Q & A | World Dance Showdown

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What is the World Dance Showdown?

The World Dance Showdown (WDS) is a dance workshop and competition event created by Dale and Tanya Curry. The event will hold workshops and dance competitions for line dancers, couples, dance teams and choreographers who don't normally participate in dance competitions. This is a social dance event where dancers of all levels can learn, dance and have fun together. Dancers from across the USA will attend.

Dale and Tanya Curry are Dance Instructors and Dance Team Directors of the Hardwood Shiners Dance Team in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Dale and Tanya, along with Gary and Karen Metzger and the Hardwood Shiners created a dance event called the Dance Team Showdown and held this event in Ft. Wayne, Indiana for nine years before turning it over to Jamie and Barney Marshall to carry it onward. The event held drew thousands of dancers from across the country and offered 150+ workshops and dance competitions for line dancers, couples, dance teams and choreographers. Approximately 30-40 teams attended the event and competed in the dance team competitions along with many line dancers, couples and choreographers. Today the event is called the Ft. Wayne Dance for All and it has transformed into one of the most loved and well-attended events in the United States--thanks to Jamie and Barney Marshall.

The World Dance Showdown continues the tradition of bringing dance groups, dance teams, line dancers and choreographers together to share their love of dance and learn from each other. In addition to dance workshops and competitions, you will see other fun events for dancers being held at the World Dance Showdown because we like to have fun. Expect the unexpected and be ready for a great time. We guarantee you will not be disappointed. This is the event you will be talking about long after it's over.

What are the event dates?

The 2026 World Dance Showdown will be held on August 27-30, 2026 at the Century Center in Downtown South Bend, Indiana at the Century Center Convention Center.

How to get event tickets?

Event tickets are available on the home page of this website by clicking the big GET TICKETS button. This will take you to Dance Place, our registration portal. Please click the button on the top right side of the page and create a free account, then log in to your free account. After you log in, you can purchase your event pass, event t-shirt, dance book and register for competitions. Each person purchasing an event pass must set up their own account and purchase their own ticket. Click to make your ticket selections. Click Checkout on the right side. Click "read & accept" to accept the event waiver (left bottom side of window). Confirm that all of your contact information, including email address and mailing address is correct. Click "verify your order" on the right side. Click "place order". Enter your payment information. You're done. You will receive an email to confirm your ticket purchase.

Please note: all USA/Canada competitors must purchase a weekend pass. All dance team members performing with a dance team must purchase a weekend pass. All International dancers participating in the dance competitions must purchase an International dancer pass.

How to register for the line dance competition?

All competitors must purchase a weekend pass. Line dancers will determine their dance division based on their level of dance. This is self-selected and based on your experience and dance ability. You will enter 1, 2 or all 3 of the dances in the same division, not enter one dance from one division and another dance from another division. To register, follow the steps above to get your weekend pass. Then scroll down the registration page to the line dance 1, line dance 2 and line dance 3 by clicking the + symbol, then checkout. The dances are listed on the website. Match the dance number with the dance name on the list. You may also enter the Show-Stopper line dance division. On the next page, select the dance division for each dance. You will select the same dance division for each dance. Checkout.

How to register for the USA/Canada Choreography competition?

All competitors must have a weekend pass. Before registering for the USA/Canada choreography competition, first get your event pass by following the above instructions on how to get event tickets. USA/Canadian choreographers will perform their dance at the live event. Before clicking checkout, scroll down the list to the USA/Canada Choreography Competition section.

There are 9 choreography divisions. 1) Beginner/Improver 2) Intermediate/Advanced 3) Phrased Division I 4) Phrased Division II, 5) Hip Hop Line Dance, 6) Soul Line Dance, 7) Christian Music Line Dance, 8) Pinnacle Line Dance and 9) Pattern Partner Dance. Please review the competition rules to learn more about these devisions. Scroll down the list to select the correct division. Select the number of dances you want to enter for each division by clicking the arrow. Do this for each division to indicate how many dances you want to enter. You may enter up to 3 dances in each division for a total of 12 dances per choreographer. Click "checkout". On the next page you will be asked to enter the names of your dances. There will be one entry line for each dance you want to enter in each division. If you chose to enter 2 dances on the previous page, there will be 2 lines to fill in the names of the dances. Click "checkout" on the right side. Click "read & accept" to accept the event waiver (left bottom side of window). Confirm that all of your contact information, including email address and mailing address is correct. Click "verify your order" on the right side. Click "place order". Enter your payment information. You're done.

Please note: if you are entering the line dance, couples or dance team competitions, you will follow a similar process for those competitions before checking out. If you decide to enter more choreography dances after you have checked out and paid, you can come back and login to add to your registration. You will receive a confirmation email for tickets purchased and competitions entered.

