REMEMBER:  There is *NO* workshop requirement to compete at Bellydancer of the Universe Competition!

If you are entering a 2026 Global or Regional Event,
you may select any of the styles on this page!

Global Bellydancer of the Universe ® Competition XXXVI
Sunday August 16, 2026 1-6pm
Assistance League Theatre, Hollywood, California!

Join the Global Experience.

Bellydancer of the Universe Virtual Queen XXXVI

Submissions: January 1, 2026 until full or July 10, 2026
Judging:  July 12 - 17, 2026

Solos:  2:30 - 3:00 minutes   ;   Groups:  5:00 - 5:30 minutes

Winner becomes one of the Totally Live Improve Finalists performing with the Bellydancer of the Universe Orchestra, and a chance at the $3000 Grand Prize, on the day of the event: August 16, live on stage, in Hollywood CA USA! 

You can enter the Bellydancer of the Universe ® XXXVI Virtual Queen Competition with any performance and style you wish, as many times as you wish!

To Compete, please fill out the Registration Form ; List *all* the styles you are competing in, and include a screenshot of your payment as an attachment, and email to BDUCVideos@gmail.com

Please define your particular choice in your style:
Example 1: Folkloric - Assaya/Tatib   ;   Example 2: Egyptian - Megance

Once Registration and Payment has been received, we will email you a detailed packet with important information including dressing room, video, and scoring information.

When your videos are ready, please put them up on our YouTube link, listed in the Information Packet emailed to you.

Finally, you will need to email ( BDUCVideos@gmail com ) your submission confirmation and a copy of the videos you are submitting, please send as an attachment.

Props can be used where appropriate to the music and style of dance.

You may use videos from a another competition, stage show, private party, showcase, etc.  However, you must blur/ scrub any publicity (link below the red Enter Now) and edit to the proper time and submit it to the proper category. Your video will be submitted in the category *you* are requesting. Video must be a RECENT.

Please, you *MUST* register, pay, and confirm receipt of the rules and important video information in your welcome packet, before your video will be accepted.

Live Performance Entries: 

Solos:  2:30 - 3:00 minutes
Groups (2+ dancers):  5:00 - 5:30 minutes

No Video Requirement.

Show up on August 16, 2026 ; Check-In is at noon. Competition begins *promptly* at 1pm, with pre-recorded music of your choice. Your musical performance choice will be submitted 2 weeks piror to the event, via a link that will be in the Contestant Info Packet.

To Compete, please fill out the Registration Form ; List *all* the styles you are competing in, and include a screenshot of your payment as an attachment, and email to BDUCVideos@gmail.com

Please define your particular choice in your style:
Example 1:   Folkloric - Assaya/Tatib    ;    Example 2:   Egyptian - Megance

Once Registration and Payment has been received, we will email you a detailed packet with important information including dressing room, video, and scoring information.

When your videos are ready, please put them up on our YouTube link, listed in the Information Packet emailed to you.

Finally, you will need to email ( BDUCVideos@gmail com ) your submission confirmation and a copy of the videos you are submitting, please send as an attachment.

       ~ Acceptable Competitive Styles ~

Applies to Virtual and Live Events!   All styles are open to *ALL*

For updates on the Bellydancer of the Universe ® Competition,
please go to our *Official* FB page and give us a 'Like'!

Click here to go to our Official FB page!  

Solo Categories - 2:30 - 3:00 minutes: Virtual Contestants: Prices tbd

Live Contestants: Prices tbd

Groups (2+ dancers) - 5:00 - 5:30 minutes: Virtual Contestants: Prices tbd

Live Contestants: Prices tbd

Pay via Venmo or PayPal using email: BDUCVideos@gmail.com

GROUP - Age 18+, ANY STYLE / Group Props Allowed

2+ dancers ; 5:00 - 5:30 minutes

Adults only.

This is a creative category, props acceptable.

Workshop and Performance opportunities in Southwest Region of USA ; Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area ; Southern California/Los Angeles Area ; plus Global Opportunities pending mutual agreement.

GOD/GODDESS OF THE UNIVERSE SOLO:   No one under 45 yrs old.

You may choose any style we offer, props are allowed.

*REMEMBER: this is a belly dancing competition so you must belly dance during some portion of the routine.

Workshop and Performance opportunities in Southwest Region of USA ; Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area ; Southern California/Los Angeles Area ; plus Global Opportunities pending mutual agreement.

FUSION SOLO:   AGE: 18+

Fusing Bellydance music and movement with any other legitimate dance form and music.

