Zouk Trailblazer Newcomer Program Policy
The Trailblazer Program is a curated experience for new dancers (less than 6 months of experience, and still learning the basics). We design it as a progressive, holistic program to get you started in this wonderful community in a safe, supportive, and (less) intimidating environment. We control the number of attendees to give you a better experience, and balance leads and follows.
Those who have ever competed in a BZDC Zouk Jack and Jill, taught Zouk formally or informally, attended and participated in another Zouk congress, or have assisted in a workshop, are not eligible for the Newcomer program unless you get a written exemption from ZTN. If you are unsure if you qualify for a Trailblazer pass or are seeking an exemption, please contact ZTN directly.
If you enroll in this program, we expect you to actually be a newcomer who intends to attend workshops and learn Zouk. It is NOT a party or night pass for experienced Zouk dancers. Please respect this policy – it is very difficult to offer this program successfully when it is full of non-newcomers. We will be taking attendance in the workshops. If we determine that you are using the pass as a party or night pass (for example, if we see you attended no workshops), you may be banned from future editions of ZTN
Newcomers are not eligible for Novice + levels for Jack and Jill competitions, but we will have a Newcomer for-fun JnJ competition – where you might win a Full Pass to next year!
Lead/Follow Policy
Regular Full Passes
ZTN does maintain a balance of lead/follow passes, and expects people to social dance primarily in the role they purchased. We don’t care about your gender – but we do care about balancing dance roles for a better event experience!
We don’t mind if you switch it up sometimes, but please note that every person who purchases their non-dominant role actually unbalances the roles x2. First, they add an extra person in the overbalanced role. Second, they take away one of the other role’s positions. So, if even 10 people do this, it can really impact the overall balance of leads and follows!
We expect people to honestly purchase the pass that reflects their role. If no passes are available or are out of your price range, we expect you to join our waitlist. If we determine that you are not honest in selecting your role, we may decide to ban you from ZTN.
You are permitted to switch it up in workshops. However, if your level in the other role is lower, we expect you to attend workshops that are at your skill level.
Trailblazer Newcomer Full Passes
For Trailblazers, we expect you to select the ticket that reflects your intention for the workshops. Since you have your own dedicated and limited capacity program, it is important that your accurate workshop role is reflected in your ticket purchase.
Workshop Policy
Regular Full Passes include access to all weekend (Fri-Sun) workshops, except for separately ticketed workshops series and Newcomer workshops.
Trailblazer (Newcomer) Full passes may only attend Newcomer workshops.
Workshop Levelling Policy
Zouk the North workshops will publish a list of prerequisites prior to the event for each class. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that they meet the requirements for the class; those who are not familiar with the prerequisites are asked to attend a different workshop that better reflects their Zouk level.
Ticket Changes, Transfer, and Refund Policy
Changes
Changes will be allowed without charge if you contact ZTN within 48 hours of ticket purchase. After 24 hours, an administrative fee of $10 will apply. Transfers to another individual (even within 48 hours) are not considered changes, and the Transfers policy will apply.
Refunds
All tickets are non-refundable. In limited and exceptional circumstances, ZTN may (at our discretion) allow attendees to carry over a ticket to the following year. All requests to carry-over must be received before the event.
ZTN reserves the right to refund any ticket if the attendee does not meet the requirements for that pass (for example, a non-newcomer purchasing a Newcomer pass) less a 30 cent PayPal non-refundable fee.
Transfers
Tickets can be transferred by contacting us through our email. We strongly prefer email for communicating about pass transfers to Facebook. Transfers may be subject to a $10 administrative fee.
Tickets are fully transferrable until September 1, 2023. All transfers must be for the same role (for example, lead or follow). No transfer is confirmed until the transferer/transferee receives written confirmation from the event organizers. No attendee may sell a pass for more than they paid for the pass. Scalping or making a profit off of pass resales is strictly prohibited and will result in a permanent ban from ZTN at the organizer’s discretion. Potential buyers are encouraged to contact ZTN directly to ensure that they are buying a legitimate ticket and know the fee that was paid for that pass.
Competition Policy
You are responsible for ensuring you accurately register for the right division, provide accurate information (including your BZDC number and spelling your name as recorded in the registry), and register in your preferred role. You are also responsible for ensuring you arrive on time for your division’s check-in. You acknowledge that by registering for a competition, your name (psuedonyms are permitted) and competition results will appear on ZTN’s website and/or other communication channels, and on the Brazilian Zouk Dance Council registry.
Refunds are not provided on competition registration. If you do not arrive on time for check-in, you may be scratched (removed) from the competition without refund. If you register for a division you are not qualified for in the BZDC registry, you are responsible for making a petition to BZDC and communicating the results to us, or communicating why you have an exemption. Otherwise, ZTN may reassign your competition designation without contacting you, or you may not be granted any points or prizes earned. If you need further information on competitions, please visit our Competitions page.