Thread: Midwest Bellydance Challenge REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!!

Hi everyone! Registration for the 2nd Annual Midwest Bellydance Challenge is officially OPEN at shimmychicago.com! Let the games begin!

(from the site)

"The Midwest Bellydance Challenge (MBC) was started by Kimahri in 2007 to provide a top-quality bellydance competition experience to Middle Eastern dancers in the region and beyond. The mission of the MBC is to create a place were a dancer's skill and talent are rewarded and dancers can gain valuable feedback to continue in their dance development. The judges for the MBC bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the panel and include expertise in the areas of Middle Eastern dance, music and culture as well as performing skill and presentation. Kimahri is delighted to expand this year's competition categories and be able to share this exciting experience with even more dancers.

CATEGORIES
Student Soloist: Can be cabaret, tribal or folkloric style. Student dancers do not teach and have not performed for pay. Time limit: 5 minutes.

Tribal Soloist: Advanced and professional level dancers, including teachers and those who perform for pay. Time limit: 7 minutes.

Troupe: Can be cabaret, tribal or folkloric styles. All levels accepted. Troupe must have a minimum of 3 dancers and will be disqualified if that number is not available to perform. Time limit: 7 minutes.

Pro Cabaret: Semi-pro and professional level dancers, including teachers and those who perform for pay. Time limit: 7 minutes for semi-finals, 10 minutes for finals.

Prizes for this year's competitors (watch this space--more prizes TBA!)
Troupe: 1st, 2nd, 3rd (trophies for all winning troupe members)
Student Soloist: 1st place ($250 dance scholarship and trophy), 2nd place (trophy), 3rd place (trophy)
Tribal Soloist: 1st place ($250 cash prize and trophy), 2nd place (trophy), 3rd place (trophy)
Pro Cabaret Soloist: 1st place ($500 cash prize, trophy, sash, tiara), 2nd place (trophy), 3rd place (trophy)

*People's Choice trophies will be awarded for all categories*


The competition will be held on Saturday August 23rd, 2008.
Daytime events (troupe, tribal and student soloist, pro cabaret semifinals) will be held at Immanuel Lutheran School, 148 E. Third Street, Elmhurst IL 60126. General admission tickets are available for all-day access. The pro cabaret finals will take place Saturday evening in a gala show that will also feature the troupe, tribal and student solo winners. The show will be held at the Mario Parente (formerly Anderson) Theater in Oakbrook Terrace Park District Heritage Center, 1S325 Ardmore Ave., Oakbrook Terrace, IL. "


I'm really looking forward to this year's event, any questions fire away! ..l;,


~~Kimahri

I'll be sending my registration fee in tomorrow. My #1 goal is to just do better than last year!

I'm so glad you expanded the categories this year! I'm having trouble printing the registration form though.

Originally Posted by Tauremorna

I'm so glad you expanded the categories this year! I'm having trouble printing the registration form though.

Can you print the other pages or is it just that one? Let me know, I can also email you a non-.pdf document.

~~Kimahri

I just PayPal'd my registration fee, and the form will be in the mail today. I guess I'm committed now, huh?

I did have a few questions on the Pro catagory, Kim.

1) what is the max # of competitors that you will be accepting?
2) for the semi-finalists, is it just the top 3 vying for the Grand Prize, or is it a handful of the top competitors from the daytime comp trying to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd?
3) are the daytime judges the same individuals as the evening ones?

Hi Kimahri - I thought our troupe could come from Fargo, but we were already committed to dance at "Potato Days" in Barnesville, how funny that sounds. I will copy and paste your info to our leader for next year's competition. It would have been really fun and I'm sure it will be!

Originally Posted by laura 2

I just PayPal'd my registration fee, and the form will be in the mail today. I guess I'm committed now, huh?

I did have a few questions on the Pro catagory, Kim.

1) what is the max # of competitors that you will be accepting?
2) for the semi-finalists, is it just the top 3 vying for the Grand Prize, or is it a handful of the top competitors from the daytime comp trying to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd?
3) are the daytime judges the same individuals as the evening ones?

1) right now I'm looking at a max of 15 for the pro category but that could change depending on the level of registration interest for the new categories
2) the "Elite 8" will move from the semi-finals to the finals and compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd
3) there will be a panel of judges that will work in shifts for day and evening. A minimum of 3 (but preferably 4) judges will be seated for each competition round. Shifts will also allow the judges to tag-team in or out for a category where there would be a conflict of interest (for example, a judge has a student in the student competition. They can step out for that category and another judge will take their place). We will have as many of the judges as possible at the evening competition.

Three soloists have registered already!

~~Kimahri

Thank you so much Kim - that's exactly what I wanted to know!

UPDATE: I have *8* soloists registered in Pro Cabaret!Representing the great states of Illinois,Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio!

~~Kimahri

Ooh! Just out of curiosity, how many have registered for Student solo?

Kim coupla questions...Im not sure what the protocol is:

Lets say you make it to the elite 8, do you do the same routine again? Completely different one? both? Im not sure how it works.

Hi,

I'd like to participate! Is there still room in the pro category?

Originally Posted by Elianae

Ooh! Just out of curiosity, how many have registered for Student solo?

I've had a ton of emails from prospective student soloists but that category is still fully open...I have a feeling they're all going to take the plunge at once!

~~Kimahri

Originally Posted by sumayasaahir

Kim coupla questions...Im not sure what the protocol is:

Lets say you make it to the elite 8, do you do the same routine again? Completely different one? both? Im not sure how it works.

I believe it's customary when there are semi-finals and finals involved to do an entirely different program for each. You have more time in the finals and can really dazzle the judges!

~~Kimahri

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Hi,

I'd like to participate! Is there still room in the pro category?

Absolutely! Registration information is available at shimmychicago.com

~~Kimahri

Hi Kimahri,

Thanks! I hope to be there!

So, this time there wont be "extra credit" points for props? I didnt see anything about that in the info...?

Originally Posted by sumayasaahir

So, this time there wont be "extra credit" points for props? I didnt see anything about that in the info...?

If you go to the end of the Scoring Criteria it says:

"FOR ALL CATEGORIES
PROPS (not required, maximum 2 props) up to 10 BONUS POINTS
Skillful usage of props in a way that enhances the overall dance performance
Smooth transitions in adding/discarding of props
*note: entrances where a veil is used and discarded quickly does not count as prop usage"



~~Kimahri

Doh! I knew as soon as i asked...it would be in there somewhere....

Kim, I had my first contest nightmare last night...I dreamed I was all prepared but I forgot my costume....lol.

REGISTRATION UPDATE:
10 Pro Cabaret Soloists
5 Tribal Soloists
1 Troupe

~~Kimahri

Originally Posted by Kimahri

REGISTRATION UPDATE:
10 Pro Cabaret Soloists
5 Tribal Soloists
1 Troupe

~~Kimahri

One of my students told me this morning she's planning on competing in the Student category!!!!! Whoo hoo!

Hi Kimahri-

I just registered for the Pro Cabaret category and accidentally hit the 'pay' button for a long-dead bank account! So I paid a second time with a different account; I sent you email details. Please let me know via Bhuz or email whether you've received my information and to know which amount to choose.

I am very excited to be involved!

Kimahri-

Please check your email and PM. Thank you.

hopefully will get it in this time. no printer last year...long story.

Thanks Kimahri! Sorry about the confusion. See you at the competition!