Frequently Asked Questions

General Festival Questions

  • NW Víla Fest is a fusion Bellydance festival with a Folk Dancing twist. It’s a beautiful thing to fuse styles together but it’s also important for dancers to know where the traditional techniques originate from.

    NW Víla Fest hosts 3 days of free and pre-paid workshops from a variety of World Renowned Instructors. We host free day-time performances (Fairy Stage Shows) held on the main stage at Shoreline Community College Theater. There are two evening Showcases featuring world-class performers (tickets required), a free closing show on Sunday, and in the courtyard there is a vibrant market full of diverse merchants selling food and goods, plus local musicians and opportunities to interact with both our local and global Bellydance community.

    Visit our About page to learn more about our mission statement and community focused goals.

  • In most Slavic languages “víla” (pronounced vEE-luh) means fairy. The producer & organizer of NW Víla Fest has Balkan heritage which inspired the use of this word for the festival.

  • The festival is held on the first or second weekend of April at the Shoreline Community College Theatre and surrounding buildings. Visit the Travel and Campus Map page for more details.

    Upcoming festival dates: April 2-4, 2027

    Event address: 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

  • YES! Anyone can enter the festival, browse the Merchant Market, watch the daytime Fairy Stage Show performances, take a local Instructor workshop, and watch the Closing Showcase on Sunday, 2-3pm.

  • NW Víla Fest is founded and organized by Shelby O’Neil, who operates Pisces Productions LLC and is accompanied with help by a wonderful group of people who make up the Víla Committee. Shelby was born and raised in Seattle WA and fell in love with Bellydance at a very young age. Shelby is thrilled to produce this special event that promotes connections within our local, regional, and global Bellydance community.

    Visit our Team page to learn more about Shelby and the festival committee.

  • There is ample parking next to the Shoreline Community College theater (you can also look for NW Víla Fest parking signs) which is labeled as “Student Parking (W1600)” on Google Maps.

    Note that parking is free on Friday AFTER 5 pm and all day on weekends.

    Friday Parking Passes: If you are attending the festival before 5 pm on Friday, you will need a parking pass. You may purchase a parking pass from the NW Víla Fest booth for $3, or from the 3 pay stations located around campus. Rates vary depending on the amount of time parked ($3.00 to $7.50). Be sure that your permit is displayed facing up on the dashboard.

    Visit the Travel and Campus Map page for more details.

  • Yes! The vendors market, hafla performances, grassy courtyard and food area are great places for children and families. We also provide free coloring pages and crayons near the vendors market for children to enjoy.

    Children 10 years of age and under have free entry into the Showcases and Workshops as long as they are accompanied by an adult (the accompanying adult is required to pay for a showcase ticket or workshop class), and the Workshop is not at capacity. Showcases are not moderated for younger audiences, so please view at your own discretion.

  • Yes, there are restrooms near all of the festival locations with multiple stalls and sinks. 

    Locations include the Theater lobby, near the courtyard and workshops in building 1700, as well as backstage in building 1500.

  • Absolutely! Shoreline Community College has a dedicated bus stop and there are multiple bus routes to choose from based on your starting location.

    Visit the Travel and Campus Map page for more information on Seattle public transit options.

  • Please go to our Connect page for more information, or email us at infonwvilafest@gmail.com

All Access Pass

  • Visit our All Access Pass page to see current availability.

    There are limited passes available each year and they sell out quickly.

    • VIP Tickets for both Friday & Saturday Showcases — the best seats in the house!

    • VIP Goodie Bags full of dancer delights

    • 5 Workshops (Any 5 non-overlapping workshops across Friday, Saturday or Sunday)

    • Friday Night Mixer with Víla Instructor Special Guests plus a FREE drink

    • FREE Víla Fest T-Shirt

    • Exclusive VIP Collectible Lanyard & Pass

    • Free Friday Parking Pass

  • No, but you can transfer your All Access Pass to another person. Send us an email (infonwvilafest@gmail.com) with your name and the name of the person you are transferring the pass to and we will coordinate the details.

  • No, anyone can purchase an All Access Pass.

  • Keep an eye on your inbox. Once the All Access Passes sell out, we’ll email you a Google Form link to lock in your workshop choices.

  • Visit our Workshop page to see current availability. During the festival, attendees are welcome to swing by the NW Víla Fest booth, located in the theater lobby, to register for additional workshops. Please note that workshop availability is typically VERY limited and sell out quickly online. Pre-registration is highly recommended.

  • In building 1700 which is located behind the theatre lobby. Look for signs that direct you to the workshop locations or ask any volunteer for assistance.

    Workshops are held in classrooms with carpeted flooring, and little to no mirrors. 

