"Private Parties 101"
Published in The Papyrus; October 2008
By Talia
Performing at private parties is a world all of its own. I’ve danced every place, from horse fields, to a newspaper printing warehouse, to a grocery store. I have even ended up walking into the wrong person’s backyard while trying to surprise some guests for a birthday party.
Every dancer who decides to perform at private parties should have some guidelines. Someone has asked you to perform at their party, what are the questions you should ask? 1. Confirm the date & time. Be sure to leave plenty of time to get ready and get there.
2. Be sure to ask what the occasion it and whether it is a surprise. Please remember to never dance at an all-male party, even if it’s a friend.
3. Clarify how long the performance should be. A longer show or additional dancers will cost more money.
4. Is there a sound system provided and where will the dancer perform? You may need to bring your own stereo and you will most likely need someone to push the play button for you. Knowing if you are dancing outside or inside will help you determine what props to bring. The type of surface will determine the type of shoes you’ll need.
5. Preparing for the event. Know your audience! This is a huge factor for what you’ll be performing. American audiences love the old classic music like George Abdo or something fast like John Bilezikjian. Another idea would be some fun pop music that they can clap to easily. Arabic audiences will expect a bit more from the dancer(s). Choosing music like Mohamed Abdel Wahab or Om Kalsoum are always favorites. Burn your performance music onto a CD and bring additional songs in case a encore performance is requested.
6. Asking if there is a spare bedroom or bathroom that you can change & get ready in. I suggest arriving in costume. You can also ask the person hiring you if they have any costume preferences. Most likely, if they do, they will tell you right off. It is always wise to bring a small sewing kit incase a hook busts or you need to mend a tare in a skirt. I always bring an extra costume in case something bigger happens like a zipper breaks.
7. Pricing. This is a tricky subject in our dance world, especially with the price of gas now days. I would never accept anything lower than $150 for 10 minutes. That is a rock bottom price! If two dancers are dancing I’d accept nothing less than $200. Use your best judgment on what to charge. Remember all the time you’ve spent practicing, taking classes & workshops, the cost of costumes, music and make-up. All of this should factor into your price. I also charge an additional fee for dancers who wait longer than 20 minutes to perform. If you are still unsure about what to charge talk to other dancers in your area and base your rates off of what they are charging. You can always start at a higher price and come down. If tips are also given, I consider this an added bonus.
8. Contacts. Some dancers choose to draw up a contract for each private party. This should state all the details agreed upon by both you & the person hiring you such as: price, date, time, number of dancers, length of performance, deposit, cancellation policies, additional fees, etc. If you decide to use a contract, have a lawyer look it over for you to be sure there aren’t any loop-holes. Lastly, be sure both of you get a copy of the signed contract.
9. Do’s & Don’ts: *Do be on time! Be sure you have the driving directions, phone number for the contact person & plenty of time to get lost! *Do view the dance area before you dance so you will know where you’re expected to go. Find out who the birthday person is if necessary. *Don’t linger after you dance. Even if the host asks you to stay and have some food. Be polite and professional, thank them and nicely decline. *Do leave the host with some business cards for anyone who might be interested in classes or having you dance at their own party. *Do bring a fellow dancer or friend with you for the first couple of times until you are comfortable going alone. *Do keep all the movements in good taste for family entertainment. No shaken boobies in the birthday boy’s face! (You might laugh, but I’ve seen it!)
All in all entertaining at private parties is fun & fulfilling. It is being a part of someone’s special day creating memories that will last a lifetime!
