Thread: Wiggle sof the West Competition and competitions in general...

So I ant to compete this year in a competition where the judges are open minded and not just looking for egyptian style. I heard of wiggles of the west and love that their entertainer of the year category reads that it is open to all styles of bellydance in cabaret. I am a big mix so that makes me feel so happy and hopeful now. So who here has competed there or know any helpful info. It can be anything from

1. Is it very political? (i.e. do the same people win every few years, do the judges students always make it through, only sponsors of the event make it through)
2. Are the judges all from egypt?
3. Have any non-egyptian style dancers won in the past?
4. any tips or advice?
5. if you know of any other competitions in the u.s that are open minded feel free to post as well.

I want to have a good experience, so your feedback is sooo appreciated!

Originally Posted by jordonezbellydance

So I ant to compete this year in a competition where the judges are open minded and not just looking for egyptian style. I heard of wiggles of the west and love that their entertainer of the year category reads that it is open to all styles of bellydance in cabaret. I am a big mix so that makes me feel so happy and hopeful now. So who here has competed there or know any helpful info. It can be anything from

1. Is it very political? (i.e. do the same people win every few years, do the judges students always make it through, only sponsors of the event make it through)
2. Are the judges all from egypt?
3. Have any non-egyptian style dancers won in the past?
4. any tips or advice?
5. if you know of any other competitions in the u.s that are open minded feel free to post as well.

I want to have a good experience, so your feedback is sooo appreciated!

I competed at Wiggles last year. Political - I did notice that at least one judge was also a competitor, and that didn't feel right.
No, the judges are not all from Egypt. I think most of them are from the U.S.
Can't answer number 3, I don't know.
Tips/advice. Make sure you include a drum solo piece in the routine. I didn't include it (my music was slow and dramatic - so I felt it was jarring) but that seems to be what the judges want.
The atmosphere was really great. No backbiting. Very well organized.
Note: The hotel is quite nice, but make sure you get a refrigerator. You will want to have access to food without paying for every morsel you put in your mouth. The hotel doesn't offer free breakfast. There is a Wal-Mart across the street, so take advantage of it.

Edna

Originally Posted by SirenoftheSun

I competed at Wiggles last year. Political - I did notice that at least one judge was also a competitor, and that didn't feel right.
No, the judges are not all from Egypt. I think most of them are from the U.S.
Can't answer number 3, I don't know.
Tips/advice. Make sure you include a drum solo piece in the routine. I didn't include it (my music was slow and dramatic - so I felt it was jarring) but that seems to be what the judges want.
The atmosphere was really great. No backbiting. Very well organized.
Note: The hotel is quite nice, but make sure you get a refrigerator. You will want to have access to food without paying for every morsel you put in your mouth. The hotel doesn't offer free breakfast. There is a Wal-Mart across the street, so take advantage of it.

Edna

thanks edna! That is soo helpful. keep the info coming ladies!

Originally Posted by jordonezbellydance

So I ant to compete this year in a competition where the judges are open minded and not just looking for egyptian style. I heard of wiggles of the west and love that their entertainer of the year category reads that it is open to all styles of bellydance in cabaret. I am a big mix so that makes me feel so happy and hopeful now. So who here has competed there or know any helpful info. It can be anything from

1. Is it very political? (i.e. do the same people win every few years, do the judges students always make it through, only sponsors of the event make it through)

Every competition is a little bit, Wiggles included. There were definitely some conflicts of interest on the judging panel when I went, but, I still felt for the most part those who ended up with trophies deserved it. (Perhaps not all, but most.)

Originally Posted by jordonezbellydance

2. Are the judges all from Egypt?

None are from Egypt. That is pretty rare. Only Ahlan Cairo Nights has an Egyptian panel of judges. They will all be Americans, unless there is an anomaly and somebody comes out from Canada or someplace else.

Originally Posted by jordonezbellydance

3. Have any non-egyptian style dancers won in the past?

Yes. I just checked their website for a list of past winners to give you some examples. I'm pretty disappointed they don't have one. They really should.

Originally Posted by jordonezbellydance

4. any tips or advice?

Don't set your heart on winning. Let it be about what you can gain from the journey of preparing, putting yourself out there and receiving the feedback. Also about making new friends. The experience will be much more rewarding at the end, no matter what the results.

Originally Posted by jordonezbellydance

5. if you know of any other competitions in the u.s that are open minded feel free to post as well.

Belly Dance Nationals in Baltimore, MD in November - the best run contest I've been to so far. Of course, I've only been to a few.

