Cancellation of 26th Festival of India due to COVID-19

INDIA ASSOCIATION of CHARLOTTE  - Press Release 4-12-2020

In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus, federal, state and local government directives, restricting social interaction outside the home have created an unprecedented challenge to our way of life.

We have been following the advice and guidelines from the authorities in real time; and monitoring the situation with some of our key partners. After assessing the projected outlook in the coming months, our board has recommended a change in direction of our current festival plans.

We deeply regret to announce our very difficult decision to cancel the 26th Festival of India, scheduled for July 18-19, 2020 in Belk Theater and on Tryon St. This is an extreme step of cancellation of an annual event, that has been our labor of love for the last 25+ years.

“The safety of our visitors, our performers, our volunteers and all other stakeholders, is of paramount concern to us and that is why we are taking this extreme action,” said IAC President Lal Vishin.

“We understand the pain and disruption that our community is going thru as a result of this pandemic, and hope our action will be a small step in helping control the spread of the virus. We will continue to follow all guidance from the authorities as we move forward and will keep you updated via our website (www.indiafestival.net)."

India Association of Charlotte (IAC) is working with all the festival stakeholders and exploring new dates for our next Festival of India in the Fall of 2021. We thank everyone for their understanding, patience and support, as we navigate together through these uncharted and treacherous waters in the days and months to come.

Charlotte Welcoming Week

Event - Virtual Festival of India 

We are honored to be part of the Welcoming Week celebrations in Charlotte. Here is a presentation curated to highlight key facets of our annual Festival of India, that we had to cancel this year for the first time in 25 years, because of pandemic related challenges.

The exhibit touches on some key community service initiatives by our festival team, like -  a) The Bus Stand Project b) Anuvia Collage Project c) Covid Mask Initiative d) Big Fat Indian Wedding.

And it also offers you a broad view of the activities within the festival itself, by displaying vignettes of various types of content like - a) Cultural Exhibits b) Indian Dance Performances b) Visual Arts c) Food/Souvenirs d) Turban/Saree & Henna Tattoos and more.

The exhibit content is in eight segments and here is a link to those. Please play each segment in the order listed  and enjoy!

Virtual Festival Of India

 

Dance Item Registration - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to register a Dance item as a Choreographer?

  • You will need to have an account with the Festival of India website, before you can register to participate as a Choreographer / dance teacher. 
  • Read and agree to all the guidelines listed below.
  • Provide all dance information on the online Registration Form. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.
  • Details about your dance registration will be e-mailed to you.

How can I create an account on the Festival of India website?

For the first time, when you register, you will be asked to create a new account. You will be required to validate the email address you provide during the creation of the account. This validation will happen by our system sending a validation message to your email address and you will then need to acknowledge the validation link, before your account creation process is complete. 

What if I forget my password after creating an account?

You can create a new password by going under “Login” page and clicking on “Forgot my password” link- the link will then guide you to reset your password.

How can I look at what information is needed for the online Registration form?

Please click here to view the Dance Registration form, that will need to be completed during the registration process. Everything should be filled out completely by April 15th, 2020. Music file, lighting requirements, costume photo, and the YouTube audition link, can be sent by May 25th, 2020. All these items must be submitted before audition deadline. No exceptions! 

What happens after I complete the Registration form and submit it?

  1. Receive a confirmation email shortly after your registration is complete.
  2. Keep track of your Performance ID and share with your performers/participants. Please be sure to share the correct ID and Item Name with participants so that they may register for your item.
  3. Inform all performers and participants that they must create a new account, and must register for the appropriate Performance ID by 11:59 pm on May 25th, otherwise your item will be at risk of cancellation for insufficient performers.
  4. Upload your music file in .mp3 format, your lighting requirements, stage entry plan, participant names, costume photo, YouTube audition link by 11:59 pm on May 25th
  5. Await committee approval by 11:59 pm on July 1st

Can anyone be a choreographer or do I have to be a teacher to register for a dance? 

To support our FOI mission, we encourage talented people to be choreographers, so they can artistically showcase our rich Indian heritage. You have to be at least 21 years age, be able to register online and fill all required forms. The choreographer also has to be responsible for submitting the audition tape and music file, along with keeping track of his/her participants for their individual dance. Please understand that committee will only engage with the choreographer for all communications for that dance.

