the 2028 Reno Latin Dance Fest and entry into the 2028 Jack & Jill Open Division to defend your title.
2nd Place - Medal
3rd Place - Medal
Head Judges
