The Napkin or Item Pass - Monthly Activity

Card - Napkin - Item  PASS

Suggested Music:  Wipe out - Surfaris, Tequila - The Champs, Oh Yeah - Yello, We like to party - Vengaboys, Get ready for this - 2 unlimited

1. Ask one person at each table to take a napkin and raise it over their head so you can make sure that ONE person at each table has one.
2. Tell Them, “ When the music starts I want you to pass the napkin to the right. When the music stops we will have a lucky winner’.
3. Play music for 30 seconds and then abruptly stop and ask, “ Who has the napkin?”
4. Have the person with the napkin stand up and have everyone give them a round of applause like they have won something. When applause stops tell them, “You owe the person to your right One Dollar” or say “That was practice & this time it's for real”
5. Have them pass the napkin the Other way a second time. Let them know they can even pass it across the table if they or you wish.
6. Play Music for 10 to 20 seconds and abruptly stop and ask, “ Who has the napkin this time?”
7. Make the person with the napkin stand up and have everyone give them a round of applause.
8. Nominate the person standing The “Table Captain” or “Table God” or “Party God” and explain they will be responsible for their tables dancing and having fun. (optional) You can joke and say they are also responsible for cleaning up the mess everyone has made there.
9. You can award the centerpieces to these people IF the centerpieces are being given away and the client has told you this is ok.
10. Play Celebration or Get this party started or your opening DANCE song and tell the Table Captains to get the entire table of guests to the dance floor. (if it’s a tough crowd play a slow tune instead or go into the Multiplication or Anniversary dance).

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

The Hokey Pokey & Create a Dance - The Final Weekly Line Dance

For our Finale of the weekly line dance series we will give you a bonus of 2 dances, The Hokey Pokey & Create a Dance.

Hokey Pokey 

1. Have guests form a circle. 
2. Have them follow the commands of the song.

Create - A - Dance

Creating a dance is simple. Choose 4 different dance moves and repeat them 4 times. Then repeat those steps. For Example: 

• Head bop 4 times left 
• Head bop 4 times right 
• March in place 4 times 
• Clap 4 times 
• REPEAT

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Multiplication Dance - Monthly activity

Multiplication Dance

This is yet another activity to get guests on the dance floor, especially at a wedding.

1. Have Bride & Groom on the Center of the dance Floor Dancing.
2. Invite Guests to come out and make a circle around the Bride & Groom.
3. Start Slow song and Have Bride & Groom dance for 10 seconds or so.
4. When you say SWITCH Have B & G break apart and find a new partner to dance with from the circle. Have them dance 15 to 20 seconds and say SWITCH again.
5. Have those 4 people find 4 new partners to dance with. Let them dance for 20 seconds and say Switch again.
6. Continue until everyone is dancing.

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

The Alley Cat Dance - Weekly Line Dance Series

Alley Cat

1. Form a few lines like the electric slide. Start with the very first piano note. 
2. Tap right toe to the side and back twice. 
3. Tap left toe to the side and back twice. 
4. Tap right toe back and bring back twice 
5. Tap left toe back and bring back twice 
6. Lift right knee up twice 
7. Lift left knee up twice 
8. Lift right knee once 
9. Lift left knee once 
10. Clap turn ¼ turn counterclockwise and start at step 2

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Basic Line Dance Oldie Weekly Line Dance series

Line Dance (Soul Train) (The wanderer, Kansas City, Hang on sloopy, Respect, We are family, got to give it up, Mony Mony)

1. Men on one side of dance floor and women on the other side. 
2. Clap to the beat. 
3. Have couple on end of line come down the middle of the lines (dance floor) & dance. 
4. Repeat with each next couple.

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

The Stroll The Diamonds - Weekly line dance series

The Stroll (The Stroll - The Diamonds)

• Form 2 lines one on left and one on the right. 
• (Men on one side and women on the other) 
• Have each side clap to the beat

FOOTWORK:

1. Right foot across to the left in front 2 times. 
2. Step with right, bring left behind right, step right. (Grapevine step) 
3. Left foot across to right in front 2 times. 
4. Grapevine steps (step, under, step) 
5. Start with step 1

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Shout - The Isley Brothers - Weekly Line Dance series

Shout 1 & 2 - The Isley Brothers

This one is very simple all you have to do is play the song.

When they say SHOUT in the song make the people jump and reach for the sky. 

There are multiple singing options in this song but the most well known is having the crowd sing back “HEY- A - A - A” Etc.

