Frequently Asked Questions

Hire a Belly Dancer in Orlando and the Space Coast

What type of show do you recommend for my event?

The sky’s the limit! It all depends on your budget and goals. In my years of performing, I’ve done everything from short-and-sweet 5-minute mini-shows to big, extravagant shows with two sets, live music and costume changes. My most popular option is the Classic Show, a single set up to 30 minutes long. This option is great for most parties and gives guests a complete show, while leaving plenty of time to eat, drink, mingle and have fun. A good rule of thumb? My job is to enhance your party, not to monopolize it!

• Who should hire you?

  My clients are a diverse group of people from all corners of the globe, but they generally share one vision: to add glamor, culture and lots of interactive fun to their special events. We’ll work beautifully together if:

  • You love the tasteful, tried-and-true elegance of a classic belly dance show with authentic Middle Eastern music and tons of sparkling sequins, fringe and chiffon
  • You crave stylish entertainment customized to every last detail
  • You love the idea of hiring a belly dancer for your Orlando wedding, but you’re dead-set against a cheesy, overly Americanized act
  • You’ll only trust your entertainment in the hands of an experienced wedding and event professional with a great reputation in the Orlando wedding industry and a proven track record of excellence and professionalism

• Who should NOT hire you?

  This is a tough question, because I want to make everyone happy! But realistically, no entertainer is a perfect fit for every event. That being said, you might consider another belly dancer for your party in Orlando if:

  • You enjoy the “Turn Uncle Bob Into a Sultan Shtick,” where the dancer puts a giant overstuffed turban on the Guest of Honor’s head, sits on his lap, and/or feeds him grapes
  • You want a crazy circus fusion spectacle complete with fire eating and snake charming
  • You’re just looking for a “body in a costume” and aren’t too concerned with authenticity, showmanship or attention to detail

• What about audience participation?

  This is one of the most common requests, for a good reason. What fun is a wedding or party where nobody dances? Great music is my secret to getting the party started – and sometimes, I’ll use a little lighthearted coaxing if your guests aren’t familiar with the interactive portion of a belly dance show. Looking for a more low-key, “minimally invasive” performance?  No problem. I don’t force anybody to dance against their will, and I play it safe in environments where audience members may be reluctant to cut a rug with the belly dancer, such as certain corporate events. In any case, I always “read the room” and tailor my level of interactivity to the energy of the crowd.

• Some of my guests are bringing their kids to the party. Is belly dance still an appropriate form of entertainment?

  Absolutely! Belly dance comes from family-style Middle Eastern social dances that are done by people of all ages. Naturally, it’s 100% enjoyable for all audiences. In fact, kids are some of my biggest fans and they love getting up to dance with me or simply admiring from afar.

• OK, I like what I see. How do I book you?

  Thank you for choosing me as your Orlando belly dancer! To book me, please call(203) 716-1479 or E-mail Me so we can discuss the details of your event. I’ll need to know the day and time, the location of your event, and how many guests you’re expecting, plus the theme of your event, if there is one. If I’m free, I’ll ask that you sign a performance agreement and send a 50% deposit to hold the date. Once I get this from you, we’re all set!

• How far in advance should I book you?

  As soon as possible! While I try my hardest to accommodate last-minute requests, I can’t always guarantee that I’ll be free on short notice, nor do I like to rush. This is why I recommend that you book me at least 3 weeks out. If you’re looking for a belly dancer for your Orlando wedding (or any other bigger, more complex event) I strongly recommend booking at least 3-6 months out for the best results.

• How far will you travel for my event?

  I live in Merritt Island and primarily serve Orlando and the Space Coast including Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Rockledge, Viera, Palm Bay, Satellite Beach, Melbourne and Sebastian. I am also available to travel to your event in the Tampa, St. Pete, Treasure Coast or Palm Beach County areas.

• We’re from Connecticut and we miss you! Why did you have to leave us? Will you come back home to dance at my party?

  If you give me sufficient notice and are willing to help me buy a ticket from MCO to BDL, I would love to come back home and dance at your event. Italian food is terrible in Florida and my parents really miss me! Just say the word and I’m there.

• We’re from the UK and looking for a belly dancer for our wedding in Orlando. Do you do destination weddings, too?

  Of course! I’ve arranged several wedding shows for out-of-town brides with tremendous results. Want to find out more? Check out my blog post How to Book a Belly Dancer for Your Orlando Destination Wedding.

• Are you the dancer who will perform at my event?

  Of course! What you see is what you get, and if you like what you see, then you’ll love what you’re going to get! I am an independent artist, not a dance company. I never contract out novice performers because I believe you deserve better than a beginner student using your wedding or milestone event as “on the job training.”  It’s just me, myself and I, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

• What type of music do you dance to?

  I always use traditional belly dance music tailored to your audience’s ethnicity, age range and preferences, just as any professional belly dancer in Orlando should. I have a huge collection of contemporary, classic and pop music from the Middle East, Turkey and Greece. Also, I’m more than happy to use Bollywood music at the end of my sets for Indian parties, sangeets, mehndi parties and weddings if you request it. No matter where your audience comes from, I’ll make sure my music is relevant, appropriate and most importantly, fun. Special requests and Do Not Play lists are always welcomed!

• What type of costumes do you wear?

  Most of my costumes are custom couture designs made just for me by the top ateliers of Istanbul. For those who love the retro look, I also have a couple of cool refurbished vintage pieces, including one that belonged to the late Egyptian starlet Nadia Gamal. Though my rotation occasionally changes, I can accommodate virtually any request, from a more conservative look to specific color schemes for bridal parties. To see what’s in my current lineup, check out my Costume Gallery on Flickr.

• Is tipping appropriate?

  While tipping is not required, I always appreciate a “thank you” for a job well done! In fact, in many corners of the Middle East, tipping the belly dancer is part of the festivities and a way to symbolize good luck to the newlyweds. The most common way to tip a belly dancer is to throw bills over her head in a “money shower,” or to discretely tuck a folded bill into the dancer’s arm bands or the side of her belt. If this all sounds like too much excitement, you may simply hand me my tip or add it to the balance of my payment. For more tipping etiquette and traditions, check out my article Hot Tips on Tipping.

• Is there any type of event you don’t do?

  I don’t do bachelor parties, stags or any event of that nature. The Bellydance Police could arrest me for that!

• Carrara Nour is one of those dancers that captivates the crowd with her moves and her energy. She shows true professionalism and heart in her dancing and the art of belly dance could not have a better representative than her. Her passion and love for her dancing shows with every performance and if you ever get the chance to catch her fire dance, it is a MUST SEE!

  - DJ Zeus, fan

• The Dancer Down the Street will do 4 sets and a zeffa at my wedding for $175. Why should we pay more for you?

  Just to be clear, I’m not one of the cheaper belly dancers in Orlando. Why pay more? Because your guests deserve nothing less than the best! My rates reflect three things: preparation, quality and expertise. By booking me, you’ll get not only a beautiful show tailor-made just for your occasion, but hopefully something far more sentimental – a lively atmosphere, lots of photo ops, and all kinds of stories to tell for years to come. If belly dance is part of your culture, I’ll do a justice to your heritage and bring back cherished memories of home. Plus, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes in the time leading up to your big event. When all’s said and done, I’ll make YOU look good when your guests rave about your successful event and the quality entertainment you selected! While I can’t beat the competition’s prices, I will exceed your expectations in every other way. That’s my promise.