Audience FAQS
Q I'm having a family or corporate party. Is belly dance appropriate?
A Yes! Belly dance is a beautiful family friendly art form and part of many
cultures. If you have concerns about costuming ask about alternatives.
Q Can I just get a student for cheaper?
A Sure you can if price is your only consideration. Your guests will know the
difference between a student dancer and highly trained professional.
Q How long are shows?
A A typical show is in the 25 minute range.
Q Can you break up one 25 minute show and do two 10 minute shows
A Yes, for the price of two shows.
Q Can you stay and mingle after for atmosphere?
A A belly dancer often has a busy night ahead of her and usually can't stay
unless it's a paid part of the contract.
Q Can I tip or is that rude?
A Tipping is both culturally appropriate and appreciated. Just follow the
dancers lead on how to keep it family friendly.
Q Can I hire a belly dancer for my friend's bachelor party?
A Usually no. Most bachelor parties are looking for a different kind of dancer.
Q Can we meet you before we hire you?
A Yes, ask me my public performing schedule and come to a show.
For the Belly Dance Audience
If you're new to watching Belly Dance, remember to save your quiet audience
behavior for the ballet. An exuberant audience energizes the dancer! If you
wish to tip, feel free! But when the dancer visits your table, she's not asking for
money, she's just sharing the dance with you, for your enjoyment. Clap along,
tap your feet and enjoy this wonderful celebratory dance.
Flyers for the Belly Dance Audience
How to be an Appreciative Audience by Shira
Comments on Rojison's site
Article by Piper
Bellydance journal info
BDancer FAQs
Don't Just Applaud...by Morocco
Still not sure how your family will like the beautiful art of belly dancing?
Check out these excerpts from letters of appreciations after some of Samira's
performances:
full letter:
Dear Samira --
You must have known immediately what an utter sensation you were for
your fabulous performance at my Father's 90th Birthday Party last
Saturday afternoon...I think the crowd of relatives there was alternately
scandalized and fascinated and ALL shook up, including my Dad! In my book,
that's a perfect triple bulls-eye!! I think part of the fascination
was that one thinks - generally - that a "belly dancer" performance will
be vaguely or overly erotic, a "lightly-veiled" strip tease or worse,
so I think all these folks then became amazed at the incredible
ability, discipline and training that are obvious in a fine dancer like you.
(I come from a pretty conservative "Fine Old Virginia" family, and many
of the older generation of that family were present at the party,
trust me, they'll be talking about this for quite some time, and I am sure
that you broke some kind of a cultural barrier I suspect this family
has never crossed before! Well, high time is all I can say about that!)
So...thank you for your dedication to your dance, your training and
discipline, and for the most special part of all, your making it quite a
personal performance, to make memorable his very remarkable birthday.
We -- my husband Tom and I -- couldn't be more pleased with this gift to
him we were able to give, thanks to you.
Our very best to you,
Laura and Tom
excerpts:
"I just wanted to thank you for your fabulous performance on Saturday. You
were amazing, you were the talk of the party!" Sabrina
"Absolutely enchanting, huzaar! huzaar!" Nickolas
"I have been meaning to contact you regarding your performance at my
wedding four months ago - you were fantastic! We are still receiving
compliments from family and friends who attended the wedding - and the staff
at the Tower Club was really enthused about your performance, too. I have
some pictures from our photographer of you performing, I will try to send them
to you when I get a chance. (I wish you had seen the looks of the band
members behind you when you went down to the floor in a split with the sword
on your head - one of the singer's mouths was open so wide, had we been
outside, he would have caught a ton of flies.) Thank you again for helping to
make my/our wedding such a fun party and memorable event."Alexandra
"We thank YOU so much for providing us with a truly mesmerizing performance.
My friends and neighbors are still talking about how wonderful you were - those
who couldn't attend tell me they have heard they missed something very special.
I appreciate you being so graceful about the weather and rolling with the "CD
player" issue (have SUV ...will dance...).
Glenn had a wonderful evening - thank you for making it so memorable for all of
us." Donna
Party Resources
Party Pop
An Affair Remembered, DC, VA
Philip Brasch Studio - Photographer, DC, VA
James Roy- Fine art Photography, MD, DC, VA
World Wide Arts Resource
Social Grid
Services Resource
Fun 4 All Parties
Dancing Ferret Entertainment Group
Wedded Bliss Wedding Coordination, MD
The Arab-American Directory
DJ Dariush, Persian and international music, DC/VA
Michael Jordan Video Productions
Gemini Limo Service
DJ Dario
Hair Attraction Beauty Salon
Adiba Khan Makeup artist and dress designer
Reena's Boutique
Belly Dance Venues:
DC, Baltimore and Beyond
We are fortunate to have some fantastic restaurants that feature belly
dancers. Please go enjoy their wonderful food and welcoming
hospitality!
Casablanca, Old Alexandra, VA
Marrakesh, Washington, DC
Colony South Hotel, Clinton, MD
Shisha Lounge, Sterling, VA
Tel-Aviv, Bethesda, MD
Prince Cafe, various locations, DC
Casablanca, New Castle, DE
Meze, Adams Morgan, DC
Taste of Morocco, Arlington, VA
Mem Sahib, Rockville and Baltimore, MD
Zaytinya's, Washington, DC
Shalimar, Georgetown, DC
Skewers, Washington, DC
Lafayette Grill and Bar, NYC
Mediterranean Grill, Gaithersburg, MD
Taste of Morocco, Silver Spring, MD
Fairuz, Falls Church, VA
Alf Leyla Wa Leyla, VA
Tabaq Bistro, DC
Indian Experience, DC
Q I'm having a family or corporate party. Is belly dance appropriate?
