Thread: Doing my first Persian Party =)

I amdoing my first all ME Persian party. I am excited. They requested only party music. Said veil is ok and they want zills and sword. So obviously they know BD . Any advice on what will make them happy.. You know the little extras. I have all upbeat music planned so like I said just any advice would be awesome.
Thanks

Amani from Atlanta will be here in the Chicago area this weekend teaching a Persian workshop. Maybe if you go on to her website she will have pictures or videos of what Persians wear? Their costuming is a little different than most of the other ME countries.

I wouldn't bellydance in Persian costuming, though. That would be for Persian dances, and that's not what they expect from a bellydancer.

I can remember someone here posting about doing a lot of Persian parties. I do remember them saying fast music, really fast all the time -- but I guess you already have that information!!! Sorry, I don't remember what else they said, but hopefully those Bhuzzers will be along shortly.

I know Persian dancing is mostly with the top part of the body. No, you shouldn't wear a whole costume, just maybe some one piece. I should've mentioned that before.

Use some Persian pop music for audience participation parts of your show.

Might be nice to incorporate the songs Mastom Mastom or Gole Sangiam into your set. Those are Persian. Recordings available from Brothers of the Baladi, John Bilezikjian, Sirocco, and other musicians.

dont worry about making your costume or dance style look Persian. they call belly dancing "Arabic dance",and they know that's what theyre hiring you to do.

I danced at persian restaurants for 10+ years and have danced at many persian family parties. they hired you as a bellydancer, so they expect you to bellydance. :) no worries about looking or dancing persian.

but with that said - it's a GREAT idea to use persian pop music for your tip music after your usual show. maybe you could ask your client for suggestions? I do that at the restaurant that I work at and they'll let me borrow their house mix cds to see if I can find anything I like. (this is great with any party you do. find out if they're turkish, iranian, greek, indian, saudi, lebanese, whatever and toss a pop song into your tip music. they'll adore you for it.)

also, if you have any opportunities to see persian folks social dancing (I know, the off chance that your area has a live persian band! ;) ) you can watch them closely to see what they do, and mimic a gesture or two. even at the party, when you get them up to dance with you at the end, copy them on the fly! for instance I would often see somebody do a gesture where they hold their open hand by their ear and do a little head slide...

Congradulations! Let us know how everythings goes. Awesome.

When I go to Persian restaurants in my area that have bands, there is a lot of Persian 6/8 music. If you plan on audience participation during your set, include Persian 6/8 -- everybody will dance!

As others have said, if you've been hired as a *belly dancer* simply wear your best Egyptian-style costume and use Egyptian music for most of your set; "Persian dance" does not equal "belly dance."

Have a great time!

Deborah

I danced a new years Persian party and used Habibi Ya Eini (new version by Nourhanne?). For some reason, they all LOVED that song and it really got into the performance. So I concur with using upbeat, pop music:)

Originally Posted by casbahdance

When I go to Persian restaurants in my area that have bands, there is a lot of Persian 6/8 music. If you plan on audience participation during your set, include Persian 6/8 -- everybody will dance!

As others have said, if you've been hired as a *belly dancer* simply wear your best Egyptian-style costume and use Egyptian music for most of your set; "Persian dance" does not equal "belly dance."

Have a great time!

Deborah

agreed! they will expect you to do Turkish or Egyptian, but throwing in a 6/8 or two would rock the house for them....they can dance that way, and appreciate your thoughtfulness.....plus, it's really fun music....Persian audiences DO prefer upbeat, and as others mentioned, you don't have to do full on Persian. but a bit or 2 is appreciated......one location i danced at had many Persians come to it.....on occasion, i threw in some CLASSICAL Persian i knew, they thought it was quaint :p, but liked that i knew some of it....they also like EXPRESSION.....if you're expressive, and happy, they LOVE that! invite them up to dance, and they SO will............

Pleaaaaase people don't try Persian dancing for performance unless you have studied it to some extent . It Is NOT belly dance . You would not like it if a flamenco dancer decided to throw in a set or two of Egyptian dance just cus her audience was Egyptian . It's a different style and just cus Iran is geographically close to countries where belly dance originates does not mean you know what youre doing with a shisht hasn't rythym . Please for the love of god , if they hire a belly dancer , they want belly dance!!!!

Shisht hasht stupid autocorrect ( on iPhone)

Hi Yazeena!
I very often organize Pershian Parties with my Pershian friends!
They have always much fun with songs like: sidi mansour, drums, (they love very loud music!) and they love to dance together with the bellydancer.
So I decited to dance 2-3 pieces and then I invite the audience to dance alone. After a break I dance again ...
Persian love expression and fun in the dance.
Most important is to show them you have fun!
1001 greetings
Marisa

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