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Hora - Tarantella - Irish Jig - Weekly Line Dance Series

Hora - Tarantella - Irish Jig (Hava Nagila - Tarantella - Lazy Mary - Irish Jig - Irish Washerwoman)

1. Have guests form a circle holding hands. 
2. Have them move to the right. 
3. Have them move to the left. 
4. Have them all move to the middle put hands up and scream. 
5. Back to the circle, have individuals or couples dance solo in the middle of the circle. 
6. If enough time have them hold hands and go back to steps 2-4

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Hand Jive - From The Grease Soundtrack

Hand Jive (Hand Jive - Grease soundtrack)

Here is how to do the Hand Jive from the movie Grease

1. Slap both hands on your thighs twice 
2. Clap your hands 2 times 
3. With your palms down Move Right hand to left side (over top of right hand) while moving your left hand to the right side and back. Do this 2 times. 
4. Move Left hand to right side (over top of left hand) while moving your right hand to the left side and back. Do this 2 times. 
5. Right fist over left fist & bang together twice 
6. Left fist over right fist & bang together twice 
7. Right hand in fist with thumb up throw thumb over right shoulder 2 times 
8. Left hand in fist with thumb up throw thumb over left shoulder 2 times 
9. Start from step 1 

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Monthly Activity Anniversary Dance

Activities to open a dance floor or do at an event

Here are 2 of 3 options to open a dance floor at a wedding or to simply use during the party.

Before opening any dance floor. Take the time on the microphone to introduce yourself and your company again and give the reason why your are there a round of applause BUT make sure you have everyone give the Hall and the Banquet Manager a round of Applause for an Excellent job they did with the meal.

Suggested Music for all three options (Slow Music)

• Always and Forever - Heatwave 
• Could I have this dance - Anne Murray 
• Through the years - Kenny Rogers 
• What a wonderful world - Louis Armstrong 
• Still the one - Shania Twain 
• Wind Beneath my wings - Bette Midler 

Option One: Invite guests to dance (Wedding or Anniversary)


“Ladies and Gentlemen, the dance floor is now officially open. I ask that all of the married couples here tonight come on out and help open up our dance floor.”

Option Two: Anniversary Dance

• Announce the dance floor is open. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the dance floor is now officially open."
• Ask couples to come to the dance floor based on the amount of years that they have been married, Start with those couples married more than 25 years. Wait 30 seconds 
• Go back 5 years and ask for 20 years or more to come out to the dance floor. Wait 30 seconds 
• Go back 5 years each time and ask those couples Wait 30 seconds 
• Once you get pats 5 years ask all newlyweds including the Bride & Groom to join the dance. 
• Ask engaged couples to join in. (optional) 
• Those that date but feel like they are married or those living in sin if you can get away with it. (optional) 
• The remaining people sitting should be single, ask the men to pick a partner & come join the dance. (optional) 

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Night Fever Dance - Bee Gees - Weekly line dance series

Night Fever Dance (Night Fever - Bee Gees)

1. (Begin when singing begins) John Travolta finger move. Left hand on left hip and right finger and arm extended out to the right pointing up, and bring it back across your body diagonally down to the left pointing down. (4 Times) 
2. Roll your fists in front of you for 2 beats 
3. Bring hands in to your side & point elbows out (Like wings) Move/flap for 2 beats 
4. Tap toe forward with left foot, tap toe back with left foot, tap toe forward again with left foot. Turn right counterclockwise ¼ turn. (4 Beats) 
5. 3 steps backwards and clap 
6. 3 steps forward and clap. 
7. Move right spinning clockwise a full turn hands in air & clap (4 Beats) 
8. Move left spinning counterclockwise a full turn hands in air & clap (4 Beats) 
9. With hands on hips Step forward with your right foot diagonally in front of your left foot and back twice. 
10. With hands still on hips Point right toe to the right swing pelvis right while pointing right with right hand 2 times. 
11. Start with step 1

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Maria - Ricky Martin - Weekly Line dance series

Maria (Maria - Ricky Martin [fast or slow version])

1. With left foot step forward and backwards for 8 counts (each step = 1 count) 
2. 3 steps to the right & clap (shake fits in front like you have maracas) 
3. 3 steps to the left & clap (shake fits in front like you have maracas) 
4. Put hands on hips and take 3 steps forward throw hands up in air on 4th beat 
5. With hands in air wave front & back while taking 3 steps back & clap 
6. Keep just right hand in air drop left down and turn ½ way counterclockwise. Circle your hand in the air while doing this (4 beats) EG: 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock 
7. Put left hand in air & the right down and turn ¾ around clockwise. Circle your hand in the air while doing this (4 beats) EG: 6 o’clock to 3 o’clock 
8. Start from step 1

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

The Soul City Walk Line Dance - Weekly line dance seies

Soul City Walk (Got to give it up - Marvin Gaye)

1. 3 Steps beck and clap 
2. 3 Steps forward and clap 
3. 3 steps to the right and clap 
4. 3 steps to the left and clap 
5. With Right foot step to the right and follow with the left & sway body right at the same time 
6. With Left foot step to the left and follow with the right & sway body left at the same time 
7. Click heels together twice 
8. Right foot tap toe forward 2 times 
9. Right foot tap toe backwards 2 times 
10. Right foot tap toe forward once, backward once, forward once again, immediately turn ¼ turn counterclockwise while raising right knee 
11. Start from step 1

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

The Twist Contest - Weekly Game/contest

Twist Contest

Suggested Music: ( The Twist & Let’s twist again - Chubby Checker, Peppermint Twist - Little Richard, Twist and shout - The Beatles)

• Set-up: Have 5 of your business cards ready with the numbers 1 through 5 on them. You should come out of a slow set where the dance floor is full. Also, do not, under any circumstances, announce this is a twist contest. 

