Raas- Garba Competition 2025

April 5th, 2025
(Saturday)

Bell Performing Arts Centre,
6250 144 St, Surrey, BC V3X 1A2, Canada

Event Registration Form

GSBC presents Raas-Garba Competition 2025
Date: April 5, 2025
Venue: Bell Performing Arts Centre, Surrey, BC.
Total Prizes: $20,000 +

Dear Community,

Get ready to showcase your talent and celebrate culture at the GSBC’s 2025 Raas-Garba Competition! This event will offer an exciting blend of traditional and contemporary Gujarati performances, with exclusive categories for Garba, Raas, and Folk dance.

Event Categories and Age Groups Categories:

  • Garba
  • Raas
  • Indian Folk
  • Any Age Group can perform any of the above dance or it can be the same group performing two dances.

Team Requirements:

  • Minimum of 8 participants and a maximum of 16 per team.
  • Solo, Duet, Small group Performances and other performances are welcome! And will be considered case by case basis. These entries will receive Excellence or Appreciation Prizes but will not be eligible for the main competition.

Event Highlights:
Spectacular Performances: Marvel at beautiful Garba, Raas, and Folk performances that honor our cultural heritage while adding a touch of contemporary flair.

Exciting Rewards: Compete for a share of the $20,000 + prize pool.

Guidelines for Participating Teams:

Registration and Practice:

  • Registration opens December 1, 2024.
  • Teams/participants will have to arrange for the practice venue, costumes, props, or any other accessories on their own. GSBC is just an event organizing body in this case.
  • Final rehearsal timings at the actual venue will be coordinated closer to the event.
  • If a Team/Participant(s) are travelling from any other place or from a long distance, the accommodation, food, travel etc. will have to be arranged by themselves only.
  • Liability Waiver: Each participant or guardian should sign a waiver releasing GSBC from liability related to accidents or injuries during the event.

Fees: Registration fees will as below:

  • If a team registers before 25-Dec-2024, the fees will be $600 for the team.
  • If a team registers between 26-Dec-2024 and 15-Jan-2025, the fees will be $800 for the team.
  • If a team registers between 16-Jan-2025 and 31-Jan-2025, the fees will be $1000 for the team.

The fees to be paid in two installments; half will be due at the time of registration and the remaining due on 01-Feb-2025.

*The date the payment is received will be used as the registration date for fees.

Costume and Props:

  • All Garba & Raas teams should wear traditional Gujarati attire for authenticity.
  • Teams are responsible for arranging and providing any required costumes and props.

Performance Guidelines:

  • Each performance must adhere to a specific time limit (6 minutes minimum and 7 minutes maximum).
  • Judging will be based on creativity, authenticity, synchronization, and overall presentation – detailed guidelines will be provided at the time of Registration.

Event Day Entry and Schedule:

  • Participant entry opens two hours before the event starts.
  • Detailed schedules and time slots will be provided the week before the event.

Reserve Your Spot! Registrations starting December 1, 2024, for registration, please email [email protected]. Let’s unite for an unforgettable evening of dance, music, and cultural pride!
Registration of teams are at the sole discretion of the Selection Committee, and the committee reserves the right to reject any application without providing a reason.

Judging Process:

Our 2025 competition proudly showcases three distinct categories celebrating Indian dance heritage: Garba, Raas, and Indian Folk Dances. Here’s a quick look at each category and how our judging process ensures fairness for all styles:

Dance Categories:

  • Garba
    Traditional Gujarati dance performed in a circular motion around a central lamp or idol. Garba reflects the rhythm and spirit of Gujarat and embodies the culture’s vibrant expressions.
  • Raas
    Known for its energy and joyful spirit, Raas is performed with sticks, called dandiya, and is typically done in pairs. This Gujarati folk dance symbolizes the joyful celebration of life and devotion.
  • Folk Dance
    This category encompasses various traditional Indian folk dances beyond Gujarat, such as Ghoomar, Kalbeliya, Lavani, etc. (which are similar to Garba or other Gujarati Folk Dances) This allows participants to celebrate the diversity of Indian culture bringing the unique flavor of different regions to the competition.

Judging Process: Ensuring Fairness
To maintain an unbiased evaluation across the different dance categories, the judging panel will include a balanced mix of experts who specialize in Garba, Raas, and other Indian folk dances. Judges will evaluate each performance based on standardized criteria like choreography, rhythm, cultural authenticity, and stage presence. This diverse judging lineup minimizes any possible bias by ensuring that no single dance style or cultural background influences the scoring. Each category will thus be assessed fairly, celebrating the unique qualities each dance form brings to the competition.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

GSBC Team

Email : [email protected]