Rules

Costumes

Costumes are not allowed in the Newcomer level, but are allowed in Bronze and above, Rookie/Veteran, and all nightclub levels. We follow the CDA Costume Guidelines which consider the following items to be costumes:
  • Jackets of any kind, including tail suits, tuxedo jackets, and off-the-rack suit jackets.
  • Floats, streamers, scarves, cords hanging from sleeves, sashes, or any other non- structural material that flows behind while a dancer is in motion.
  • Shirts or tops that are open to below the breastbone.
  • Skirts or dresses with more than two layers in the skirting.
  • Any article of clothing incorporating rhinestones, gemstones, sequins, or actual lights. (“Articles of clothing” include shirts, pants, vests, skirts, socks, ties, pocket squares, belts, suspenders, etc. Jewelry item are not considered articles of clothing and may include stoning, etc. These include: rings, necklaces, belt buckles, tie pins & clips, bracelets, earrings, other piercings, hair pieces, cufflinks, watches, and lapel pins.)
  • The heavy use of feathering, glitter, metallic fabric, metallic threading, and related decorative effects constitutes a costume when more than 10% (cumulative) of the area of the article of clothing is covered by these effects. The use of fringe will still be allowed.

Shoes are excluded from these costume guidelines since they present an unavoidable expense regardless of their appearance. Nevertheless, dancers are expected to honor the spirit of costuming restrictions and not augment (e.g. add stoning to) shoes for levels of competition in which costuming restrictions apply.

Costume and shoe violations will generally be required to be corrected before being allowed to dance (which may incur the risk of missing an event). If you are concerned or have questions about an aspect of your attire, feel free to send an email to president.calballroom@gmail.com with a photo of the garment in question.

Levels

Berkeley Classic uses CDA Fair Level points to determine when couples are entered in a level that is too low for their calculated proficiency. You can look up your fair level points using the Fair Level Point Lookup Tool.  Syllabus violations may result in a warning, lower placement, or disqualification from placement, as determined by the head judge.

Newcomer

Newcomer events are open to couples where both partners started Ballroom Dancing less than a year ago. Costumes are not permitted, and only Bronze syllabus choreography may be danced.

Bronze

Bronze events are for beginning dancers relatively inexperienced with ballroom dance competitions. Costumes are permitted, but only Bronze syllabus choreography may be danced.

Silver

Silver events are for dancers with competitive experience. Those taking intermediate level classes and dancing regularly should find this category appropriate. Bronze and Silver syllabus figures can be used and costumes are permitted.

Gold

Gold events are for more experienced competitors. Costumes are permitted, and any syllabus choreography (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) may be used.

Novice, Pre-Champ, Championship

Novice, Pre-Champ, and Championship are advanced levels are for experienced competitors and are equivalent to the corresponding level at USADance/NDCA competitions. Competitors who have placed out of Gold or Pre-Novice level are only eligible for Novice or higher. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and there are no restrictions on choreography.

Rookie/Veteran

Think of this level (also called Mixed Proficiency) as being similar to a Pro/Am event, but with an experienced Amateur instead of a Pro. The rules:

  1. One partner (the Rookie) must be a newcomer or bronze level dancer, and the other partner (the Veteran) must be a silver level dancer or higher.
  2. Both partners must be amateur dancers.
  3. Choreography is strictly restricted to Bronze syllabus only
  4. Only the Rookie dancer will be judged.
  5. There are no costume restrictions.
  6. The events will be all single dance events (no multi-dance).