Originally Posted by jordonezbellydance

I want to have a good experience, so your feedback is sooo appreciated!

Found this list of winners from 2007 to 1996: http://www.janiesoasis.com/pastwinners.html

Kami Liddle won in 2005, she's very tribal-style.

Originally Posted by jewelsdances

Found this list of winners from 2007 to 1996: http://www.janiesoasis.com/pastwinners.html

Kami Liddle won in 2005, she's very tribal-style.

i competed the year kami won and she was amazing!

@shems thanks so much thats some great info.
@edna- what category did you compete in?
@jewels- oh good so theres hope. i am a cabaret dancer but i do not do egyptian style. i do a mish mosh of everything in one. i go more tribal or more spanish, or more turkish depending on the song. its all about what song i choose.

I competed in the Rising Stars category.

Edna

Thanks for posting this and to everyone who replied.

I will be competing in the 'Rising Star' category this year... Can't wait, even though it is a little bit stressful!

Originally Posted by _Maeva_

Thanks for posting this and to everyone who replied.

I will be competing in the 'Rising Star' category this year... Can't wait, even though it is a little bit stressful!

so cool good luck! I am still deciding to do this one or the one in baltimore, MD. Decisions, decisions...

Halima and I sponsor La Danse Orientale Bellydance Competition in Tacoma, Washington. The 2012 competition dates are March 3 & 4, 2012 (just held the 2011 competition last month).

None of our judges are Egyptian, they are all American and are all highly qualified judges, having been past competition winners and are current performers and master instructors. Our judges are all carefully instructed to judge based upon items on the scoresheet, that personal prejudices and preferences are NOT to be considered when scoring...that they judge based upon what they are looking at.

You might go to our website to take a look: www.halimasdesigns@msn.com

Gilana

P.S. It has been my experience in both competing and sponsoring a competition that all of the competitors were lovely and supportive of each other. I have heard stories of cattiness, etc but that has never been my experience at any competition.

Originally Posted by Gilana

Halima and I sponsor La Danse Orientale Bellydance Competition in Tacoma, Washington. The 2012 competition dates are March 3 & 4, 2012 (just held the 2011 competition last month).

None of our judges are Egyptian, they are all American and are all highly qualified judges, having been past competition winners and are current performers and master instructors. Our judges are all carefully instructed to judge based upon items on the scoresheet, that personal prejudices and preferences are NOT to be considered when scoring...that they judge based upon what they are looking at.

You might go to our website to take a look: www.halimasdesigns@msn.com

Gilana

P.S. It has been my experience in both competing and sponsoring a competition that all of the competitors were lovely and supportive of each other. I have heard stories of cattiness, etc but that has never been my experience at any competition.

thats awesomeZ! Will defintely look into this for the future!

You might also want to look into the Jewel of the Sierra. I competed last year, it was really well organized, there was a real stage with stage lighting, and dressing rooms with tons of lighting. It ran on time, the prizes were great, and it's a fun town to visit. Here's the website: http://namiraproductions.com/

Originally Posted by jordonezbellydance

so cool good luck! I am still deciding to do this one or the one in baltimore, MD. Decisions, decisions...

If there was an amateur category, I'd do the one in Baltimore. But Vegas is a fun place to be, too.

Good luck! Maybe you'll end up doing both of them

So glad you are joining us at Wiggles of the West!!! Vegas is a Blast!!!

Not only did Kami Liddle win Entertainer of the Year, but a woman over 50 at the time, Aneena, also won Entertainer. So no age or gender prejudices.

Just an added note: Jewel of the Sierra in Tahoe is sponsored by Namira, a past Entertainer of the Year at Wiggles of the West. We are very proud of our family of winners and competitors.

Also we have Tribal Fusion categories for soloist and troupes.

July 21-24, 2011 http://www.wigglesofthewest.com

Originally Posted by jenee

So glad you are joining us at Wiggles of the West!!! Vegas is a Blast!!!

Not only did Kami Liddle win Entertainer of the Year, but a woman over 50 at the time, Aneena, also won Entertainer. So no age or gender prejudices.

Just an added note: Jewel of the Sierra in Tahoe is sponsored by Namira, a past Entertainer of the Year at Wiggles of the West. We are very proud of our family of winners and competitors.

Also we have Tribal Fusion categories for soloist and troupes.

July 21-24, 2011 http://www.wigglesofthewest.com

thank you so much for posting! I might be doing both lol! Have to check the finances but if i can, i will do both. it would be fun!