de Entertainment (celebs, music, movies) - Q By DaVinci Blog https://qbydavinci.com/blog Wed, 20 Apr 2022 16:52:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.9 How to Overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright https://qbydavinci.com/blog/how-to-overcome-surprise-dance-stage-fright/ https://qbydavinci.com/blog/how-to-overcome-surprise-dance-stage-fright/#respond Thu, 03 Nov 2016 18:22:39 +0000 http://qbydavinci.com/blog/?p=1032 Your big day is just around the corner, and there are a...

The post How to Overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> Your big day is just around the corner, and there are a ton of considerations. A modern Quinceanera is a mix of old and new, so you may still have the lovely meaningful Mass, then the fun rituals like changing your shoes and the Last Doll and of course, dancing with your dad. But these days, the highlight of your Quince reception is your surprise dance. But what can you do to make it truly fabulous? It’s actually pretty easy. If you do one thing and do it really, really well, you can totally overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright and rock your Quinceanera world!

Your Baile Sorpresa will come after your fairytale waltz and dancing with your dad. This is good because it’ll get you used to being in front of the crowd. For one or both of those, you can use traditional waltz music or go with something a little more contemporary. In any case, they’re pretty much straightforward, and you don’t have to worry because if it comes down to it, you do not have to have your entire court do the waltz—just you and your escort.

The Baile Sorpresa is another story. It’ll take more thought, planning, and work, but it’s worth it for this wildly entertaining way to top off your showcase dances. Here’s the one key to pulling it off:

Own It!

Yep. That’s all. Own it, girl!

OK, so this may be easier said than done. But the Quinceanera is rooted in dance, and your guests are there to support you, not judge you. Still terrified? In a way, that’s good. Not only is it absolutely normal, but being a little bit afraid can make you work all the harder! Here’s what you need to do to build your confidence so that you totally own the dance:

 

How to Overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright

  • Choose a choreographer you really like

What’s most important, even more than the complexity of your Quince routine itself, is that your choreographer knows how to dance and knows how to teach others some basic moves.

He or she also has to be able to interpret what you want as far as the style and mood of your dance. If you’ve started working with someone, but you’re just not clicking—even if it’s a pro—switch to someone else before it’s too late in the game.

  • Ask for some private ballroom lessons before you start Quince rehearsals

See if your folks will get you a few private ballroom dance lessons—not just group lessons— before you start working on your Quince routine with your court. You’ll learn some couple’s dance basics—for instance, what a “frame” is, how to keep your shoulders down, and how to move with a partner. Even if you go to dance class already, if it’s not ballroom dance, get some specialized lessons so that you’ll be ahead of your court when you start group practices.

Tip: This may be the easiest way to find the perfect choreographer! If you like your private teacher, hire him!

 

How to Overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright

  • You choose the songs

Never mind what anybody else thinks What music do you like best? What songs make you want to dance? Yes, you want your music choices to entertain your guests, so keep your crowd in mind on two counts:

First, if your family is really pulled in, make sure you tone down your music and your routine a little bit. Otherwise, have fun doing whatever you want.

Second—and this is crucial—be aware of the length of the surprise dance. You want enough time to show off what you’ve learned, but you don’t want to go on so long that the crowd gets restless.

  • You choose the routine

Your surprise dance should not be a last-minute “group vote.” Do enough homework to know what style you want—or styles, if you want to do a mix—then stick with it. You can make the routine more complicated if you and/or your group can handle it. Put in an extra turn here, some fancy footwork there—there are lots of ways to take it up a notch.

If you can dance better than your court, then ask your choreographer to make your steps the “fancy ones” and give your court a simplified version. If you need to keep it simple for you, then let it be simple for everybody. But stick to the routine that you decided on ahead of time, then let your choreographer each everybody else and adjust the difficulty as necessary.

 

How to Overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright

  • Don’t make the routine longer than you’re comfortable with

If you’re a really, really good dancer already, or if you turn out to be after some lessons, you still don’t want the surprise dance routine to go longer than 5-6 minutes. But if you get nervous after a few minutes, or you feel like you can’t remember the steps, cut it down to 3 or 4 minutes tops.

