2009 MAQAM CHALLENGE (former MBC) Cash prizes and Dance Scholarships! (Chicago)

***********IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!!LAST WEEK TO ENTER!!!!**************

Summer is flying by and registration ends on 7/31 to compete in the 2009 MAQAM® Challenge! Right now the following categories have met the minimum and will run:

Professional Cabaret Soloist--5 contestants **$500 CASH PRIZE!**
Professional Drum Solo--6 contestants
Professional Tribal Soloist--5 contestants **$500 CASH PRIZE!**
Student Cabaret Soloist--5 contestants **$250 DANCE SCHOLARSHIP!**

I have every hope that we will round out the minimum in the Student Tribal Soloist and Troupe categories by July 31st. If we do not those individuals/groups that have already entered will be given the choice of a special exhibition time slot to perform/receive feedback or a refund.

For those who have registered you will receive additional information in a contestant email when registration closes. You do not have to give us your music selections in advance. The final schedule of the day's events will be posted on August 1st! $10 Advance price spectator wristbands are still available online at www.maqam.com/mbc.html, admission is $15 at the door. See dancers from 5 states (and counting!) compete for cash prizes, dance scholarships, trophies and more.

ENTER HERE!
www.maqam.com/mbc.html

Any questions/need help please feel free to contact me at kim_bova@yahoo.com or
(203)313-0874.

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Registration is OPEN!!! Visit www.maqam.com and click on Registration and Events (left side) or follow this link: www.maqam.com/mbc.html
Please feel free to forward this information to your fellow dancers, students, and all those who appreciate Middle Eastern Dance!

The Midwest Bellydance Challenge has several new and exciting changes this year starting with the name! I am delighted to announce that the 2009 MAQAM Challenge - Chicago will take place Saturday August 22nd at the York Community Resource Center, 1S071 Luther Ave Lombard, IL 60148. The first event will begin at 10:00am and it will be a full day of non-stop competition excitement (and of course there will be shopping)!! Please note that all categories are a single round. This year's categories are:

PRO CABARET SOLOIST: 1st place $500 cash prize, sash, tiara, trophy. Trophies for 2nd and 3rd place.

PRO TRIBAL SOLOIST: 1st place $500 cash prize, sash, tiara, trophy. Trophies for 2nd and 3rd place.

PRO DRUM SOLO: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophies

STUDENT CABARET SOLOIST: 1st place $250 dance scholarship, sash, trophy.
Trophies for 2nd and 3rd place.

STUDENT TRIBAL SOLOIST: 1st place $250 dance scholarship, sash, trophy. Trophies
for 2nd and 3rd place.

TROUPE: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophies for all troupe members


MAQAM is the world's largest distributor and online retailer of Arabic music, film, and instruments. The competition complies with federal and international copyright laws for performance and distribution. See the contest info at the link above for rules, scoring and complete music selection information. In the interest of helping prospective contestants focus their music search here are the available artists in general categories:

FUSION/REMIXES:
Adam Basma
Belly Dance Harem
Bellyformance
Brothers of the Beledi
DJ Kambo
Hijazz
Ishmael
Jazayer
Omar Khorshid
Solace
Ziad Rahban

CLASSIC:
Abdallah Al Rowaishid
Abdul Majeed Abdullah
Adam Basma
Ahmed Fouad Hassan
Asawer
Asim Al Chalabi
Fairuz
Farid El Atrache
George abyad
Ishmael
Jazayer
Nasri Shamseddine
Nourhan Sharif
Shadia
Suzy El Helwa
Wadi El Safi
Ziad Rahban

KHALEEGY:
Abdallah Al Rowaishid
Abdul Majeed Abdullah
Ahmed Fathi
Asala
Bashar El Shatty
Guitara
Majid Al Mahondes
Nabil Shuail
Nawal
Noor Al Sharq

DRUM SOLOS:
Adam Basma
Asawer
Nourhan Sharif
Suzy El Helwa
Yousry Sharif

SHAABI:
Ahmad Adaweya
Ahmed Fahmi
Ehab Tawfik
Hamada Hilal
Saad El Soghayar

DABKE:
Ali Aldik
Assi Al Hillani
Fadl Shaker
Marwan Khoury
Melhem Zein
Nasri Shamseddine
Ziad Rahban


POP
4 Cats
Abbas Ibrahim
Abeer Fiddah
Ahlam
Ahmed Fathi
Ahmed Fahmi
Alaa' Zalzali
Ali Aldik
Ali Mazbouh
Amal Hijazi
Amani Souissi
Amr Diab
Asala
Assi Al Hillani
Ayman Zbib
Bashar Al Shatty
Bassima
Cyrine Abdel Nour
Dany Nour
Dominique Hourani
Ehab Tawfik
Elissa
Fadl Shaker
Fella
George Wassouf
Guitara
Haifa Wehbe
Hamada Hilal
Hasna
Hoda Haddad
Julia Boutros
Karol Sakr
Latifa
Mai Kassab
Majid Al Mohandes
Marwan Khoury
Maya Nasri
Mayssam Nahhas
Melhem Zein
Melissa
Mahammad Fouad
Moueen Sharif
Nabil Shauil
Nawal
Nawal Al Zoghbi
Nelly Makdessy
Noor Al Sharq
Nora
Rabih Al Asmar
Ramy Ayach
Rola Saad
Saad El Soghayar
Saber Al Rubai
Sara Al Hani
Shahenaz
Wael Kfoury
Yasmin
Yuri Mrakadi
ZeeZee Adel
Zein El Omar

Any questions please feel free to email or call me (203) 313-0874! Join the fun--TAKE THE CHALLENGE!! :-D

Warmest regards,
~~Kimahri
Executive Program Director, MAQAM Challenge - Chicago