How to register for the International Choreography competition?

International choreographers will enter this competition by sending a video recording and step description of their dance since they are not attending the live event. If you are an international choreographer and are attending the live event, please contact the event director for special instructions.

There are 9 choreography divisions. 1) Beginner/Improver 2) Intermediate/Advanced 3) Phrased Division I 4) Phrased Division II, 5) Hip Hop Line Dance, 6) Soul Line Dance, 7) Christian Music Line Dance, 8) Pinnacle Line Dance and 9) Pattern Partner Dance. Please review the competition rules to learn more about these devisions. Select the number of dances you want to enter for each division by clicking the arrow. Do this for each division to indicate how many dances you want to enter. You may enter up to 3 dances in each division for a total of 12 dances per choreographer. Click "checkout." On the next page you will be asked to enter the names of your dances. There will be one entry line for each dance you want to enter in each division. If you chose to enter 2 dances on the previous page, there will be 2 lines to fill in the names of the dances. Click "Checkout" on the right side. Click "read & accept" to accept the event waiver (left bottom side of window). Confirm that all of your contact information, including email address and mailing address is correct. Click "verify your order" on the right side. Click "place order". Enter your payment information. You're done.

If you decide to enter more dances after you have checked out and paid, you can come back and login to add to your registration. You will receive a confirmation email for tickets purchased and competitions entered.

How do you determine the dance division for your choreography entry.

Please read the competition rules carefully. The division is determined by the steps in your dance and the phrasing of the dance. The steps are described in the competition rules. A dance with two or more different parts including combinations of tags, restarts and/or sections of different dance steps is phrased. This could be interpreted differently based on the dance. If you have any questions, please email me. hellotanyacurry@gmail.com.

What is the deadline for entering the choreography competition?

The deadline for USA/Canada choreography entries is August 20, 2026

The deadline for International choreography entries is June 26, 2026--these entries will be judged before the event, hence the early deadline for entries.

The deadline for submitting step desciptions for the dance book is July 15, 2026 although every choreographer will need to submit a step description even though they entered their dance after the July 15, 2026 dance book deadline.

Is the World Dance Showdown for new or experienced dancers?

Both. New and experienced dancers are encouraged to attend. No prior dance experience or dance competition experience is required. This is an event for dancers of all levels. Dancers with experience in line dancing, country couples dancing, ballroom and swing dancing and even other forms of solo dancing are welcome at the World Dance Showdown. Come alone or bring friends and family. You will meet other dancers here and have people to dance with the entire weekend.

When does the event begin?

The doors open on Thursday at 12:00 pm with the first dance workshop starting at 1:00 pm. Doors open at 8:00 am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and close at 3:00 am after the evening dance. You will find more details on the competition schedule on the competition page of this workshop. A detailed schedule of events will be published in August 2026..

What type of workshops will be taught?

Workshops will be taught for beginner/improver, intermediate and advanced line dancers. Workshops will also be taught for beginner, intermediate and advanced couples who are interested in 2-Step, Waltz, East Coast or West Coast Swing, Country Swing, Cha Cha, Hustle, Shag and Fixed-Pattern Partner Dances. Every hour you will be able to choose from 6 different workshops.

What specialty workshops will be held?

Workshops focusing on line dance and couples dance technique, styling, lead and follow, body movement, hand motions and step pattern variations will be taught. In addition, the NTA will be offering workshops to teach dance instructors to become better teachers and offer NTA certifications.

What styles of dance will be taught?

Instructors will teach line, couples and fixed-pattern partner dances. Approximately 150 dance workshops are available for beginner to advanced dancers. Specialty workshops are open to everyone and will focus on dance technique, styling, line dance variations, tricks, poses, turns and spins.

Are the hotels close to the convention center?

The hotels are within walking distance of the convention center with one hotel attached to the convention center through a covered sky bridge. All hotels will sell out many months before the event. The room block is open nd available, please book your room. Reservation information is posted on the home page of this website aand old the hotel & venue page. Please only book a room if you will be attending the event. Off-site hotels are across the street or one block away from the convention center and are reasonably priced. There are many other hotels within a short distance of the convention center. Please use the hotel reservation links we provide or call Central Reservations (listed on the venue page) to get your room at the event room block rate.

Are there restaurants on-site or nearby?

Yes, there is concession service on-site at the convention center and restaurants or concessions in each of the hotels. There are many full service restaurants within walking distance or a short drive from the convention center.

Where is the hotel and convention center located?

Location details coming soon.

Is the World Dance Showdown part of an association of affiliated events?

The World Dance Showdown is not affiliated with the UCWDC, ACDA, USLDCC, WDM or any other dance organization. We support these organizations 100% but run as an independent event with competition rules customized to our attendees needs.

What dance competitions are held at the World Dance Showdown?