Confidence-boosting tip: Have you ever noticed that all of those ultra-fancy Dancing With the Stars routines are only 1-½  to 2 minutes long? And they’re impressive, aren’t they? But they’re also short. If you want to wow the crowd with something DWTS-worthy, work out a routine starting with just you and your escort, then bring in the rest of your court to finish with easier moves.

  • Impress yourself, not your audience

Even though you want your dance to be unforgettable, remember that it’s better to do a simple routine really, really well than to have a complicated dance with too much room for mistakes. You do not want to look at your video and cringe. Find a routine that makes you feel good about you. Then practice until you feel like you could do it in your sleep.

 

How to Overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright

  • Surround yourself with people who make you feel comfortable

You don’t necessarily have to do a surprise dance with your entire court. There’s no reason why you can’t pare down the dance personnel. Here are some perfectly acceptable dance partner combinations:

  1. You and your escort alone
  2. You, your escort and another male member of your court or a male friend
  3. You and just your chambelanes
  4. You and just your damas

If you really want to keep it super-simple, and your dad is on board, you can do your father-daughter slow dance, then switch gears and go into a rehearsed duet. Then you’ll be able to practice as much as you want and need to with the one man who loves you most—your father.

  • Make sure your outfit fits

You’ve all seen videos of Quinceaneras and weddings and other fancy parties where the lady of honor stops and tugs up her strapless dress. Not too appealing, is it? This is not something you want to be doing during your surprise dance. The last thing you need is a wardrobe malfunction, or to feel like you have to tug and pull on what you’re wearing to get it back into place.

Choose something that you like, feel comfortable in, and can move around and dance in without ever—not even one time—wanting to tug at, or tuck in, or pull up any part of your outfit.

  • Learn to cover your mistakes

This is where a good dance teacher or choreographer is invaluable. Get someone to coach you in not saying “oops” or “sorry” or worse, coming to a dead stop if you make a mistake. A good dance teacher can also show you how to recover from a misstep so here’s maybe the weirdest tip of all:

  • Practice making mistakes!

Just a few. Just enough so you’ll know what to do if your shoe slips on the floor or how to recover if you turn left instead of turning right. Learn how to keep a straight face—a smiling face!—in the face of disaster. Then if something does go wrong on your big night, you won’t make a big deal out of it.

And if you don’t make a big deal, no one in your group will either, and your audience probably won’t even know anything went wrong!

 

How to Overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright

  • Last tip: Be Just a Little Bit “Selfish”

Seriously!

This is your day, your dance, and as much as you want to be gracious and include other people, when it comes to your surprise dance, it is perfectly OK to be a little “selfish.” We mean be selfish as in, make choices that make you feel good about yourself. When it comes to others and having to make compromises, make sure that your confidence is protected first.

That way, when you get out there on the dance floor, you’ll be dancing for you first—doing the very best that you know how to do—and having fun because you’ll know that you’ve done everything you possibly can to… Own it!

For some great ideas for fusing your favorite styles, check out our blog Fusion Rocks: http://qbydavinci.com/blog/baile-sopresa-102-fusion-rocks/

 

Find everything you need to plan your perfect Quinceanera on our website—our dresses, our blog—everything! Click HERE or on the image below for Q by DaVinci & get started!

Q by DaVinci Designer Quinceanera Gowns & Dresses

The post How to Overcome Surprise Dance Stage Fright first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> https://qbydavinci.com/blog/how-to-overcome-surprise-dance-stage-fright/feed/ 0 Baile Sopresa 102: Fusion Rocks! https://qbydavinci.com/blog/baile-sopresa-102-fusion-rocks/ https://qbydavinci.com/blog/baile-sopresa-102-fusion-rocks/#respond Thu, 29 Sep 2016 12:58:27 +0000 http://qbydavinci.com/blog/?p=899 The best way to make your surprise dance a real crowd pleaser...

