Rules & Regulations

Garba, Raas & Folk Dance

Official competition guidelines for all divisions and categories

Garba · Raas · Folk Dance · Culture · Community · Heritage

01

Competition Structure

Competition Rules

Age divisions, categories, time limits

AGE DIVISION

Minor

6–10

Years old

Junior

11–16

Years old

Youth

17–29

Years old

Adult

30–50

Years old

Senior

51–70

Years old

We will allow a 15% age flexibility. For example, if a group of 8 participants is taking part in the Junior category, one participant may exceed the age limit of 11–16 years.

3 Categories Per Division

🪔

Garba

Circle formations, claps & clicks

🎭

Folk

Props, tribal & regional dances

🥢

Raas

Dandiya sticks, partnerships

⚠️ A choreographer, organization, or school can bring only 5 items overall. Additional items will be disqualified. We will allow a 15% age flexibility. For example, if a group of 8 participants is taking part in the Junior category, one participant may exceed the age limit of 11–16 years.

⏱ Time Limit

Minimum 4:30 minutes and maximum of 6:00 minutes per entry will be strictly enforced with a penalty of 10 points for every 10 seconds over 6 minutes for all dance categories. No introductory message incorporated by the entrants in the MP3 will be accepted.

⏱ Liability

FOGANA and the hosting organization is not responsible for any misconduct, injuries, or lost and stolen items.

👥 Participation

In a given year, any individual involved as a participant, manager, choreographer, or director in a competitive team must not be involved in the management of the competition, judging, as well as trophy distribution at North American level.

– Minimum participants: 8 participants for Junior, Senior, Adult
– Minimum participants: 12 participants for Minor
– Maximum 16 participants in all categories

🎯 Items Limit

One choreographer / organization / school may bring only 5 items overall. Additional items will be disqualified.

COSTUMES

While wishing to promote and encourage creativity, and recognizing that aesthetic sense is highly individual, the designer should ensure that the apparel reflects and resembles the traditional attire of the region from which the dance originates. For example, a Bhil or Adivasi dance costume should represent the traditions of Gujarat and not Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, a Dang costume should not resemble costumes from Madhya Pradesh or Assam.

Costume change on or off stage during the performance is not allowed.

Many tribal costumes should not be worn above the knee on the legs. However, Ghaghara and Chaniya length for other communities should be worn **six inches below the knee** as a norm.

🎵 Song Requirements

– Selected song must be Gujarati; lyrics and the rhythm should match with the choreography.
– The song must be no more than 6:00 minutes.
– Super imposed dandia in Raas music is not allowed.
– Song must be recorded on MP3 format only; there should not be any other music or songs on the USB Flash Drive. The USB Flash Drive must be sent with the entry forms.
– The Choreographer or Manager should keep the backup copy for the day of the FOGANA competition.
– Solo dancing in folk dance is not permitted.

⚠️ Conflict of Interest: Any individual participating as a participant, manager, choreographer or director may NOT be involved in competition management, judging, or trophy distribution at North American level in the same year.

02

Dance Category

Garba

Garba is part of the unique cultural heritage of Gujarat and has been handed from generation to generation. The word Garba is derived from “Garbhadeep” which is a diya (lamp) inside an earthen pot. Garba has three forms: Ancient (Prachin), Modern (Arvachin) & Classical. All three types of garbas are performed in a circle.

FOGANA Rules for Garba Presentation

01

All types of Garbas must include hand claps and clicks choreography and must be performed in a circle. To encourage creativity, FOGANA has opted to allow the breaking of the circle and proceeding from one circle to multiple circles and vice versa. However, units of dance in straight lines and pattern formations which do not immediately end up in a circular motif will be subject to penalty points by the judges.

02

Use of props is not allowed in Garba. Even though in actuality a Garba is a folk dance whose essence is claps, clicks and a circular formation, where the mandh and the Diwa is used sometimes in traditional Garba performances, for the sake of the logistics of a competition evaluation, FOGANA has opted to categorize all prop use (including mandh and diwa) as being defined as a Folk category.