1. Play The Twist and during the song go out and hand out each of the 5 cards to the wildest, most creative twisters. Simply tell them to hold on to the card. 
2. Near or at the end of the song ask the 5 couples to remain on the dance floor, the rest should move off to the side. 
3. Explain that these are the 5 best twisting couples and these finalists will dance one more twist so we can watch them dance and then pick a winning couple. Tell the couples to do their best and be as wild, fun, and creative as possible. 
4. Play Let’s Twist again and somewhere 30 seconds in Line up all 5 couples on the dance floor and ask for a round of applause for each couple one at a time. Loudest round of applause wins. 

Hint: If you can’t decide between two couples or as an added bonus to the winners, have them dance to one more song. Play “The Stripper - David Rose” for fun and see what happens.

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

The Limbo by Chubby Checker New Weekly Friday Game or Contest series

We will be posting a weekly game or contest that you can do at your events. Please check in each Friday for a New game or contest. This week:

Limbo Contest

Suggested Music: ( Limbo rock, let’s limbo some more - Chubby Checker, Hot hot hot - Buster poindexter, Any Reggae song.

• Find 2 volunteers to hold the Limbo pole 
• Ask for a spotter to help people under 
• Demonstrate proper technique under limbo pole. 
• No Ducking under 
• No touching the ground 
• No knee touching 
• No butt touching 
• No touching the pole 
• Eliminate those not doing the limbo correctly. 
• Lower the pole as the contest goes on until you are down to the last person. The last person must successfully go under the pole at the level where the second to the last person was unable to do. 
• Give a round of applause for the winner. 
• You may wish to pick a winner for boys and girls or men and women.
• You may wish to ask a guest officiate with you.

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Proms

Proms

Spring time means a time for the gentle rains, delightful fragrances, and young love. So dig out those Slow pop dance tunes: It's prom season. These events (even junior proms) can happen any day of the week, with Wednesday through Saturday being the heaviest. This can mean an extra gig or two during the week for you.

Plain and simple, ANYONE can DJ a Prom! Some of you may equate a prom with just another kids dance and you're just not a kids party DJ. Well let me bring you up to speed.

A Prom is an event where it's very easy to meet the client's/guests expectations. DJs ask if they should be the main focus of attention at a prom?The answer is NO! Their attention is focused on their date and their immediate clique of friends. Furthermore they are already thinking towards post-prom festivities; the beach, the room at the hotel, etc. Now don't get me wrong, they still want to party. Let them know early on that you got this by playing the current HOT dance music and requests. Of course you will have to choose from the overwhelming request list they give you. You will see a little bit of everything and from all genres and years. You will even be surprised at the older tuns they pick.

This brings us to the most important musical feature of your evening: Slow Jams! If nothing else works, throw in one of the MANY slow dance requests you have and just watch the dance floor fill up. Add in a few pre-requisites, like the way you are dressed, the cavalcade of pictures, the Prom theme song, and the coronation of the King and Queen, and you just met their expectations. Simply deliver the goods.

Right now, I'll bet there is a rookie DJ somewhere who is reading this and is really confused. Meeting the client's expectations? As DJs we are always told to EXCEED The clients expectations! That is correct! Rise to the occasion and have some fun with it. Feel out the crowd with an activity or line dance early on. This will give you a clearer indication of the direction you're going to want to go. Perhaps the music will work better, or maybe you will just run those activities and line dances. You can do t all at some proms. Nothing else you do will pull them together as a class more than a group activity or dance.

And while the last few notes of the hottest slow song fades down, you will have for a fleeting moment, transcended their animal like passions at the local hotel, to pure thoughts of the great time they had with you "Their DJ". The results: A killer show, a handsome gratuity, and lots of potential referrals (graduation parties, etc.).

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Wedding Dollar Dance The Weekly Activity series turned Monthly

Dollar Dance - For Weddings

This was part of a weekly activity post that got held up in July but now we are firing it up again monthly. So look for the monthly posts to learn a new activity. We continue with the traditional wedding dollar dance.

