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The world of dance encompasses many different art forms and styles. If you are planning a special event or party then dance is a perfect form of entertainment to add that extra special touch to your event. Before selecting dancers or a dance show always ask to see videos or a demonstration so you know what you're getting before you sign a contract.
Try to plan the dance show during a time when guests will be comfortable paying attention to the dance floor. Don't expect people to stop during a cocktail hour to watch a show. They won't. Schedule the performance carefully; such as just at the end of dinner when you have everyone's attention.
If you're planning a bar/bat mitzvah you may want to hire dancers to work with the kids and adults on the dance floor. This interactive dancing is important and helps keep everyone dancing. The dancers can teach the YMCA, lead the conga line, or grab a partner for a little swing dancing! Interactive party dancers are also a plus for many corporate events. Costuming is important so always check with your dancers to find out what they're going to wear or what styles of costumes are available to you.
The following listing is a brief discussion about the various different kinds of dancers or dance styles and what kind of party you might use them for.
BALLET is a perfect style of dance to feature for formal events that are sophisticated and elegant. This is perhaps one of the most classic of dance forms and the style and beauty of ballet dancing adds a touch of class to events such as galas, awards banquets, fund raisers, charity events, balls etc. Most people who attend these events are guests who appreciate this true art form.
Ballet dance shows require audiences to direct their attention to the performers. The entertainers will want the respect of the audience. Try to schedule any show during a time when you can capture guests' attention the best.
BALLROOM DANCING is also a very formal and elegant form of dance. This dance style includes many different dances within the name ballroom dancing. Waltzes, tangos, cha chas, swing and other traditional dances are just a few of the many ballroom dances. There's nothing more beautiful than watching a couple in perfect synchronization waltz across the dance floor.
Ballroom dancing is a perfect choice for social events including weddings, anniversary parties, reunions, cotillions, quinceaneras, galas, charity events, balls, and dinner parties.
To create more of an interactive experience request that the dancers do a show and then stay for an hour or so longer to work with guests individually or as couples. This is a lot of fun for everyone since most people do not have time to go to a studio to take ballroom dance lessons.
BELLYDANCERS are exotic and take you to a different world! There are many different styles of bellydancing. Some dancers only perform one or two styles so it's always best to determine your preference before booking the dancer. There is a distinct difference between Egyptian, Arabic, and Middle Eastern styles. The beat of the music is different, the costuming changes from country to country and the rhythms and speed of the dancing varies. In general if your guests are all Americans you may not need to evaluate which style to use. If you have guests attending who are from any of the Arabic or Middle Eastern countries it is best to choose a dancer who dances in the style most preferred by your guests.
Most bellydancers dance from ten to twenty minute shows and the prices vary according to the length of time they dance. If you're having a birthday or retirement party you may want to have the bellydancer place the guest of honor in the middle of the dance floor so your performer can make him a Sultan! Some dancers will perform longer shows if requested.
CARIBBEAN DANCERS offer colorful and high energy dance shows that work well for any occasion. Tropical theme parties are of course a natural place to use Caribbean Dancers but sometimes it's nice to throw in a surprise that guests don't expect, even at a holiday party in December in snow country! The dancers transport guests to a different time and place and for those moments that they're actively dancing and entertaining guests get a mini vacation!
Caribbean Dancers can perform to pre-recorded music tracks or you should add a live band such as a Steel Drum Band that plays Caribbean music. You can have guests join in a conga or limbo and of course there's always the possibility of awarding a prize to the one who's the most limber! Many performers include routines that include walking on a bed of nails or broken glass, fire eating or an exciting and amazing limbo dance under the flaming limbo pole!
Costumes are usually very colorful and to add to the excitement of this show it's always fun to pass out party favors such as maracas, streamers, shakers and party hats! Hot, Hot, Hot!
COUNTRY DANCING has been an American favorite for years. This dance style is always a good choice for barbecues, picnics, western theme parties, birthdays, reunions, company parties or any special occasion. Everyone loves to line dance and learn how to do favorites like the Tush Push, The Electric Slide, The Cowboy Cha Cha, The Watermelon Crawl, Boot Scootin' Boogie, The Achy Breaky, The Texas Two-Step and other popular styles.
If you're planning to feature country dancing at your party it is always best to hire a professional Country Western Dance Teacher who can guide you through the steps. Usually a good teacher will walk guests through the easiest dances first and even the worst dancer at the party gets a chance to participate. After the crowd gets into the swing of things the teacher can increase the level of difficulty and speed of the songs. Many people have learned a few western dances over the years since we've had several Country Western dance crazes.
Hire a good band or DJ, pass out cowboy hats, kick up your heels and give it a try. You'll probably have a lot of fun! Your dance teacher may also be able to provide you with some music if your party is smaller and doesn't require a band or a DJ.
SQUARE DANCING is a lot of fun! Many people confuse Square Dancing with Country Western Dancing but they are both completely different kinds of dance styles. Square Dancing involves a group of dance couples paired up together and a Square Dance Caller. Many Square Dance callers also teach Square Dancing and can show guests how to form the different patterns in each dance. Couples swing their partners and dance to a lively country style music as the Square Dance Caller calls out the different steps and patterns. Couples interact, change partners and dance in groups with certain routines and patterns.