03

Only girls may participate in Garba.

04

Feet Ornaments: Kada and Zanzer are more acceptable forms of jewelry for the ankles in Garba. Head Ornaments: Borlas are worn in Rajasthan and tikas are worn in Gujarat.

Brief Description of Garba Categories

🏺 Prachin Garba

Traditionally, songs for these garbas are more devotional in content. Some songs refer to folklore which dates back before the period of poet Dayaram and Narshinh Mehta. The dancers move in a circle with claps, snap and hops around a clay pot called “Garbha” in which a light is placed as a symbol of Mataji and her divine powers. For costuming, chaniyas and blouses/kapdas textile should be in traditional colors, reflecting the community depicted, and may have embroidery with mirrors.

✨ Arvachin Garba

Traditionally songs used for these are after poet Dayaram’s period and include those of Umashanker Joshi, Suresh Dalal, etc. As such they are considered modern, where a variety of new experiments can be incorporated in body and hand gesture since the content of the songs often have social references. They however still maintain choreography that includes claps, clicks and circular formation. Costuming may be a combination of colors, textile and decoration that either reflects the community represented or is modern while still maintaining a Gujarati style of form.

🎶 Classical Garba

Classical garbas can incorporate new experiments as with Arvachin garbas but are performed on songs with a classical musical base as well as body and hand gestures that are classical in form. These garbas also have circular formation with handclaps and clicks, but here a great deal of emphasis is placed on the grace of the movement across the stage as well as hand and body gestures. Often slow in tempo, but not always, the costuming does not have to be traditional but still should maintain a Gujarati form.

03

Dance Category

Folk Dances

Gujarati folk dances come in many varieties and may be performed using a wide range of props. These dances are performed for religious, social, vocational, tribal, and marital occasions, and can be presented in various combinations and styles. Some folk dances may also be performed without any props, such as the Bhil dance.

FOGANA Rules for Folk Dance Presentation

01

No more than 2 props can be used. If props are used in hands, no more than two sets per item will be acceptable — e.g. Supada–Valonu, Tambourine–Handkerchief, Sword–Shield.

02

Props must be used for 60% of the performance

03

No stage effects: steam, smoke, lighting machines, disco balls etc.

04

Use of props is not mandatory (e.g. Bhil dance).

05

No acrobatic, gymnastic or cheerleading steps or choreography.

Brief Description of Some Folk Dances

Note: The following are general guidelines and descriptions of various folk dances. However, FOGANA does not limit any other variety of Gujarati folk dances.

🪵 Tippani

Tippani is a vocational dance performed with long sticks that has a flat block attached at one end, used to beat road and floors of houses to make them smooth and level. Performed by a number of tribal communities who work on construction sites and who use songs with varying fast and slow rhythms (depending on the community) for their dance. The coordinated lifting of the sticks, the rhythmic beating and agile body movements creates a novelty dance. Costumes are a “kapadu” or a blouse with chaniyas pulled up on one side and tucked in at the waist, or a modern version of it called the jimmy. Material used can be plain or with embroidery, with or without mirrors.

🌿 Bhil (Tribal) Dance

Bhils are located in a number of districts in Gujarat and as such the content of dance in each district varies in a number of ways. In general, however, it is a group dance that has a number of “chaals” (rhythms) to which the dancers change their steps, and they have less use of hand movements. Many times, they keep their hands around each other’s waists or shoulders. The choreography can be in line, circle, and pair formations which have motifs that may be horizontal and/or vertical. Props are not always used, but when they are, they consist mostly of large “Ghugharas”, peacock feathers and/or handkerchiefs held in the hand. Lyrics are not always present in the music, but if a song is sung, it is fairly simple with a change of word here or there, reflecting their poor socio-economic standing. The textiles for costumes are inexpensive without embroidery or mirror work and can be a blouse worn with a saree or chania (depending on the region) worn high up to the knees, often in the dhoti style.