The post Baile Sopresa 102: Fusion Rocks! first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> The best way to make your surprise dance a real crowd pleaser is to create a combination, and there are only 2 things you need to do to make that happen! We scouted around for the best fusion examples out there, plus a compilation video to help you choose what you like. Just click on the YouTube link for each one to see the dance and the choreography and see what you might want to do to wow your crowd.

1. Pick Your Favorite Steps

To get a sense of which styles of dance steps you like best, check out this amazing compilation video. It cycles through eight different classic Quinceanera dance moves! You’re bound to find a combo you like:

  • Pop
  • Salsa
  • Cumbia Texana
  • Volados
  • Bachata
  • Tango
  • Rock ‘n Roll
  • Hip-Hop

2. Create a Great Fusion

Once you get an idea of what you want, you can mix it up. Here are some very simple combinations:

Fusion #1: Start with a Solo

Face it, girl—if you’re a good dancer, then dance! This is your chance to shine so go for it. Open with a solo then bring in your troupe. Nothin’ wrong with that!

One note: As a general rule, a 7-minute surprise dance like this one is a little long. But if you can hold the crowd’s attention with variations like this Quinceanera and her court, go for it.

Fusion#2: Hip-hop & Swag

Fusion #3: Bachata & Merengue

Fusion #4: Add your Dad!

Fusion #6: Move it with your Mom!

Fusion #7: Waltz, bachata & line dance

Fusion #8: Simple steps plus plenty of fun!

It is perfectly fine if you’re not much of a dancer. You can still have a lot of fun with your friends!

Dance On, Girl!

These are just a few of the combos you can put together for a killer surprise dance. So pick your court, choose your style, then ask your choreographer to create something unique that’s perfect for you.

The post Baile Sopresa 102: Fusion Rocks! first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> https://qbydavinci.com/blog/baile-sopresa-102-fusion-rocks/feed/ 0 Baile Sopresa 101: Yes, You Can Dance! https://qbydavinci.com/blog/baile-sopresa-101-yes-you-can-dance/ https://qbydavinci.com/blog/baile-sopresa-101-yes-you-can-dance/#respond Thu, 15 Sep 2016 21:53:22 +0000 http://qbydavinci.com/blog/?p=810 It doesn’t matter if you’re the first one on the dance floor...

The post Baile Sopresa 101: Yes, You Can Dance! first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> It doesn’t matter if you’re the first one on the dance floor at a party or if the thought of dancing in front of an audience scares you silly. Your Quinceanera surprise dance can still be the most fun you’ll have at your reception. We’ve got tips and tricks and great ideas to help you create a killer baile sopresa that will wow your guests. Here are 2 easy tips and 8 great suggestions to help you create an awesome surprise dance.

Part One: 5 Tips for a Great Presentation

1. Choose your Quinceanera Choreographer Carefully

The right choreographer can make anybody look great. Even if you have three left feet, with a good routine, you can easily master the steps. Do a little research and interview at least 3 dance pros. You want to find one who will listen to your ideas, alleviate your fears, assess the talent of your group, and make everyone in your court look good.

2. Make the Song Meaningful

What song out there sparks your heart and makes you want to move your feet? What have you always wanted to learn to dance to? Ask your dance pro to create a mix that will let you lose yourself in the steps and the music. You and your court having a good time is what will really entertain your crowd.

Tip: Choose no more than 3 songs, and unless you have your dance class in your court and can keep the energy going, limit the performance to 3 ½ to 4 minutes.

3. Coordinate the Outfits with the Choreography

Costumes make all the difference. Obviously, you won’t want a long dress for hip-hop, but you also don’t want tattered blue jean shorts for a sexy bachata. Ask your dance pro for some suggestions, then follow this one super important rule:

Make sure the outfit fits! You do not want to be pulling up your strapless top or tugging down your short skirt!

Tip: We know it’s popular to dance in sneakers, but if you want to look really sharp, wear amateur ballroom dance shoes.

