5TH ANNUAL GRAND DIVA BELLY DANCE CONTEST & GALA

A Contest for Divas of All Ages!

Saturday, September 26, 2026
Sheridan Market & Roadhouse • Sultana Stage

Contest Admission: $7 • Gala Admission: $10 • All Ages Welcome

IT ALL BEGAN WITH AN IDEA...

A desire to honor our Silver & Golden dancers, age 50 and beyond — and the Grand Diva Contest was born!

Grand Diva is a belly dance competition open to dancers of all ages. But we also believe it is important to recognize the dancers who have continued performing, teaching and sharing this art through the decades. Some are the master instructors who have taught generations of dancers. They bring extraordinary experience, knowledge and a special confidence to the stage.

Many competitions offer a category for older dancers. We wanted to do something more.

So we created Grand Diva — a competition for everyone that also celebrates and promotes the wonderful women of Silver & Gold.

And when the competition is over, they take the spotlight at our Grand Diva Gala!

Sheridan Market & Roadhouse and Sultana Stage have always been committed to performers of all ages and abilities, making this the perfect home for Grand Diva.

Join us for our 5th Annual Grand Diva Belly Dance Contest — where every contestant is a Diva and our glorious Silver & Golden dancers are honored and celebrated!

Spend the day with us enjoying competition, workshops, costumes, vendors, food, music and plenty of sparkle — then stay for an evening of live music and extraordinary performances at our Grand Diva Gala!

ENTER THE GRAND DIVA COMPETITION!

There are TWO Scholarships Available!

Whether you are:

• Just starting out and taking your first steps into competition,

• Looking for a warm, supportive and friendly community to showcase your talent, or

• Ready to try something bold and completely unique in the world of belly dance,

This is YOUR stage!

Step into the spotlight, share your passion and join a welcoming community dedicated to celebrating every dancer's unique journey!

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

All ages except as noted:

• Grand Diva Goddess — Age 50+

• Grand Diva Pro

• Golden Era Improv

• Beginner Diva

• Divine Diva

• Duo/Troupe

• Prop

• Fusion

Entry Fee: $55 per category
First Place Prize: $150

REGISTRATION, RULES & CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Contest & Workshop Registration, Rules and Category Descriptions:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/y7pvLyCEmH

Grand Diva Dance Contest Scorecards:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y2gO6X5XscZjNI7QffDZ8YOZWtJ7KMdpyCiXG7fqG8Y/edit?usp=drive_link

Or request a packet by email:
SheridanMkt@gmail.com

GRAND DIVA WORKSHOPS

There are TWO Scholarships Available!

Start your Grand Diva day with two fantastic workshops taught by extraordinary, award-winning Northwest dancers!

10:00–11:00 AM

8 COUNT COMBOS!

With Nadira • Seattle
Cost: $50 • One-Hour Workshop

Learn modern Egyptian combinations for all levels of dancer.

Nadira will break down some of her most popular combinations, adding levels of difficulty and modifications from beginning through advanced so dancers at every level can enjoy and use the material.

Saturday, September 26 • 10:00–11:00 AM

11:00 AM–12:30 PM

MESMERIZING BELLY DANCE VEIL!

With Rakiya • Portland
Cost: $45 • 1½-Hour Workshop

Explore the fundamentals — and possibilities — of dancing with veil!

You will learn about:

• The diversity of veils, sizes and weights

• When to use different types of veils

• How to hold and care for your veil

• Veil stage presentation

• Body wrapping and unwrapping

• Balance and the physics of silk

Whether you're preparing for the Grand Diva Belly Dance Contest or simply want to refine your performance quality, this workshop will help you move with intention, elegance and confidence — from your first entrance to your final rise.

Saturday, September 26 • 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

Register for Workshops:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/y7pvLyCEmH

GRAND DIVA GALA!

THE GRAND FINALE — LIVE MUSIC, BELLY DANCE & FEAST!

After the competition and awards, stay with us for the Grand Diva Gala!