🌾 Supada

From ancient times, women have been doing housework. To recreate themselves while they work, they created a dance using a variety of instruments. The Supada dance was created from the simple affair of cleaning the grains. The dance is performed artistically by creating a variety of concepts and movements relating to this chore. Any modern costume and chaniya choli can be worn for this dance.

🪔 Diva Dance

Divas are symbols of divine power. Diva dance is done with artistry and classical movements. This dance is done as a prayer for Mataji and many varieties of modern style costumes can be worn for this type of dance. Many formations are possible and for creativity, other props like Manjeeras and Kartals can be used innovatively.

🥁 Duff, Khanjari & Rumaal

These props are from the northern part of India but have been used in creating a variety of dances with Gujarati folk culture and songs. The dance is done to celebrate the Holi festival or harvest season in parts of Saurashtra and Northern Gujarat. Duff is a small drum that creates a unique beat while dancing. Many varieties of songs, fast beats and choreography can be used for this dance. Costumes can be of modern attire or embroidered costumes can be worn. The Rumal (handkerchief) can be used as a good prop in combination with Duff.

⚙️ Garbi & Others

Generally performed by boys, out of which 25% may be girls dressed as boys, for which all rules and regulations for folk dance apply.

Other varieties include:
Bedlu or Ghada, Aahir (Milkman) dance, Manjeera, Goff Gunthan.

04

Dance Category

Raas

Raas is performed with Dandias (small sticks) held in participants’ hands at all times. Many varieties exist; some that are full of masculine vigor, whirling speed, and hops and jumps that are specific in style. Although steps and moves that are innovative are welcome, choreography should be set in the right cultural root that is Gujarati in flavor. Thus, FOGANA will not accept Bhangra steps, gymnastics, acrobatics & cheerleading moves as it takes away the essence of authenticity. Choreography that includes lines, variety of formations & patterns is acceptable. Typically most styles of Raas should have partnership choreography that includes keeping the dandias in the hands that strike those of their partners in tune to the rhythm of the music.

FOGANA Rules for Raas Participation

01

Raas can be performed by All Boys, Boy/Girl partners, or Girls Only

02

Lines, variety of formations & patterns are allowed using small sticks

03

Dang-Lila of Rajasthan (long sticks) is not acceptable.

04

All dandias must be held in hands without hoops, strings or attachments

05

Use of Dholi is allowed for entry only. No instrument-carrying performer after entry and during exit.

06

Music should not be re-dubbed with a super-imposed dandiya beats. Disco Dandiya, enhanced re-mixes and other fusion music are not acceptable.

LIGHTING — Lighting on the stage will be preset to the optimal lighting for viewing and will not be changed in the middle of the program.

STAGE AND CURTAIN

Two representatives of the performing team are allowed to assist the stage management during their performance.
Up to 3 minutes of stage preparation is allowed before the competition.

05

Evaluation

Qualified and distinguished panel of judges will judge each item presented in the competition. Each judge will use the following 9 evaluations to judge the item for a total of 400 points.

Criteria

Description

Points

Entry / Opening

The entry will be considered approximately up to the first two (2) minutes of the item whether the team entered from the wings or began the item on stage.

25 Lyrics / Appropriateness

The song lyrics must be in the Gujarati language and should reflect authentic Gujarati cultural and musical traditions. Only original-style recordings using traditional Indian instruments such as dhol, manjira, khanjari, flute, etc. will be accepted. Songs of the disco-dandiya, non-stop mix, remix, fusion, or medley type are strictly not permitted in any category. The content, lyrics, and rhythm of the song must be appropriate to the stage performance being presented. The mood, theme, and musical style should match and support the item being performed.

50 Steps / Choreography / Rhythms

Choreography will be considered the way the steps of the dance are arranged and woven together with the music. While creativity is encouraged, authenticity and tradition should be kept at the core of choreography, keeping the style of movement appropriate to the item being presented.

50 Action / Expression

Action is the expression and grace with which the dancers interpret and execute their choreography. It is also the rapport and connection they make with the audience.

