Shimmy Shakedown Festival

APRIL 4 - 6, 2025

Shimmy Shakedown is a premier dance festival & intensive dedicated to the exquisite art of Middle Eastern dance. Join us for a weekend of immersive workshops, captivating performances, and meaningful connections created through the love of dance. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a curious newcomer, Shimmy Shakedown offers a unique opportunity to explore the beauty, grace, and rhythm of Raqs Sharqi. Celebrate the artistry, connect with passionate dancers, and let the beauty of dance inspire and move you!

Raqs Sharqi Superstar Competition 2025

We are thrilled to announce our second annual Shimmy Shakedown Competition! Remember, competitions 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. Embrace the challenge, and you'll continue to blossom. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is a key part of your self-love and personal development journey.

Raqs Sharqi Superstar (Professional Category)

Will you be crowned the next Shimmy Shakedown Raqs Sharqi Superstar 2025? Limited to 12 contestants. Only one round—dance your heart out! Competition will be held same day as Gala Show on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Please read below for competition details:

Eligibility:

  • Must purchase 4 Class Package + Competition Fee or VIP Package + Competition Fee (please see price difference under ‘Judges’).

  • Oriental Dance experience of 5 years or more.

  • Song style must be Classic Oriental or Modern Oriental and include a short Drum Solo.

  • Time limit for music is 3:15 minutes minimum, maximum 3:30 minutes.

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

  • Song of your choice. Must follow competition guidelines as mentioned above.

JUDGES

MERCEDES NIETO - HUNGARY

JULIA FARID - UKRAINE

FAHTIEM - USA | GERMANY

RANIA BOSSONIS - USA | GREECE

MEERA - USA | INDIA

COMPETITION ENTRY OPTIONS

VIP Package + Competition Fee of $125 includes:

  • All workshops (14.5 hours)

  • One ticket entry to attend the Gala Show

  • Three performance photos of your choice

  • Your solo performance video

4 Class Package + Competition Fee of $150 includes:

  • 4 workshops of your choice (8 hours)

  • Three performance photos of your choice

  • Your solo performance video

Please note that the ‘4 Class Package’ or ‘VIP Package,’ plus fee, must be paid in full and is non-refundable. There is no payment plan available for entering the competition.

Please note that there will be no bundle available to compete and perform in the gala show.

Deadline to submit your music + photo is on Sunday, March 2, 2025, to ShimmyShakedownTeam@gmail.com.

Shimmy Shakedown Professional Category Prizes

First Place: Opening the Gala show w/ your competition solo on Saturday, April 5, 2025 — $300 USD + VIP Workshops Package for Shimmy Shakedown 2026 and performance in the Gala Show — VIP Package & Performance opportunity at Mercedes Nieto’s Cairo Festival Budapest in Hungary 2026!

Second Place: $200 USD + VIP Workshops Package for Shimmy Shakedown 2026 and a 1-month subscription to Julia Farid’s online platform, Tips4Hips. The 2nd place winner will get access to more than 100 tutorials, including workshops with international artists and live zoom sessions.

Third Place: $100 USD + four workshops for Shimmy Shakedown 2026.

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 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.

Please visit REGISTRATION page to purchase workshop(s), competition, and gala show tickets. Any questions, please contact us at ShimmyShakedownTeam@gmail.com.

The workshops, competition and gala show will be LIVE in-person, no virtual workshops or virtual show.

ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE ON EVENTBRITE. CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON REGISTRATION PAGE.

ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. You may sell your ticket and must inform Shimmy Shakedown organizers of individual who purchased your workshop(s) and/or gala show ticket(s).

Out of respect for the organizer and festival, please refrain from contacting the artist(s) for private workshops, training, or any business-related matters. The organizer and artist(s) have an exclusivity contract, making any direct business or training-related communication with the artist(s) strictly prohibited.

Instances of unprofessional contact with our artist(s) have occurred before and are not acceptable. If you have any questions, please contact the organizer directly. Our festival organizers invest significant time and resources to provide an amazing event for our dancers and guests. We appreciate your cooperation in respecting our policies.

Thank you.

All Rights Reserved. © 2024 Shimmy Shakedown.