Conditions of the competition
Dear Belly Dancers, Instructors, Belly Dance Fanatics!
Mahasti Belly Dance Studio organizes again
in 2021
the 15th ’Daughters of the Moonlight’ International
Belly Dance Competition for Duets and Groups!
Location:
CSILI Cultural Centre
4-6. Nagy-Győri István str., Budapest, H-1201
Date
28th February (Sunday) 2021, 10AM
***
This is the one and only Hungarian belly dance competition exclusively
for groups in the past 19 years.
The biggest and the best dance schools enter the competition however smaller
and newly founded studios also attend.
More and more groups attend from different countries so contestants here
in Hungary also have the possibility to compete in an international
environment.
According to the traditions the event is international, so all
competitors are kindly welcome both from every area of Hungary and abroad!
***
DETAILS
Categories (also the competition order of the
categories):
1, Junior duets, small
and large groups
This category can be entered by groups which consist of children less
than 14 years old or the average age of the group is 14. (In case of huge age
gaps between the contestants the category will be divided into smaller groups).
Please mark the group’s level on the application form
(beginner/pre-advanced/advanced/professional) so it can help the jury in
scoring.
2, Adult beginner duets
and small groups
This
category includes groups consisting of beginners or amateurs above 14 years,
from duets up to 4 members per group.
3, Adult beginner large
groups
The
category is for groups consisting of at least 5 amateurs. There’s no maximum
limit of members, groups attending with more than 10 persons receive an entry
fee discount!
Beginners’
categories are open for those contestants
- for whom it is recommended by their instructor/master
teacher/choreographer (i.e. have never been runner-ups, have danced for a long
time but never been on a competition before, their level of knowledge is not
enough yet to enter the pre-advanced category);
- who are not working as performers, don’t instruct or do not lead a
dance school;
- who dance only at hobby level.
4, Adult pre-advanced
duets and small groups
For
groups consisting of pre-advanced amateurs above 14 years, from duets up to 4
members per group.
5, Adult pre-advanced
large groups
The
category is for groups consisting of at least 5 pre-advanced amateurs
exclusively. There’s no maximum of members, groups attending with more than 10
persons receive an entry fee discount!
Pre-advanced
dancers’ categories are open for those dancers
- for whom it is recommended by
their instructor/master teacher/choreographer
(i.e. haven’t been runner-ups before, have been dancing for a long time
but have attended a competition only a few times, their level of knowledge is
not enough to enter the advanced category, etc.);
- who are not working as performers, who don’t instruct or do not lead a
dance school;
- who dance or perform only at
hobby level.
6, Adult advanced duets
and small groups
Troupes
consisting of advanced dancers above 14 years, from duets up to 5 members per
group.
7, Adult advanced large groups
The
category is for groups consisting of at least 6 advanced dancers. There’s no
maximum limit of members, groups attending with more than 10 persons receive an
entry fee discount!
Those choreographies can also be entered here with which runner-up
positions have already been won by the groups in pre-advanced and advanced
categories. Of course, it is neither a requirement nor a reason for
exclusion.
All duets and groups can enter the advanced category
-
of whom members have already reached a ranking of 1-3 in solo or group categories at any kind of a belly dance
competition on pre-advanced or advanced levels;
- with whom the leader/instructor/master teacher dances together;
- who perform a choreography that has previously been runner-up on
pre-advanced or advanced level at any kind of a belly dance competition;
- who, according to their preparedness and master teacher/instructor, possess
the knowledge required at this level;
- of whom any member instructs, leads a dance school or performs
regularly.
8, Professional duets,
small and large groups
All
duets, small and large groups can enter the professional category
- if the members enter competitions on a regular basis, who like
to compete but have “outgrown” the advanced category;
- if the members are dance instructors themselves, but do not want to
compete against their students who enter in a different category;
- if the members are professional or semi-professional dancers, who
perform
regularly and want to compete
against dancers with similar skills;
- if the members have already proven themselves in the solo category and
would like to work in a group – if only for a single performance – with other
professionals, semi-professionals,
instructors;
- whose instructor, leader has recommended to
enter the competition in the
Professional category (e.g. to make room for fresh advanced groups, or
because their skills have surpassed the advanced category).
- We also expect such groups which are regularly winning
in the advanced categories
in Hungarian/international dance competitions, and want to compete against
professionals as a challenge.
- Furthermore, the professional category is open for such groups where
the instructor and the advanced, professional level students perform
together.
Choreographies
which have competed several times before and have won runner-up rankings are also eligible, but we encourage fresh
productions to enter as well.
9, Diva duets, small and
large groups
All
duets, small and large groups can enter the Diva category
- have been dancing for decades;
- or started dancing as adults;
- or have passed „that much” years and wouldn’t
like to compete with far younger contestants in the same category.