The Dollar Dance evolved out of a traditional ceremony at Polish weddings. Often referred to as “The Apron Dance”, it involved the bride dancing with gentlemen for a short period of time after giving the maid of honor, who is wearing an apron, money or an envelope for the couple. The money or envelopes would be put in a pocket labeled His or Hers (Families) or the apron would be held in the shape of a basket.

The bride would traditionally wear a babushka and dance a traditional polka with each man. Once the last man, usually her father, dances with her. The men form a circle around the bride and keep circling around. The groom is then to fight his way through the circle to meet the bride in the center. This dance is popular in some regions of the East Coast and NOT in others.

Today’s Dollar dance goes as follows:

• Bride stands on one side of the dance floor and the groom stands on the other side. Men line up for the bride & women for the groom. 
• The maid of honor and best man can help out collecting the money if the bride and groom do not want to. 
• The people in each line pay a dollar or more to dance with either the Bride or the Groom for about 15 to 20 seconds. 
• The Dollar dance can last as long as a half hour so you should be prepared to play a couple of classic slow dances.

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

Get down tonight - KC & the Sunshine Band Weekly line Dance

Get Down Tonight   (Get down tonight - KC & The Sunshine Band)

1. Begin on first word of first verse “Baby Baby” Take 3 steps to the right and clap (4 Beats) 
2. Take 3 steps to the left and clap (4 Beats) 
3. Take 3 steps to the right and clap (4 Beats) 
4. Take 3 steps to the left and clap (4 Beats) 
5. Turn clockwise while going right (spin) (4beats) 
6. Turn counterclockwise while going left (spin) (4beats) 
7. Turn clockwise while going right (spin) (4beats) 
8. Turn counterclockwise while going left (spin) (4beats) 
9. “ Do A Little Dance” - Throw hands in the air and shake your body 
10. “Make a Little Love” - Cross your arms giving yourself a hug 
11. "Get Down Tonight” - Drop to the ground bending knees & spring up and clap Twice 
12. Begin on the first word of the next verse start at step 1

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

The Booty Call by Cochice Weekly Line dance series

Booty Call

Here is how to do the Booty Call by Cochise (remix)

1. 3 Steps to the right and clap 
2. 3 Steps to the left and clap 
3. 3 Steps backwards and clap 
4. Jump forward (first beat) and shake your body 3 beats 
5. Step forward with right foot, keep foot in place & sway hips back and forth 4 beats 
6. Step forward with left foot, keep foot in place & sway hips back and forth 4 beats 
7. Now BOX STEP (4 count) twice to equal 8 counts, but on 8th count turn ¼ turn clockwise. 
8. Start again

Box Step (Imagine stepping on the corners of a box on the floor)

• Your feet will be in a stance from step 6 where your left foot will be extended out to the left side.
• BEGINNING : Take your right foot and step forward crossing over your left foot to step in front of it to the left. (right foot is stepping on the top left corner of our box)
• Now lean a bit on the right foot and step back 12 or so inches with your left foot.(left foot is stepping on the bottom left corner of our box)
• Take your right foot and move it back to the right so your feet are split a bit.(right foot is stepping on the bottom right corner of our box)
• Take your left foot and step in front of your right foot(left foot is stepping on the top right corner of our box)
• Back to BEGINNING

Please visit our Website for information on DJ Classes in-person or on line at http://www.djentertainmentschool.com

End of Summer or Start of School dance season?

The End of Summer or The Beginning of The School Year

Most people view the arrival of labor day as the unofficial end of summer. Most disc jockeys however, see it as the beginning of the fall wedding season. While it is true that we perform at many weddings during this time as in the springtime, this season also has its share of other parties, including SCHOOL DANCES.

Talk to five disc jockeys and you will get five different opinions of school dances. Some say they are easy. Some say they are the most difficult. Some will tell you the music is most important while others feel activities make the dance a success.

The truth is that all of these viewpoints are right. Since you can’t predict exactly what the students will respond to, the best advice is to be prepared for anything.

MUSIC SELECTION

If you want teens to dance, you’ve got to tune in to what they like. Generally they choose to dance to the current popular hits. Listen to the local top 40 Radio station or just visit their website for their playlist to get an example of what the hottest songs are. When you call your client, ask if the students prepared a list of songs for you and make the effort to bring them with you. Of course you can always ask your fellow DJs for suggestions. They will tell you to play some of yesterday’s hits as well as classics.

ACTIVITIES

Your selection of activities will vary based on the age group you are dealing with as well as the groups overall opinion of such activities. When speaking to the client, talk to them about previous dances to find out more specific information about the students. Were a lot of activities done? Were the students receptive to them? You will find that in almost all cases you will hear reports that the activities were the hit of the party.

Use your “people skills” to make the following activities fun for students. The Cha Cha Slide, The Cupid Shuffle, The Wobble, a choo choo train, the twist, multiplication dance, and even the Chicken Dance can all be successful if you, once again, try to “tune in” to the students!