shimmy Shakedown’s raqs sharqi excellence awards
We are thrilled to introduce our 2nd Shimmy Shakedown Raqs Sharqi Excellence Awards! More than a competition, this is a celebration of artistry, passion, and excellence. One category, three winners. We decided to create something different and new this time. Created for Advanced-level dancers, the Raqs Sharqi Excellence Awards recognize the years of hard work, dedication, and passion reflected in each performance. Our top three titles celebrate dancers who embody technique, musicality, artistry, and stage presence while staying true to themselves.
Remember, awards don’t define you as a dancer but can serve as a powerful motivation to help you grow and step out of your comfort zone. Every performance is a chance to learn, evolve, and inspire because true success isn’t measured by a title, but by the courage to express who you are as an Artist.
Raqs Sharqi Professional Category
Will you be crowned the next Shimmy Shakedown Raqs Sharqi Queen, Superstar or Muse 2027? The Raqs Sharqi Excellence Awards feature two rounds: Pre-liminary & Finals, giving you the opportunity to share your artistry and dance your heart out. The Excellence Awards will be held same day as Gala Show on Saturday, April 3, 2027. Please read details before registering:
Date: Saturday, April 3, 2027
Time: 4pm - 5pm (Doors open at 3:30pm) — followed by The Spectacular Gala Show
Location: Curtis Theatre (1 Civic Center Cir., Brea, CA, 92821)
Limit of Participants: Open to 10 dancers only.
Eligibility:
To participate, please purchase one of the entry options listed below.
Advanced-level dancers only. We kindly ask that you use your best judgement when deciding if this opportunity aligns with your current level of experience and training.
Song style must be Classic Oriental or Modern Oriental. A short Drum Solo or Folkloric segment may be included within your routine.
Time limit for music is 2:30 minutes minimum and maximum 2:45 minutes.
The only props allowed will be veil and/or zills if performing with a prop.
To be prepared in the event that you are crowned our Raqs Sharqi Queen, please have a solo performance ready. Our Queen will have the honor of opening up the Spectacular Gala Show. The Gala Show performance time limit is 4:30 minutes minimum and 5 minutes maximum.
Round One: Song of your choice (Classic or Modern Oriental). Must follow competition guidelines as mentioned above.
Round Two: Top Five Finalists will perform together on stage to a drum solo track chosen by Shimmy Shakedown’s organizers. Instructions for finalists will be provided on the day of event. The newly crowned Raqs Sharqi Queen will have the honor of opening the Spectacular Gala Show on Saturday, April 3, 2027.
JUDGES
BRENDA DIAZ - EGYPT | SPAIN
AMAR LAMMAR - NETHERLANDS | MEXICO
JINHEE KIM - KOREA
PARTICIPANT ENTRY OPTIONS
1. Workshop Package (VIP Package or 4-Class Package) + Participation Fee of $140 includes:
To participate in the Shimmy Shakedown Raqs Sharqi Excellence Awards, purchase either the VIP Package or the 4-Class Package, plus the $140 Participant fee. In addition to your participation, your registration will include all of the benefits associated with your selected package, plus your professional solo performance video and performance photos.
2. Participation Fee of $250 (No Workshops), includes:
Participation Entry
Your professional solo performance video
Performance photos
Please note that the VIP Package or 4-Class Package with Participant Fee, must be paid in full and is non-refundable. There are NO payment plans. Visit the REGISTRATION & TICKETS page for all details.
Once registered, additional information will be e-mailed to you.
The deadline to register and submit your music, professional photo, and bio is on Sunday, February 28, 2027. Please send your materials to ShimmyShakedownTeam@gmail.com. Registration will close once the category reaches capacity or on the registration deadline, whichever comes first. No exceptions.
Shimmy Shakedown Professional Category Awards
First — QUEEN:
Opening the Spectacular Gala Show with your solo performance on Saturday, April 3, 2027.
Cash Prize, Crown, Sash, Award, and Certificate.
Goodie Bag.
Second — SUPERSTAR:
Cash Prize, Crown, Sash, Award, and Certificate.
Goodie Bag.
Third — MUSE:
Cash Prize, Crown, Sash, Award, and Certificate.
Goodie Bag.
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 (Fluidity, Depth & Completion of Movements, Posture, Arm Frames, Extension of Lines, & Footwork).
Creativity (Originality of movement & combinations. Dancing ability & interpretation of 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 awards 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.
Please visit the REGISTRATION & TICKETS page for all information and to purchase Workshop Packages, Participation Fee and Show Tickets.
Please Note: Individual workshop tickets WILL NOT be available for purchase at this time.
To simplify registration, we are no longer offering payment plans. Instead, we will continue to provide Early Bird pricing for registrations completed by the Early Bird deadline, giving you the opportunity to receive the best available rate.
Any questions, please contact us at ShimmyShakedownTeam@gmail.com. If you plan to pay for the VIP Package or the 4-Class Package only, you can e-mail us directly. All other purchases must be completed online + fees.
The Workshops, Excellence Awards and Gala Show will be LIVE in-person, no virtual workshops or virtual show.
ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE—You may sell your ticket and must inform Shimmy Shakedown organizers of individual who purchased your Workshop Package and/or Show ticket(s). If you are registered to perform, your performance spot is non-transferable and may not be taken by another dancer. In the event of schedule changes, refunds will not be issued. While we do our best to maintain the schedule, sometimes changes occur beyond our control, and we appreciate your understanding.