[edit] TAAL 2009

There is a star in every child. Children are our hope for the future and we, at Vibha believe that we can bring forth the radiance in every child by providing them access to health, education and opportunity. You and your child can do that too. Be part of Taal - a unique event where children in Twin Cities, Minnesota join hands, sing and dance for their underprivileged brethren, more than half way across the globe.

Vibha Minnesota presents Taal 2009, a dance and music competition for children.

It is the perfect opportunity for your child to connect to their Indian roots, learn about the not-so-fortunate children in other parts of the globe and of course, have a lot of fun.

Everybody is invited. It is FREE and there is NO entry fee for viewers!
Registrations have closed for participants. Almost 70 children will be performing in 32 items for this event. Do not miss it.

[edit] Competitions

The competition is open to kids between ages 4 and 16. The 4 categories are:

• Classical Solo Dance
  
• Semi classical/Folk Group Dance
  
• Solo Song
  
• Group Song

[edit] Date and Venue

Taal 2009 will be held on Sunday, May 10th 2009 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul Student Center, 2017 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
Parking and Directions

[edit] How To Participate

There are limited slots available for each category of the competition, so send in your entries today!. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. While registering, a participant agrees to abide by the rules set forth by Vibha governing the competition. All registrations are due latest by April 25, 2009.

• Classical Solo Dance & Solo Song - To register, download the entry form from here.
  
• Semi-Classical / Folk Group Dance & Group Song - To register, download the entry form from here. The parents of all the participants should sign the form before it is mailed along with the check.
  

Complete the form and email it to Sindhu Nair at xxx@xxx.com. A spot will be reserved in your name. To complete the registration, print the completed form, sign it and mail it along with the check payable to Vibha Taal 2009, xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx. If the check is not received by Apr 25th 2009, the registration will be voided and made available to other entrants on a first-come-first-served basis. Please write Vibha Taal 2009 in the memo area of the check. All registrations will be acknowledged by email within 2 days of receiving the submission. In case your registration goes beyond the allotted number of slots and we are unable to accomodate your entry, your check will be returned promptly.

[edit] Event Rules

CLASSICAL SOLO DANCE
Entry fee: $20
Participants: Open to kids between ages 4 and 16.
Rules:
1. The dance routine should be one of the classical dance forms of India.
2. The dance is a solo item and should be performed by only one individual.
3. Each contestant can perform only one dance under this category.
4. The routine should be at least 3 minutes and the maximum time limit will be 5 minutes. 5. Only for classical solo performances, shruti box is allowed.

SEMI CLASSICAL/FOLK GROUP DANCE
Entry fee: $15 per member
Participants: Open to kids between ages 4 and 16.
Rules:
1. The dance routine can be semi-classical or Bollywood inspired, but should be performed on Indian music.
2. The group should comprise of at least 4 members and maximum of 10 members.
3. Each group can perform only one dance under this category.
4. The routine should be at least 4 minutes and the maximum time limit will be 7 minutes.

SOLO SONG
Entry fee: $20
Participants: Open to kids between ages 4 and 16.
Rules:
1. The lyrics of the song should be in one of the Indian languages - it can be any classical, folk or movie songs.
2. The song is a solo item and should be performed by only one individual.
3. Each contestant can perform only one song under this category.
4. The song should be at least 3 minutes and the maximum time limit will be 5 minutes.
5. No Karaoke or live instrumental music will be allowed.

GROUP SONG
Entry fee: $15 per member
Participants: Open to kids between ages 4 and 16.
Rules:
1. The lyrics of the song should be in one of the Indian languages - it can be any classical, folk or movie songs.
2. The group should comprise of at least 3 members and maximum of 8 members.
3. Each group can perform only one song under this category.
4. The song should be at least 3 minutes and the maximum time limit will be 5 minutes.
5. No Karaoke or live instrumental music will be allowed.

[edit] General Rules

1. All the participants should be between ages 4 and 16 as of Apr 1, 2009.
   
2. Each category of the competition will be judged and prizes will be awarded separately.
   
3. No special effects will be allowed such as smoke, disco balls etc.
   
4. For safety reasons, no confetti, grains or small breakable objects will be allowed on stage that might need to be cleaned between performances.
   
5. The songs for the dance routine - solo and group performances should be made available to us in a CD atleast 2 days before the competition. Participants will be contacted with more details.
   
6. Dance participants must bring a copy of the song on a CD on the day of the competition.
   
7. No cassette player will be available at the venue.
8. Participants should be present backstage atleast 15 minutes prior to their assigned time. "No shows" will forfeit their chance to participate.
   
9. Participants are encouraged to provide a half minute (maximum) introduction to their performance.
   
10. Vibha reserves the right to reject applications that do not meet the selection criteria.

[edit] Evaluation

1. Winners will be decided by a panel of judges appointed by Vibha and all decisions will be final. No appeals will be allowed.
2. Participants exceeding the time limit will receive negative points.
3. In the dance category, points will be adjudged based on the presentation, choreography, level of difficulty, facial expression, costume/jewellery and overall impression.
4. In the song category, points will be adjudged based on the quality of voice, rendition, choice of song and its level of difficulty.

[edit] Awards

Prizes will be awarded to the winners in each category. Prizes will be presented to the solo winners and to each member of the winning dance/song group. All participants will receive a certificate of participation from Vibha.

[edit] Contact

For any questions or more information, contact Sindhu Nair at xxx.xxx.xxxx or xxx@xxx.com

[edit] Terms and Conditions

Vibha is not responsible for computer system, hardware, software, or program malfunctions or other errors, failures, or delayed computer transactions or network connections that are human or technical in nature. Furthermore, Vibha is not responsible for: (i) lost, misdirected, misplaced, illegible, unintelligible, incomplete, or late entries or (ii) any act, failure to act, or delay regarding the transmitting or processing of entries. Vibha reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend all or any portion of this contest, or extend the duration of the contest, without notice if factors beyond Vibha's control, including technical difficulties, disrupt or corrupt the fair or secure administration or operation of the contest. Vibha is entitled to interpret these rules as needed and its decisions are final. Vibha reserves the right to disqualify any entrant that Vibha has reason to believe does not otherwise meet the contest rules. If a winner is disqualified or determined to be ineligible, an alternate winner will be selected using the same judging process/criteria described above. Alternate winners are subject to all requirements set forth in these Official Rules.

By participating in the contest, you agree to release and hold harmless Vibha and its employees, officers, affiliates and volunteers from any and all damages, injuries, claims, causes of actions, or losses of any kind resulting from your participation in this contest, including infringement of intellectual property rights. Vibha and its employees, officers, affiliates and volunteers assume no responsibility or liability for any damages, injuries, claims, causes of actions, or losses of any kind arising in whole or in part from this contest.

Next Volunteer Meeting
Second Tuesday of every Month
6:30 to 8:30pm
University of Minnesota, Saint Paul Campus
Ruttan Hall, Room B36
1994 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108