Closed toe dance shoe: http://www.lightinthebox.com/leatherette-upper-dance-shoes-ballroom-modern-shoes-for-women-more-colors_p213004.html?category_id=1278&prm=1.2.1.0

Classic medium heel salsa: http://www.lightinthebox.com/women-s-dance-shoes-latin-velvet-sparkling-glitter-paillette-taffeta-synthetic-cuban-heelblack-blue-silver_p5005483.html?category_id=1278&prm=1.2.1.0

For a flat shoe, you still want something with a little more style than a sneaker: http://www.lightinthebox.com/yoga-women-s-split-sole-canvas-with-gore-dance-shoes-more-colors_p1931979.html?category_id=1278&prm=1.2.1.0

4. Practice, practice, practice

Your guests really will be looking forward to your surprise dance, and while they don’t expect a Dancing With the Stars level performance, you don’t want to make them cringe, either. We don’t have to tell you how uncomfortable it makes an audience to watch a performance where half of the dancers are a step or more behind the others, or turn the wrong direction and crash into each other.

You’ll also have the video of your dance to watch over and over, and while a mistake or two can be charming if handled well, you don’t want to cringe every time you watch your video. You and your group really do need to practice with the goal of doing it perfectly.

So first, make sure that everyone in your court can make all the practices and only miss one if they’re sick or something else disastrous happens.  Second, you need to make a real commitment to the practice schedule yourself. After all, just like the devotion you show at your Quinceanera Mass and the time you take to write a good speech, working hard to make your surprise dance as good as it can be is another way for you to show your family and friends that you’re taking your new young adult status seriously!

5. Always Remember: A Few Mistakes are Charming!

Most of the time, your crowd won’t even know if you skipped a step, just as long as you don’t freeze up and just stand there. Practice making a show of looking charmingly confused, then catch up when you can and carry on.

Hint: We’re not kidding when we say that you can make a total mind freeze look like part of the planned routine. Just ask your pro for some things you can do—maybe a pose to strike if you get lost.

Part Two: Fusion Makes a Baile Sopresa Great

The best way to make your surprise dance a real crowd pleaser is to create a combination. We scouted around for the best fusion examples out there. Just click on the YouTube link for each one to see the dance and the choreography and see what you might want to do to wow your crowd.

To get a sense of which styles of dance steps you like best, check out this amazing compilation video. It cycles through eight different classic Quinceanera dance moves! You’re bound to find a combo you like:

  • Pop
  • Salsa
  • Cumbia Texana
  • Volados
  • Bachata
  • Tango
  • Rock ‘n Roll
  • Hip-Hop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5U2-5eH4A

Once you get an idea of what you want, you can mix it up. Here are some very simple combinations:

Fusion #1: Start with a Solo

Face it, girl—if you’re a good dancer, then dance! This is your chance to shine so go for it. Open with a solo then bring in your troupe. Nothin’ wrong with that!

One note: As a general rule, a 7-minute surprise dance like this one is a little long. But if you can hold the crowd’s attention with variations like this Quinceanera and her court, go for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8Q6trxL3Zk

Fusion#2: Hip-hop & Swag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmU9UkzrJmM

Fusion #3: Bachata & Merengue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7AxoNWmGbI

Fusion #4: Add your Dad!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHjIRuUg1dM

Fusion #6: Move it with your Mom!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHVMsNQxecw

Fusion #7: Waltz, bachata & line dance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYXeoTs35Vg

Fusion #8: Simple steps plus plenty of fun!

It is perfectly fine if you’re not much of a dancer. You can still have a lot of fun with your friends!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykmPbNLWpG0

Dance On, Girl!

These are just a few of the combos you can put together for a killer surprise dance. So pick your court, choose your style, then ask your choreographer to create something unique that’s perfect for you.

The post Baile Sopresa 101: Yes, You Can Dance! first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> https://qbydavinci.com/blog/baile-sopresa-101-yes-you-can-dance/feed/ 0 Your 2016 Quinceanera Reception Guide: 5 Steps to Fabulous Music https://qbydavinci.com/blog/your-2016-quinceanera-reception-guide-5-steps-to-fabulous-music/ https://qbydavinci.com/blog/your-2016-quinceanera-reception-guide-5-steps-to-fabulous-music/#respond Wed, 24 Aug 2016 20:07:14 +0000 http://qbydavinci.com/blog/?p=752 You’ve booked the best caterer, hired the most talented Quinceanera event planner,...

