2018 Hamilton International Bellydance Competition

Cost to enter Phase 1 (video):
$35 CAD (per category) for soloists
$70 CAD (per category) for ensembles (groups)

Online judges: Michelle Sorensen & Farasha of Tokyo

Finalist judges: Henna of Datura Online, Melissa Gamal

Application fees may be paid at https://mahasti.ecwid.com/. Please note – all application fees are non-refundable. 

Successful finalists will be responsible for an additional $50 fee  (per soloist or per ensemble).  Successful finalists, if they wish, may apply this fee towards a full day workshop purchase with Henna.

All applicants will receive a ticket to attend the competition & gala show for themselves for free.  Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
How it works:
Seven solo and five ensemble finalists will be chosen per category from video submissions. There are three categories – professional solo, fusion solo, and ensemble. Professional applicants should use traditional Middle Eastern bellydance music.  They may present any traditional bellydance style from raqs sharqi to folklore. Fusion applicants and ensembles may use any style of music, however at least 50% of their dance should be bellydance.

Applicants may enter as many categories as they wish. Only those applicants whom appear in the video may dance in the finals (understudies are not permitted).  If you are not sure who may be available in September, we strongly recommend dancing with extra performers.

The application period opens Monday, March 12, 2018 at 9 a.m. EDT.

The application deadline is Monday, June 11, 2018 at 9 a.m. EDT. All videos and entry fees must be submitted before the deadline.

After being selected, finalists in each category will be contacted by email by Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 5 p.m. EDT. Their names will also appear on our website.  The final competition will take place in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada from September 15, 2018.

After uploading your HIBC video to YouTube, please email eshebellydancer@hotmail.com your artist or ensemble name, category entered, the name of choreographer, and a link for viewing the video. In the case of ensembles, please also include a list of the dancers who appear in the video.

Rules:
Videos for soloists should not exceed 3 minutes in length. Videos for groups should not exceed 4 minutes in length.

Choreographies and videos must include all original content created by the soloist entering the competition or ensemble director in the case of groups. Using another dancer’s choreography is not permitted. Applicants may perform the choreography from their video submission in the final competition if they wish.

All dancers must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.

Videos:
Please shoot your videos from the front only and in landscape mode. Also ensure that you’re in a well-lit room and that the recording has good sound. Your entire body should be visible for the duration of the video. You don’t have to wear a professional costume or be in full make-up, but your movements and expression should be easy to see.

Videos will be judged on technique, musicality, personality, and originality. For ensembles, we’ll also be examining your synchronicity and formations. The final competition will have the same criteria. The judges will select the winners. In addition, the audience will select a People’s Choice winner for each category.

Finalists are responsible for their own travel, accommodation fares and all fees related to the competition.

If you have any questions, please email eshebellydancer@hotmail.com.

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WORKSHOPS

Workshops with Henna for Hamilton International Bellydance Competition 2018 will take place at Mahasti on Sunday, September 16, 2018!

Details coming soon.