Dance Competition Update - 2

I watched my team’s practice video yesterday. The whole choreograph I did is simple, step turn to the right, step turn to the left, down and up…lacks of tricks. That is not my style to see students dancing going from trick to trick without any transitions that resemble the belly dance. For competition, I put technique and performance at No. 1, not tricks or floor slam, my choreography is the simplicity and emotion that my students can step out on the stage.

Some people love competition. Thus we have so many sports and all dance forms have competition. But some dances are VERY structured, like ballroom that you can only do certain steps, etc. But for Raks Sharki and all forms of Belly Dance it is not only technique, it is also about expression, delivery, BEING the music. It is not about being like dolls repeating steps. So, when in the competition, and let's say that everyone is equal in ability and performance, how would judges judge? So, someone ends in first, some don't place, and still they were all as good. It makes winners and losers when everyone's performance was just as good in level... But a few judges have to decide what they liked or didn't, they are all excellent, they just have different styles. Then, sometimes there is politics, when they know people or a dance studio, etc...

Anybody who participates in belly dance competition understand the painstaking time, effort, and money that goes into creating a competition piece. Whatever the choreography/theme/etc is, it’s hard work no matter what. Hence, let’s put the animosity aside and focus on competitions to come. Anyway, Best of Luck to all dancers and teams.