London Raks Intensive T&Cs | Jessica Belly Dance

Terms and conditions for London Raks Intensive

These terms and conditions ("Terms") govern the participation in the London Raks Intensive ("the Festival"). By paying the festival fee(s), participants confirm their acceptance of these Terms.

All fees paid are non-refundable in case of participant cancellation. However, if the Festival is cancelled, fees paid to the festival organiser will be reimbursed.
Participants may resell their place but must inform the organiser of the new participant's details.
Participants cancelling an instalment plan or failing to make payments will not receive a refund. The participant can resell their place.
The organiser reserves the right to close registration at any time.
Music for the open stage is limited to 3 minutes, with a 5-second grace period.
Discounts from other festivals apply only to the highest price tier (£269) and cannot be combined. They are non-transferable.
Participants must ensure they are fit to dance and should consult a medical professional if needed.
The organiser may change teachers due to force majeure or illness.
Participants acknowledge that the organiser is not responsible for any injuries or losses sustained during the event.
No fire, live animals, or dangerous props are allowed on stage.
The organiser is not responsible for participants’ belongings.
By participating, you consent to being photographed or filmed unless you inform the organiser otherwise.
Participants must be over 18 at the time of the event.
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Terms and conditions for gala show performers:

Fees are non-refundable but transferable with prior notice.
Participants must arrive 20 minutes before their performance slot.
Participants are responsible for their fitness to perform.
Participants acknowledge that the organiser is not responsible for any injuries or losses sustained during the event.
Participants must be over 18.
Music must be submitted 4 weeks prior to the event. The time limit is 3.00 minutes with a 5 second permissible excess.
Participants permit the use of images and videos for social media and promotion.

Terms and conditions for competition participants:

General:

The jury will include Khaled Mahmoud and Diana Gabrielyan as the main judges. Other judges will form part of the jury. The organiser reserves the right to substitute judges if necessary.
Participants must provide music that fits the time limit for their category, i.e. 3:00 minutes, with a 5 second permissible excess.
Participants must enter a category that is suitable for their level, as a guideline:
- For rising star: less than 5 years of experience in oriental dance.
- For queen: 5 or more years of experience in oriental dance.
- For drum solo/fusion diva: open level.
It is possible to enter rising star and drum solo/fusion diva, or queen and drum solo/fusion diva, but NOT rising star and queen together.
Accepted props for rising star and queen are veil and zills. Props are optional.
Accepted props for drum solo/fusion diva include veil, zills, fan veils, wings, sword (blunted for stage use), shamadan (with fake/unlit candles only), poi, tambourine etc. Props are optional. contact the organiser if your prop is not listed here.
No fire, live animals or dangerous props are to be used. Additionally, nothing should be left behind on the stage e.g. glitter or confetti.

Scoring

Scores from 1-10 will be given (1=lowest, 10=highest) for the following criteria:
- Technique (quality of execution, range of technique used, difficulty)
- Choreography and musicality (choice of steps, quality of the choreography, interpretation of the music including instruments, rhythms, style etc)
- Stage presence and personality (use of expression, confidence, star quality)
- Image and costume (costume that fits the style and competitor, suitable makeup and hairstyle)
For the improvisation round (for queen only), the 5 competitors with the highest score from round 1 will be chosen to compete. They will be judged on the following criteria:
- Technique (quality of execution, range of technique used, difficulty)
- Musicality (choice of steps and interpretation of the music including instruments, rhythms, style etc)
- Stage presence and personality (use of expression, confidence, star quality)
For rising star and drum solo/fusion diva, the total score from the single round will be used to determine the top 3 places.
For queen, the total score from both rounds will be used to determine the top 3 places.
The judges decision is final.
In the event of a tie in marks, the competitor with the highest total mark for technique will be used. If this remains a tie, then the highest total mark for choreography will be used. If the scores remain tied, then the judges will discuss to agree the winner.
The first, second and third places in all categories will be awarded a medal and prizes. Additional prizes (special awards) may be awarded to other participants at the judges choosing, this is at the judges’ discretion.
Participants can request scores and any feedback provided by the judges from the organiser by email at jessicagamildance@gmail.com, which will be provided within 3 weeks after the festival.

Other:

Entry fees are non-refundable but transferable with prior notice.
Respectfulness is required; inappropriate behaviour may lead to disqualification.
Participants must arrive 20 minutes before their competition time.
Participants are responsible for their fitness to compete.
Participants acknowledge that the organiser is not responsible for any injuries or losses sustained during the event.
Participants must be over 18.
Music must be submitted 4 weeks prior to the event.
The organiser provides uniform stage lighting.
Participants permit the use of images and videos for social media and promotion.

Any questions?