Grand Finals 2021

2021 GRAND FINALS 
COMPETITION INFORMATION 

We are excited to see you at Grand Finals at the Charleston Area Convention Center and the adjacent Performing Arts Center!  Please see the information below for important information regarding this event.  As always, we offer free livestream of all performances and awards ceremonies at www.livestream.com/encoresouth! We invite and encourage family and friends to watch online, especially the elderly, high-risk individuals or those with underlying health conditions. Visit www.livestream.com/encoresouth to view the competition! If you have a fever, cough, or feel ill please stay home and watch the event online!  At this time masks are not a requirement for participants or spectators in the state of SC. We will leave this choice up to the individual and respect everyone's personal choice.  If students choose to wear masks on stage there will certainly be no penalty or deduction.

Schedule:

Based on overwhelming requests for a traditional schedule, our competition will be held with a normal schedule.  If you are uncomfortable competing groups with other studios please email me to discuss options for alternate performance times   An updated tentative schedule is available online and is subject to change based on the number of entries received.  A final schedule outline will be posted at least 3 weeks prior to the event.  Detailed schedules will be emailed to all studios approximately 10 days prior to the event. 

Deadline and payment:

This event is now sold out!  A 50 percent deposit is due June 14 and full payment is due 2 weeks prior to the event or a $10 late fee will be added for each routine.  Please email Susan@encoredcs.com to redeem any gift certificates or scholarships from regionals.  Please note that any gift certificates won at regionals for Overall Group, Highest Scoring Group, or Top Studio can only be redeemed towards group entry fees.

 Workshop classes:

Encourage your students to take our 4 workshop classes taught by the judges for a total price of $60 if registered and paid in full two weeks in advance (June 29.)  The cost is $70 at the event.  Four levels of classes are available and are based on student age (Petite, Junior, Teen and Senior.)  Teachers have the right to place students in a higher-level class if they choose.  Observer bands will be available for purchase at the event for $20.  Teachers will receive one observer band per room.  Class size will be limited to ensure safety so please register by June 29.   If space allows, students can register at the event for $70.

Title Competition:

We are excited to announce that a Title winner will be awarded in each age group and each level!  For example, there will be a Junior Miss Encore DCS and 4^th through 1^st runner-up awarded in Recreational, Competitive and Elite!  You must register for Title in advance! The deadline is two weeks prior to the event (June 29.)

Soloists competing for title will compete their solos during solo competition for their age group and level. Overall Appeal and Showmanship scores determine title placement.  The Top 20 students in each age division and level will be announced at solo awards ceremonies for each age and level.  The Top 10-15 (depending on registration) will be invited to the title competition and will be asked to improv on stage.  The Top 5 will be asked an age appropriate on-stage question. Students should be prepared to improv in dancewear of their choice and the Top 5 will answer an on-stage question in dressy attire. (Formal wear is not required!)

The cost to compete for title is $50. As a reminder, there are two ways to compete for title at Encore DCS:

1) If a student competes only one solo AND enters the title competition, they will be eligible for Overall Solo and Title Winner.

2) If a student competes multiple solos AND enters one of them for title, their two highest scores will be averaged for Overall Super Solo and they will be eligible for Title Winner.

Standing Ovation Championship:

The Standing Ovation Championship will be held in all three levels and now recognizes winners in two age divisions for each level (11&Under and 12&Over.) Judges will select up to 10 age 11&Under routines and 10 age 12&Over routines in each level that they would like to see in an Encore performance. These routines will re-compete for large cash prizes!  (The number of routines is subject to change based on judges picks and the number of entries received in each level.)

The winner will be selected based on entertainment value, star quality, technique and overall appeal discussed among the judges' panel along with audience enthusiasm.  Limit of one routine per studio for each age division and level.  For example, a studio can have one age 11 competitive routine and one age 12 competitive routine, but cannot have two age 12 competitive routines.  Productions are excluded from the Standing Ovation Championship.  A Top production award will be given in each level! 

Cash awards are as follows:

Recreational Division $500 each

Competitive Division $750 each

Elite Division $1000 each

 Opening Number:

The Grand Finals Opening Number, choreographed by Chase Hudson, will be performed multiple times throughout the week.  Participants will be charged a costume fee of $20.   Please enter student names and shirt sizes in your dance comp genie registration by choosing “Opening Number” as the entry type.  

The following students are invited to participate in the Opening Number:

Recreational Division 1st Overall Solos and Super Solos

Competitive Division 1st and 2nd Overall Solos and Super Solos

Elite Division 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Overall Solos and Super Solos

All Overall Title Winners from 2021 regionals

2021 Dream Team Members

For any studios that do not have eligible participants, we invite you to nominate 1 student for every 10 solos that are competing at Nationals. Please note that a minimum number of participants are required at regionals in order for a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner to be announced. Only students announced at regionals as 1st, 2nd or 3rd (as explained above) are eligible for the opening number.

Grand Finals Photogenic and Cover Model Competition:

Students can submit one 8x10 headshot for our Grand Finals Photogenic competition.  To register for photogenic, choose “Grand Finals Photogenic” as the entry type.  Photos should be submitted at the event before group competition begins.  The students name, studio name and age should be written clearly on the back of the photo.  Photos will not be accepted via mail or email and must be picked up after the event.  A winner will be recognized in each age division (Mini, Petite, Junior, Teen and Senior.)  Winners will receive a Custom Photo Frame and $50 Gift Certificate to any Encore DCS event. Students must enter the photogenic competition in order to be considered for Cover Model.

Class of 2021 Senior recognition:

Graduating seniors should bring their graduation caps for a special senior recognition at select awards ceremonies!  In addition, Encore DCS would love to recognize all of your graduating seniors in our program.  Please email a photo of your choice with the student’s name and studio to encoredcs@gmail.com.  In order to ensure your photos are received, please send each picture individually and place the students name and studio in the subject line!  Photos must be received by June 29!

Souvenir Program Ads:

Celebrate your dancer or studio with a special ad in our Grand Finals Souvenir Program. Include pictures and a special message in our program to wish your child or your students the best of luck. Your design must be PRINT READY and emailed to encoredcs@gmail.com.  All ads and payment are due by June 29. Order forms are available on the Grand Finals section of our website.   Please share this ad information with all of your teachers and parents so that everyone is given the opportunity to participate.

Parent Performances for Charity:

Enter your dancing parents in our fun and exciting parent competition for charity! Encore DCS will donate the entry fees from the winning routine to the charity of the winning studio’s choice!

Charleston Area Convention Center Space Diagram:

Tuesday through Thursday Competition – Exhibit Hall C and PAC

Friday and Saturday Competition – Exhibit Hall C and Ballroom AB

Dressing Room Space – Exhibit Hall B

V1