50 Coordination / Synchronization

Coordination refers to the synchronization, precision, and harmony maintained by the dancers with one another as a group, as well as with the accompanying music. It also includes the smoothness, timing, and finesse with which formations, movements, and transitions are executed on stage.

50 Costume / Jewelry

Costume is the attire as a whole and should follow some decorum. For dances that are the domain of a particular community, the costume should reflect their traditions in clothing. It should be appropriate in maintaining the traditional look, reflect the item being presented and follow some decorum & etiquette.

50 Innovation / Originality

Innovation is considered anything new relative to past presentations and as usually seen by the panel of judges. However, in the process of being innovative, the essence of the Gujarati tradition from which the item has come should not be lost or forfeited.

50 Exit

The exit is considered the last few minutes of the item whether they exit the stage or end on the stage.

25 Overall Impression

Overall impression is considered the effectiveness with which the various above facets of dance merge in the presentation of the item as a whole.

50 Total

400

Tie Breaker: In the event of a tied score, the total of Steps, Coordination, Innovation and Action will be used to break the tie.

Best Costume tie: total of Innovation and Overall Impression.

Best Choreography tie: total of Action, Coordination and Innovation.

06

Registration

Entry Fees & Forms

ENTRY FORMS

Accurately and completely filled Entry Forms and Travel Forms, along with the appropriate fees, must be submitted to the assigned tabulation team by the prescribed due date in order for a team to participate in the regional competition.
Proof of age for all participants must be attached to the Entry Form.
An organization or choreographer may enter up to four items in the competition.
Team manager must acknowledge the intention to participate and fill out the travel form and a copy of the entry form with entry fee, and send it to the hosting organization by due dates.
Competing teams will be allowed to have one representative from the dance team to supervise sound, curtain & lights during the performance.

ENTRY FEES

$200
per entry

Entry Fee — FOGANA Competition

Payable to host. Must be received by the deadline for team to compete.

Thus, for a valid application the following must be submitted online on or before the deadline date:

1. Entry Form

Entry form for each item and entry fee, payable to host. Clearly written names of the participants, sex, date of birth with the song description. All contact information e.g. E-mail, Cell and Home phones of Manager and Choreographers.

2. Travel Form

To make it easy for the host to provide you a transportation facility back and forth from the hotel to the venue, please make sure that the travel form is filled out accurately and completely.

3. Proof of Age

Please include a copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license or passport of each participant.

4. USB Flash Drive

Non-returnable, with the item song, marked with team name, age group and category. All songs must be in Gujarati with a minimum of 4:30 minutes and maximum of 6:00 minutes length. Only one song should be on the USB Flash Drive. (Host is NOT responsible for poor recording. Do not stick a label on the USB Flash Drive — use a marker to write on it.)

EMCEES

Up to 6 emcees can be used to introduce the item using the description provided on the entry form by choreographers.
Emcees will only mention the description, sequence number of the competition item and the divisional category to introduce the item. The team identity related information such as the choreographer’s, Manager’s, Participant’s name or any other must not be mentioned.
While promoting the youth, mature and qualified emcees must be selected for the program. A Gujarati and English speaking emcees combination is a good combination to introduce the item to the mixed audience.

07

Judges

Judging Panel

To provide fair, accurate and non-discriminatory judgment on the dance competition, qualified and dedicated judges will be selected.

Judges will be allowed to have a blank piece of paper for note-keeping.

A modified judge’s scorecard will be in place to reflect even numbers in all categories for easier and better tabulation.

📊 Number of Judges

Less than 15 items: Regional Chairman decides
Up to 15 items: 3 judges
Up to 24 items: 3–5 judges
More than 24 items: 7 judges

🏅 High / Low Score

When there are more than 6 judges, the highest and lowest scores are removed before tabulation — same method used in Olympic scoring to remove bias and favoritism.

