UK Equality Open
Saturday 20th November 2021
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 next #UKEO will be held at Wythenshawe Forum in Manchester on Saturday 20th November 2021, with a view to encourage and attract dancers particularly from the north, 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.
We hope to have general dancing as part of our programme throughout the day, please do join us when the opportunity arises – we want everyone to enjoy a day of dancing!
**COVID INFORMATION**: To assist with keeping everyone as safe as possible we ask that you follow the guidance below:
- You will be asked to either show the NHS Vaccination Passport or proof of a Negative Lateral Flow Test (NHS email or text message showing you have taken it within 48 hours of the event) – Please note there will not be a lateral flow test facility at the venue so you should seek to complete before arrival.
- There will be hand sanitizer at the main entrance for you to use on arrival and we strongly advise the use of effective hand-washing whilst you are at the event.
- There will be an NHS Check In QR Code at the entrance desk – please use this where possible.
- We kindly ask that you wear masks when moving around the venue between your seats and the bar/toilets (we are not requesting you to use masks whilst actually dancing or whilst seated).
Categories
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).
Ballroom Starters
Non Graded – Waltz & Quickstep.
This is also for couples who have not competed before, there is no classification round.
Men’s, Women’s & Open Couples Ballroom
Graded A-D Class with
classification rounds.
Showdance Couples
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).
Latin American Starters
Non Graded – Cha Cha Cha & Jive.
This is also for couples who have not competed before, there is no classification round.
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.
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).
Salsa Competition
Category details to be confirmed.
The competition will be run under 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. We hope to have senior participation in 2021 and if there are enough couples going forward we will look to have separate categories in future comps.
Venue
The 2nd Equality Open will take place at Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester:
Wythenshawe Forum
Simonsway
Wythenshawe
M22 5RX
A couple of minutes walk from the town centre and bus station, the Forum is easy to reach on foot, by bus or by car. The Forum is situated 9 miles from Manchester City Centre and only 5 minutes drive from Manchester Airport. There is car parking for over 300 cars and dedicated parking for coaches and other large vehicles. Alternative car parking is available in the multi-storey car park adjacent to the Forum, accessible from Rowlandsway.
The venue is also located right next door to Manchester tram stop on the NAVY Line (Wythenshawe Town Centre) and just minutes away from Manchester International Airport.
Registration
Please complete the registration form below to enter your competitor details and
chosen categories. Registration closes 31st October 2021.
Competitor Fee (ESSDA/UKEDC Member): £20.00
Competitor Fee (Non ESSDA/UKEDC Member): £25.00
Spectator Ticket: £15.00
For competitors only:
Full Schedule
We will update the detailed schedule closer to 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 regularly update the start list through the year, however all start lists are provisional and not confirmed until after the closing date for entries at the end of October.
Officials
Chair
Malcolm Hill
Master of Ceremonies
Pete Meager
DJ
Michael Kongsø
Scrutineer
Martin Bird
Adjudicator
Jannine Davies
Adjudicator
Kristian Vellejus
Adjudicator
Darren Hulme
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, in the surrounding areas and there are cheaper 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 info@equalitydance.co.uk.