GENERAL RULES - ALL CATEGORIES

Most categories do NOT have preliminaries.
Please send Photo/Bio to: tacomadancestudios@gmail.com
Sorry, no refunds unless event is completely cancelled
You must follow any additional rules listed in your specific categories below.
You are allowed a 10 second mechanical/human error for competition time. However, if you go over this time 50 points will be deducted from your overall score.
Middle Eastern Music MUST make up a minimum of 60% of your total performance UNLESS otherwise noted below. If you exceed the 40% allowed and it is noticed, you will be penalized 50 points. However, it is RECOMMENDED that all the music seems to be Middle Eastern as there is a KNOWN JUDGE BIAS against alternative music in non-alternative categories. If you use "Jamileh" (which incidentally, is an American produced song by an Armenian artist) you are just likely to do better with the judges than if you use "Oh Suzannah"
Props are okay in any category.
Finger cymbals are not required in any category, but there are extra points available for the judges to award at their discretion for good cymbal use in ALL categories.
Tribal, Fusion, Goth, etc performers may enter any category. All contestants are scored the same regardless of style.
NO FIRE
No Live music unless the performers are playing and dancing at the same time.
Music must be on a CD or mp3 - phones are NOT recommended.
Competition order will be randomly assigned and will be available for viewing on the schedule page after April 1st. If you are not ready to perform at your assigned time you will forfeit your participation and all fees.
Performers must not be substance impaired or attitude impaired they will be asked to leave and will be required to default their participation. No refunds will be made.
PLEASE NOTE: If a category does not have the minimum # of competitors indicated above you will be asked to move up to the next appropriate category if there is one. NO category that can't be combined with another one will be cancelled.
You do have the option of performing for Judge's Critique OR being refunded instead, but no prizes would be awarded.

CATEGORY INFORMATION

Youth (12 and under)

Contestants must be 12 years old or younger and must be accompanied by an adult at the event. Winners may enter again in the future as long as they meet the age requirement. All styles/all levels welcome. Fee: $25, Time: 3 min, Prizes: 1st - $25, Trophy & Tiara; all other competitors receive a tiara and certificate

American Alt Bellydance (Solo or Troupe)

This category is specifically for American derived styles of Bellydance: "Tribal," "Fusion," ATS, ITS, "Goth"... whatever you have as long as it has an American origin. Any music can be used. Any props can be used. Solo or troupe welcome. Competitors judged on the quality and entertainment of the performance. All levels welcome. Fee: $40, Time: 7 min, Prizes: 1st - $50 & Trophy; 1st RU - certificate; 2nd RU - Certificate; 3rd RU - Certificate

Themed & General Humor (Solo or Troupe)

This category is for THEMED performances (your costume and performance should reflect the theme of the music you are using) and/or NON-Halloween-oriented HUMOROUS performances.You must clearly include bellydance movements in your performance. All styles/all levels welcome. Fee: $40, Time: 5 min, Prizes: 1st - $50 & Trophy; 1st RU - certificate; 2nd RU - Certificate; 3rd RU - Certificate

"Seattle Tall" Emerging Hobbyist

Contestants must have less than 2 years in dance/class experience at time of registration. You must not have been hired to perform in any venue for a fee. Middle eastern or middle eastern sounding music VERY highly recommended. This category may be combined with "Grande" if there are not enough entrants to warrant a separate category. All styles welcome. Fee: $40, Time: 5 min, Prizes: 1st - $50 & Trophy; 1st RU - certificate; 2nd RU - Certificate; 3rd RU - Certificate

"Seattle Grande" Hobbyist

Contestants must have less than 4 years in dance/class experience at time of registration. You must not have been hired to perform in any venue for a fee. Middle eastern or middle eastern sounding music VERY highly recommended. This category may be combined with "Vente" if there are not enough entrants to warrant a separate category. All styles welcome. Fee: $40, Time: 5 min, Prizes: 1st - $50 & Trophy; 1st RU - certificate; 2nd RU - Certificate; 3rd RU - Certificate

"Seattle Vente" Semi-Pro Hobbyist

Contestants must have more than 4 years in dance/class experience at time of registration or may have earned some fee for entertainment but not on a regular basis. You must not have been teaching bellydance or belly fitness type classes in the last two years. If you have been teaching you better be pro level (regardless of the length of time you have been dancing) and should be competing as such. Just saying. Middle eastern or middle eastern sounding music VERY highly recommended. All styles welcome. Fee: $40, Time: 5 min, Prizes: 1st - $50 & Trophy; 1st RU - certificate; 2nd RU - Certificate; 3rd RU - Certificate

Duet/Trio

All dancers dancing at all times - no soloist segments over 15 seconds. Middle eastern or middle eastern sounding music VERY highly recommended. This category may be combined with Troupe if there are not enough entrants to warrant a separate category. All styles welcome. Fee: $75, Time: 7 min, Prizes: 1st - $100 & Trophy; 1st RU - trophy; 2nd RU - trophy; 3rd RU - trophy

Troupe

All dancers dancing at all times - no soloist segments over 15 seconds. Middle eastern or middle eastern sounding music VERY highly recommended. All styles welcome. Fee: $75, Time: 7 min, Prizes: 1st - $100 & Trophy; 1st RU - trophy; 2nd RU - trophy; 3rd RU - trophy

Ambassador of Bellydance Pro Soloist 2

Competitor must be 45 or older at the time of registration. You are NOT barred from entering Pro Soloist 1. All styles welcome. See chart at top of page for fees, time limits, prizes, etc

Ambassador 1 & 2 both have a LIVE (NOT VIDEO) preliminary requirement of performing to the same competition-supplied 6 minute set. The music will become available April 1 or as soon as the category has filled. The preliminary performance will be live at the Competition event, held in Kent, WA USA

This category may be combined with "AAPS1" (below) if there are not enough entrants to warrant a separate category.

"AMBASSADOR" CONSIDERATION: Please note that along with the usual standard types of competition criteria, judges will be given the special criteria of being instructed to judge the performances based on the suitability of the performance as an Ambassador of Bellydance to the public. The judges will be asked to evaluate the performers with the specific question: "Is this performer someone you would want your boss, your grandmother, your children, your neighbor, your [someone important to you] to see for the first time as an example of what you do?"

Fee: $75, Times: Prelims - 6 min Finals - 8 min, Prizes: 1st Place - $200, Workshop Invitation*, Trophy, Tiara & Title Sash! 1st RU - $100 & Trophy; 2nd RU - trophy; 3rd RU - trophy

Ambassador of Bellydance Pro Soloist 1

Competitor may be any age at the time of registration. All styles welcome. See chart at top of page for fees, time limits, prizes, etc

Fee: $75, Times: Prelims - 6 min Finals - 8 min, Prizes: 1st Place - $200, Workshop Invitation*, Trophy, Tiara & Title Sash! 1st RU - $100 & Trophy; 2nd RU - trophy; 3rd RU - trophy