RULES FOR RAKS GLAM 2026 COMPETITION & OPEN STAGE PARTICIPANT

Competition & Open Stage & Gala Show Location:
Nowa Huta Cultural Centre (Nowohuckie Centrum Kultury)
al. Jana Pawła II 232
31-913 Kraków, Poland.

Jury: Mercedes Nieto, Jinhee Kim, Mahaila el Helwa + TBA 

GENERAL RULES

1. Every participant is obligated to read these regulations. The payment of any fee is a confirmation of knowledge of regulations and its acceptance.
2. The entry fee is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the participants (for whatever reason). The organizer will reimburse the fee only if the event itself is cancelled. However, it is possible to transfer or resell your competition spot to another person. In such a case, we require email notification no later than two weeks before the event, i.e., by August 27, 2026.
3. To participate in the competition you must register on www.raksglamfestival.com and cover the entry fee. One participant can perform only one time in the same category. 
4. Registration for the Raks Glam 2026 competition (except for group categories) is initially open only to Full Pass holders. If spots are not sold out by May 31, 2026, registration will then be opened to all interested participants.
5. Applications for the competition are accepted until 16th August 2026. The organizer reserves the right to close the registration before the deadline, in case of exceeding the maximum number of participants for the particular category.
6. The participant is obliged to appear well before the start of their competition category in order to confirm the presence, registration and receiving of the starting number, if applicable. The exact time of registration will be given 2 weeks prior to the event. Being late to register or not coming on the stage on time will result in being removed from the competition lists and disqualification from the competition. Full Pass holders can confirm their competition during workshops registration and arrive just before competition. 

COMPETITION MUSIC

1. The participant is obliged to provide the music until 16th August 2026.
2. Music has to be send using the upload form at https://raksglamfestival.com/music-upload/
3. The participant is obliged to follow the time limits for its category, the songs longer than permitted will be cut off after exceeding the time limit. The participant will not be warned about exceeding the time limit and cutting the track, so each participant is required to prepare the music according to the established limits, on their own, according to specified tables. We accept ONLY 5 sec excess.
   ALL SOLO CATEGORIES – 2:30 MIN
   ALL GROUPS CATEGORIES – 3:00 MIN
   OPEN STAGE – 3:00 MIN

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

CATEGORIES BY LEVEL

BEGINNERS – amateurs, do not earn money on oriental dance, do not dance gigs and commercial shows, do not teach classes or workshops, starting their adventure with competitions. In this category all styles are allowed and will be judged together. You can also participate in Open Level categories such as: Tabla solo or Grand Diva (if you are over 45), you can also be a member of a group. Choosing the beginner category you cannot dance at the same time as Semi-professional or Professional.
SEMI PROFESSIONAL – dancers with experience, often participate in competitions or dance commercially, do not teach any classes or workshops. Within this level you can perform in 3 different style categories: Raks Sharki, Folklore and Show/Fusion. You can also participate in Open Level categories such as: Tabla solo or Grand Diva (if you are over 45), you can also be a member of a group. Choosing the Semi-professional category you cannot dance at the same time as the beginner or Professional.
PROFESSIONAL – Professional dancers, teachers, master teachers, workshop teachers, professional commercial performers. Within this level you can perform in 3 different style categories: Raks Sharki, Folklore and Show/Fusion. You can also participate in Open Level categories such as: Tabla solo or Grand Diva (if you are over 45), you can also be a member of a group. Choosing the Professional category you cannot dance at the same time as Semi-professional or beginner.

You cannot dance at the same time as a beginner, semi-professional and professional. But you can combine these categories with any other categories with an Open Level: Tabla or Grand Diva (if you are over 45 years old) and you can be a member of a group.