The post Your 2016 Quinceanera Reception Guide: 5 Steps to Fabulous Music first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> You’ve booked the best caterer, hired the most talented Quinceanera event planner, and your favorite Padrino will make the perfect MC. For sure, yours will be the party of the year! Except there’s still one thing missing: The music. You can nail down every other detail to perfection, but if your music doesn’t rock, your Quinceanera reception will fall flat. But not to worry. We’ve got you covered because, in only 5 little steps, you can line up the best of the best performers—from your entrance to the exit of your very last guest—and turn your “nice little party” into one memorable bash.

So let’s get going! Here’s our easy to follow guide to help you plan the best music for the best Quinceanera of 2016:

  • Choose the Mood of Your Celebration

What’s your reception theme? Other than dance music for the big party—which should consist of popular numbers that entice your guests onto the dance floor—what “flavor” do you want to have for the other music? For instance, if you’re having a Beauty & the Beast theme, maybe you’ll want to play different songs from the movie for your entrance and cake cutting.

For the dance music, though, you can choose whichever artist you like best and play those tunes to get people dancing. Maybe there’s a popular local band or a great DJ, or you want to book that awesome mariachi band you heard at a friend’s Quinceanera last year.

And while it’s polite to consider other people’s suggestions—and to respect the wishes of your family—always remember that, at the end of the day, it’s your Quinceanera, so the music you choose should say something about you personally.

  • Match the Music to the Program

Not all Quinceaneras are the same, but unless you’re gong totally against tradition, there will be some program elements that live performers won’t be able to play. Also, different parts of the evening call for different music. For instance, you’ll want quiet background music for dinner and probably a particular song or two for Quinceanera rituals like the toasts, cake cutting, changing of the shoes, etc. Whether you choose a band or a DJ, or something else entirely, always remember to factor in the other music that’ll be needed at various times that evening.

Tip: Check out this link for the timeline of a traditional Quinceanera so you can get an idea of what should happen and when. http://www.Quinceanera.com/traditions/traditional-Quinceanera-reception-timeline-events/?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article-122615-traditions-traditional-Quinceanera-reception-timeline-events

  • Narrow Down Your Choices

There are, of course, distinct advantages and disadvantages to each of the different types of music people you can hire for your Quinceanera, so let’s look at the 4 most common choices:

  • DJ

DJs are great because they can provide literally all styles of music due to the nearly limitless number of songs available on the computer. From jazz to Justin Bieber, hip-hop to ballroom, as long as the DJ can find it, he can play it. However, DJs don’t have as much “star power” as compared to a live act, unless they’re unusually gifted. They also may be limited when it comes to variations on popular songs unless they either do a pre-mixed set or can mix it up right then and there.

But the biggest plus to a really good DJ is that he or she will make one terrific MC and will know how to get your crowd dancing and will know when to play slow songs to give them a break. The other perk to a DJ is that the equipment doesn’t take up much space, so if you have a smaller guest list and therefore a smaller venue, a DJ may be a better option than a band.

  • Band

Bands bring a unique flavor to the festivities because they’re live. There’s nothing quite like watching musicians perform, and the music itself has a much different quality, even if the band plays the song exactly like on the recording. Some groups have an extensive repertoire and can take requests which will be a real treat for your guests. Others may need to stick to the genre they specialize in and might not have enough up their sleeve song-wise to accommodate much in the way of requests. Don’t let that deter you, though. If you can afford a good live band, even for a set or two, it’ll add a lot to your party. Just make sure your venue has enough room for the musicians.

  • Mariachi

There’s nothing that will add an extra flavor to the festivities of a Quinceanera quite like a mariachi band. They’ll perform Latin American music like nobody else can, and will add a spin to contemporary music that’s like nothing you’ve heard before. Just the sight of the band in its traditional costumes makes your entire Quinceanera look like it was professionally planned!