If the average age of the members of the group is over 50 ages, here is
the opportunity to compete!
In category DIVA dancers can compete
in duets, or in small and large groups too. Please sign your level of knowledge
(beginner/pre-advanced/advanced/professional) on the entry sheet, so that can
help the jury at the scoring.
10, Mother-daughter
duets, small and large groups
All
duets, small and large groups can enter the Mother-daughter category in
formations of
- mother(s) and daughter(s)
- grandmother(s) and granddaughter(s)
In category Mother-daughter dancers
can compete in duets, or in small and large groups too, there is no age limit.
Please sign your level of knowledge
(beginner/pre-advanced/advanced/professional) on the entry sheet, so that can
help the jury at the scoring.
NEW CATEGORY!!!
11, “Oriental Tale”
duets, small and large groups
In category „Oriental Tale” all dancers should enter who
love making creative dance performances freely, without rules and love the
spirit of oriental stories.
What is the task of the duet / group in this category?
- In this category dancers can choose from 3 oriental stories, and they
need to perform the story in a free form on stage.
- Dancers can pick the spirit of the chosen story, even a part or the full
of the story. It is not necessary to tell the whole concrete story with dance,
dancers can freely associate to the story during the preparation of the
performance. If they choose, they can of course tell the whole story, as well.
- Dancers can perform the story in any oriental style, clearly or in
fusion, with any dance equipment (living animals and pyrotechnic equipment is
forbidden).
- This category is a totally free category, the chosen story will only give
the inspiration and ideas to dancers to make a beautiful production, everything
else is up to the director / choreographer, what they would like to give to the
audience.
- Jury members also give feedback and points on the production by same
objectives as in the other categories. They also take creativeness, artistic
appearance and impressions and pleasure into consideration.
In category Story dancers can compete
in duets, or in small and large groups too, there is no style / number / age /
gender / knowledge limit.
Dancers can find here the 3 oriental stories (in
Hungarian; the stories are being translated into English and Russian):
(links)
*
The organizers reserve the right to merge or subdivide the categories,
depending on the number of contestants.
In
case You are unsure which category is appropriate for You, don’t hesitate to
contact us, we will help You find the ideal solution.
****************************************
Deadline of entry:
18th February, 2021
The number of duets/groups can only be maximum 45.
The entries are processed according to the order of application unless
the quota is reached by the number of contestants (i.e. if the 45 groups apply
until the 15th of January, the entry is closed by that day).
It is unfortunately not possible to extend the deadline of
entry.
Requirements of valid entry:
- filing the application form (via e-mail or post)
- paying the entry fee and presentation of the
credentials,
- sending the music via email until the 18th
February (in a format of MP3).
Entry fees for foreign participants:
- Duets –
18 Euros (open stage 9 Euros)
- Groups –
14 Euros (open stage 7 Euros)
- In case the maximum of 45 entrees is not reached, payment of
entry fee is also possible after the 18th February. The fee
will be then for duets 20 Euros /person, for groups 15,5 Euros /person
- Discount: the fee/person in
case of every entering group above 10 members will change to 12 Euros /person
- If you would like to pay in Forints we count the fee on the actual
exchange rate
- There is no opportunity for a new entry at the event place.
With her entry every
contestant will receive
- 1 performer’s ticket, with
which she can take part of the competition
- 1 ticket for free,
with which she can invite her friends, family, cheering people. Of course, more
tickets can also can purchased at a discount price. The tickets include
a slip with which the audience can vote on their favourites and a
voucher with which you can receive services for discount prices.
- All contestants are free to enter with limitless choreographies if they
accept the terms to pay the entry fee in case of every choreography.
Terms of payment:
- Personally to the instructors of Mahasti
Belly Dance Studio.
- Via bank transfer. Different bank account numbers are sent in
cases of company or private transfers!
- In case of transfer please include the followings in the notice field:
- name of the group,
- the number of the participants,
- the title of the choreography.
Time requirements for dancers:
Duets - 1:30 - 4:00 min
Groups - 2:00 - 5:00 min
Exceeding time is only allowed for 10 seconds maximum.
After 10 seconds, the person in charge will mute the music!
Process of the competition:
Registration of the contestants is at the desk by the main
entry from 09:15.
Walking around the stage is possible during breaks.
Order of categories: Junior, Diva, Mother-daughter, Beginner, Oriental
Tale, Pre-advanced, Advanced, Professional.
Order:
Dances are performed in a reversed order
compared to the order of application,
that is the group that applies first to a category performs its dance
last and the group filing its application last will dance in its category
first.
(Therefore, it is recommended to apply as soon as possible!)
Arriving at least half hour before the performance is
obligatory.
