Thread: Sweet 16 birthday party, any suggestions?

Hi, Requested to perform at a private sweet 16 birthday party. Any suggestions for this? Suggested songs to use at end to get 16 year old audience up to dance? Planning on giving a coin, hipscarf to birthday girl to wear and as momento. What do you think? What basic moves would be good to show them? Thanks, Dreamkitaro

Keep it up beat and short and sweet without it seeming short so they feel like they got their money's worth. No long taqsims or old music. Fun pop, fusion, hip hoppy -arabic flavored dance mix stuff stuff- play cymbals and balance something on your head for a song. and don't be surprised if they're too self-concious to dance with you. Habibi YA Ainy by Nourhanne goes over very well with non-arabs and teens andyou can use it for your entrance. Put in some Shakira- Waka -Waka is fun. Alabina has some nice stuff which sound exotic and accessible. Miami is very popular but make sure it's not political- would love to hear how it went!
Susi

Keep it simple! You can do:

Snake arms
Hip circles
Head slides

Then move on to or try to explain:

Hip lifts (kids may not do well first time, but concept there)
Leg or cho cho shimmy (same as above)

Link loosely together with fun music. Makes them see the moves they "learned" in a improvised mini choreography.

How's that? I always do a short history lesson of the dance. Keep it short to the point. Don't drag out. Teenagers can have a short attention span. They will definitely LOVE the coined scarfs!!!!

Here are some more song suggestions that I have used - "Aiwa Aiwa" by Darine is popular for these parties & so is "Ahla Haga Feeki" by Hamaki. I also usually leave the cd I used - they really like that

definitely play zils & balance a sword or a fire/candle tray - everyone loves that stuff at parties

Lastly - I usually wear something w/ a princess-ie feel to it (like the Pharonic's 1001 nights/Aida, Venus/Godess Ma'at or Egyptian Empress)

Have a great party!

Thanks so much ladies for these great suggestions

Haife Webhe and Tarkan are modern, hip, and pop, but still definitely "Bellydance" sounding. Bellydance Superstars IV is available on Amazon and has a very techno/modern feel on a lot of the songs.
I would definitely show basic hip and shoulder shimmy, maybe shoulder rolls and hip circles. Rather than show a bunch of moves I tend to pick a coupe of basics and show how to move slow vs fast, travel vs stay in place, dance with yourself vs dance with someone else. This gives them freedom to improvise in a bunch of different ways. Have fun!

Reyveka