For your next party you can hire a professional Square Dance Group to entertain your guests or you can request a Square Dance caller to come and show everyone how to Square Dance. Either way you're sure to have a lively time!
EXOTIC DANCERS are most appropriate for bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, retirement dinners, as stripping telegrams or a special surprise gift to an unsuspecting guest of honor! Bellydancers and dancers from various countries are also considered to be exotic but the word exotic dancers usually refers more to dancers such as strippers.
Stripping telegrams, strippers or exotic dance shows come in all variations. If you're planning a bachelor or bachelorette party always be sure to be clear about what you expect when hiring a dancer. Everyone perceives something different when hiring an exotic dancer. Be sure to ask a lot of questions so you know what is expected of you such as tipping or what kind of show your dancer is going to deliver.
Many times the dancer is a surprise. You will need to arrange a meeting time and a contact person for your dancer so he or she will be able to identify the guest of honor. You will also need to let the dancer know if you have a CD player or a tape deck. You should identify who the victim is so the dancer knows who to direct their opening line at. Stripping telegrams can be a lot of fun and can also be delivered with class. Not all exotic dancers perform nude or topless. This is why it's so important to explain what style of exotic dancer you want. Many telegrams that involve stripping can be set up as various characters such as a nurse, police officer, construction worker, pizza delivery person, nerd, etc. There's usually some personal information thrown into the telegram and of course the guest of honor is always made the center of attention.
Before you hire a stripper for a bachelor or bachelorette party you should always think about the bride or groom to be and make sure that this is something that is acceptable to them or to their spouse. The last thing you want to do is to hire a stripper for a party to find out that the bride won't talk to the groom the next day!
IRISH DANCERS are so popular since River Dance was a smashing success a few years ago! There's nothing more fun than watching a good Irish Jig danced by a group of Irish Dancers! The music is fun, lively and lifts the soul of any party-goer. You don't need to wait for St. Patrick's Day to enjoy Irish Dancing. This is something you can feature at any corporate event; wedding, retirement dinner or special occasion where you want to lift spirits with the sounds of Erin. Irish Dancers are available individually, in pairs or in dance groups that perform Irish Dance Shows.
HIGHLAND FLING is a high energy Scottish dance form that will definitely fit well with a wedding or corporate event. Coupled with a Scottish Band this dynamic show can make quite an impact. Highland Dancers perform a variety of group dances and of course wear traditional Scottish costumes. There are many different types of dances that involve the entire dance group or one or two people. Highland Dance competitions are fun to watch and feature some very energetic dancing. Women love men in kilts!
HIP-HOP & BREAKDANCING are terrific styles of dance to feature at any kind of occasion but would generally appeal more to a younger audience. Most hip-hop dancers have some traditional dance background but they have a distinctive hip-hop style that is in direct contradiction to jazz, ballet and modern dancing. Don't expect your hip-hop dancer to be able to demonstrate ballroom or more traditional styles. Usually dancers specialize in a few different styles and hip-hop comes more from the street than from the studio. Bar & Bat Mitzvahs can benefit greatly by the addition of two to four hip-hop dancers. Kids love it and the dancers will be able to get into the crowd and get everyone moving.
Breakdancing is a specialized dance style that involves a real acrobatic agility since the performer spends a lot of time doing spins and flips on the dance floor. Breakdancers do one handed stands and spin on their heads. This dance isn't for the athletically challenged. Kids love to watch breakdancers and it's always a big hit to form a circle where kids and dancers challenge each other. Dancers take turns going into the middle and showing off! Breakdancing is great for kids' parties and bar/bat mitzvahs.
MODERN DANCE, JAZZ & TAP DANCING are three dance styles that can offer guests a wide variety of different kinds of entertaining shows. There are many professional choreographers who offer packaged dance shows for special events, corporate functions, trade shows and private parties.
If you're planning to have a special dance show most troupes offer a videotape of their production so you can see what you're hiring in advance. Corporate clients sometimes need to arrange for a customized show for trade shows, conventions, etc. It is important to work with a good choreographer who can custom write a production based around the theme of the party and the style of entertainment to be conveyed to guests. These productions require time and rehearsal with costuming, lighting and musical accompaniment so it's best to plan in advance for this kind of project.
Hiring dancers to perform a dance review can enhance many parties such as retirement dinners, banquets, weddings, etc. Nostalgic dance routines involving rhythmic tap dancing to old favorites from the repertoire of Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire can keep toes tapping, from the kids to grandma. Modern dance styles can be incorporated into grand entrances for bar or bat mitzvahs, corporate events or company dinner parties.
LATIN DANCING is Hot! Latin music is one of the most popular music forms worldwide today. Almost everyone loves Latin music regardless of what country they're from or what age they are. There's something about the rhythm and the style of the music that makes everyone want to dance and party. Latin music is romantic, sexy, hot or invigorating and you can't go wrong with hiring Latin Dancers for any kind of party or event.
