Namaste Members,

The time is here for another fun filled and mega Intercity Raas-Garba competition!

This is an Olympic style Raas-Garba competition with Khaliyas from Western Canadian cities held every 4 years by rotating host cities. This event is called “Gujarati Cultural Festival” and had been conceptualized by Calgary along with Vancouver & Edmonton in ‘90s. Every 4 years Gujarati Cultural Festival (previously named differently) has been participated by various guest cities like teams from Los Angeles etc. The core purpose of this Olympic style event is to encourage Gujarati Youth to mingle with similar aged youth across cities to build one-on-one connections and get to know each other enabling to build lifelong connections. 

This year Edmonton is putting together a spectacular 4 days show at the Gujarati Cultural Festival. 

Event Date: 3rd August to 6th August 2023

Participating Cities: Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver & Fort McMurray

Highlights of the event.

• Raas Garba Dance Competition

• Sports Competition – Volleyball, Badminton, Basketball….

• Bollywood Concert

• Networking Night

• Youth Mixer 

• Awards Night

Raas Garba Dance Competition Categories:

Youth Folk (13 to17);
Adult Garba (18+);
Adult Raas (18+);
Adult Folk (35+)

The time is here to get your kids, brothers, sisters, cousins, neighbor’s kids and that random guy who you keep running into on your daily Timmies runs and bring them to enroll for the competition.

In order to ensure Calgary’s items are as successful as in 2016 we need to begin planning and organizing the teams this year. We are planning to organize auditions in February 2023 so that our teams get sufficient time to prepare for participating in an energetic competition with the rest of the cities in August 2023.

For more information, please go to GCF (gujaratimandalcalgary.ca) for understanding the depth and gravity of the event.

Here are some important dates you need to remember:

By 3rd February 2023 midnight
After you login into GMofC website register for GCF-2023 for Team Calgary through clicking GCF (gujaratimandalcalgary.ca) and show your interest in joining in your desired role i.e. Coordinator, Team Choreographer, Participant or even City Judge.

11th February 2023 at 10:00AM
An orientation will be held at the INCA hall for the upcoming Gujarati Cultural Festival in August. All the information, important persons, scale and vibe of the festival will be revealed on this day. We encourage potential choreographers, team leaders and all interested members to attend this event. It’ll be quite informative.
Venue: INCA Hall (826 Edmonton Trail NE)

18th February 2023 at 10:00AM
THE BIG DAY!!!
Auditions will be held for 3 different dance categories. All participants enrolled through above registration are required. Ages: 13 years & above. Dancers of all skill levels are welcome.

You will be shown some easy steps and all you have to do is copy.
Venue: INCA Hall (826 Edmonton Trail NE)

Eager to get more info about dance competition? Want to choreograph? 

E-mail Manan Shah at  for more info.