Judge Qualifications

Must be knowledgeable where Gujarati Folk Dance is concerned.
It is desirable to have the judge take part in competition as a participant or choreographer prior to judging a regional competition.
Must attend the Judge’s briefing.
Must have filled out the Judge’s Biodata form.
Must have judged at least 2 regional competitions, or have extensive knowledge of Gujarati folk dances, to judge the NA competition.
Disqualification to participate as a judge in competition is possible if discriminatory actions are found in judging.
If asked to do so, must be prepared to explain their marks to the Grievance committee at the end of competition.
Judge must NOT have a conflict of interest with the competition, i.e.:
1. Have an immediate relative participating in the current year’s competition.
2. Is choreographing for FOGANA in the current year.
3. Have contact with any FOGANA related person in the town of the competition.
4. Have judged in another region that year.

Training

Judge’s knowledge of Gujarati Folk Dances is essential to start.
Judge’s briefing before the competition is another source to sharpen the skill and stay current with changes in FOGANA standards.
Judges must read the rules and regulations booklet before they attend the competition.
Qualified choreographers can also attend the briefings with the judging chairman’s permission (if they are not participating in the current year’s competition).
Additional judges can also attend the briefings with the judging chairman’s permission.
Performance analysis of judging is available from tabulation upon request.

Analysis — Judging analysis will be done by comparing the individual judge's score with the average score of all judges in the competition, for every item judged, by the tabulation.

TABULATION & INFORMATION STORAGE

Only the FOGANA approved tabulation program will be used during the competition for a valid result.
Provide access to a tabulation program to NA competition.
Train local members to use the program in every active region.
Supervise the tabulation process at NA competitions.
Maintain the database of competition results, memberships and also judges’ biodata as appropriate.
Prepare reports for use of Regional Chairman and Executive committee.
Create the competition sequence of the items as follows: Garba, Folk Dance, Raas in all Divisions by age.

Score Procedure

Enter the items and judge related required data in the program.
All competition items will be given a sequence number per rule.
Pre-print the score forms (only tabulation printed forms will be used).
Print the time check form, judge signing form and work paper.
Let judges sign in the seating arrangement to confirm the correct letter code assigned to the judge.
Deliver the score forms to judges before competition start, one item at a time.
Collect the scored forms from the judges and replace with the next competition item number forms.
Enter the data in the program accurately. Confirm the data entry accuracy.
Before starting to enter the next item score, the total points of the entered item must match in all data entry stations.
At the end, consult the host and grievance committee if there were any penalties to be applied for any item.
Print the result and stuff the envelopes to announce the winners.
Help Emcee to announce the result and the award process.
Take a backup of the entered data.
Analyze the data.
Keep the scored forms and grievance forms for further verification.

High / Low Score — During the tabulation process, the scores of all judges are entered into the program, but during result calculation the highest and the lowest scores of the judges will not be used. This is used only when there are more than 6 judges in the competition. This method is preferred and used in Olympic score calculation. This allows any kind of bias or favoritism from the judges to be removed to achieve fair judging.

08

Awards

Prizes & Penalties

First, Second and Third prize winners in each division and each category will be awarded to the team, as tabulated by the tabulation team from the score forms used by the panel of judges during the competition.

In the event of a tied score, the total of Steps, Coordination, Innovation and Action will be used to break the tie.

🥇

1st Place

Per division, per category

🥈

2nd Place

Per division, per category

🥉

3rd Place

Per division, per category

👗 Best Costume Prize

There will be a Best Costume prize awarded in each Division. In the event of a tied score for Best Costume, the total of Innovation and Overall Impression will be used to break the tie.

🎬 Best Choreography Prize

There will be a Best Choreography prize awarded in each Division. In the event of a tied score for Best Choreography, the total of Action, Coordination and Innovation will be used to break the tie.

Qualifying Teams — To qualify for a non-compete item, if there are not enough entries in a particular category to conduct a competition, the judges' scores will be considered for qualification. The item must score more than 75% to qualify.

SAFETY CODE

FOGANA or the host organization where the competition is held, and/or any other facility used by the teams or host during the whole competition event, will not be responsible for any physical injury incurred by any individual participating in the competition. All stage users MUST comply with fire and safety regulations of the facility.

