| Dancing is a great way to help instill the love of | | | | parents do too. It lends to the whole ambience of |
| physical activity and the expression of creativity in | | | | the party." |
| children. It's also a great theme for a kids' birthday | | | | OTHER CONSIDERATIONS |
| party, especially if you have a budding ballerina in | | | | Cost - Determine what you want. Generally, prices |
| your midst. | | | | range from $175 for 10 children to $300 for 15 |
| Today, dance-inspired birthday parties are all the | | | | children, but all parties are not created equal. Some |
| rage, and dance centers across the country are | | | | include everything you need, such as invitations, |
| responding to the demand. "We had so many | | | | decorations, craft, party, pizza, drinks, cake, paper |
| requests for parties that we created the whole | | | | goods, thank you cards and goody bags. Others only |
| program," says Rachel Gary, events coordinator for | | | | include the dance class; parents must provide |
| the Hartt School Community Division, part of the | | | | everything else. Be sure to ask what is included |
| University of Hartford in Connecticut. "They've really | | | | before booking the date. |
| taken off," she says of the ballet, jazz, hip hop, and | | | | Advance booking - Also find out how far in advance |
| musical theater-themed birthday parties they started | | | | you need to make your arrangements. Dance schools |
| offering earlier this year. | | | | may request anywhere from one week to several |
| Birthday parties for future ballerinas are the most | | | | weeks' advance booking, depending on how many |
| popular, and typically range from 90 minutes to two | | | | days each week they hold birthday parties. Some |
| hours. Depending on the particular dance studio, | | | | only book parties on the weekend; others offer |
| parties are usually offered for children between the | | | | dance parties during weekday mornings and |
| ages of three and 12. In addition to a 30- to | | | | afternoons. |
| 45-minute ballet class, a studio may add some | | | | Number of children - How many children you can |
| personalized touches. Taking the guests' age into | | | | invite also depends on the place you choose. Some |
| consideration, that may offer story time, princess | | | | dance schools request a minimum of six to 10 |
| tiara craft, dress-up in ballerina costumes, or | | | | children; but many can accommodate more. "We |
| dance-inspired games. However, whatever the extras | | | | have a limit of 12 children for classes," says Gary. |
| may be, the main ingredient is always dance. | | | | "More than that and it gets difficult to keep them |
| "We focus mostly on the dance; the learning of the | | | | under control and following the class dance |
| dance, teaching them what dance is about, and | | | | instruction." |
| teaching them a routine at the end for the parents | | | | What the kids can wear - While some ballerinas have |
| to watch," says Dina Giordano, artistic director for | | | | their own dance costumes, complete with tutus, |
| the City Dance Center in White Plains, New York. | | | | others don't. If the kids have leotards or gymnastics |
| Rather than being strict about it, she notes, the | | | | outfits, that's fine. The dance instructors agree that |
| emphasis is on fun. "We tailor it to the children. We | | | | kids should come dressed in comfortable clothing. If |
| ask them what type of music they want us to play, | | | | they don't have ballet slippers, let the moms know |
| and we ask if they want to help run the games or | | | | that their children will need to take off their shoes |
| participate in them. The kids love that. It gives them | | | | and socks during the dance instruction part of the |
| control over what they're going to do that day." | | | | party. Bare feet are safer than socks; sliding around |
| PLANNING THE MINI-RECITAL | | | | in socks alone can cause kids to slip and fall. |
| If you're interested in hosting a ballerina-inspired | | | | Easy decorations - Some dance studios decorate a |
| birthday party for your child, be sure to choose a | | | | separate room for kids'birthday parties. If they don't, |
| reputable dance school with professionally trained | | | | it's easy to add your own embellishments with readily |
| teachers who are used to working with children, says | | | | available items from party goods stores. If |
| Marjorie Bolokowski of the California Ballet School in | | | | ballet-themed party goods aren't on the shelves, pink |
| La Mesa, California, which has been offering ballerina | | | | or lavender paper plates, plastic cutlery, paper cups, |
| birthday parties for the past five years. | | | | and napkins are perfect. Matching streamers, a |
| "It's always better if they are going to a studio | | | | "Happy Birthday, Ballerina Girl" banner that you |
| rather than having someone come to their house. | | | | purchase or print from your computer, a ballerina |
| You won't get the same quality environment and | | | | centerpiece for the table, and some pink and |
| dance instruction. We are equipped with the proper | | | | lavender "Happy Birthday" balloons, and glittery paper |
| flooring and equipment. The children get to see what | | | | tiaras should help make the prima ballerina and her |
| it's like coming to a regular ballet school, and the | | | | corps de ballet feel like they're dancing on a cloud. |