Dance competitions for line dancers, couples, dance teams and choreographers. In addition, a World Dance Instructor will be chosen. The categories for each dance type are listed on the competition page of this website and also in the competition rules and guidelines document which you can download from this website. Competitions are open to new and experienced dancers. Please review the categories and dance divisions to determine which competition is best for you. No prior competion experience or coaching is required to participate in the competitions. This is a social dance competition.

When will the competition winners be announced?

The winners of the International Choreography competition will be announced before the Friday night dance on-site at the live event. The winners of the USA/Canada Choreography competition will be announced at the Saturday night dance at the live event around 8:00 pm. The winners of all other competitions will be announced at the awards ceremony on Sunday morning.

What type of music will be played at the event and during the dances?

Country and non-country music will be played. Music will be appropriate and have no vulgar language or explicit content in the songs.

What is the dress code for the event?

There is no dress code. Use your best judgement, considering this is a family event. Dress comfortable. Bring your dance shoes--we will have hardwood dance floors. Dance team, dance group, club, dance venue, bar or dance T-Shirts are encouraged. Boots and cowboy hats are not required unless you are competing in the dance categories that require it. Please refer to the Competition Rules and Guidelines document for more information about dress code for competition.

What is the structure of the evening dances?

There are three dance ballrooms, one for line dancers, one for couples/swing dancers and one for Fixed-Pattern Partner Dancers. All three dance ballrooms will have Dj's playing music to favorite dances. Music requests will be taken in advance of and during the event.

A dance show will be held at about 8:30 pm on Friday and on Saturday night before the dances. This show will consist of demos by the dance instructors and special guests, host dance team "The Hardwood Shiners" and the World Dance Team--a group of dancers from across the country who come to the event, learn a routine and perform it during the show. Please contact Tanya Curry if you would like to be part of the World Dance Team. Dance music will be played until 3:00 am.

Will competitors have warm up time before the competition?

Due to a tight schedule, there will not be warm up time with competitor music being played immediately before the competition, but competitors may ask the DJ to play your music during open dance time before your competition begins. Couples, line dancers, choreographers and Dance Teams can schedule practice time in one of the workshop rooms after the workshops are done for the day. This will be between 6:00 pm and midnight. You may use the sound system in the room for practice purposes. Practice time slots will be in 15 to 30 minute time slots.

What are the competition line dances and couples dances for the event?

The competition line dances will be announced on April 1, 2026. The competition couples dances are the 2-Step, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing and Country Swing.

What is the competition music for the line dance and couples dances?

The competition music for the couples and line dance competition will be released on May 1, 2026.

Who are the judges for the World Dance Showdown competitions?

The judges are experienced and honored dance instructors from different regions across the country, including Master's level World Champion dancers with many years of dance knowledge. Competition scoring guidelines are in the competition rules and guidelines document on this website.

How many choreography dances can I enter?

Choreographers can enter up to three original choreography dances in each dance division for a total of 12 dances combined. Choreographers may dance the choreographed dance alone or with other dancers demonstrating the dance with you. Country or non country music can be used. The deadline to enter the International Choreography competition is June 26, 2026--step descriptions and video recordings of your dances must be submitted at this time. The deadline to enter the USA/Canada choreography competition is August 20, 2026. Dance step descriptions for USA/Canada choreographer dances must be received by July 15, 2026 to be included in the Dance Book.

Who wears the competitor number?

The choreographer or co-choreographer wears the team number.

What is the age limit to participate in the dance competitions?

Dancers may be 13 years of age to participate in the dance competitions. There is no maximum age limit to participate.

Can dancers compete in multiple dance divisions of the same dance category?

No, dancers can only enter one age and dance level dance division of a dance category. For example, a dancer who enters the line dance intermediate category cannot also enter the line dance advanced category, but they can enter the Show-Stopper, Pro Am Line Dancers and Show-Stopper line dance category. The same rule applies to the couples dance competition--only one division can be entered.

How can I register for the event?

Go to the registration page on this website and click on the registration link to be redirected to the registration website where you will create an account and fill out the registration form. You will also fill out the form to enter the dance competitions here as well. Each dancer must fill out their own registration form. You can pay with credit card or electronic check. There are no refunds. If you prefer to print the form and mail it in with a check you may do so. Please email Tanya Curry to get a pdf version of the paper version to fill out and mail in. All competitors must register online because our scoring system is tied into the online registration.

Can I get a refund for the dance book or t-shirt if I ordered this in advance and cannot attend?

We are sorry. There are no refunds. T-shirts and usb drives with the pdf version of the dance book will not be mailed. The pdf e-book version of the dance book ordered in advance will be emailed.

If you have any questions about this Q & A, please contact Tanya Curry at 260-466-2484 or email hellotanyacurry@gmail.com