Rules and Criteria

A Category will only be open should there be 3 or more participants.

To be FAIR – should a participant be part of a judges dance studio, the specific judge will not be
allowed to mark the participating dancer / group. The other judges will mark the participating dancer
/ group. This is to make it fair to all participating dancers / groups.

Criteria:

• The Dancer must indicate which performances she will be doing what type of dancing to (Egyptian, Turkish or Fusion).
• The Dancer must have correct music to suit the style of her dancing.  Music must be authentic to the style of dance (no shakira)
• All dances, performances and choreographies are to be your own (meaning:  your own or it may be something from your dance school – with permission from your dance school. NOT from Youtube, a DVD, or any other source).
• The Dancer will be marked down if she states she will be performing an Egyptian style dance, and she performs Turkish style dance.
• The Judges will be a mixture of Top International Dance Oriental Teachers as well as some TOP local Teachers.
• Age appropriate choreography and music must be used.  Penalties will be assessed for profanity, vulgarity and suggestive music and choreography.
• Maximum length of music piece is 2.30 minutes. Penalties will be given should you exceed this.
• Title category holders piece is to be between 5.00 and 6.00 minutes long. Music will be stopped should it go over 6.00 minutes. Please also note that title category holders will be asked to perform a 1.00 minute improvisation piece after their performance.

Note: 

• If you are 3 – 12 individuals entering, you will be considered a GROUP PERFORMANCE.  In a group performance, you may perform any of the listed 6 other categories, please just specify ie:  tribal, drumming as a group, wings of isis, folkloric.
  

• Technique for dance oriental
• Musical and own artistic interpretation
• Expression
• Costume and make up (overall appearance)
• Professionalism
• Use of props
• Groups:  unison, group energy
• Timing and Transition
• If you use Turkish music, you are required to dance Turkish style.
• If you use Egyptian music, you are required to dance Egyptian style

1. No entries will be accepted after the deadline.
2. There will be no refund of entry fees. Entry fee (80 %) will only be refunded in the event of a category cancellation. If for any reason, the applicant is refused entry before the competition date, entry fees will be refunded.
3. All contestants must sign a release form / indemnity form. If you haven’t done so by the time you arrive, you’ll be asked to do so at the EVENT. Should a release form not be signed you will be disqualified.
4. There is no gender restriction on the participants.
5. Bring your identification card, proof of payment, reference numbers, release form and other relevant documents.
6. Check in at the front desk no later than one and a half (1 ½) hours before your performance time. If not, you may lose your turn and will not be able to perform in that category.
7. Bring everything essential to your performance, including music and back-up. (You must bring 2 CDs containing only your piece of music. Please print your name and category on each CD.) There should be 2 CD’s per category event. Music to be given to coordinator on the day.
8. Your entire dance must be performed on the stage.
9. Groups: There is no minimum time limit. However, a maximum time limit of 3.00 minutes is set for each performance. All dances will be timed. Points will be subtracted for going over the maximum limit. Group Limit: min 3 - max 12 persons per group.
10. All judges' scores are final.
11. Please do not talk to judges about your performance or other related topics. You will be disqualified if you do so.
12. A Category will only be open should there be 3 or more participants for the category
13. To be FAIR – should a participant be part of a judges dance studio, the specific judge will not be allowed to mark the participating dancer / group. The other judges will mark the participating dancer / group. This is to make it fair to all participating dancers / groups.
14. All dances will be performed on an elevated stage. Proper costumes, appropriate for a family atmosphere, must be worn. If not, you will be disqualified.
15. You must wear cover-ups over your costume when you’re not performing. If not, you will be disqualified.
16. If you’re under 18 yrs, you must be accompanied by an adult while you are at the event. If not, you will be disqualified.
17. Competitors, Vendors, Judges and Guest Performers authorize The Miss Belly Dance South Africa®™, entities, associates and/or heirs to use or sell any or all photos or videotapes taken during the said competition, for educational, promotional and professional purposes. Competitors release all rights, compensation recourse and complaints.
18. Any competitor winning any category of The Miss Belly Dance South Africa®™, or any of the individual categories of this competition, agrees to use the title of that category correctly, for publicity purposes. (Example: Your Name, Year, Category. If you are unsure of how your title should be used, please contact Miss Belly Dance South Africa®™ at angela@bellydancebabes.co.za for clarification. Should you not represent yourself in an appropriate manor during your Title year, your title may be taken from you
    

• If the interruption is due to the fault of the equipment of our suppliers, individuals / teams may restart from the beginning or at the point of interruption.  If interruption is due to the failure of the team’s equipment, supplies, music, or staff the team may either continue or withdraw from the competition.  We reserve the rights to stop the performance due to an obvious injury.  In the case that an injury results in the interruption of the teams’ performance, the team will be allowed to re-group before performing their routine again.  Performance must be repeated during the time allotted for their division/category.

• Teams with illegal competitor(s) will be disqualified.  Reason for disqualification included, but are not limited to, inappropriate choreography/music (at the discretion of The Miss Belly Dance South Africa®™ officials), more or less performers / competitors that allowed on the floor, participants not listed on the official roster, and/or illegal competitor(s) listed on the official team roster.  If a team is found with unregistered competitors, the team will be disqualified.  Teams registered and performing in the incorrect divisions will be disqualified.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Miss Belly Dance South Africa®™ reserves the right to disqualify any team or individual, as well as point 3, 12, 13 ,14 and 15 in the rules .

• Videotaping at the EVENT is done by our nominated official videographer only.
• No other taping will be allowed.
• Performers and troupes may purchase a copy of the tape of their own performance which, include the judges comments, judges names will remain anonymous, but not tapes of other performers.
• Not all performances will be videotaped. Therefore, if you want your performance to be taped, you must inform us in advance. Copies will be made and mailed to you after the competition and once proof of payment has been made.
• In order to have your performance taped, fill in the Videotape Order Form (coming soon), fill it in, email or fax it to us. You can also bring the completed form with you when you come to the event.

• Organizers and Judges may not enter the competition.
• A judge may not mark her own student / group. This is to be fair to all who take part in the competition. The other judges will mark the participating dancer / group. This is to make it fair to all participating dancers / groups. That category will then be marked on percentage basis.
• Miss Belly Dance SA has the right to change the judges advertised at any time. Should for any reason whatsoever, any or all of the judges are unable to attend this event, Miss Belly Dance SA has the right to choose new local or international judges for the event, as long as there is a minimum of 4 judges (whether they be local or international).

This competition is fair and audited by an external party.

Regards
Angela Anzilotti Sanders
Miss Belly Dance South Africa®™
www.missbellydancesa.com