Are you ready for CARE Festival 2027?

Festival of Dance and Performing Arts

Why we are different?

Our events are 1-2 day events. Our events can be either set as regular scheduled competitions or block scheduling so your dancers and staff do not have to spend the entire weekend at the theatre. 

Each dancer receives a placement medal

Each dancer receives a medal that matches the placement they received. Special awards are given by the judges and Star Performer awards for students with excellent performance quality.

Dancers Compete for Placements

There are no overalls, but students are challenged with clear actionable adjudications to improve their dance skills. Students work to their personal best and grow as a dancer at each session. Focus is on your dancers individual progress and artistic expression. 

Scoring and Awards:

At CARE Dance Festival, we believe dance is more than a number on a page. That is why we designed our unique I CARE Ranking System. Instead of traditional scores and overall placements, dancers receive a rank and medal that reflect the overall impact of their performance, including technical execution, performance quality, artistry, and how they inspire, create, and connect through movement. Dancers do not compete against each other. They compete for marks and the adjudications.

ICARE Method - Marking System

I - Inspired - we welcome you to the stage - it takes courage to go out on stage and we are glad you did! Take your performance to the next level by working hard to practice your routine.

C - Creative - good performance - you know the dance. Take your performance to the next level by working on cleaning the choreography, musicality and dancing together.

A - Artistic - very good performance - you dance well together. Take your performance to the next level by working on the finer details such as eye lines, extensions and expression.

R - Radiant - great performance - the details are well performed. Take your performance to the next level by working on the quality including breath, reach, feeling, story telling, etc.

E - Elevated - excellent performance - the execution of the performance had all the elements of a well memorized, clean, detailed and expressive routine. Take your performance to the next level by further enhancing your technique and performance quality.

Plus Special Awards such as: 

Star Performer - you are a performing Star! Any dance level can achieve a Star Performer award. This award goes to the dancers who show the judges how much they love to perform. Watch out Broadway - here you come!

Many special awards will be given during the event including full Scholarships to the November Workshop.

Your Team Won't Be Competing Against Each Other

If you have two students in contemporary solos of the same age so they will usually compete against each other - Not with CARE!  At CARE you can enter as many age 15 contemporary solos as you want and your team won't be competing against each other because the judges mark each dance based on their own merit. Students can focus on work hard on their own dance to receive high scores not to try to beat their own teammates. 

Judges are teachers who work with part-time and recreational dance students

These judges know exactly how to score and what to expect from part-time / recreational students because they currently  teach them!

Bonuses for teachers/directors

Food is provided for teachers/directors and staff including: breakfast - muffins, coffee, lunch - sandwiches, and more plus snacks and water. Plus a special room for teachers and directors to take a break. You will also recieve a bag with the schedule, pens, highlighters, and some helpful essentals for the event.

DARE Student Dance Choreography Challenge

Dancers can create their own choreography for the the stage! For ages 13-18

Design - your own Routine
Achieve - an adjudication and feedback
Reach - to new heights with your creativity
Engage - your audience with your dance concept

Now you can be the choreographer.... Ask your teacher about joining the DARE challenge.

Awards Session!

Dancers are presented their medals onstage individually by the judges. This is a great photo opportunity for the studios, plus each studio gets a group photo from our fantastic photography team at the end of their awards. 

This is the part-time / small studio's chance to SHINE!

For more dates and details please fill out inquiry form below or contact us at info@caredance.ca