    Visit the Travel and Campus Map page for more details.

  • You can visit the festival Event Facebook page and submit a post inquiring about anyone who might be willing to sell a ticket for the workshop you are interested in. You can also visit the NW Víla Fest booth at the festival to see if any spots have opened up for purchase. We cannot overbook a Workshop due to fire code capacity restrictions.

  • All sales are final so we unfortunately do not offer refunds. You can visit the festival Facebook page and submit a post to either sell or donate your workshop ticket to another festival attendee. ***Provide the new attendee with your order # and purchaser name to match the original registration information.

  • Workshops are typically held in carpeted classrooms (sometimes outside in the grassy courtyard) so bring appropriate footwear. Bring a water bottle and a notebook so you can take notes (optional). Some workshops are designed around specific props (e.g. veil, cane, drum, zills) and you will receive an email reminder from our staff to bring a prop if you own one.

  • Children 10 years of age and under have free entry into the Workshops as long as they are accompanied by an adult (the accompanying adult is required to pay for a Workshop ticket) and the Workshop is not at capacity.

  • Please go to our Connect page for more information, or send us an email here: infonwvilafest@gmail.com

Workshops

Performances

  • Fairy Stage Shows are daytime performances that take place on Saturday and Sunday on the main stage during Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. They are free and open to the public. Anyone can submit an application for a Fairy Stage Show slot and pay a small fee once a slot is confirmed. Submitting an application does not guarantee a performance spot. We will do our best to include as many people as we can.

    Showcases are evening performances that take place on Friday and Saturday on the main stage. Showcase performers must apply ahead of time and purchase two workshops in order to be eligible. Tickets must be purchased to attend the showcase (children 10 or less are free). 

    The Closing Show takes place on Sunday afternoon on the main stage. It is free and open to the public. Closing Show performers must apply ahead of time and purchase one workshop in order to be eligible.

    Please go to our Applications page to apply as a performer. Note that the application period is typically between Oct-Jan prior to the festival event dates.

  • VIP tickets include a goodie bag with a variety of dance-related items and a snack to enjoy during the show. VIP’s also have access to premium-view seating.

    General admission tickets allow for seating anywhere not designated for VIPs or staff.

  • Yes! For adults 21+, you may purchase beer and wine in the theater lobby before the Friday and Saturday showcases, and during the intermission.

  • There is no deadline. You can buy tickets online or in-person at the venue all the way until show time, or until we sell out of tickets.

  • All sales are final so we unfortunately do not offer refunds. You can visit the festival Facebook page and submit a post to either sell or donate your showcase ticket(s) to another festival attendee. ***Provide the new attendee with your order # and purchaser name to match the original registration information.

  • If your availability is restricted, or workshops have already sold out then we do allow for you to pay for the equivalent of two workshops to meet the showcase performer requirement. Contact dancenwvilafest@gmail.com to inquire about your eligibility for this option (PLEASE Title Subject Line: Showcase Performer Eligibility).

    While we understand it can be hard to squeeze everything in, let it be known that we prefer attendees to register for Workshops instead of simply paying the Showcase fee, because taking workshops promotes networking and helps grow our community.

  • There are 2 shows (Friday night and Saturday night). Whichever show you are performing in, no, you do not need a ticket. Performers may sit in general seating. However you do need to purchase a ticket for the show you are not performing in if you would like to attend.
    If you want to sit in the VIP section then you will either need to purchase a VIP ticket or the All Access Pass.

  • 8 hours of volunteer time can be traded for the showcase performance requirement. If you can only volunteer for 4 hours, no problem, purchase 1 workshop or email dancenwvilafest@gmail.com to pay the showcase fee.

  • You must purchase two workshops. You do not need to purchase more than two workshops even if performing multiple times.

  • Yes, this is allowed. As long as there are twice the number of workshops purchased relative to the number of performers, then this meets the requirement. It is okay if a single performer has not purchased a workshop provided that other performers in the group have purchased two additional workshops.

    Example: A troupe of 3 should have purchased 6 or more workshops. Either each member has 2 workshops, OR 1 member has none, but the two other members have 3 workshops each, OR 2 members have none, but one member has 6 workshops.

  • Please send your question to dancenwvilafest@gmail.com, or go to our Connect page for more information.

  • Visit our Applications page. The application period is typically open Oct-Jan prior to the festival event dates.

  • The upcoming festival will be held April 2-4, 2027

    Merchant Market Hours:

    Friday: 12 pm - 7* pm

    Saturday: 10 am - 7* pm

    Sunday: 10 am - 2 pm

    *Indoor vendors must stay until 7 pm on Friday and Saturday. Outdoor vendors are encouraged to stay but may pack up between 5-7 pm.