Fusion Solo = belly dance blended with other traditional or authentic dance styles, tribal-fusion, poly-belly, Flamenco, East Indian, Modern, Improv etc..

*REMEMBER: this is a belly dancing competition so you must belly dance during some portion of the routine.

This is a BDUC original signature copyright format.

Workshop and Performance opportunities in Southwest Region of USA ; Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area ; Southern California/Los Angeles Area ; plus Global Opportunities pending mutual agreement.

FOLKLORIC SOLO:   AGE: 18+

Any folkloric style from any Region of a country that embraces the dayce. Props are allowed.

Traditional costuming and music are required, and the choreography must reflect the style chosen.

You must focus on the one style you have chosen. Music, Costuming, and Choreography *must* reflect the style chosen.

~ * Authentic Music Requested. * ~

This is a BDUC original signature copyright format.

Workshop and Performance opportunities in Southwest Region of USA ; Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area ; Southern California/Los Angeles Area ; plus Global Opportunities pending mutual agreement.

EGYPTIAN SOLO:   AGE: 18+

Enter to any song you wish, Egyptian Cabaret, Raqs Sharqi, or Megance ; bring your soul to the stage!

Choose your own music!!!

No separate drum solo is required unless it is within the musical piece.

This is a BDUC original signature copyright format.

Workshop and Performance opportunities in Southwest Region of USA ; Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area ; Southern California/Los Angeles Area ; plus Global Opportunities pending mutual agreement.

RETRO AMERICAN CABARET - 5 Parts - SOLO, THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE:  AGE: 18+

Choose your own music!!!  

NOTE: You *must* follow this sequence in your dance:

1) Enter with a fast rhythm.

2) Go into any slow rhythm, veil required. Floor work is welcome, but not required.
(No props other than zils and one veil of any kind (rectangular or circular) allowed in this category.)

3) Fast.

4) Must play Zils proficiently!

6) Finish with a Finale!

*YOU MUST USE VEIL AND PLAY ZILS DURING SOME PORTION OF YOUR ROUTINE OR YOU WILL NOT QUALIFY TO WIN THIS CATEGORY!


Floorwork is welcome, but not mandatory.

* Please, NO OTHER PROPS ALLOWED in this category!

This is a BDUC original signature copyright format.

Workshop and Performance opportunities in Southwest Region of USA ; Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area ; Southern California/Los Angeles Area ; plus Global Opportunities pending mutual agreement.

DRUM SOLO:   AGE: 18+

Choose your own music!!!

REMEMBER: this is a bellydancing Competition so please mix Bellydance rhythms and movement with any other rhythms you choose.

This is a BDUC original signature copyright format.

Workshop and Performance opportunities in Southwest Region of USA ; Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area ; Southern California/Los Angeles Area ; plus Global Opportunities pending mutual agreement.

TAQSIM or TAXSIM / BELADI TAQSIM SOLO:   AGE: 18+

Choose your own music!!!     ~ Do NOT include a drum solo! ~

Just Bring your internal beauty and externalize it on the stage!

The most tradiitional instruments used for taxsim are the oud, kanoun, nay, buzuq, rebab. Often, other instruments adopted from western music are used as well, such as violin, cello, accordion, flute, clarinet and even guitar or saxophone.

It is a beautiful part of many Arabic and Turkish musical compositions and performances ; as dancers we will often come across a piece of music that contains a taqsim.

Beladi Taqsim:   Traditionally, Beladi music has a framework that is divided into sections, during which musicians and dancers improvise to.  Taqsim is one of those secions, and is melody without percussions, played originally on an oud, and more recently on accordion, sax, or keyboard.  The dancer dances on a spot with small and contained movements.  Usually the dancer sways to long notes (called awwady) and shimmies to tremolando sound.    (https://www.worldbellydance.com/baladi-and-shaabi/)

This is a BDUC original signature copyright format.

Workshop and Performance opportunities in Southwest Region of USA ; Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area ; Southern California/Los Angeles Area ; plus Global Opportunities pending mutual agreement.

HALL OF FAME:   Any 3 solo wins in any category, any year, at any time.

TRIPLE THREAT:   Win any 3 categories at any one event.

PLEASE!! NO FLAME OR NUDITY and NO LIVE ANIMALS IN ANY CATEGORY!
YOU MUST REMAIN ON STAGE DURING YOUR ENTIRE PERFORMANCE!

Good Luck and remember........

"Reach for the moon... if you miss you will still be among the stars!"- Les Brown