Video submissions start: February 22, 2020
Deadline for video submission: May 24, 2020
Top finalists will be announced on the website and through email on: July 1, 2020
TIBC Live Finals : August 15 (Sat), 2020
◈ Professional Oriental Solo ◈
This category is for professional bellydancers and for ages 16 years and over. Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Gulf, and/or American cabaret style performance. The use of props is optional. Props are welcome but limited to two types. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props such as cane, sword, zills, shamedan, Turkish spoons, veil, etc. Music should be of Middle Eastern origin. Contestant should wear professional costume and it should be appropriate for chosen music and style. Total performance time in finals is 6:00 minutes. Must be an original choreography.
◈ Professional Oriental Ensemble ◈
This category is for professional bellydancers and for ages 16 years and over. Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Gulf, and/or American cabaret style performance. Up to 8 eight members are allowed in the group. All members of the group should be dancing at all times during the performance. Music should be of Middle Eastern origin. Props are optional. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Props are welcome but limited to two. All dancers need not use the props. Costuming does not need to match but should adequately represent the style of dance being performed. Total performance time in finals is 6:00 minutes. Must be an original choreography.
◈ Fusion Solo ◈
Dance should be a blend of bellydance with other forms of dance. 50% of the performance should use movement from the bellydance vocabulary. Middle Eastern music is not required for this genre. Nor does the dance need to traditionally reflect the music if Middle Eastern rhythms or instruments are present. Dancers should be judged on their ability to execute bellydance movement, cleverly blend bellydance with other types of dance, choreograph and express the music of their choice adequately. Props are optional.Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Props are welcome but limited to two. For ages 16 years and over. Total performance time in finals is 5:00 minutes. Must be an original choreography.
◈ Fusion Ensemble ◈
Dance should be a blend of bellydance with other forms of dance. 50% of the performance should use movement from the bellydance vocabulary. Up to 8 members are allowed in the group, from ages 5 and over. Please take note that at least one member must be 16 years or over to participate in this category.) All members of the group should be dancing at all times during the performance. Music does not need to be of Middle Eastern origin. Nor does the dance need to traditionally reflect the music if Middle Eastern rhythms or instruments are present. Props are welcome but limited to two types per performance. All dancers need not use the props. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props. Costuming does not need to match but should adequately represent the music. Total performance time in finals is 5:00 minutes. Must be an original choreography.
◈ Non-professional Oriental Solo ◈
This category is for non-professional bellydancers and for ages 16 years and over. Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Gulf, and/or American cabaret style performance. The use of props is optional. Props are welcome but limited to two. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props such as cane, sword, zills, shamedan, Turkish spoons, veil, etc. Music should be of Middle Eastern origin. Contestant should wear professional costume and it should be appropriate for chosen music and style. Total performance time in finals is 4:30 minutes. Doesn’t require an original choreography.
◈ Non-professional Oriental Ensemble ◈
This category is for non-professional bellydancers and for ages 16 years and over. Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Gulf, and/or American cabaret style performance. Up to 8 eight members are allowed in the group. All members of the group should be dancing at all times during the performance. Music should be of Middle Eastern origin. Props are welcome but limited to two types per performance. All dancers need not use the props. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props. Costuming does not need to match but should adequately represent the style of dance being performed. Total performance time in finals is 4:30 minutes. Doesn’t require an original choreography.
◈ Senior Oriental Solo ◈
This category is for ages 50 years and over. Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Gulf, and/or American cabaret style performance. The use of props is optional. Props are welcome but limited to two. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props such as cane, sword, zills, shamedan, Turkish spoons, veil, etc. Music should be of Middle Eastern origin. Contestant should wear professional costume and it should be appropriate for chosen music and style. Total performance time in finals is 3:30 minutes. Doesn’t require an original choreography.
◈ Senior Oriental Ensemble ◈
This category is for ages 50 years and over. Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Gulf, and/or American cabaret style performance. Up to 8 eight members are allowed in the group. All members of the group should be dancing at all times during the performance. Music should be of Middle Eastern origin. Props are welcome but limited to two types per performance. All dancers need not use the props. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props. Costuming does not need to match but should adequately represent the style of dance being performed. Total performance time in finals is 3:30 minutes. Doesn’t require an original choreography.
◈ Kids/Junior Oriental Solo ◈
This category is from ages 5 to 15 years. Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Gulf, and/or American cabaret style performance. The use of props is optional. Props are welcome but limited to one type. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props such as cane, sword, zills, shamedan, Turkish spoons, veil, etc. Music should be of Middle Eastern origin. Contestant should wear age appropriate costume and it should be suitable for chosen music and style. Total performance time in finals is 3:00 minutes. Doesn’t require an original choreography.
◈ Kids/Junior Oriental Ensemble ◈
This category is from ages 5 to 15 years. Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanese, Gulf, and/or American cabaret style performance. Up to 8 eight members are allowed in the group. All members of the group should be dancing at all times during the performance. Music should be of Middle Eastern origin. Props are welcome but limited to one type. All dancers need not use the props. Use of props should be limited to 50% of the total performance time. Musicality and technique points could be affected by the proper or improper use of props. Costuming does not need to match but should adequately represent the style of dance being performed as well being age appropriate. Total performance time in finals is 3:00 minutes. Doesn’t require an original choreography.
◈ "LIVE" Drum Solo (new!) ◈
This duet category is for all level bellydancers and non-professional drummers, from 16 years and over. Drummer must use Egyptian darbuka/tabla. Rhythms, melodies, as well as the dance performance, must be of Middle Eastern origin. No props are allowed. Contestants should wear professional costume and performance attire, which are appropriate for the chosen style. Judging criteria for this category will include: knowledge of Middle Eastern rhythms/musicality, ability/technique, expression/stage presence, and dancer-drummer communication/teamwork. Total performance time in finals is 3:30 minutes. Doesn’t require an original dance choreography or drum composition.
Categories
NOTE! Professional vs Non-professional
In this case, professional is someone who receives remuneration for showcasing and/or teaching their expertise and knowledge as a bellydancer or drummer. Even if it is a side job, and the earnings support their living, then they're working professionally.
Non-professional is someone performing as a student or trainee, mostly to gain more exposure and learning experience, and is being compensated for travel expenses and food/drinks etc. The performance is not considered as work, and the compensation does not support them financially.
For more FAQ, click here.
JUDGING CRITERIA
1. Ability & Technique:
Execution of bellydance movements including isolations, shimmies, footwork, arms and hands, frame, grace and fluidity.
2. Musicality & Rhythm:
How well the dancer expresses the music’s rhythm, melody, and mood in the dance. Clear understanding of Middle Eastern rhythms and instrumentation (if applicable).
3. Personality & Stage Presence:
Facial expression, gestures, audience engagement, star quality onstage.
4. Costuming & Appearance:
Appropriateness of costuming as related to the music and style of bellydance performed.
5. Creativity & Originality:
Clever or interesting use of movement, timing, mood, props. Overall impact of choreography.
6. Choreography:
Use of the stage as related to the music, variety of movement and footwork.