UK Equality Open
Saturday 16th November 2024 – The Civic Hall, Grays – Essex
***New for 2024 – American Smooth: Single dances in Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz***
All danced in ‘Open Gender’ categories.
The UK Equality Open aims to bring competitive same sex and equality dancing to new areas around the UK.
We work with a new location each year, building social dance scenes leading up to the competition, encouraging new competitive couples in the starter categories and opening up same sex and ‘open couple’ categories to a wider
variety of participant groups.
Our 5th #UKEO will be held in November 2024, with a view to encourage and attract dancers particularly from the south, whilst also adding more opportunities to compete here in the UK for our existing couples as well as attract dancers from the European equality dance circuit.
There’ll be some general dancing as part of our programme, please do join us when the opportunity arises – we want everyone to enjoy a day of dancing!
Categories
We are offering the following categories as part of the Equality Open in the UK. Depending on participation and demand we hope to open more opportunities over the coming years, but meantime we hope you’ll enjoy participating in the following:
Please note: Open Categories can be couples of any making irrelevant of gender
or ability and can also be danced by couples already competing in Men’s or Women’s Categories. However, we are hoping this might give competitive couples the opportunity to dance with someone they might not usually dance with!
Morning Session
Single Dance Category
Waltz.
For Beginners only, having not competed in any competition before (excluding UK Fun Comp). Any gender couples.
Ballroom Starters
Non Graded – Waltz & Quickstep.
This is also for couples who have not competed before, there is no classification round. Any gender couples.
Men’s, Women’s & Open Couples Ballroom
Graded A-D Class with
classification rounds.
Showdance Couples (Any Gender)
Performance time between 2 mins 15 secs and 5 mins 30 secs including entry and exit.
Music must be provided to the DJ at registration.
Afternoon Session
Single Dance Category
Cha Cha Cha.
For beginners only, having not competed in any competition before (excluding UK Fun Comp). Any gender couples.
Latin American Starters
Non Graded – Cha Cha Cha & Jive.
This is also for couples who have not competed before, there is no classification round. Any gender couples.
Men’s, Women’s & Open Couples Latin American
Graded A-D Class with
classification rounds.
Showdance Teams
Minimum of 8 dancers per group, this can be formation or showdance, danced in one category. Performance time between 4mins and 7mins including entry and exit. Music must be provided to the DJ at registration.
American Smooth
Single Dance
Waltz.
Open category, for couples of any gender. There is no grading for this competition, dancers will compete in one category.
American Smooth
Single Dance
Tango.
Open category, for couples of any gender. There is no grading for this competition, dancers will compete in one category.
American Smooth
Single Dance
Foxtrot.
Open category, for couples of any gender. There is no grading for this competition, dancers will compete in one category.
American Smooth
Single Dance
Viennese Waltz.
Open category, for couples of any gender. There is no grading for this competition, dancers will compete in one category.
Wheelchair Dancesport Freestyle BEGINNERS
For both Same Sex and Open, Duo/Combi Couples all in one category – performance time between 2 mins 15 secs and 5 mins 30 secs.
Wheelchair Dancesport Freestyle ADVANCED
For both Same Sex and Open, Duo/Combi Couples all in one category – performance time between 2min 15 secs and 5mins 30 secs.
Fun Competition
Salsa & Vienesse Waltz. Any gender couples and any ability.
The competition will be run under UKEDC / ESSDA competition rules where applicable, however as we have some additional categories not all rules will apply. Please contact us if you would like further information. Senior category results will be the combined results from the graded rounds and will be combined results from A-D categories.
Venue
The 5th Equality Open will take place at The Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Essex RM16 2JU
By train: The nearest train station is Grays on the C2C Line (Routes between London Fenchurch Street to Southend/Shoeburyness)
By plane: The venue is not too far from London City Airport, and easy train routes from London Southend, London Gatwick, London Stansted, London Heathrow and London Luton Airports
By car: It’s just 20 minutes drive from central London just off the A127
By taxi: Aside of Uber et al. You can use local taxi companies such as Grays Taxis 01375 506 095 / 01375 386 565 / 01375 506 062
By Bus: The following local bus routes stop right outside the venue – 83, 88, 1000 & 269
By Foot: Well, we wouldn’t advise it, but it’ll keep you fit!
Registration
Please complete the registration form below to enter your competitor details and
chosen categories. Registration closes 31st October 2024.
Competitor Fee (ESSDA/UKEDC Individual Member): £25.00
Competitor Fee (Non ESSDA/UKEDC Individual Member): £27.50
Spectator Ticket: £15.00
For competitors only
(please complete as well as clicking to purchase a ticket on Eventbrite):
General Schedule
We have published a general schedule for the event, however timings are still provisional and you should arrive at the correct registration time on the day to ensure you are fully aware of the confirmed schedule for the day.
Start list
We will update the start list once registration is closed, however all start lists are provisional and not confirmed until athe day.
Officials
Chair
Malcolm Hill
Master of Ceremonies
Pete Meager
Scrutineer
Jack Bissecker
Adjudicator
TBC
Adjudicator
TBC
Adjudicator (UK)
TBC
Adjudicator (UK)
TBC
Adjudicator (UK)
TBC
DJ
TBC
Results
We will publish the results as soon as we can after each competition. You can find the results of the most recent competition by clicking the link below.
Accommodation
Unfortunately due to the nature of the competition moving around the country each year we do not have a hosted housing scheme. However there are lots B&Bs, Hotels nearby. There are also opportunities with websites like AirBnB and MrBnB. We do not have agreements with any of these providers, so please check their T&Cs in full as we cannot be held responsible for any part of your accommodation booking.
Volunteers
We really need volunteers to help make the event successful. If you are interested in volunteering for our team then please drop us an email [email protected].