Latin Dancing involves many different styles of dancing, with numerous stylistic choices. Some of the more popular dances are Salsa, Tango, Cha Cha, Merengue, Lombada, Flamenco, Cumbia and Ranchera. Every Latin country has its own popular dances and what is a favorite in South America may not be popular in Mexico. Puerto Rico prefers one style and Columbia another. If you want to specifically find out more details about Latin Dancing, it is best to discuss choices with a Latin Dance professional.
Like America, with its wide variety of styles, the Latin countries are just as diverse. When you're planning an event and want to feature Latin Dancing you need to evaluate who your guests are, what their knowledge of Latin dancing is and what countries they're from. This will help you make the correct decisions when selecting dancers.
If you're having a beautiful dinner party then Tango or Flamenco may be appropriate. If your company is having a holiday party you may want to feature dancers who perform Salsa, Merengue, Cumbias and Rancheras. Many Latin Dancers dance various styles.
Mariachi groups feature Folklorico Dancers that perform traditional Mexican dances. This dance style is very lively and colorful and can add a lot of excitement to any wedding or party. Just think of the Mexican Hat Dance and you'll be able to picture this style of dancing.
Brazilian Dancers are exotic, colorful and create the feeling of a Brazilian Carnival. Many of the Brazilian Dance groups offer complete shows with beautiful feathered headpieces, colorful costumes and traditional Brazilian music. The dancers are also great at interacting with your crowd. Many people choose Brazilian Dancers to enhance their party by becoming party dancers who dance with guests. You can also pass out party favors and noisemakers to add to the excitement! Ask about costumes because traditionally Brazilian Dancers' costumes can be very revealing. A lot of the dance groups have various costumes that you can select from.
MARDIS GRAS AND MASQUERADE DANCERS are colorful and lively, adding a lot of excitement to any party. These dancers are usually available through Entertainment Agencies or through Entertainers who provide shows for special events and parties. Productions involving these kinds of dancers are usually available to travel nationwide for large corporate events and special show productions. Costumes are elaborate and the dancers can either do a show or interact with guests at the event to involve them on the dance floor. This is a great way to entertain guests at a large event, convention, corporate party, wedding or bar/bat mitzvah.
POLYNESIAN DANCERS are always a favorite for everyone. For years Hawaii and the Polynesian Islands have been favorite destination points for travelers and honeymooners. We all dream of those balmy days on the beach sipping a Mai Tai and listening to the sounds of the Islands! Well, you can import these sounds directly into your event by contracting with a Polynesian or Hawaiian Dance Troupe. Shows are usually available in different lengths and most groups offer various packages with different sizes of dance troupes. Groups many times provide their own live musicians or for a smaller event you can ask them if they can perform to pre-recorded music or to a DJ.
Guests love to try their skill at doing the hula. Guys and gals alike always seem to enjoy the group participation when the dancers ask for volunteers! Adding leis, grass skirts and tropical decor to your event can transport guests to an exotic island for the evening.
Tropical dance groups usually offer dances from various islands. Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, Tahiti, and the other islands all have different traditional dance styles and costumes. This makes for a very colorful show as dancers change outfits and dance styles. The music reflects the mood of the dancing and guides guests through the traditional Hawaiian Hula Dance or a lively dance from Tahiti. There are also traditional dances for the men that involve fire, knives, male war-like chants and aggressive dance steps that are fun to watch.
Most Polynesian shows last around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the group you hire. You should allow time in the middle or at the end of dinner for the performance. This way you have everyone's attention and guests can still enjoy dining while they watch the show.
BROADWAY DANCE SHOWS & DANCE REVIEWS offer variety entertainment and are usually found by researching different kinds of dance productions and production companies through entertainment agencies and show producers. Many companies offer novelty dance shows or dance reviews that are great forms of entertainment for parties and corporate events. A dance review can include nostalgic performances or contemporary productions. Many dance show producers have prepackaged shows that feature Broadway Music, Music and Dance from the Roaring 20's, or Dance Reviews from the 50's and 60's. The list is endless.
Corporations often times want to contract a show or production that is specifically custom written for their company. A professional show producer and director who specializes in event production and dance shows can organize an elaborate production involving staging, costuming, lighting, choreography, props, scenery and everything necessary to produce an exciting and high level form of entertainment.
It's always best to seek professional assistance from a reputable company when planning an event or show produced on this level. Most professionals will have an extensive resume of previous productions and shows as well as videos to offer you for perusal.
SWING DANCERS are popular with everyone! Adults, kids and grandparents can all enjoy swing dancing or watching swing dancers perform. Most of the music that was popular in the 30's and 40's has been remixed or redone by newer swing bands. Many clubs have sprung up worldwide that feature swing bands and swing dancing. Clothes to fit the theme are a popular addition to a night out on the town visiting swing clubs. Swing dancers are a great addition to any party. Most dancers can also give some dance instruction if you have guests who would like to try it!