Ishtar is an International Oriental Dance Congress with 2 main goals:

​

Educate and expose dancers to the Arabic culture and original roots of Oriental Dance and Folklore

 

Raise the image of Oriental Dance in the Arab world as an Art form and Cultural event

​

​

​

​

​

​

Payment Policy:
 

• 50% deposit for Festival Package (non-refundable)

• 50% deposit for hotel reservation (refundable if canceled prior to 30 days of check-in date)

• Remaining balance due 30 days prior to arrival (both festival package and hotel - non-refundable)

​

Payment Methods:
 

• WesternUnion

• PayPal (as friends & family only, otherwise transaction fees will apply)

Available at Extra Cost: 
 

• Professional photography and videography

• Professional hair & makeup

• Payment in cash only (US dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

​Carmen Fragoso

• Iraqi

​

Kamilia​

• Musicality

• Tarab

• Khaliji

• Andaluz/Mwashaat

• Taksim Baladi

 

Hossam ElMansy

• Saidi

Safi

• Dabke

​

Cherine

• Oriental Routine

​

Kahina

• Technique

​

Summer

• Arabic Pop

 

​

​

 

Categories

• Oriental

  • Song must be one of the following:

    • Oriental Routine

    • Tarab

    • Arabic pop

    • Taksim + percussion

    • Baladi/shaabi (no street shaabi/mahraganat)

  • No  folkloric pieces, tabla solo or fusion

  • Props allowed: veil

 

• Folklore

  • Song must be one of the following:

    • Saidi

    • Andalus/Mwashaat

    • Dabke

    • Khaliji

    • Iraqi

    • Beduin

    • Sudanese

    • Hagalla

Rules

Music:

• Song must be maximum 4 minutes long

• Song must be emailed in MP3 format

• File must be named: YourName_category (Oriental or folklore)

• Email song to ishtarcongress@yahoo.com

  • Song must be received no later than 30 days prior to event​

Evaluation Criteria:

• Technique

• Musicality

• Expression

• Appropriate interpretation

• Stage presence and interaction with audience

Judges:

• Experienced Dance teachers

• Arabic producers and agents

• Artists registered in the Arabic Artist Association

​

 

Prizes

1st Place - Desert Maleke/Malek (Queen/King)

• All 1st Place Winners:

  • 1 Abaya

  • Bag of gifts

  • Ishtar Full Package 2022

​

2nd Place - Desert Amira/Amir (Princess/Prince)

• Bag of gifts

• Ishtar Half Package 2022

3rd Place - Desert Sultana/Sultan

• Bag of gifts

• Ishtar Half Package 2022

​

​

​

​

 

Live Orchestra!

Perform with a live Orchestra of top musicians from UAE!

​

If performing with Playback Music:

• Song must be maximum 4:00 minutes long

• Song must be emailed in MP3 format

• File must be named: YourName_openstage_day (1, 2 or 3)

• Email song to ishtarcongress@yahoo.com 

  • Song must be received no later than 30 days prior to event​

• Song can be any style

• Any props are allowed (except fire/candles)