With over 40 years in business, I Love Dance is excited to begin another tour season, hitting all the major cities from coast to coast. This organization led by Kim McKimmie, (who began dancing at 3 years old and toured the world teaching and planning dance events) is proud to say they have taught, supported and critiqued over 1,000,000 participants throughout their 40 years in business. Contributing to this high level of success is low entry fees and no entry restrictions.

Year after year, studio directors and parents thank the I Love Dance staff for giving students the freedom to compete several routines in the same category, and for making their passion an affordable sport. I Love Dance also offers costumes worn at previous events for a fraction of the cost. This gives studios with less financial resources the chance to compete and look like all stars! This year, join the masses and enjoy what you love doing without spending an arm and leg.

I Love Dances loves low entry fees

The directors at I Love Dance know how expensive dance competitions can be, which is why they have some of the lowest entry fees in the industry.  Rather than deny a performer (s) due to lack of funds, they believe it is their obligation to provide access to competitions and all the experience that comes with it. Fees begin at the low cost of $90 per person for Solo entries, $40 per person for Duo/Trio entries, and $45 per person for Group entries. Finding lower prices than this will be difficult, however they welcome any doubters to compare prices and see what they come up with. With all the money you save, check out the cities on tour like Philadelphia, PA, where the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed! Or if history isn’t appealing to you, check out Elvis Presley’s old stomping grounds, in Memphis, TN.

Different method for calculating age

It’s quite common for dance conventions to use the average age of a group to determine division placement. Well, at I Love Dance, Duo/Trio and Group entries register based on the age of the oldest participants. In other words, do not average.

Bring your props to I Love Dance

Up until recently I Love Dance did not allow props, but due to popular demand, they now accept them in ALL categories. However, there are rules in place to ensure they’re used properly; A prop is anything not worn on the body as part of the costume, such as a hand-held hat, a cane, a chair, etc. Props must be on stage with the performers, and not require extensive setup. Also, while using fire, glitter, electrical equipment, etc., does spice a performance, anything that’s potentially hazardous is forbidden. Lastly, at the close of a routine, return the dance floor to the same condition as when the performance started. Follow these simple rules, and you’ll be golden.

General dance categories

I Love Dance welcomes various forms of dance, grouping together similar styles for convenience purposes. Please read the rules carefully to understand what styles and dance moves are accepted in each category. Performances registered in the wrong category get 25 points deducted from their overall score.

The first grouping includes Ballet, Lyrical, and Modern. Routines in this group can be classical or contemporary, and dancers may wear flat slippers or pointe shoes. Lifts, floor work, and tumbling type moves are permitted, although vocalization of any kind is not. Lyrical routines with acrobatics should enter in a separate category.

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The Jazz and Hip-Hop group is for all styles of Jazz, from Show Jazz to Hip Hop. Routines may include tumbling type moves, along with Jazz floor work and lifts. But, more advanced acrobatic moves like aerials, front handsprings, and contortionist work are not permitted in this category.

Another I Love Dance general dance category is Tap and Musical Theater. This group is specifically for any routine in which dancers wear tap shoes, or any routine (with any type of footwear) that contains song and dance elements. This is the ONLY category that where dancers can sing, mime, mouth words, lip sync, and use vocalization of any sort. Props are permitted, in addition to tumbling type moves, but the routine must emphasize tap footwork and/or include vocalization.

The Variety Arts/ Acro/ Ethnic category is for any routine incorporating acrobatic elements or contortionist work (aside from the tumbling moves permitted in the other categories). All ethnic performances including but not limited to National Folkloric Cultural routines (for example: Armenian, Irish, Mexican, Spanish, Chinese, etc.) are also permitted in this category. Routines can include props, but no vocalization of any kind.

Extra categories not usually included in dance competitions

Student Choreography

Aside from the general dance categories listed above, I Love Dance has additional categories not typically seen at conventions.  For example, the Student Choreography category is great for students to challenge their choreography skills and see how their creativeness ranks. This category permits no teacher assistance and relies on the honor system for all entries in this category, (i.e. they trust that teachers were not involved). Students must develop original, new routines and cannot repeat musical selections or major dance combinations from other routines their studio is performing. Student Choreography welcomes any style of dance, though it’s limited to certain age divisions.

40 Plus

For seasoned dancers 39 years or older, yearning for some stage time, here is the chance you have been waiting for! To be in this category, routines must have at least one dancer over 39 years old, who is not a teacher.  All dance styles and skill levels are welcome and the category is open to solos, duo/ trios and group entries.

Teacher Category

Teachers, although Forty Plus category is closed off to you, get ready to represent your studio in the Teacher Features category!  As in other Special Categories, anything goes and teachers may perform solo, or as part of a Duo/ Trio or Group. Students and other teachers can have a part in the routine as well. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and show your students you got the moves!

Compete as many times as you want at I Love Dance 

Tired of being limited to the number of entries you may perform per category? Well at I Love Dance, there are no entry restrictions! Dancers may enter several routines in the same category and may go city to city with the same routines and/or with new ones. If routines have not been updated in some time, don’t sweat it because routines from previous years are eligible for re-entry as well!

Prizes and scholarships at every competition on tour

I Love Dance gives cash prizes to groups of all ability levels, making this a great competition to enthuse novice dancers to get out and perform! A trophy and scholarship for Best of Show is awarded to a single routine (solo, duet/trio or group) selected from any dance category, or ability level. This particular award is not based on high scores, but rather chosen by the Show Director for demonstrating exemplary creativity and passion for dance. In addition to Best of Show, one teacher is awarded Best Musicality for choreography and adaptation of a routine to an inspiring and outstanding musical selection.

If you’re tired of paying absurd amounts just so your students can practice their art form, release yourself from these financial shackles and join I Love Dance this tour season. But remember, just because fees are lower, does not mean this company falls short on delivering a top-notch competition. The I Love Dance judging panels are highly-qualified and non-partial experts who give your performances their full attention. Director Kim Mckimmie has been in the dance industry almost her whole life, traveling the world and working with professionals of all backgrounds. If she knows anything, it is dance and she looks forward to seeing your team this season!

March

I Love Dance – Houston – Marriott Houston Westchase – Houston, TX

I Love Dance – Philadelphia – Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast – Philadelphia, PA

I Love Dance – Bay City – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel / Bay City – Bay City, MI

I Love Dance – Orlando – Hyatt Regency Orlando – Orlando, FL

April

I Love Dance – Memphis – Crowne Plaza-Memphis East – Memphis, TN

I Love Dance – Dallas – Hilton Dallas / Plano Granite Park – Dallas, TX

I Love Dance – Cedar Rapids – Cedar Rapids Marriott – Cedar Rapids, IA

I Love Dance – Los Angeles – Hilton Irvine / Orange County Airport – Los Angeles, CA

I Love Dance – Chicago – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel / Libertyville – Chicago, IL

I Love Dance – Billings – DoubleTree by Hilton / Billings – Billings, MT

I Love Dance – Pittsburgh – DoubleTree by Hilton / Pittsburgh Cranberry – Pittsburgh, PA

I Love Dance – Harrisburg – Harrisburg Hilton & Towers – Harrisburg, PA

May

I Love Dance – Portland – Holiday Inn Hotel & Trade Center – Portland, OR

I Love Dance – Mystic – Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa – Mystic, CT

I Love Dance – Wichita – Hyatt Regency – Wichita, KS

I Love Dance – Buffalo – Adam’s Mark Hotel Buffalo – Buffalo, NY

For updated tournament information, please visit I Love Dance.