The Gala is the grand finale of our Grand Diva celebration — an evening honoring the experience, artistry and joy of the dancers who continue to inspire us.

Enjoy captivating performances, live music, exciting drum solos, great food and a wonderful gathering of dancers, friends and belly dance lovers!

GRAND DIVA SHOWCASE

Watch our esteemed Grand Diva Judges take the stage, joined by special guest performers and a special celebration honoring an incredible winner from the 2025 Grand Diva Contest.

LIVE MUSIC WITH OMAR HAGGAG & SPECIAL GUEST SINGER FAHD

Experience the excitement and spontaneity that only live music can bring to belly dance!

LIVE DRUM SOLOS WITH DAVID METZ

Feel the pulse and power of live percussion as David Metz provides the rhythms for our dancers' live drum solos.

FOOD & TREATS

Delicious food and beverages will be available throughout the evening.

Come hungry and try:

Ernesto's (Almost!) Famous Adobo
A savory house favorite!

Our Legendary Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Cake
Save room for dessert!

GALA DETAILS

Gala Admission Begins: 6:00 PM
Gala Performances: Approximately 7:00 PM
Admission: $10
All Ages Welcome!

The venue will already be open for the Grand Diva Contest. 6:00 PM marks the beginning of Gala admission, with Gala performances beginning after the completion of the contest and awards.

Because competition, judging and awards times can vary, the Gala performance start time is approximate.

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

We are delighted to welcome Guy Masson, creator of Phoebus-Foto.com, from the Portland belly dance scene to photograph and video our Grand Diva dancers!

Guy is well known for his work at belly dance performances, shows and competitions, and we're excited to have him with us for the 2026 Grand Diva Belly Dance Contest.

PRE-ORDER VIDEO:

https://forms.gle/GczgG4vQU2d7g9H76

PRE-ORDER PHOTOS:

https://forms.gle/s2AJxcDD73xUMTsT7

SEE GUY'S AMAZING WORK:

www.Phoebus-Foto.com

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

*All times are approximate and may vary depending on the number of contestants and judging time*

MCs: Ernesto Pediangco & Paula Goode
Music: Paula Goode

10:00–11:00 AM — NADIRA WORKSHOP

8 Count Combos

11:00 AM–12:30 PM — RAKIYA WORKSHOP

Mesmerizing Belly Dance Veil

1:00 PM — DOORS OPEN FOR CONTESTANTS & GUESTS

Food and beverages will be available before the contest. Vendors will also be on site offering costumes and other dance-related items.

2:00 PM — GRAND DIVA CONTEST BEGINS

Contest Admission: $7

Introductions followed by the first half of competition.

Approx. 2:15 PM — First Half of Competition

APPROX. 3:30 PM — JUDGING & INTERMISSION

Judges will have approximately 30 minutes for scoring.

Food and beverages will be available to order during the break.

APPROX. 4:00 PM — SECOND HALF OF COMPETITION

Competition resumes.

FINAL JUDGING & AWARDS

Following the competition, judges will complete final scoring, followed by the Grand Diva Awards Ceremony.

6:00 PM — GALA ADMISSION BEGINS

Gala Admission: $10 • All Ages Welcome

The venue remains open as we transition from the competition and awards to our evening celebration.

APPROX. 7:00 PM — GRAND DIVA GALA!

THE GRAND FINALE!

Enjoy performances by our Grand Diva Judges and Special Guest Performers, live music with Omar Haggag and Special Guest Singer Fahd, live drum solos with David Metz, food and celebration!

The Gala follows the completion of the Contest and Awards, so the performance start time is approximate.

JOIN US FOR A GRAND DIVA DAY!

Workshops • Competition • Vendors • Food • Awards • Live Music • Gala

Come compete, come cheer, come dance — or simply come spend the day celebrating the wonderful world of belly dance with us.

Saturday, September 26, 2026
Sheridan Market & Roadhouse • Sultana Stage

Contest Admission: $7 • Gala Admission: $10 • All Ages Welcome

Contest & Workshop Registration:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/y7pvLyCEmH