Do keep in mind, though, that if the majority of your guests are younger, the novelty of a mariachi band might wear off unless they find that type of music to be particularly appealing. You might need to provide something else for people to dance to, and you’ll definitely need to give the players a break. So if you’re seriously considering mariachi, also plan for either a DJ or a good sound system so you can play popular dance tunes from your iPod.

  • Acoustic or a Capella (unaccompanied)

Acoustic groups—also referred to as “unplugged”—can be ideal for the opening of your reception as guests are gathering and then also during dinnertime when you want a little background music as everyone enjoys their meal and conversation. A capella groups are singers who use no accompaniment—good examples being barbershop quartets and unaccompanied high school glee clubs. Both types of groups are usually crowd pleasers for the older set, but a glee club-type group can keep the attention of younger guests.

These two groups are much like mariachi bands when it comes to planning: Make sure you have a mix. Just as you would supplement a mariachi band with a DJ or iPod tunes, plan to do the same for acoustic and a capella musicians. And do note that there is an exception to the rule of always supplementing mariachi or acoustic or a capella with recorded music: If you’re planning to have a simple cake and punch reception and no dancing, you can use these types of musicians exclusively.

Tip: It’s super easy to find entertainers near you. Go to https://www.gigsalad.com/ and enter your location, then type in the kind of entertainment you want by name—DJ, band, mariachi, acoustic, a capella, etc. Gigsalad will call up links for you, so all you have to do is just click on which entertainer you want to check out!

  • Calculate the Cost

Rates for Quinceanera entertainment vary wildly depending on the type of music and the popularity of the group or DJ. This is where Gigsalad comes in handy because you can browse to your heart’s content and ask for quotes from every group that interests you.

If you’re looking for an average, though, consider somewhere around $100 to $150 per hour for a DJ. For live bands, according to weddings.costhelper.com, you’ll pay anywhere from $1,100 to $2,200 for a 4-hour set, and that cost is based on the number of players.

For a mariachi group, plan on $250 to $600 per hour (depending on the number of players) and there’s usually a 2-hour minimum. This is a good link for more information: www.mariachi4u.com

And as always, if you need to watch your budget, but you want a touch of something special, choose one of these live groups to play for the minimum time, then supplement with a DJ. And you can supplement a DJ with your own iPod music! Trust us: With careful planning, you can use an iPod very effectively for everything including your dance music! It just takes time and creativity to gather the playlists.

  • How to Find & Hire Quinceanera DJs & Live Musicians

If you don’t have a particular band or DJ in mind, it pays to ask for recommendations from your sister Quinceaneras who have celebrated before you. Ask friends and family if they know of any reliable contacts, and then see if you can get to their Soundcloud or Youtube accounts so you can hear the music yourself. Don’t get excited about a band that claims “we can play anything and everything” until you hear them and trust that they can play everything, and play it well. Have a list of specific songs ready so you can ask right away if that music is either already in their repertoire, or if they think they can confidently master it in time for your party.

One last tip:

Finalizing the music for your Quinceanera does come with some pretty serious considerations, but don’t let that take the fun out of planning your big day. Trust us when we say that, even if you end up with just your trusty iPod, you’ll have a lot of fun checking everybody out!

The post Your 2016 Quinceanera Reception Guide: 5 Steps to Fabulous Music first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> https://qbydavinci.com/blog/your-2016-quinceanera-reception-guide-5-steps-to-fabulous-music/feed/ 0 Music & Song for the Best Quinceanera Ever! https://qbydavinci.com/blog/music-song-for-the-best-quinceanera-ever/ https://qbydavinci.com/blog/music-song-for-the-best-quinceanera-ever/#respond Wed, 01 Jun 2016 01:40:48 +0000 http://qbydavinci.com/blog/?p=458 Putting together a Quinceanera music playlist involves much more than just making...

The post Music & Song for the Best Quinceanera Ever! first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> Putting together a Quinceanera music playlist involves much more than just making a list of your favorite songs. There’s always room for your top tracks, but keep in mind other kinds of music for different parts of the ceremony and the reception program. Here’s pretty much everything you need to know when it comes to song and music selections that will make for perfect ear candy for your Quinceanera, start to finish!

