Contestant Requirements & Judging Criteria
Contestant Requirements
-Any style of Bellydance is accepted.
-This contest is for soloists.
-Contestants must perform a minimum of 4 minutes and a maximum of 6 minutes. This time limit includes entrance and exit music.
-Contestants should not be currently performing Bellydance for money as his/her main source of income.
-Contestants may not participate if she/he is currently teaching Bellydance classes on a regular basis (teaching one beginner class per week is OK.)
-All performances and costuming must be family-friendly. Please note that there is a raised stage.
-Contestants should send their music to Sa'diyya via email no later than 5 days before the contest. Please have your music edited exactly the way you want it to play, including the order of the songs and the volume. Bring a back up copy on the day of the contest, too.
-Each performance can be done either on the raised stage or the dance floor which is audience-level. The carpeted raised stage is rectangular and is approximately 12' wide by 8' deep. There is one step on Stage Left (same side as the dressing rooms) to get onto the raised stage. The raised stage is at the back of the room against a wall. The dance floor is in front of the raised stage. The wooden dance floor is approximately 16' by 16'.
-Props may be used.
-Contestants may create their own choreography, perform an improvised dance or perform another dancer's choreography.
-All contestants must be 16 years of age or older.
-There is no registration fee.
-Contestants will draw numbers to determine the order of the performers upon arrival on the day of the contest.
-All participants authorize the use of photos and video for promotional purposes.
-Contestants will be given the score sheets and written feedback immediately following the conclusion of the contest on the same evening.
-A maximum of 8 and a minimum of 5 contestants will be registered at each contest. Contestant applications are taken up to 5 days before the date of each contest.
-Dancers may sign up for multiple contests; There is no limit on how many times you can compete. Keep trying for first place and/or keep defending your title!
-Any style of Bellydance is accepted.
-This contest is for soloists.
-Contestants must perform a minimum of 4 minutes and a maximum of 6 minutes. This time limit includes entrance and exit music.
-Contestants should not be currently performing Bellydance for money as his/her main source of income.
-Contestants may not participate if she/he is currently teaching Bellydance classes on a regular basis (teaching one beginner class per week is OK.)
-All performances and costuming must be family-friendly. Please note that there is a raised stage.
-Contestants should send their music to Sa'diyya via email no later than 5 days before the contest. Please have your music edited exactly the way you want it to play, including the order of the songs and the volume. Bring a back up copy on the day of the contest, too.
-Each performance can be done either on the raised stage or the dance floor which is audience-level. The carpeted raised stage is rectangular and is approximately 12' wide by 8' deep. There is one step on Stage Left (same side as the dressing rooms) to get onto the raised stage. The raised stage is at the back of the room against a wall. The dance floor is in front of the raised stage. The wooden dance floor is approximately 16' by 16'.
-Props may be used.
-Contestants may create their own choreography, perform an improvised dance or perform another dancer's choreography.
-All contestants must be 16 years of age or older.
-There is no registration fee.
-Contestants will draw numbers to determine the order of the performers upon arrival on the day of the contest.
-All participants authorize the use of photos and video for promotional purposes.
-Contestants will be given the score sheets and written feedback immediately following the conclusion of the contest on the same evening.
-A maximum of 8 and a minimum of 5 contestants will be registered at each contest. Contestant applications are taken up to 5 days before the date of each contest.
-Dancers may sign up for multiple contests; There is no limit on how many times you can compete. Keep trying for first place and/or keep defending your title!
Judging Criteria
Contestants are going to be judged as "amateur professionals", meaning that the performers are expected to be pursuing Bellydance as a hobby, but to professional standards. They aren't being compared to seasoned professional-level dancers, but rather to the ideal of a skilled public performer who strives for professionalism but who isn't technically a professional Bellydancer by trade.
Using a scale from 1-5 (5=Spectacular!, 4=Pretty Good, 3=Run of the Mill, 2=Needs Improvement, 1=Focus A Lot In This Area), contestants will be judged on the following technical and artistic concepts listed below:
-Entertainment/Performance Skills
-Is there a proper entrance and exit?
-Does the performer engage the audience?
-Can the performer convey different emotions/moods?
-Does the performer keep "character" while performing?
-Musical Interpretation (choreography or freestyle)
-Does the performer acknowledge changes in the music?
-Does the performer use a variety of tempos and moods?
-Does the performer show knowledge of rhythms?
-Technical Execution of Movement
-Are the movements clear and isolated?
-Are hands,arms, feet and posture polished-looking?
-Does the performer appear to be fluid and "dancerly"?
-Costuming
-Is the costume appropriate for the performer's body?
-Is the costume well-accessorized?
-Does the performer make use of glamorous, stage makeup and hair styling?
Remember, in addition to the number scores, contestants will receive detailed written feedback in each of these areas!
Click HERE to apply to be a contestant!!!
Contestants are going to be judged as "amateur professionals", meaning that the performers are expected to be pursuing Bellydance as a hobby, but to professional standards. They aren't being compared to seasoned professional-level dancers, but rather to the ideal of a skilled public performer who strives for professionalism but who isn't technically a professional Bellydancer by trade.
Using a scale from 1-5 (5=Spectacular!, 4=Pretty Good, 3=Run of the Mill, 2=Needs Improvement, 1=Focus A Lot In This Area), contestants will be judged on the following technical and artistic concepts listed below:
-Entertainment/Performance Skills
-Is there a proper entrance and exit?
-Does the performer engage the audience?
-Can the performer convey different emotions/moods?
-Does the performer keep "character" while performing?
-Musical Interpretation (choreography or freestyle)
-Does the performer acknowledge changes in the music?
-Does the performer use a variety of tempos and moods?
-Does the performer show knowledge of rhythms?
-Technical Execution of Movement
-Are the movements clear and isolated?
-Are hands,arms, feet and posture polished-looking?
-Does the performer appear to be fluid and "dancerly"?
-Costuming
-Is the costume appropriate for the performer's body?
-Is the costume well-accessorized?
-Does the performer make use of glamorous, stage makeup and hair styling?
Remember, in addition to the number scores, contestants will receive detailed written feedback in each of these areas!
Click HERE to apply to be a contestant!!!
