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.
WORKSHOPS
Workshops with Henna for Hamilton International Bellydance Competition 2018 will take place at Mahasti on Sunday, September 16, 2018!
Details coming soon.
Harem is a professional bellydance showcase held in The Casbah & open to the public.
Harem is hosted the 3rd Saturday of every month by Eshe & Mahasti – The Bellydance Emporium.
The first Harem was held in November 2007.
Harem vol 28
Sat. Feb 17th
Show 7-8:30PM
$15
Doors 6:30PM
All ages.
Kids under 18 attend for free.
Raqs Mahasti (Eshe, Peggy Nuwayrah Bellydance & Mahasti – The Bellydance Emporium studio dancers) with special guests
Angela Josephine
Melissa Gamal
Invoketress
Wild Orchid Belly Dance
This event we are going to shake things up a bit. You’ll see the artists take on each other’s style. Invoketress will perform as Eshe & Raqs Mahasti. Angela Josephine will perform as Melissa Gamal. Melissa Gamal will perform as Angela Josephine. Wild Orchid will perform as Invoketress. Raqs Mahasti will perform as Invoketress, Wild Orchid, Angela Josephine & Melissa Gamal. The artists will also perform a set in their own signature styles.
The Casbah
306 King W
Hamilton, ON
Nearest public parking lot: 55 Queen St N, Hamilton.
Nearest restaurant La Luna (also 306 King W).
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.
——-
11-1:30PM Mejance (entrance choreography)
Straight from Cairo Melissa will share the workshop she’s prepared for the world-famous Nile Group in November!
2:30-4PM Musicality & Improvisation
Tips & tricks to take your dance to the next level with Melissa’s signature sass, poise & style.
11AM workshop $50 (2.5 hours) https://mahasti.ecwid.com/#!/1-Workshop-2-hours-total/p/64748412/category=18890056
2:30PM workshop $35 https://mahasti.ecwid.com/#!/1-Workshop-1-5-Hours/p/79014740/category=18890056
BOTH workshops $75 https://mahasti.ecwid.com/#!/2-Workshops-4-hours-total/p/64748410/category=18890056
Etransfer to eshebellydancer@hotmail.com. Cash or credit card at the studio.
MELISSA GAMAL
Melissa Gamal is an award-winning dancer based in Toronto. She’s won titles at world-renowned bellydance gatherings Heshk Beshk Oriental Dance Festival in Venice, Italy & CAIRO Festival, Budapest, Hungary. Her authentic movement style and elegant musical interpretation have made her one of the most beloved performers in Canada.
Her foremost training was at Arabesque Academy/Dance Company, where she was an instructor and lead dancer for 8 years. She continually trains with famed & respected instructors from across North America, Europe and the Middle East, including intensive studies in Cairo, Egypt.
As an experienced instructor, her classes and workshops are sought after for her attention to technique as well as her knowledge of historical and cultural contexts. This November will see her teaching at Nile Group Cairo in Egypt among the top instructors in the world.
In 2015 Melissa co-founded Ya Amar, an entertainment company focused on offering exquisite performances of Middle Eastern dance and live music. She is also quickly gaining a reputation as a top-notch event producer & taste-maker as she brings rising stars, scholars & well-respected dance ethnologists to Canada.
See more at https://ya-amar.ca/
MAHASTI THE BELLYDANCE EMPORIUM
1 West Ave S, Suite 300, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
hamiltonbellydance.com
Back by popular demand – Egyptian Bellydance workshops with Melissa Gamal of Ya Amar
Melissa will be sharing her signature shimmies with us on Sat 3/11 from 11AM to 2PM at Mahasti – The Bellydance Emporium
Drum Solo (Shimmy and Layering Technique)
1 hour of technique
2 hours of choreography to apply technique
44.25 + tax = $50
Online payment:
https://mahasti.ecwid.com/#!/1-workshop-3-hours-total/p/72074891/category=18890056
We also accept cash payment at the studio or etransfer to eshebellydancer@hotmail.com
Free parking at the rear of the studio.
1 West Ave S, Suite 300, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
eshebellydancer@hotmail.com
hamiltonbellydancer.com
Followed by a performance at Harem in The Casbah
7-8:30PM Show. Doors 6:30PM
Tickets $15 at the door. Kids under 18 are free.
306 King St W, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Mahasti - The Bellydance Emporium - Dance on Concession Street in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 