Shimmy Shakedown Festival

March 22-24, 2024

An Oriental Dance Festival held yearly in Los Angeles, California

Competition 2024

By popular demand…you asked and we are delivering! We are so excited to have our first ever Shimmy Shakedown Competition! It is time to bring something new to Shimmy Shakedown and it will only get better. Remember, competitions do not define who you are as a dancer but can be of great motivation to help you grow in your dance and bring you out of your comfort zone. To continue blossoming, you must get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s all part of your self-love and personal development journey. Wishing you the best of luck!

Raqs Sharqi Superstar (Professional Category)

There will only be one category for Shimmy Shakedown 2024. Limited to 12 contestants. It will consist of two rounds. Competition will be held same day as Gala Show on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Please read below for competition details:

Eligibility:

  • Must purchase VIP Package of Workshops + Competition. Price below ‘General Conduct.’

  • Oriental Dance experience of 5 years or more.

  • Song style must be Classic Oriental or Modern Oriental.

  • Time limit for music is 3 minutes, maximum 3:15 minutes.

  • The only props allowed will be veil and/or zills if competing with a prop.

ROUND ONE: Song of your choice. Must follow competition guidelines as mentioned above.

ROUND TWO: Top five finalists will compete together on stage to a LIVE DRUM SOLO with the one and only, Amir Sofi, featuring Percussionist, Mario Qumsieh.

JUDGES

MAHAILA EL HELWA - BRAZIL

AMAR LAMMAR - SOUTH AFRICA / MEXICO

FAHTIEM - USA / GERMANY

RANIA BOSSONIS - USA / GREECE

MEERA - USA / INDIA


Shimmy Shakedown Professional Category Prizes

First Place: $300 USD + VIP Workshops Package for Shimmy Shakedown 2025 and performance in the gala show. Also, a tiara and a costume by Magdi Sheko.

Second Place: $200 USD + VIP Workshops Package for Shimmy Shakedown 2025. Also, a tiara and an item from Magdi Sheko.

Third Place: $100 USD + three workshops for Shimmy Shakedown 2025. Also, a tiara and an item from Magdi Sheko.


Judging Criteria:

  • Costuming & Appearance (costume, accessories & make-up).

  • Stage Presence (charisma, interaction with audience & facial expressions).

  • Choreography (flow of routine, entrance & finale, smooth transitions, & use of stage).

  • Technique

  • Creativity (originality of movement & combinations. Ability to interpret the music in a personal way).

  • Musicality (coherence of movements with the melody & rhythms, music selection, and emotional interpretation of song).

General Conduct:

  • Participants must wear a proper dance garment, including under garment.

  • Participants must use cover-up before and after the competition.

  • Refrain from discussing the competition results with the judges, all rulings are final.

  • Contestants will conduct themselves at all times in a positive and professional manner.

  • Contestants agree to abide by all rules & procedures and accept the judging results as final.

  • The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any contestant whose behavior is intrusive or disruptive to other contestants, the judges or the audience.


Due to respect for the organizer and festival, please do not contact the artist(s) for private workshops, training or anything business related. The organizer and artist(s) have a contract, therefore, any business or training related communication with the artist(s) is strictly prohibited and is brought up to the organizer. Situations like these has happened before and it is not professional of the person contacting our artist(s) for their own benefit. Any questions you have, you may contact the organizer. Festival organizers spend time and money to provide an amazing event for our dancers and guests. Please respect our policies. Thank you.

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