Kpop Cover Fest

Returning for 2025, we are happy to provide the Kpop Cover Fest! This event celebrates the amazing kpop dancers in our Tekko community and provides a stage for them to perform on for everyone to enjoy. If you enjoy dancing and all things kpop, come to Stage Uzume to check out some amazing performers. Make sure to bring the hype!

Timeline and Deadlines

• February 28th: Applications open for Kpop Cover Fest.
• April 25th: Applications KCF close at 11:59p that night.
• May 9th: Applicants will receive notice of their acceptance or rejection from the event(s) they applied for.
• May 23rd: Applicants must acknowledge their acceptance to the event(s) by this date. Failure to do so will be interpreted as the applicant rescinding their interest to perform.
• June 30th: Performers must send in all required resources by this date, including song selections and audio files, revisions to bios, penlight color(s), and so on. No changes can be made after this date.
• July 17-20th: Tekko 2025! 

Eligibility

• You must have a valid Tekko 2025 badge to participate. Anyone found not to be registered will not be allowed to perform and/or disallowed from applying for Tekko 2025.
• You must be 14 years or older to participate, and all minors (17 or younger) must either have signed parental permission to perform or have an adult member in their group or present at the rehearsal/event to claim responsibility for them.
• Participation in this event does not bar you from participation in other Stage Uzume events, so please feel free to apply to as many as you would like!

Applying for Kpop Cover Fest

1. Fill out the application form (You are here)!
2. Stage Uzume staff will choose who will perform based on the audition videos/performances sent in.
   1. Audition videos will not be shared with anyone outside of Stage Uzume staff.
3. Decisions on acceptance will be sent out within two weeks of the form’s closing.

Audition Guidelines

1. Note: From this point forward, we will be referring to all work you have done in the past that you are submitting in your application as “audition videos.” An example of this could be a video of you performing live, a rehearsal, etc.
2. Audition videos should fit within the type of music you are performing based on the event you are applying for. For Kpop Cover Fest, this encompasses kpop. If we think your performance would not fit that but still want to invite you to the event you applied for, we will communicate with you to discuss potential options!
3. Videos must be at least 2 minutes long and you must demonstrate skill in the areas you are applying for. Singers must sing, dancers must dance, and those wanting to do both must demonstrate both.
4. In the application form, please remember to include the name and artist for the song(s) you are auditioning with, alongside a link to a video with the original choreography if you are auditioning to dance and using existing choreography.
5. Make sure all dances can be clearly seen and singing can be clearly heard in your audition video.
6. Audition videos should be as recent as possible (2024-2025 preferred). Anything uploaded July 2023 or prior will not be accepted.
7. If performing in a group, all performers must be present in the audition video.  You may send separate videos of any individuals in your group if you do not have a video of everyone together. Please email the Stage Uzume email if you have any concerns or need assistance with this.

Song Choice Guidelines

1. Performers may perform for as long or as little as they would like, as long as they do not exceed 10 minutes in length. If you wish to perform for longer than 15 minutes, upon acceptance please email Stage Uzume as this will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
2. Song selection will take place whenever you receive your acceptance email. You will receive a confirmation as to what song(s) you will be performing after all performers have responded to their acceptance emails.
3. Whichever time slot you choose, you must provide your preferred songs for that length of time with two extra songs that you are willing to substitute into your slot should there be any duplicate songs between applicants or other issues with your choices.
4. Submitted songs must be within the vibe of the event: be that Korean idol culture or similar for the Kpop Cover Fest. If we feel that your song selection does not match the vibe of the event, we will communicate with you to discuss potential options!
5. Songs may be combined into medleys as long as the medley is on one audio file. If this is your intent, please note that when confirming your song selections. Your choices can all be close approximations if you haven’t cut and mixed the music together yet, as long as the final product is submitted by June 30, 2025.

Responsibilities of Performers / Important Information

1. You must respond to emails that require confirmation or important information from you in a timely fashion.  If we cannot reach you for important information, you may be removed from the performance. If you know you will not be able to make a deadline, please communicate this ahead of time!
2. Performers who are accepted will need to send their audio files and other necessary information by June 30, 2025.
3. The Kpop Cover Fest will happen at the same place on Saturday from 5:30-7pm!
4. There will be a mandatory rehearsal the morning of the both events. The Kpop Cover Fest has its rehearsal scheduled for Saturday from 10:30am-12pm. If any members are not present, they will not be allowed to perform. If for any reason you must miss this rehearsal, please communicate this ASAP!
5. You must be ready to perform on time.  Any performer/group which is not fully present 20 minutes before the event starts will not be allowed to perform.
6. You must present a good attitude as a performer to your fellow performers, the staff, and your audience. These events are not competitions and are purely here to celebrate a culture of dance, music, and performance that we all love and support! 

Other Notes

• Both events take place at Stage Uzume at Tekko, which is on the fourth floor of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The stage is 32’ x 18’ and is carpeted. Pictures of the venue can be provided upon request.
• Reminder: Tekko is an all-ages event. Attire must fit within Tekko’s clothing policy (“Standard of Dress” at https://tekko.us/rules) and your dances/song lyrics must be appropriate for a standard audience.
• Groups must not be larger than 5 performers. If your group is larger than 5 performers, please reach out to uzume@pittjcs.org and we will discuss further!
• Feel free to MC during your performance! Someone from Stage Uzume will introduce you to the audience before performing, but after that the show is yours!
• Wireless microphones are in use - we have four available. If you will need more than four, please communicate this with us ASAP!
• There will be a stage monitor pointing toward the performers so that anyone singing should be able to hear themselves.
• If you need any specific props, you must bring them yourself!
  • You may store your props backstage. However, Stage Uzume and Tekko staff assume no responsibility for any belongings that you leave backstage, and that you do so at your own risk.
• If you have any cool ideas with other fellow performers you’d like to do, reach out to us. We love new ideas!
• These events are a celebration of kpop performers, overseas idols, and other performers performing all different types of music and celebrating a vast array of cultures. As such, we are looking forward to welcoming all types of performers and ask that you do not judge the idols and performers on stage in a negative way!

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, contact us at uzume@pittjcs.org and we’ll do our best to get back to you as quickly as possible!