Fantasia Competitions 2027

COMPETITIONS

Join us for an unforgettable bellydance competition celebrating artistry, technique, musicality, and passion. Open to festival participants only, the competition welcomes dancers of different ages, levels, and styles across solo, duo, group, and master categories.

Whether you are stepping on stage for the first time or competing professionally, this is your opportunity to shine, connect, and share your love for dance in a supportive and inspiring environment.

FRIDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2027
Kensington and Aldridge Academy
Part of the Fantasia Festival.
Our souk will be open from 2pm.
It is free to browse the souk – and to watch the competitions and encourage the participants.  The competitions will start from 12 0’clock midday.

General Terms & Conditions

• The competition is open exclusively to festival participants. A minimum attendance of 2 workshops during the festival is required to participate.
• The judges’ decisions are final and non-appealable.
• A minimum of 3 participants per category is required for the category to take place. If this minimum is not reached, the organization reserves the right to merge or cancel categories.  If cancelled a full refund will be given.
• All participants will be promoted on social media with an official competition poster including their name and photo.
• Participants may request their score sheets after the competition. Written feedback will depend on the judges’ availability and time.
• The organisation reserves the right to make adjustments to scheduling and categories if necessary.
  

   

Judging Criteria

Participants will be evaluated according to the following criteria (where applicable):

• • Technique
  • Use of stage space
  • Style authenticity and interpretation
  • Costume presentation & musical choice
  • Stage presence and audience connection
  • Choreography
  • Synchronization / coordination (for duos and groups)
  • Improvisation (when applicable)

Our Friday afternoon categories are all to recorded music.  On the evening we have a live drum solo competition.  Read more below.

Live Drum Solo Competition 2027
at our Friday Gala Show
This was so popular last year we are making it even better.

Tabla Solos with Joelle Barker
Competitors perform a 2 minute live tabla solo with our amazing tabla player:  Joelle Barker.  This is a unique opportunity to experience the joy and excitement of creating a live tabla solo with a great percussionist.

• The competition will take place as part of the Fantasia Friday Gala show.
• To enter this competition you must book at least 1 workshops at the Fantasia Festival. 
• Buy a ticket for the Fantasia International Bellydance Showcase
• Pay to enter the competition. The competition itself costs £35 to enter.  Spaces are limited.  

For your tabla solo you can decide:
Start on or off stage
What rhythm you would like to start with – you will have a short conversation with Joelle to agree a few basic details.
After this, the solo will be a conversation between you and Joelle as you both improvise to create something unique and bring your own brand of magic to the stage.
As the 2 minutes draw to a close, Joelle will lead into a standard ending which we will explain on the day.
We have a monitor on stage timing each person.

We have had a lot of interest and decided it is only fair to the participants to split the competition into two categories – You can choose the category you want to be in.
Amateur Category: this is your category if you haven’t danced much to live music but really want to challenge yourself and work on your development as a dancer. 
Experienced / Professional Category:  for the competition girlies and semi-professional dancers. This is your time to shine and show our panel of judges your personality and skills! 

How will you be judged?
Our panel of judges will be looking at:
Technique – variety / definition / quality
Musicality – making effective use of the rhythms / phrasing
Presentation – professional appearance / costuming
The ‘Wow’ factor – bringing something extra special to your solo.

Your Judges:
Alex Delora, Levana + others TBC

Your prize?  Also TBC

WATCH THIS SPACE …… BOOKINGS SHOULD OPEN BY THE END OF JUNE 2026.