What if I want to edit details about the dance that has been registered?

You can edit your dance registration by logging into your account and selecting “My Registrations” tab and following the drop down menu 'Dance Registrations' to edit your registrations.  

How do I know that my dance has been selected for the festival?

An email stating an approved message of “Yes” or “No” will be sent to you by 11:59 pm on July 1st along with comments/recommendations as applicable.

What are the requirements for auditions?

All auditions will be conducted by YouTube only, unless otherwise informed by the FOI Performance Committee.  Audition videos must demonstrate at least  50% of choreography and at least 80% of your team must be present in the audition video. AUDITIONS ARE DUE VIA YouTube BY May 25th, 11:59 PM 2020

What are the requirements for costumes?

All costumes must be appropriate to the type of dance being performed, and demonstrative of the rich cultural heritage of India. The committee requires a photo of the costume to be uploaded onto your item registration by May 25th, 11:59 PM 2020. In general, costumes should be modest and conservative. Skirts must be at least knee length with tights for modesty. 

What is the maximum duration for each item?

4:00 minutes or under for all dances; exception for pure classical - 5:30 min or under ; Fashion Show 7:00 minutes or under

What if I have questions that are not addressed above?

Please contact the performance committee at foiperformance@gmail.com

To participate in the Festival of India (FOI), you are required to make sure that all the dance items follow these guidelines. 

  • Festival Dates are Saturday (07/18/2020) and Sunday (07/19/2020)
  • Participants and Choreographers need to be available on both days of the Festival.
  • Minimum age of participants (on or before June 30, 2020):
    • Belk Theater Stage: 10 years or older
    • Outside on the street Stage: 7 years or older
    • NO EXCEPTIONS will be permitted and the Committee can request a Birth Certificate to resolve any issues
    • If found in violation of this rule, participation in future FOI will be restricted
  • Minimum number of dancers per group:
    • Belk Theater Stage: 8 or more (with the exception of minimum 6 Performers for pure Classical only).
    • Outside on the street Stage: 6 or more
    • Fashion show (Minimum: 10,  Maximum: 25 participants)
    • NO EXCEPTIONS will be allowed
  • Maximum number of entries per participant:
    • 1 performance only (No exceptions! This includes fashion show). If found in violation of this rule, participation in future FOI will be restricted.
  • Duration:
    • 4:00 minutes or under for all dances; exception for pure classical - 5:30 min or under
    • Fashion show Duration: 7 minutes or under
  • Songs:
    • Songs will not be repeated in the same time slot. Songs assigned on first come basis and audition.
    • You are advised to register ASAP to avoid any conflicts.
  • Costumes:
    • All costumes must be appropriate to the type of dance being performed, and demonstrative of the rich cultural heritage of India. In general, costumes should be modest and conservative. Skirts must be at least knee length with tights for modesty.
    • Costumes are subject to final approval by the committee
  • Audition:
    • YouTube auditions are mandatory and has to be submitted by 11.59 PM on May 25th, 2020
    • Upon request and per Committee decision, live auditions may be required.
  • Registration:
    • Deadline: Dance registration closes by 11:59 PM on April 15th, 2020.
    • YouTube Auditions, Music File Uploads, Lighting Requirements due by 11:59 PM on May 25th, 2020
    • Dance registrations need to be submitted by 21 years or older, who will be the only point of contact for all communication. Please provide only one name, one email address and one contact number to keep communications smooth and consistent.
    • All participants have to register via website or will not be allowed to participate
  • All performances must be uniquely Indian, in that they materially relate to and enhance depiction and propagation of Indian culture.
  • FOI has full discretion on approving the kind of performances on stage.

YES. I have read all 2020 dance item registration guidelines and wish to proceed with Registration

Important Dates

Registration Opens: 6:00 PM, Feb 15th, 2020 

Registration Closes: 11:59 PM, April 15th, 2020

Audition Last date for YouTube entries: 11:59 PM, May25th, 2020

Live Auditions (upon request and per committee decision)

 

Verify Dance Participants

You can verify who has registered for your dance item by following the link below. Once the participants register for the specific dance item, they will be available for review. You should first login to access this feature.

Registered Dance Participants