Dancing // Competition + Showcase
K-Pop/J-Pop Dance Gala
The KPOP/JPOP Dance Gala is a celebration of dance! This half-competition, half-showcase is the perfect stage for dancers of all experiences to show off their moves. Interested participants can sign up for competition, showcase, or both! Wanna watch and make it feel like a true idol concert? Bring your lightsticks and energy to support the amazing dance community Matsuricon has to offer! Come join us for the 5th annual KPOP/JPOP Dance Gala!
Registration ClosedReview the Rules
Entry Window // June 12–July 30
2026 Registration Is Closed
The audition window has ended. Review the schedule below and keep an eye on the email address used for your submission.
Review emails were scheduled to arrive by August 6. Performers on a category waitlist may still be contacted through August 24 if a spot becomes available.
Registration Timeline
Key dates for the 2026 audition and review cycle
Closed
June 12
Registration opened
July 30
Registration closed
August 6
Review emails sent by
August 24
Waitlist decisions sent by
Auditions // Three Categories
Choose How You Take the Stage
Dancers may audition for competition, showcase, or all three categories. Category limits and priority choices apply to every submission.
Category // 01
Solo/Duet Competition
A judged competition entry performed by one or two dancers.
Category // 02
Group Competition
A judged competition entry performed by a group of dancers.
Category // 03
Showcase
A non-competition performance celebrating the dance community.
Submission and Priority Rules
Complete one clear submission for each category you enter.
- Submissions for the 2026 K-Pop/J-Pop Dance Gala are "audition based"; performers may submit in all 3 categories BUT can only submit once per category. You cannot perform in 2 separate solo/duet or group or showcase routines.
- If you are submitting a different routine for each category for the Gala, please fill out the form 3 separate times. If you are okay with doing 1 routine for competition-- but want to be considered for showcase if your submission is not accepted for competition-- please mark your category (solo/duet or group) and showcase; in priority, you would put your competition category as high and showcase as mid.
Audition Video Requirements
Give reviewers one clear, uninterrupted view of the routine.
- Submissions should be a minimum of 1.5 minutes.
- Submission videos must be a static landscape/horizontal shot in a well-lit wide frame continuous take (no edits)
- Submission routines do NOT have to be the decided routine performed at the gala; these are purely to observe skill level and placement within the show. And they do not have to have been filmed recently.
Stage Protocol // Accepted Routines
Plan the Final Performance
Accepted competition routines must fit the category time limit and the physical stage used for the Gala.
Solo/Duet Competition
1.5–3 minutes
Accepted solo/duet contestants and their routines will be a minimum of 1.5 minutes and a maximum of 3 minutes.
Group Competition
2–3.5 minutes
Accepted group contestants and their routines will be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3.5 minutes.
No Implemented Group Size Limit
Plan the formation for the available footprint.
THERE IS NO IMPLEMENTED GROUP SIZE LIMIT, HOWEVER: Please keep in mind the stage has been about 32ft long and 12ft deep and is elevated off the floor by about 2-3ft in the past. Plan your routines accordingly.
Music Check // Eligible Tracks
Build an Accepted Set
Choose music from the accepted pop and idol traditions, then keep mash-ups and transitions within the limits below.
Music Eligibility
K-Pop, J-Pop, C-Pop, Idol/Anisong, and adjacent music
- Accepted routines MUST be from K-Pop, J-Pop, C-Pop, Idol/Anisong, or adjacent. NO WESTERN SONGS OR COVERS. (ex: 4MIX, the Thai idol group, is accepted BUT Wooyoung of ATEEZ’s Artist of the Month is not accepted). "Global group" song submissions will be limited and reviewed. If you have any questions after this, please email us!
Mash-Ups and Choreography
Up to three songs, with brief transition audio allowed
- Mash-Up routines may have a maximum of 3 songs and original choreography is accepted but shall be judged under the same criteria. Transition audio is accepted and not counted as part of the 3 mashup songs but must be under 10 seconds (transition audio does not have to be k-pop/j-pop related). Transitions ARE counted in overall performance run time. Please plan accordingly.
Evaluation // Auditions + Event
What the Judges Review
Both auditions and event judging are based on the following criteria: Musicality (timing/versatility/dynamics), Artistry (facials/energy), and Technique (isolations/coordination/control/angles)
Criterion // 01
Musicality
timing/versatility/dynamics
Criterion // 02
Artistry
facials/energy
Criterion // 03
Technique
isolations/coordination/control/angles
Category Waitlists
Five additional performances per category
- There will be a waitlist implemented; each category will have a waitlist of 5 extra performances and competitors will be contacted by August 24 at the latest if spots become available. After that, waitlist performers have the option to check in at the con to see if any cancellations occurred last minute. Waitlist performers receive priority entrance to the event otherwise.
Returning Winners
Eligibility depends on the award received.
- Previous winners (Best of Category winners) are ineligible for competing in the following year BUT will be contacted for a guaranteed showcase performance; please keep an eye on emails for that communication. Runner-Up Category and Judge’s Award winners can still compete.
Questions // Song + Submission Help
Ask the Gala Organizers
If you have questions about an eligible song, category choice, audition, waitlist status, or another Gala rule, contact Fantoche Cover Crew directly.