More than a competition. An Xperience.

AmeriCup Venue & Judging

Venue

📍 All in One Location: Minneapolis Hilton Hotel

Enjoy the ultimate convenience: 1001 Marquette Ave N, Minneapolis MN

  • Practice space, sleeping rooms, and performance stage all under one roof

  • Professional lighting and sound for a top-tier stage experience

  • A stunning venue in the heart of Minneapolis

  • Assigned dressing room/practice space for all programs.

Stage

🎭 World-Class Stage Experience

DX builds a world-sized stage with top-tier production:

  • Stage size: 62' wide x 56' deep

  • Dance area: 40' x 40'

  • Marley flooring: 10 strips laid front to back, center-split

  • Professional lighting and sound

  • VIP fan space in front of the stage

  • Front-row seating reserved for coaches of competing teams

Genres

Contemporary/Lyrical

  • A Contemporary or Lyrical routine uses organic, expressive, pedestrian and/or traditional modern and/or ballet vocabulary as it complements the lyric, mood and/or rhythmic value of the music. Emphasis is placed on control, expressive movement, dynamics, alignment, use of breath, uniformity, communication and may incorporate purposeful elements and skills.

DanceAbilities

  • A DanceAbilities routine should consist of technique and movement from the chosen genre. It should contain important characteristics such as visual effects and purposeful movement while projecting energetic expression. Keep in mind, some athletes on a team may not be able to achieve perfect execution of skills because of their differing abilities. Focus on the attempt of skills versus technique. Technique will only be as good as their ability allows.

Game Day

  • A game day routine should include a performance that’s spirit raising and has a fight song which encourages crowd engagement. Routines may use pep band or drumline music to enhance the game day experience.

Hip Hop

  • A Hip Hop routine can incorporate any street style movement that has evolved from the hip hop culture. Emphasis is placed on the execution of authentic style(s), originality, control, musicality, intricacy, uniformity and may incorporate purposeful elements and skills.

Jazz

  • A Jazz routine can encompass any range of jazz movement including traditional jazz, commercial jazz, musical theater, jazz funk or stylized hard-hitting jazz. Movement is crisp and/or aggressive in approach and can include moments of softness while complementing musicality. Emphasis is placed on style, body alignment, extension, control, uniformity, technical elements, and communication.

Kick

  • A kick routine emphasizes control, height uniformity, extension, alignment, upper body and lower body placement, proper preparation and hook up/arm connection, timing and creativity of a variety of kick series and patterns. A kick is defined as one foot remaining on the floor while the other foot lifts with force. Kicks should be performed throughout the routine while maintaining stamina. Inadequate utilization of kicks may also affect the panel judges’ overall impression and/or score of the routine.

Pom

  • A Pom routine contains important characteristics such as strong pom quality of movement (clean, precise, sharp motions), synchronization, visual effects and may incorporate purposeful pom elements (i.e. pom passes, jump sequences, leaps/turns, kick lines, etc). Poms should be used throughout the routine. Inadequate use of poms may also affect the panel judges’ overall impression and/or score of the routine.

Variety

  • A dance variety routine incorporates at least two different dance genres.

Divisions

Collegiate

  • D1: Division 1

  • Open: All other levels

School/Rec

  • Preschool (6 yr. & younger)

  • Elementary (9 yr. max)

    Elementary Prep (9 yr. max)

  • Middle School (12 yr. max)

    Middle School Prep (12 yr. max)

  • Junior High (14 yr. max)

    Junior High Prep (14 yr. max)

  • High School (18 yr. max)

    Junior Varsity (18 yr. max)

All Star

Small Team: 4-14 athletes

Large Team: 15+ athletes

  • Tiny Novice (4-8 yr.) 2018-2022

    • All genres / one category

  • Tiny (5-8 yr.) 2018-2021

  • Mini (6-11 yr.) 2015-2020

  • Youth (9-14 yr.) 2012-2017

  • Junior (11-17 yr.) 2009-2015

  • Senior (13-20 yr.) 6/1/2006-2013

  • Open (16 & up) 12/31/2010 & Before

Judging

— Click on button for bios

All routines at the DX AmeriCup are evaluated using the USASF Dance Worlds score sheet by expert adjudicators from the dance industry. In addition to scoring, these professionals provide a verbal critique over a video recording of the performance, offering constructive feedback to help teams grow and improve after the competition.

Score Sheet

PRESENTATION

  • COMMUNICATION: Expression, Energy - 10 pt.

  • SUITABILITY: Genre, Family - 10 pt.

CHOREOGRAPHY

  • COMPOSITION OF MOVEMENT: Musical Interpretation, Originality - 10 pt.

  • STAGING: Formations, Transitions, Visual Effects - 10 pt.

  • DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Level, Intricacy - 10 pt.

EXECUTION

  • MOVEMENT PROFICIENCY: Placement, Carriage, Stabilization, Alignment, Control - 10 pt.

  • DYNAMICS OF MOVEMENT: Musicality, Intensity, Groove, Stamina, Strength - 10 pt.

  • ELEMENTS & SKILLS: Proper Execution - 10 pt.

  • SYNCHRONIZATION: Team Accuracy, Uniformity, Timing - 10 pt.

  • SPACING: Static, Transitional - 10 pt.