 Identify Music Requirements for Each Part of the Program

Having a gazillion Taio Cruz songs on your MP3 player isn’t going to cut it when you’re trying to fill four hours at your Quinceanera. The first thing you need to do is to break down the evening’s program and identify where you need songs or background music, then choose the best song for each section.

Music Suggestions from Beginning to End

1. Guests’ Arrival: You’ll want something unobtrusive, but that clearly sets the mood for the night’s festivities. A combination of classics and modern works well. Turned down low, the catchy vibe of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” followed by Prince Royce’s “Corazon Sin Cara” can set a party vibe. Just don’t ramp up into livelier music too fast. You want the music to help everyone gradually move into the serious partying that’s to come.

2. Quinceanera Entrance: Once everyone’s settled in, change the music for the emcee to introduce the star of the night: You! While you want to have something you really like, try to make it relevant to an introduction. Something catchy like “Hello” by Martin Solveig and Dragonette is bubbly and bright, while “Balada Para Adelina” adds a touch of culture.

3. Quinceanera Toast: This should be an instrumental, soft and light, so all eyes and ears can focus on those giving the toast. Frank Pourcel’s “Blue Danube” is a good choice.

4. Quinceanera Dinner: Everyone will be focused on food and socializing, so just like the arrival music, dinner music should be interesting yet unobtrusive. Play some smooth jazz, classical, and maybe a few lovely Latin American songs. Think about what would please your guests, both young and old, and hold back on the catchier tunes. You want your guests to enjoy the dinner and not have to shout over the music to be heard.

5. Quinceanera Ceremonies: This section calls for similar music as the Quinceanera toast, just not the exact same song. If you want something more contemporary, you could use Christina Aguilera’s “I Turn to You” or Boleros de Anyer’s “Mi Nina Bonita.”

6. Father-Daughter Dance: This is usually considered the most moving part of the night, so the father-daughter dance song should be something your dad can easily follow. Guaranteed tearjerkers are “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle and Luther Van Dross’ “Dance With My Father.” However, if your dad can dance—really dance—go all out and let him pick the wildest tune he wants!

7. Dance of the Court: All eyes will be on you and your damas and chambelanes as you take the floor for your choreographed song. For this part, use whatever you and your coordinator or choreographer chose. Don’t limit it to one song though, if you want to have a two-dance performance with a traditional Latin American dance then something more contemporary. You might like Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” as your modern choice, or something in the same mood.

8. Cake Cutting: There’s nothing better than the totally corny traditional “Happy Birthday” song, but put a spin on it if you want by spicing it up with a Mexican version, or something else festive and memorable.

9. Party Time:  Remember that MP3 playlist? The one with Ne-Yo, Usher, and Lady Gaga? Now’s the time! Just don’t forget to throw in a slower tune every 4 or 5 songs to give everybody a breather

Most of this music will be played by a DJ, so make sure you forward the list to him weeks (yes, weeks) before your Quince day. If you’re considering a band, double check that they can play the number of sets you’ll need. Keep in mind that a live band is usually more expensive than a DJ because the rate will have to be divided across all the members of the group. Therefore, if budget is a concern, then you could still have a live band but limit them to a set or two then rely on a disco mobile to provide  music for the rest of the night.

To Mariachi or Not to Mariachi

Ever popular is the Mariachi band and having one will add a distinctly Latin American touch to your Quinceanera. They can play during the different parts of the night such as the arrival, the dinner, Quinceanera ceremonies, and possibly during the first part of the dancing. Just give them time to rest in between sets—and don’t forget to feed them!

Whatever choices you make, your music should reflect your personal style and your own interpretation of what your Quinceanera means to you. Ask your friends, family members, your hired DJ and your live band for more help filling your night with the perfect Quinceanera music!

The post Music & Song for the Best Quinceanera Ever! first appeared on Q By DaVinci Blog.

]]> https://qbydavinci.com/blog/music-song-for-the-best-quinceanera-ever/feed/ 0