- No glass bangles or jewelry in dressing rooms and on stage.
- No colors, objects, paper confetti, grains or particles allowed which can injure bare feet.

GRIEVANCES & PENALTIES

Winning or losing the award is part of the competition. But as long as you have put your best effort into competition, you are always the winner.

All grievances and resolutions must be in writing on the grievance form.

The Judge’s decision is considered final; however, if all the members of the grievance committee find an abnormality or erratic score in a judge’s decision, the judge can explain the matter to the grievance committee, or the judge’s score can be removed by disqualifying the score of that judge.

In any event of applying a penalty to a team, if the final result is changed, then the new result will be the final result even after the result has been announced.

Judges will be asked to watch for the following competition rule violations and give appropriate penalties during judging. Choreographers should NOT file any grievance based on the following reasons:

Non-circular formation, other than transition, in Garba.
Use of acrobatic, gymnastic or cheerleading routine.
If props used are more than 2, or used less than 60% of time.

Penalty Reference

Tabulation committee is allowed to file and apply the following penalties:
- If more than 15% of the participants are outside the –2 or +1 year from the age bracket, or the participant is outside the allowed age range, the tabulation team can assess the penalty as follows:
  - For each violation of the age requirement, the penalty will be disqualification in results.
  - In case proof of age is missing with the entry form, the proof of age should be sent 1 month prior to the competition or the entry form will be rejected.
- Stage or backstage was left messy and needed extra cleaning: 25 points penalty.
- Stage preparation, before performing the item, took more than 3 minutes: 25 points penalty.
Tabulation can file and apply penalties if:
- Item performed for more than 6 minutes on stage: 10 points for every 10 seconds over 6 minutes.
Choreographer is allowed to file the following grievance:
- Any infraction will result in a penalty of 50 points.
Executive committee can file and apply the following penalties if:
- Any team participants found booing other teams: 25 points penalty.
- Misbehaving or creating a hostile scene may bar the team and/or choreographer from participating for one year.
In the event of any penalties applied to a team, it must be notified and explained to the offending choreographer or manager of the team.

09

MISCELLANEOUS

Website

FOGANA.ORG is the website for the organization and will be kept updated. You are requested to refer to the website and follow the instructions.

The Executive committee has the following active sub-committees:

Rules and Regulations
Judges
Tabulation

Since the NA Executive committee has active sub-committees and the expertise and access to historic data are maintained at NA level, the host will assign appropriate committee chairs from their side and must allow them to work with the NA Executive committee’s sub-committee chairs.

For general guidance and other help, the host can always consult the Regional Council Chairman or Executive committee Executive Vice President.

Judging Committee

Select and coordinate the judge selection for the competition.

Tabulation and Information Storage Committee

Select and approve the tabulation program.
Supervise and coordinate tabulation with the host tabulation team.
Maintain the database of information (competition results, membership data, judges data, songs data).
Maintain the tabulation program.

Organizational Roles

Chairman

Host the regional competition and promote the FOGANA goal.
Follow the constitution and Rules and Regulations of FOGANA.
Support the Executive council and their agenda.

Vice Chairman

Support the Chairman’s goal in promoting FOGANA.

Secretary

Must keep the minutes of all meetings.
Communicate with regional membership, council and Executive committee.

Treasurer

Maintain accounting information for the region.
Must open a bank account in the name of FOGANA using NA tax ID.
Submit the accounting information to NA Treasurer on time.

Delegates

Representatives of each city should actively participate in the FOGANA organization by representing their city.

10

APPENDIX I — STAGE COORDINATING COMMITTEE

After the Program Chairperson and/or Tabulation have received all the entries, a sequence for the program should be made by tabulation. This will be published in the centerfold of the program guide. Their item number will refer to the teams from the program guide.

When assigning numbers, do not count prayer dances, etc. The tabulation and judges will use these numbers as well.

Before the Program

Visit the program hall and backstage areas. Decide which green rooms will be used — will teams have to share dressing areas? If so, assign rooms/areas for each group. Usually the senior groups are told to come to the backstage areas later so that the earlier groups can finish.

