Booking Nepenthe
You can hire Nepenthe to dance for your corporate event, birthday party, wedding, or other special celebration.
is available for shows, parties, and events! If she is not able to perform for your event, she can recommend a number of local professionals in a variety of styles. Nepenthe has performed at weddings, birthday parties, and baby showers, as well as restaurants. If you require multiple dancers, it can be arranged. Please call or email to discuss your particular requirements.
Arranging Payment
A 50% deposit is required in advance to save the date, and the remainder of the payment must be paid at the time of the performance. Last-minute bookings may be subject to a surcharge. There may be a travel surcharge if the location of the event is outside of the Boston metro area.
Payment can be sent in the form of a check mailed to Nepenthe or paypal to nepenthe@bellydancernepenthe.com. Please be sure to contact Nepenthe first to ensure that she is available for your date and to discuss the price for your event.
You may include this contract with your deposit.
Bellydance Performance Contract
When You Email/Call
Please let us know about:
- Location with Parking and Driving Directions
- Start time and length of desired performance, number of shows. See our menu of services below.
- Theme of your celebration, special guests,
- Color preferences, favorite songs, or other requests
- Props requested: wings, veil, cane, zills, tray and sword balancing are all available.
Services Offered | ||
| Bellygram | $150 | Perfect for surprise birthday parties, retirement parties, and anything that just needs a short boost of entertainment. 10-15 minute performance, including lots of audience participation, and time for photo ops. Nepenthe's performance can include veil and another prop, such as a sword. Contact her to discuss how we can make your event special. |
| Full Show | $200 | This is a good option for corporate events, or anyone who would prefer a longer performance. A full show will last around 25-30 minutes, and its contents depend on whether you prefer an Arabic or American style show. Nepenthe will perform with a variety of props (zills, veil, sword, cane), to a variety of music. She will include the audience in some dancing, if they are up to it. |
| Wedding | $250 | An upbeat and happy blessing for your wedded life! Nepenthe will perform for 20-30 minutes, and will be sure to get the bride and groom up to dance together. Some people consider it lucky to have a belly dancer at their wedding! Romantic love songs will be selected, and Nepenthe can even coordinate with your wedding colors. Nepenthe always allows more time for weddings, as they do not always run on schedule. |
| Show with Lesson | $300 | Nepenthe will give a 10-15 minute performance, followed by an "Introduction to Bellydance" lesson, teaching you how to shimmy and shake. This is a great choice for bachelorette, bridal and baby showers. Nepenthe can bring hip scarves for all the attendants given advanced notice. |
| Princess Jasmine / Aladdin Party | $300 | Similar to the Show with Lesson, this party is geared towards children. Nepenthe comes to your child's party as Princess Jasmine! Nepenthe gives a family-friendly performance, as always, getting your little Princess Jasmine or Aladdin up to dance. She can then teach the party attendants some of the basics of bellydance. She may also read a story from Arabian Nights. Party gifts, such as children's hip scarves, can be arranged but require advanced notice. |
F.A.Q.
Here are some commonly-asked questions about hiring a belly dancer:
How can I prepare for Nepenthe to perform at my event?
The dancer will need a private area in which to change and do the last touches on her appearance. Clear out a space for the dancer to perform, away from open flames. There should be a clear path for the dancer to enter. Belly dancers are usually happy to perform around and amongst tables, but they do require some room to maneuver. Her choice of props may be limited by the amount of space available.
What is a typical performance like?
An American bellydance routine includes a lively introduction with finger cymbals, followed by a veil piece. Then the dancer will usually perform to another upbeat song, followed by a slow chiftetelli, an all-percussion drum solo, and a fast-paced finale. Usually audience participation takes place during the middle upbeat song or the finale, or both!
For an Arabic routine, the dancer may enter with a veil, perform to a classical Raqs Sharqi composition, with a folkloric piece, followed by a drum solo, and then an Arabic pop song for audience participation.
For birthdays, Nepenthe has a variety of ways to honor the birthday boy or girl. Nepenthe has and will balance a tray of birthday cake on her head! She can also pose for a memorable picture with the honoree, or get him/her up to dance.
What about audience participation?
The audience can always participate by clapping along, zaghareeting (trilling with the tongue - like Xena), or shouting encouraging phrases like "Bravo", "Aiwa", or "Opa" depending on the culture.
The dancer will often choose a few people from the audience to come dance with her. Please note if there are any special guests of honor who should be especially selected to dance. At weddings, it is popular to bring both the bride & groom out to dance.
Will Nepenthe stay and join my party?
In order to maintain the mystery, it is not recommended for dancers to stay after their performance. The dancer is usually happy to dance with the guests during the audience participation part of her show.
Can I tip the belly dancer?
It is culturally appropriate to tip dancers and it is often a fun way for an audience member to participate in the show. Many dancers do not accept tips in their costumes, but may accept tips in their arm strap. It is always appropriate to tip by showering bills over the dancer, or by handing the dancer the tips after the show. In some cultures, tippers create a garland of dollar bills and put it around the dancer's neck!
What kind of costumes does Nepenthe wear?
Nepenthe has a wide variety of costumes to suit any occasion. Of course, she has the traditional belly dancer two piece costumes. She also has a number of high-end Egyptian costumes, as well as dresses, and folkloric costumes. Nepenthe can wear a conservative costume that covers much of her body upon request.
Does Nepenthe provide her own music?
Nepenthe prefers to provide her own music! She can bring an ipod dock or boombox to your event, or bring a CD to play in your sound system. Nepenthe has a large library of Middle Eastern music to accompany her dancing. It may also be possible to contract a Middle Eastern band to play at your event; this would require plenty of prior notice.
Can I take pictures or videos?
Sure! It's your party. Nepenthe would love to have a copy of pictures and videos, but it isn't required. Please do not, however, take video and pictures and sell them for profit.
Can I hire Nepenthe to do a special performance at a restaurant or other public place?
Yes, but you are responsible to secure all necessary permissions and permits. Nepenthe will not be responsible should the venue not permit her to dance. The full cost will still be charged, as Nepenthe had to book the date and prepare the performance.