BACHATA

1.Organizer's music in preliminaries and semi-final, Organizer's music OR music of the dancers' choice in the final.

2. Length of Exhibition: In all rounds except the final, the length of performance should be 1½ minutes long, to conform to the end of the musical phrase. In the final round, the couple may use music of their choice or the Organizer's music, which must be 2 minutes of music to the end of the musical phrase, but must not exceed 2minutes 15 seconds.

3.Tempo: 28 - 32 bars per minute in 4/4 time signature (112-128 beats per minute)

4.Characteristics and Movement: Bachata is of Caribbean origin, and does not move along the Line of Dance (LOD). The basic action is a flowing rather slow, romantic and passionate movement. Steps are composed by a 3-step moving pattern and a lifting/tilting hip moment with no weight transference on 4. The 4th beat is a hip action(lift, drop), counted "and 4", and NOT a weight transference of "in place, in place" - rather like a Cha Cha action/timimg, which should only be used as a Variation, and not the basic A slight counter sway is often used to compliment the Latin hip movement. There are also many other rhythms, including syncopations, slows and quick's, etc., may be used in interpreting the music. Bachata is a club dance, and the couples should focus on one another to create an earthy and sensual feeling through the use of close, intricate rotational movements coupled with an almost playful teasing interaction with one another.

5.In preliminary and in the semi-final rounds, up to 6 couples will dance at the same time, but this is determined by the size of the dance floor. In the final round, each couple performs alone.

6.In every round including the final, all couples will dance an opening minute and a final minute together.

7.In the final round, when the couples perform alone, it is proposed to allow a turning or spinning low level lift to be performed, just once