Orlando Belly Dancer – Frequently Asked Questions

Hire a Belly Dancer in Orlando – Everything You Need to Know!

There are literally dozens of belly dancers in Orlando. What makes you unique?

It’s not WHAT I do that makes me stand out. It’s HOW I do it. Even the most beautiful belly dancing means very little by itself unless it’s all skillfully put together into a complete, well-designed show that’s totally entertaining and relevant to its unique audience. From Day One, I’ve always been very unique in the way that I get to know each of my clients, exchange ideas, and create a living work of art tailor-made just for their event. This personalized approach has led me to some of the best clients in the world. Since I came to this market, some Orlando belly dancers have picked up on what I’m doing and have started trying similar things, but I bring a signature blend of culture, creativity and compassion that stands out because it’s real, authentic and bubbles over from within. Like the saying goes, “Often imitated, never duplicated!”

• How long of a show do you usually perform?

  It all depends on the size and type of your event. While I’ve literally done everything from 5-minute mini-shows to complete 2-set floor shows with multiple dancers and live musicians, the vast majority of my clients choose my Classic Show. This is a complete 20-30 minute set featuring a variety of different dance routines and plenty of audience participation to engage the Guest of Honor. One thing I DON’T recommend is anything longer than 30 minutes or more than 2 sets. My job is always 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

  • 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 Orlando belly dancer for your party 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 acrobatics, fire eating and snake charming mixed in with the belly dancing
    • You’re just looking for a “body in a costume” and aren’t too concerned with authenticity, showmanship or attention to detail

  • Do you do any sort of audience participation?

    Absolutely! In fact, most would say that’s the best part of my shows. I will always engage the crowd and pull people up to dance with me whenever the opportunity presents itself, which is usually at the end of my shows. I have a knack for “reading the room” and tailoring my level of interactivity to the crowd’s, whether it’s a bachelorette party where everybody’s getting silly, or a conservative corporate group that might feel a bit more reluctant to cut a rug with the belly dancer.

• 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 requiring more preparation) I strongly recommend booking at least 3-6 months out for the best results.

• How far will you travel for my event?

  I primarily perform belly dance in 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. I miss my NY-style pizza and I’m sure my parents would love to see me, too! 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? Or do you have some sort of dance company?

  It’s just me, myself and I. Of course I’m the one who will do your event! While it’s not uncommon for many Orlando belly dancers to contract out student or novice performers, and while this practice is perfectly acceptable, I prefer a different approach. Nobody knows the ins and outs of their own act better than themselves, and my clients always feel very comfortable knowing that one reliable, accessible pro is handling all the key details from the first phone call to the moment I take the stage.

• We’re looking for a duet or trio performance. Can you provide additional dancers?

  Absolutely! While I usually work as a solo artist, I occasionally get requests for multi-dancer shows and I’m more than happy to cherry-pick some beautiful, professionally screened Orlando belly dancers to join my show for added visual interest. Heads-up: more dancers do not equal a discount. More dancers mean more behind-the-scenes prep, a longer lead time (please allow at least 3 weeks) and therefore, a higher price.

• What type of music do you dance to?

  I always use traditional Middle Eastern belly dance music tailored to your audience’s ethnicity, age range and preferences. For Indian crowds, I’ll usually use popular Bollywood songs for the audience participation part of the show. No matter where your audience comes from, I’ll make sure my music is relevant, appropriate and most importantly, fun. Special requests are always welcomed!

• What type of costumes do you wear?

  My wardrobe consists mostly of custom-made costumes from the top ateliers of Istanbul, and a few handmade vintage pieces. 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. Most Orlando belly dancers work hard to dispel stereotypes, and I do my part by respectfully avoiding situations that give people the wrong idea about belly dance and the culture it comes from. And no, I don’t jump out of cakes, so don’t even ask!

• 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. If you shop around, you can find yourself a deal. Why pay more for my show? My rates reflect three things: preparation, quality and ultra-specialized wedding and event performing expertise. I will give you not only a beautiful show that’s just right for your occasion, but hopefully something far more sentimental – a lively atmosphere, lots of photo ops, and fond memories that will last long after the party’s over. If belly dance is part of your culture, I’ll do a justice to your heritage and bring back cherished memories of home. 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. If your only concern is getting the best price, then many other Orlando belly dancers have got me beat and I encourage you to hire them! But remember, you get what you pay for, for better or worse.