Booking a Performance

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Ask Nikki (FAQs) >Performance and Events

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"Just wanted to thank you... again for Saturday. My mom was so surprised and everyone enjoyed the performance so much. Several people called yesterday to say thanks and that you were the highlight of the evening! You really helped to make it an extra special evening for my mom and for that I can’t thank you enough! Will let you know as soon as I have the pictures..can’t wait!" ~ S.B. xoxoxo

Bellydance is traditionally performed at weddings and festivals to warm the hearts of the gathered people. Nicola combines the artistry of Orientale dance with a friendly, pleasant, playful attitude. A bellydance performance brings magic, fun, and a touch of the exotic to any party. Nicola offers family-friendly shows from short 5 minute Bellygrams to full length stage shows, from mixed lessons and dance demos, to full day workshops for dancers of all levels. Nicola regularly performs at weddings, parties, retirements, cultural events, festivals, stagettes/bachelorettes, blessing ways, promotions, and more.

Beautiful, elegant, compelling, magnetic, smooth, powerful, classic, sensuous, nuanced, pretty, and playful--these are some of the words used to describe Nicola’s dancing. At numerous workshops and shows, master-level dancers have commented on her talent as a performer, including Cassandra, Hadia, Jalilah Zamora, and Suzannah del Vecchio.

As one of the best dancers in Western Canada, Nicola is in high demand. Her varied and extensive experience makes her a charming, entertaining performer in any venue. Nicola has danced in restaurants, on numerous stages, in gyms, cabarets, parks, homes, backyards, and poolside on the pavement. She has even taught and danced on a piano bench!

For more details, see Nicola CV.

Nicola’s Spice Road Belly Dance, Winnipeg’s premiere bellydance troupe, is ideal for longer or more demanding gigs, such as galas and festivals, or when you want the whole venue filled up with the swirl of veils and the chiming of finger cymbals.

Nicola’s shows are performed in authentic, beautiful, tasteful costuming that she chooses based on the audience, the venue, and the style of dancing. Costuming styles reflect current trends in Egypt.

YES! Nicola donates a certain amount of free and discounted shows to charities, non-profits, and community groups based on a first-come, first-served basis. She also will donate gift certificates. Sorry, donations of shows will not be granted to private citizens/groups, corporations/businesses, and/ or promotional events. Nicola’s student group, Amara, co-directed by Za’ina Dilshad, is available for shows where all performers are unpaid, such as street festivals and community gatherings (at the directors’ discretion).

Nicola is happy to discuss your booking over the phone or via email, but requires your completing a Booking Confirmation by email or in person. This form will be sent to you after your phone or email booking is made. Kindly read this entire section prior to the booking interview so you have your event details prepared.

Please click this hyperlink to Performance Rates for prices and packages
available.

What YOU need to know prior to booking:

deposit of 25% is required 2 weeks in advance
bookings made less than 48 hours before an event carry an additional
charge of $25
the host must provide a private, secure space to warm-up and/or change, and to store belongings/costuming during the performance
Nicola and her troupe require a stereo system that will play burned CDs/MP3s
the venue should be as you described it during the booking interview
your audience will behave in a respectful manner --Nicola is a dancer and entertainer, not a stripper
payment is due promptly upon arrival, by cash or cheque. Advance payment may be paid by Paypal.

Nicola reserves the right to refuse a show at our discretion. If she arrives and deems the venue or audience unfit or unsafe, she will decline the show. Your deposit and (in the event of out of town booking) transportation fees will be retained.

Spice Road Belly Dance troupe and Amara student group require:

ceiling height of a minimum 7 feet
performance space of a minimum 12 feet by 12 feet
a private space to wait in and for final preparation before performing for 4+ women
access to a bathroom
access to water

More info about Spice Road.

Nicola and her troupe will:

arrive on time (15-30 minutes or so prior to start), prepared, and ready to perform
act with a courteous and professional manner
are willing to answer questions about bellydance

Sorry, we WON’T:

dance at men-only bachelor/stag parties
sing (i.e. birthday songs)
write messages on our bellies
sit on laps or be otherwise handled
perform in unsafe situations, and/or where drugs or excessive alcohol arebeing used
dance in cages
mingle or socialize while in costuming (we are not spokesmodels or escorts)
strip or perform out of costume (in non-belly dance attire) or dance to Western music (i.e. not Middle Eastern)

What Nicola needs to know:
What is the event?

reason or theme
why are you choosing belly dance? (expectations)
is it a surprise?

Who is the audience?

who/how many people attending (ages, women only, co-ed , children)

Where will it be held?

location with specific directions
indoor or outdoor
flooring--cement, carpet, hardwood, etc.
height of ceiling
obstacles or hazards --open fire, animals, other performers
size of the dancing area

About the performance...

length of set, number of sets
special requests/preferences regarding, music, styles/props, costuming, etc.
anyone you would like pulled up to dance? (e.g. birthday-girl/boy)

Invite the magic and beauty of Orientale dance to your next celebration. Nicola will be the life of your next party and host an event that will be remembered for years to come!

Nicola is also available for consulting, choreography, television and film work.

“On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined” Lord Byron