Important note: The Idol Festival Showcase will be on an outdoor stage. All outdoor programming is weather permitting. There is no guarantee programming will have an indoor alternative should the weather be deemed unsafe to perform and outdoor programming is cancelled.
Performances are scheduled consecutively. Groups are allowed to enter both the contest and the Showcase, however if there are many entrants, groups may be admitted only to one.
If a group is unsure of which event(s) they wish to enter, they can select “Undecided” in the application form.
Check-in for both events is required.
Participants will have the opportunity to double-check audio for any errors during check-in. Additionally, any changes to the event will be communicated at this time, including cancellation of outdoor events, location changes, or availability in indoor event if scheduled on the same day.
Idol Festival Showcase*: Friday from 9am – 11am MT
Idol Festival Contest*: Saturday from 10am – 12pm MT
Participants who fail to check in will lose the opportunity to perform. If something prevents you from attending the check-in time, email the Idol Festival Coordinator ahead of time.
Idol Festival Contest participants who check in then fail to show up at their designated performance time will not be permitted to participate in the Idol Festival Contest or Showcase for a minimum of one year.
*Date and time are subject to change.
During the event, each participating group will have some transition time to get on and off the stage, as well as get into position before their music starts. Otafest will add this transition time to your entry, please do not add this on yourself as it will cause the show to run faster than intended.
If there are enough participants, the competitive aspect of the event will continue. In the event that there are not enough competitive entrants, non-competitive entries will be scheduled in the Idol Festival Contest. Competitive entries will perform before non-competitive entries, similar to the Cosplay Contest’s walk-ons before skits methodology.
Please note that the competition will only move forward if there is enough interest. In the event Idol Festival Contest is cancelled, participants will be informed that the event is changing to a non-competitive event.
Depending on the number of entries, participants may be divided into solo vs group categories, that would then be further divided into 3 sub-categories (Novice, Apprentice, and Idol)
Please note, these are only guidelines to help participants determine which category best fits. Final placement of the participant into a category is determined solely by the coordinator.
All audio you wish to use for your performance must be submitted via the application form or emailed to idol.festival@otafest.com prior to April 15, 2025. We cannot accept any last-minute changes, or changes submitted after this date.
Only audio submitted on the form or via email will be accepted, we cannot accept other forms of audio submission (e.g. USB stick).
Otafest
May 16 – 18, 2025
Calgary Telus Convention Centre
120 9 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0P3
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