Thread: tips/advice needed for grant entrance

A multicultural business organisation is organizing their yearly gala. Like a gala is supposed to be it will be tres chique, in a nice big building in Amsterdam, they're expecting like 500 guests, there will be a big jazz orchestra, a dj etc. And my brand-new troup and I will be doing our very first performance! We'll be dancing with 3 of our members (myself included) two times for 10 minutes.

We're a big surprise for all guests so we're opening the gala at the beginning of the evening with a nice routine including classic Arabic, a little Saidi rythm and an impressive drum solo at the big stage.

The second set has to be an even bigger surprise, we'll be dancing through the hall during dinner. We want the second set to have a grant entrance, do you have any nice tips/ideas/advice on what to do?

The gala will be december 7 and we train once per week. Also please keep in mind we just started our troup so are not rich in costumes and props yet..

Thanks girls!

B

Oooh, what a fun gig!

You'll want to go with whatever your group's strengths are, of course, but rising to the challenge of making an exciting entrance to a group that's already seen you makes me think 'props' or at least 'sounds.' So...

1) My first thought -- the music starts, doors open, and the three of you enter, first a dancer with zills blazing, then a dancer with a tambourine, then a dancer (you?) with a shamadan and zills! Lots of sound....and fire!

2) Wings? They're overused around here by soloists, but still very dramatic in groups, and non-dancers love them. Enter, swish around, pose fabulously.

3) Anything with zills

4) Come in with veils, separate, sweeping and spinning between the tables or guests, then come together in a dramatic pose at the other side of the room. Hold the pose for several seconds, then just one dancer starts moving, a small soft brief taxim. Followed by a group drum solo or pop number.

We're already using veils in the first part. Unfortunately most of us are not yet skilled in zills and/or shemadan. Maybe Isis wings are a nice option.

We were thinking about a big entrance like in Libanese shows such as entering with a dholie/amaria and the dancer inside covered in gold, veils, jewels etc. but then the other 2 have to carry it around .w.:

B

It looks like were gonna do shamadan, how I love new challenges!

Any tips/advice on what to look for, where to get it and maybe steps or songs to use?

B