CATEGORIES OPEN LEVEL

GRAND DIVA – reserved only for girls with age 50+ (all styles allowed).
Notice: there is only one level in this category – OPEN.
GROUPS / DUOS – two or more dancers. Remember: one participant can’t be a member twice in the same group category. For example: Jane Smith cannot be a member of 2 different groups in the “Group Raks Sharki” category.
Notice: there is only one level in this category – OPEN.
TABLA SOLO OPEN LEVEL – drum solo (Darbuka). Other techniques are allowed eg. Samba, tribal fusion, etc. but must not exceed 30% of the choreography. Acceptable props: saggats, darbouka, tambourine etc. Notice: there is only one level in this category – OPEN.
SHOW / FUSION / PROPS – fantasy bellydance, fusion with other styles: Samba, salsa, rumba, tango, gymnastics, mahraganat (modern fusions) etc. For fusion elements of other techniques shall not be more than approx. 40% of the choreography. Props: veils, fan veils, veil poi, swords, wings, fans, candle holders / lanterns (only with artificial candles) etc. Please wear a costume referring to the style. Real fire, live animals and dangerous, sharp objects are not permitted and will result in disqualification. Notice: there is only one level in this category – OPEN.

THE DIVISION INTO STYLES:

RAKS SHARKI – oriental, mejanse, modern baladi, lyrical song, tarab, classical songs, golden era, (including small fragments of folklores, tabla solo, dance with veil). Please wear a costume referring to the style.
FOLKLORE – Saidi, traditional baladi, shaabi, Eskandarani, Bambuti, Siwa, nubian, ghawazee, haggala, fellahi, Tanoura, Moroccan chobi, Tunisian, Algerian, Dabke, Iraqi, khaleegy, Bandari, persian, turkish Roma, etc. Please wear a costume referring to the style. Acceptable folklore props: Assaya, Melaya, tambourine, scarves, stage daggers (not sharp) etc.
SHOW / FUSION / PROPS – fantasy bellydance, fusion with other styles: Samba, salsa, rumba, tango, gymnastics, mahraganat (modern fusions) etc. For fusion elements of other techniques shall not be more than approx. 40% of the choreography. Props: veils, fan veils, veil poi, swords, wings, fans, candle holders / lanterns (only with artificial candles) etc. Please wear a costume referring to the style. Real fire, live animals and dangerous, sharp objects are not permitted and will result in disqualification. Notice: there is only one level in this category – OPEN.
OPEN – for beginners and Grand Diva – all styles and props allowed.
TABLA SOLO – drum solo (Darbouka). Other techniques are allowed eg. Samba, tribal fusion, etc. but must not exceed 30% of the choreography. Acceptable props: saggats, Darbouka, tambourine etc. Notice: there is only one level In this category – OPEN.
COMEDY – all styles are allowed, make sure to include at least 60% of oriental dance (raqs sharki, folklore, baladi, drum solo etc) and make us laugh ;D Notice: This category is available both for solo dancers and groups.

Judging points (1-10 ; 1- worse, 10-best)
Each participant will be judged by categories:

• Choreography and musicality – interpretation of music, instruments, rhythms, choice of steps for style, using the stage
• Technique – quality of movement, style
• Image – costume,matching with the style/ folk/ fusion;, makeup, hairstyle
• Charisma – contact with the audience, emotions, acting
• Synchronization – for groups and duos

Group improvisation:
Group improvisation is regarded as the final round for the 3 categories:
Semi pro raks sharki, Professional raks sharki and tabla solo.
Participants of each category perform first with their choreographies. Among them will be selected 6 (this may excees in case of a tie) finalists for each category, who together will take part in improvisation on stage to the music of the organizer.
Final results will be the sum of the points from the semi-finals and final of improvisation.
There is no need to change costumes for Improvisation, you may perform in the same one as your choreo.
There will NOT be improvisation for show / fusion / props, folklore, beginners, grand diva, groups.

Judging points (1-10 ; 1- worse, 10-best) for improvisation:

• Musicality – interpretation of music, instruments, rhythms, choice of steps for style, using the stage
• Technique – quality of movement, style
• Charisma – contact with the audience, emotions, acting

It is not permitted to use: real fire, live animals, real weapons, sharp objects and throwing things that require cleaning during competition and may disturb other participants: sand, glitter, feathers, flower petals, liquids, etc.
The organizer provides a dressing room for changing costumes, the organizer does not provide stations to prepare makeup and hairstyles, therefore, the participants are asked to come with makeup and hair ready.
The organizer provides one and the same stage lighting for all participants.
Participation in the competition is at the same time an agreement to use the image (photos, videos) to promote the festival on social networks.