A Yes! Belly dance is a beautiful family friendly art form and part of many
cultures. If you have concerns about costuming ask about alternatives.
Q Can I just get a student for cheaper?
A Sure you can if price is your only consideration. Your guests will know the
difference between a student dancer and highly trained professional.
Q How long are shows?
A A typical show is in the 25 minute range.
Q Can you break up one 25 minute show and do two 10 minute shows
A Yes, for the price of two shows.
Q Can you stay and mingle after for atmosphere?
A A belly dancer often has a busy night ahead of her and usually can't stay
unless it's a paid part of the contract.
Q Can I tip or is that rude?
A Tipping is both culturally appropriate and appreciated. Just follow the
dancers lead on how to keep it family friendly.
Q Can I hire a belly dancer for my friend's bachelor party?
A Usually no. Most bachelor parties are looking for a different kind of dancer.
Q Can we meet you before we hire you?
A Yes, ask me my public performing schedule and come to a show.
For the Belly Dance Audience
If you're new to watching Belly Dance, remember to save your quiet audience
behavior for the ballet. An exuberant audience energizes the dancer! If you
wish to tip, feel free! But when the dancer visits your table, she's not asking for
money, she's just sharing the dance with you, for your enjoyment. Clap along,
tap your feet and enjoy this wonderful celebratory dance.
Flyers for the Belly Dance Audience
How to be an Appreciative Audience by Shira
Comments on Rojison's site
Article by Piper
Bellydance journal info
BDancer FAQs
Don't Just Applaud...by Morocco
Still not sure how your family will like the beautiful art of belly dancing?
Check out these excerpts from letters of appreciations after some of Samira's
performances:
full letter:
Dear Samira --
You must have known immediately what an utter sensation you were for
your fabulous performance at my Father's 90th Birthday Party last
Saturday afternoon...I think the crowd of relatives there was alternately
scandalized and fascinated and ALL shook up, including my Dad! In my book,
that's a perfect triple bulls-eye!! I think part of the fascination
was that one thinks - generally - that a "belly dancer" performance will
be vaguely or overly erotic, a "lightly-veiled" strip tease or worse,
so I think all these folks then became amazed at the incredible
ability, discipline and training that are obvious in a fine dancer like you.
(I come from a pretty conservative "Fine Old Virginia" family, and many
of the older generation of that family were present at the party,
trust me, they'll be talking about this for quite some time, and I am sure
that you broke some kind of a cultural barrier I suspect this family
has never crossed before! Well, high time is all I can say about that!)
So...thank you for your dedication to your dance, your training and
discipline, and for the most special part of all, your making it quite a
personal performance, to make memorable his very remarkable birthday.
We -- my husband Tom and I -- couldn't be more pleased with this gift to
him we were able to give, thanks to you.
Our very best to you,
Laura and Tom
excerpts:
"I just wanted to thank you for your fabulous performance on Saturday. You
were amazing, you were the talk of the party!" Sabrina
"Absolutely enchanting, huzaar! huzaar!" Nickolas
"I have been meaning to contact you regarding your performance at my
wedding four months ago - you were fantastic! We are still receiving
compliments from family and friends who attended the wedding - and the staff
at the Tower Club was really enthused about your performance, too. I have
some pictures from our photographer of you performing, I will try to send them
to you when I get a chance. (I wish you had seen the looks of the band
members behind you when you went down to the floor in a split with the sword
on your head - one of the singer's mouths was open so wide, had we been
outside, he would have caught a ton of flies.) Thank you again for helping to
make my/our wedding such a fun party and memorable event."Alexandra
"We thank YOU so much for providing us with a truly mesmerizing performance.
My friends and neighbors are still talking about how wonderful you were - those
who couldn't attend tell me they have heard they missed something very special.
I appreciate you being so graceful about the weather and rolling with the "CD
player" issue (have SUV ...will dance...).
Glenn had a wonderful evening - thank you for making it so memorable for all of
us." Donna
Party Resources
Party Pop
An Affair Remembered, DC, VA
Philip Brasch Studio - Photographer, DC, VA
James Roy- Fine art Photography, MD, DC, VA
World Wide Arts Resource
Social Grid
Services Resource
Fun 4 All Parties
Dancing Ferret Entertainment Group
Wedded Bliss Wedding Coordination, MD
The Arab-American Directory
DJ Dariush, Persian and international music, DC/VA
Michael Jordan Video Productions
Gemini Limo Service
DJ Dario
Hair Attraction Beauty Salon
Adiba Khan Makeup artist and dress designer
Reena's Boutique
Belly Dance Venues:
DC, Baltimore and Beyond
We are fortunate to have some fantastic restaurants that feature belly
dancers. Please go enjoy their wonderful food and welcoming
hospitality!
Casablanca, Old Alexandra, VA
Marrakesh, Washington, DC
Colony South Hotel, Clinton, MD
Shisha Lounge, Sterling, VA
Tel-Aviv, Bethesda, MD
Prince Cafe, various locations, DC
Casablanca, New Castle, DE
Meze, Adams Morgan, DC
Taste of Morocco, Arlington, VA
Mem Sahib, Rockville and Baltimore, MD
Zaytinya's, Washington, DC
Shalimar, Georgetown, DC
Skewers, Washington, DC
Lafayette Grill and Bar, NYC
Mediterranean Grill, Gaithersburg, MD
Taste of Morocco, Silver Spring, MD
Fairuz, Falls Church, VA
Alf Leyla Wa Leyla, VA
Tabaq Bistro, DC
Indian Experience, DC