  • Outdoor vendors have the flexibility to choose the days that work best for them; whether that’s one, two, or all three days! 

    Indoor vendors are required to be present for the full three days of the event. 

  • NW Víla Fest provides one 6-foot table and two chairs.

  • Park in the loading zone in front of the theater to unload and load. Please re-park your vehicle before setting up all the items in your space.

  • Yes! We will have volunteers as well as staff coordinators with carts and dollies to assist you during set up and tear down.

  • We will have limited space available for outside vendors to store their items on-site overnight in a locked room.

  • Please go to our Connect page for more information, or send us an email here: infonwvilafest@gmail.com

Vendors

Buskers

  • Visit our Applications page. The application period is typically open Oct-Jan prior to the festival event dates.

  • NW Víla Fest has a designated 10'x10' busker tent as part of our outdoor vendor market.

    Busking duration shifts are 2 hours, you are permitted to take a 15 minute break halfway through your shift.

    More details are in the application form.

  • The upcoming festival will be held April 2-4, 2027

    Busking hours:

    Friday: 12 pm - 2 pm OR 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

    Saturday: 12 pm - 2 pm OR 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

    Sunday: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

  • No, the City of Shoreline does not have a specific "busking permit" or street performer license.

  • Please go to our Connect page for more information, or send us an email here: infonwvilafest@gmail.com

  • Item description

  • Visit our Applications page. The application period is typically open Oct-Feb prior to the festival event dates.

  • Víla Volunteers may receive workshops or showcase tickets in exchange for their service.  Volunteers will also receive a NW Víla Fest t-shirt.

    We rely on so many wonderful people volunteering their time for our event so when you volunteer at NW Víla Fest you're a part of something BIG! Together we are building a future where all cultures are honored and respected. Join the Víla Team and let’s create magic through dance! We appreciate you!

  • We always hold a small number of spots for volunteers to be able to attend workshops, but this does fill up quickly so please inform us as soon as you receive your schedule which workshops you would like! Please note that this is not a guaranteed option but we do try our best.

  • All sales are final so we unfortunately do not offer refunds. You can choose another workshop to attend or get a ticket to a Showcase instead. You can also visit the festival Facebook page and submit a post to either sell, trade, or donate your workshop to another festival attendee. Provide the new attendee with your order # and purchaser name to match the original registration information.

  • For each 4-hours worked, you may choose one workshop or one showcase ticket.  Remember that there are pre-festival shifts as well as teardown if you would like to maximize your time!  Remember to note that on your volunteer application. You may volunteer as many hours as you wish.

  • In order to help with over/under scheduling, yes, we will be assigning full 4-hour shifts at this time. If you need accommodations due to travel, conflicting workshops, etc, please write that in the Volunteer application at the bottom, and/or reach out to the Volunteer team at volunteernwvilafest@gmail.com, as soon as possible! We are happy to work with your schedule and see what’s possible, provided that you let us know in advance.

  • Please reach out to the Volunteer team at volunteernwvilafest@gmail.com as soon as possible!  We will work with our Performance teams to deconflict your schedule.

  • Please send your question to volunteernwvilafest@gmail.com, or go to our Connect page for more information.

Volunteers

Local Instructors

  • We are now accepting local Instructor applications! Visit our Applications page. The application period is typically open Oct-Jan prior to the festival event dates.

  • NW Víla Fest is seeking local instructors from the Greater Seattle Area (King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties) to teach free to low-cost community based workshops at our festival. From dancing and drumming, to basket weaving and juggling. This program is designed as a community-building and outreach initiative; providing local instructors with an opportunity to introduce their teaching style to new students, grow their following, and encourage ongoing class attendance.

    Instructors will be recognized for their contribution to community service and arts outreach.

    ***All participating local instructors will also be invited to perform in the Instructor Showcase on Saturday, April 3, from 7:00–9:00 PM.***

    Submitting an application does not guarantee a Local Instructor teaching spot. We will do our best to host as many local instructors as we can but we can not promise everyone will have a spot. If you have taught at NW Víla Fest before, we will work with a rotation of Instructors to make it as fair as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

  • Friday: 12-5pm

    Saturday: 10am-5pm

    Sunday: 10am-2pm

    Workshops will be 2 hours in duration. Instructors can indicate their preferred days and time slots when completing an application.

  • Instructors will be compensated on an agreed-upon sliding scale of $0 to $75 per hour for a two-hour workshop. NW Vila Fest does not profit from these workshops; they are offered free or at low-cost to cover instructor costs.

  • Please go to our Connect page for more information, or send us an email here: infonwvilafest@gmail.com