Thread: Theme Nights

Someone contacted me about doing a show at their restaurant but they want it to have a theme (not just bellydance night). And I think they want me to think of it. Any ideas?

What kind of restaurant is it?

If it's not a strictly middle eastern restaurant all the time, they could have Arabian Nights or An evening in Cairo, with middle eastern food, music and dance.

We talked about a shisha night on another thread, but getting equipment might be tricky, and I don't know what the smoking laws are there.

Hmmmm, let's try to think of some more ideas, because the restaurant is likely to come up with harem themes!!!

Yeah, let's all brainstorm (I'm the one doing a theme night too!)

Man, I love the shisha idea.

Originally Posted by eshe

Someone contacted me about doing a show at their restaurant but they want it to have a theme (not just bellydance night). And I think they want me to think of it. Any ideas?

A Night with Oum Kalsoum (full-on classical as well as techno remixes)
Shaabi night
The Dark side (gothic/Tribal Fusion)

It's a Mediterranean Bistro so anything would be ok I think.

But the owner specifically said he wants more than just a "bellydance night"

Smoking is A-OK in restaurants here.

There is only 1 shisha place in town (I've danced there twice and they are super nice but I don't know if they'd be cool with renting out their stuff because it's what sets them apart)

I did "Fire Night" at an Indian restaurant recently.

I danced with flames and wore an orange/red/gold costume. They even served flaming cocktails!

A club that I've performed at and my old teacher regularly danced at did a Carnivale Night, which was amazingly successful. They had capoeira, belly dance, samba, and salsa lessons, and played Latin and world beat music in between shows. THAT was a kickass time. Of course, that's when I'd break out the Neckelmann's and Tony & Robbie type costumes....when in Rome, right?

Mine's a coffeeshop in a town that looks askance at anything new, and they banned smoking. If it goes over well then dancers here will have a venue, if not, they won't.

So I am right there with eshe in trying to think of something.

Originally Posted by eshe

Someone contacted me about doing a show at their restaurant but they want it to have a theme (not just bellydance night). And I think they want me to think of it. Any ideas?

So, do they want other performances besides bd? Or do they just want a name other than belly dance night? Will you be the only dancer, or will there be others?

If you dance Egyptian style, you could call it Cairo Moon or something like that. Some names, like Moon Over Cairo, and Cairo Nights, have been used by others but you could still probably use those. Or An Evening in Casablanca.

Maybe you need to ask them more questions about what type of theme they want? SatinWorship's Fire Theme idea sounds cool but not everyone dances with fire.

Originally Posted by dunyah

So, do they want other performances besides bd? Or do they just want a name other than belly dance night? Will you be the only dancer, or will there be others?

If you dance Egyptian style, you could call it Cairo Moon or something like that. Some names, like Moon Over Cairo, and Cairo Nights, have been used by others but you could still probably use those. Or An Evening in Casablanca.

Maybe you need to ask them more questions about what type of theme they want? SatinWorship's Fire Theme idea sounds cool but not everyone dances with fire.

I did my student show there and the owner loved it and invited me back (and whomever of my students I want to bring)

He keeps saying "but I want a theme."

He had a really popular electronic night a few months ago so I might suggest something along those lines that will interest a crowd that is already interested in his establishment.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Mine's a coffeeshop in a town that looks askance at anything new, and they banned smoking. If it goes over well then dancers here will have a venue, if not, they won't.

So I am right there with eshe in trying to think of something.

It is doable....*whispers* if you build it, they will come.

The cozy coffee shop I danced at responded beautifully to ooey-gooey slow taqsim and veil. They all came up to me post-show and told me how amazed they were that I didn't "jump out of a birthday cake" and that I did more than "just shake." (). All lameness aside, it does go to show that all this particular audience needed was a little visual reassurance that bellydance is artsy enough to stand alone in a coffee house setting.

For a conservative coffee house crowd, I'd try to match the vibe of the venue as closely to the vibe of my costuming and dance style. The more you can assimilate into a setting that's comfortable for the crowd, the more receptive they'll be to you. (Once you know for sure that they're cool with you, THEN you can venture out into saucier territory ..g.:). I've found that in many scenarios, it really is all about "training the customer."

Hopefully I'm making sense....not enough coffee this morning.

Originally Posted by dunyah

SatinWorship's Fire Theme idea sounds cool but not everyone dances with fire.

Fire Night was a huge success, but a word to the wise: don't publicize too heavily that you dance with fire. I do, and now that's all everybody wants me to do!

I like the idea of "Moon Over Cairo" or "A Night in Istanbul." Attaching a specific destination to a general theme makes it a little more special....though in the end, one would certainly think that bellydance is theme-y enough on its own without having to devise a theme upon a theme. I think I'd also pick the owner's mind to see what he means by a theme night....maybe he's looking to hire different types of entertainers, too?