Assignments can also be made by city or area. Please mark with signs.

Design a flow for the teams — i.e. how to enter the backstage area, dressing area to main stage area, where the line-ups will be, stage to immediate left of stage. This flow should be explained to the choreographers/managers just prior to the program. Please mark these areas with clear signs.

Stage Coordinator and Runner Responsibilities

Main Stage Coordinator — will be present at the side of stage at all times.
The team manager/choreographer must remain present during the performance to inform the main stage coordinator of opening/closing of curtains and starting of the music.
Communicate with the Emcee of any changes in order of item performance.
Communicate with the judging coordinator and tabulation committee of any changes in order or of skipped items.
Lighting Person — Maintain consistent lighting throughout the program, unless requested by the choreographer/manager in advance (e.g. light to be dimmed for a “diva” dance).
Music Control — The USB Flash Drive should be numbered and marked with the team name.
Curtain Pull — The manager and/or the choreographer should be nearby to inform the stage coordinator when to open/close the curtains.
2–3 runners to line up items and inform teams to be ready, also 1 person to exit the team off the stage. Preferably energized and assertive volunteers. Must be able to stand and run for 3 hours.
Stage coordinators will need a broom to sweep the stage between items if the previous team leaves behind any debris (i.e. hair pins, jewelry, dandia pieces, clothing glitter, etc.).
After the team is done with their performance, they must clear away the stage and return to their seats.

General Program Flow

Welcome
Prayer / Welcome dance
Keynote / Guest speaker (optional)
Complementary (optional)
Minor
Junior (somewhere halfway: an intermission)
Senior
Adult
Complementary (optional)
Judges introduction
Vote of Thanks, Sponsor Acknowledgment
Results and Awards

To Maintain Program Flow

5 items should be lined up for the program to begin; a choreographer/manager must be present with their team:

On stage to perform
Immediate left of stage
In the hallway leading to backstage area
In the hallway
In the hallway
Prompted and ready in the green room

Points to consider:

Each item is a maximum of 6 minutes. There will be 1–3 minutes between each item to allow for announcement of the item and to give the judges a breather.
For a 20 item program: you are looking at 160–200 minutes = 2h 40m to 3h 20m.
Only 2–3 minutes between items. Curtains close, move one group out in the right direction, incoming group from the left direction, Emcee announces the item number and song, curtains open, music GO.

Uniqueness of FOGANA Programs

This is a competition and we need to ensure fairness to all the teams.
Teams are from in-town and out-of-town and therefore this does not allow for a stage rehearsal.
To ensure fairness to all the participants, only the item number, description and category is announced to the audience. This limits the amount of information that the Emcee can announce.

11

PARTICIPATING TEAM PACKAGE (Send to Choreographer)

A mailing for prior to the competition should include:

A letter of invitation
Application forms (including participants’ names, age, birth dates)
Travel form
Pertinent form
Grievance form
Rules and Regulations form
Time, location maps, contact persons’ phone numbers and email addresses
Address of the host committee (who is in charge) to send the USB Flash Drive and application forms, including deadlines
Accommodations information
How to purchase tickets and accommodations for family and friends

Emcee Notes

The Emcee can only announce the item number and song. Therefore they should have some extra material in case of a delay. Must be able to keep the audience occupied and entertained during extra time taken by the team.

Award Presentation

The participants are requested to remain in their seats and to keep aisles clear.
Trophy donors are usually the ones to present the trophies.
Announcement of the results: The sound coordinator should be given the results prior to the announcements. This will allow them to play the song as the winners go on stage to receive their trophy. This adds a nice touch to the program and adds some excitement for the kids and the audience. (They can play the song for that team — please play the song from the middle, if possible.)
The participants are all given their own individual trophies. These can be boxed and handed to the team manager/choreographer for distribution prior to the competition.

Note: This is a working document and may change every year to accommodate changes approved by the Choreographers and the Executive committee. The current version of this document is available at FOGANA.ORG.