No Partner required or needed
Please note:
You MUST have a Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass in addition to entry fee for the Jack & Jill
REGISTER NOW - CLICK HERE (10% discount already applied)
Space is limited to 25 Leads and 25 Follows per division.
This is a hard number. We will not add more at the last minute.
Please note:
You MUST have a Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass in addition to entry fee for the Jack & Jill
REGISTER NOW - CLICK HERE (10% discount already applied)
Space is limited to 25 Leads and 25 Follows per division.
This is a hard number. We will not add more at the last minute.
2026 Jack & Jill
Social Dance Competition
Reno Latin Dance Fest
Festival Dates: January 8-12, 2026
4 Divisions for January 2026:
Beginner Salsa/Bachata - Friday
Intermediate Salsa/Bachata - Saturday
Open Level Cumbia - Sunday
Rising Stars Salsa/Bachata - Sunday
*Please see below for rules and division qualifications. Thank you.
FRIDAY
Beginner Salsa/Bachata Division - Friday
2 styles - Must know and compete in both Salsa and Bachata, in the same division.
2 sign up options (Lead or Follow)
Dancers who have never competed before or who have never competed higher than a beginner division in Salsa or Bachata are welcome.
Schedule - Friday Beginner Salsa/Bachata Division
Competitor Call Time 11:30AM
Daytime Prelim Friday 12:15PM - 1:30PM
*Evening Finals Friday Night after the shows 11:15PM
SATURDAY
Intermediate Salsa/Bachata Division - Saturday
2 styles - Must know and compete in both Salsa and Bachata, in the same division.
2 sign up options (Lead or Follow)
Dancers who sign up for the intermediate division will be judged on both Salsa and Bachata and therefore must dance both styles.
Schedule - Saturday Intermediate Division
Competitor Call Time 11:30AM
Daytime Prelim Friday 12:15PM - 1:30PM
*Evening Finals Saturday Night after the shows 11:15PM
SUNDAY
Open Level Cumbia - Sunday
1 style - Cumbia
2 sign up options (Lead or Follow)
All Levels Welcome. No Professional Dancers allowed.
Schedule - Sunday Open Level Cumbia Division
Competitor Call Time 10:00 AM
Daytime Prelim Sunday 10:30 AM
*Daytime Finals Sunday - right after the preliminaries during the day.
Rising Stars Salsa/Bachata - Sunday
$500 Cash Prize ($250 to the Lead and $250 to the Follow)
2 styles - Must know and compete in both Salsa and Bachata, in the same division.
2 sign-up options (Lead or Follow)
All Levels Welcome. Semi-professionals and rising star dancers are allowed to compete.
Schedule - Sunday Rising Stars Division
Competitor Call Time 11:30AM
Daytime Prelim Sunday 12:15PM - 1:30PM
Evening Finals Sunday after shows in Mixed Music Room 11:15PM
Please note:
You MUST have a Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass in addition to entry fee for the Jack & Jill
REGISTER NOW - CLICK HERE (10% discount already applied)
Space is limited to 25 Leads and 25 Follows per division.
This is a hard number. We will not add more at the last minute.
Head Judges
Division Judges - TBA
Official Jack & Jill Dj - Dj Kris Kros
Please note: Old video but the info about “what is a Jack and Jill” is still correct. *New video coming soon…
Jack & Jill
The 2026 Reno Latin Dance Fest will be hosting a Jack & Jill Social Dance Competition as part of their Reno Latin Dance Fest Amateur Cup.
What is a Jack and Jill?
This is a social dance competition where dancers will be judged on their Lead or Follow social dance abilities.
What is the goal?
The goal of the Jack & Jill is to bring dancers together in community to see what level they are as a social dancer.
How does the competition work?
During preliminaries your partners will be randomly picked (lead and follow). Partners may or may not be asked to rotate during preliminaries.
What’s different?
There will be 3 leads and 3 follows chosen to advance to the final round by the judges (highest scores in preliminaries). During the final rounds the dancers will not dance with each other. The final 6 dancers will be dancing with the judges.
Will there be prizes?
Beginner Divisions
Medals will be awarded to 2nd and 3rd beginners and Trophies for 1st place beginner Lead and Follow.
1st place Lead and Follow will receive a Full Festival Pass to the 2027 Reno Latin Dance Fest (Celebrating 19 years).
Intermediate and Open Level Cumbia
Trophies be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lead and Follow.
1st place Lead and Follow will receive a Full Festival Pass to the 2027 Reno Latin Dance Fest (Celebrating 19 years).
Rising Stars Division
Trophies be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lead and Follow.
1st place Lead and Follow will receive a Full Festival Pass to the 2027 Reno Latin Dance Fest (Celebrating 19 years).
PLUS $500 cash prize to 1st place Lead and Follow! ($250 each)
Do I have to be an advanced dancer to join?
No. New to Jack and Jill. Jump in the fun! For 2026 we will be offering a Beginner division for Salsa/Bachata and an Open Cumbia division. You don’t need to have any experience to compete in those divisions.
Definition of Beginner
The Beginner Jack and Jill division will be based on how well you work and connect with your partner during a basic social dance. An understanding of Salsa and Bachata timing and basic steps of Salsa and Bachata will be what the judges are looking for. The goal is not meant to evaluate how advanced you are but how well you work together with your partner as a team to have fun and create a smooth dance.
Definition of Intermediate
Dancer has solidified basic fundamentals of both Salsa and Bachata. A solid grasp of rhythm and timing. Able to link moves fluidly with good technique. Constantly communicating with partner in order to work as a team.
Definition of Rising Star
Dancer has advanced technique in Salsa and Bachata. Rhythm and timing are a must! Musicality will be considered as well as solid Lead or Follow technique. Able to link moves fluidly with good technique. Constantly communicating with partner in order to work as a team.
Definition of Open Division
Dancers can be beginner or intermediate. We ask that any person with ANY professional dance experience stay out of this division. Thank you.
Timing, Technique and Teamwork
Judges will be looking for timing, technique and teamwork in all categories.
Remember to have fun and bring your friends to cheer in support!
Jack and Jill Terms & Conditions
The Beginner Division does not require previous experience in competitions to be able to participate.
No professional dancers allowed in Beginner, Intermediate or Open divisions. Our definition of an amateur dancers is a participant in the Jack & Jill that does not teach or perform any dance for financial compensation on a regular basis. Regular basis is defined as less than once every 3 months or taught full time over 5 years ago. If the dancer has participated in competitions inside or outside of the USA as professional or semi-pro the dancer will be disqualified.
Partner not required
Dance must enter as a Lead or a Follow.
No switching between Lead and Follow will be allowed.
Must dance all styles required in the division entered.
Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass required in addition to entry fee for the Jack & Jill.
Jack And Jill is officiated by selected dance professionals in the Latin dance industry. The promoters of the Reno Latin Dance Fest have no influence on final judging.
Entry Fee:
$30 before September 25th at 11:59PM | $35 before Dec. 4th at 11:59PM | $40 until Jan. 7th at 11:59PM | $50 at door
Be sure to use a 10% Discount code!!!
To Pre Register CLICK HERE. 10% discount already applied.
No Refunds. All sales are Finals.
SPACE IS LIMITED. We will limit the space to 25 Leads and 25 Follows per division. This is a hard number. We will NOT add more at the last minute.
Please note:
You MUST have a Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass in addition to entry fee for the Jack & Jill
REGISTER NOW - CLICK HERE (10% discount already applied)
Space is limited to 25 Leads and 25 Follows per division.
This is a hard number. We will not add more at the last minute.