The order of performances will be available on www.mahasti.hu,
on https://www.facebook.com/events/1382041208669612/ at FB Events, and will also be sent via e-mail to the representatives of
the groups.
The order will be placed at the location of the contest at visible
places and on the doors of the changing rooms.
Scoring:
The headcount of the jury will be 15-20 persons, who will score openly from 5 to 20 points.
Contestants will receive shared rankings in case of a tie and the jury
will decide about the prices with a draw.
Most of the members of the jury will be well-known representatives of
the Hungarian belly dance community and assignees of the sponsors.
An announcement will be sent separately about the jury and the prizes.
Main objectives of jurying:
- usage of space, stage-setting
- collective harmony in the group
- communication with the audience
- presentation, visualizing the emotions
- correspondence of style of the dance piece performed with the style of
the music (i.e. harmony of the music and the costume, usage of specific steps
and movements connected to specific styles and rhythms of music, etc.),
- correspondence of difficulty of the choreography with the technical
knowledge of the dancers (i.e. you don’t have to perform an advanced choreo if
you’re beginners)
- functional usage of the dance instruments,
- creativity, artistic effect,
- costume correspondent to the performed choreography, to the
personality of the performers and the meaning of the choreography.
- Performances must contain at least 50% of oriental movements
(including fantasy and fusion choreographies as well!). In case of failing this
condition, the jury will define the piece as „cannot be scored on belly dance
competitions” and will not score it.
- Jury will receive the following data on the scoring sheets:
Category (and level of knowledge), Name of the school/studio, Name of
group, Teacher, Choreographer, Style, Name of the choreography
The deadline of sending the music is the 18th
of February!
Sending of music can be done by the instructors of Mahasti Belly Dance
Studio or via e-mail as well.
Please
keep an extra CD/pendrive/phone/Google Drive file with your music by yourself
at the competition.
****
Other conditions:
If
less than 4 applications are filed
for one category, then the category will be
merged with another one (different knowledge levels won’t be put
together of course, etc.). In case of a category merge a prior announcement
will be sent.
Any
new or old choreography can only be entered in
case of mentioning the name of the choreographer (which can be a
person or a group as well). In case of a choreographer from abroad a copy of a
valid permission or a usage contract is a must.
There is no limit of age.
There
is no limit of group members in the group categories for the
stage of CSILI’s theatre room as it is at least 70 square meters.
The
background of the stage is black/dark so consider choosing a costume that won’t
blend into the background.
There are no style restrictions. You are free to enter with any kind of eastern dance, it doesn’t matter
if it’s folk, modern, oriental or fantasy, dance theatre.
IMPORTANT! The jury won’t compare different
styles of groups but takes into consideration the compliance of the style with
the one presented on the entry sheet. The style given on the entry sheet will be
presented on the scoring sheet as well. (Raqs sharqi, drum solo, saidi, fusion,
fantasy, tribal, modern pop, show etc.)
Revolutionary pieces and traditional, classic dances
are also very welcome.
Usage of any dance instrument is allowed, except fire items (because of safety hazard).
In case of injury
”Contestants accept and understand with the
application that competing might cause injuries. For this neither the organizer
of the contest, the location, nor the visitors can be held
responsible in case of an injury or any other harmful consequence of competing.
The leader of the competing group undertakes the responsibility to inform the
group on this issue.
In
case of sickness or injury of a contestant during the competition, the
attendant of the contestant/group is obliged to report the sickness/injury to
the contest organizers in order to call for medical help. Contestants state
with the application that they have read, understood and consider the terms of
contest application to themselves and their group as obligatory.”
Behaviour, other advice:
If
you’re a beginner contestant, please read the following article (in Hungarian):
http://everydaylifeofabellydancer.blogspot.com/2010/01/hastancversenyre-keszulunk-cikk.html
Of
course, the article is not obligatory, but it is very useful to previously know
what the jury will take into consideration.
****
Organizers reserve the right to
-
change the rules and the order of the contest any time during the competition
or to cancel it.
-
disqualify a contestant any time during the contest if she breaks the rules of
the contest or her behaviour harms the reputation of the event, the organizers,
partners or sponsors.
-
switch and assign contestants to and in another category according to their
level of knowledge.
-
Contestants may not raise legal demands or objection towards prizes; organizers
do not undertake to distribute all prizes and gifts.
-
All costs of taking part of the event encumber the contestants.
-
The application can be withdrawn and the organizers
pay the whole application fee back until the 18th February, 2021.
After that date, the organizers are not able to pay the fee back.
Please
send your application, further notices or questions here:
mahasti_titkarsag@yahoo.com
+3670/317-80-90
We wish you a good preparation, successful competition
and joyful dance!
Mahasti and the Organizers
********************
