Full Version: Hawaiian Summer Ball
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I've just got a booking for a Summer Ball for 80, 11 year olds. The theme is Hawaiian. They want lots of games and don't feel the kids will dance that much. Have any of you got any ideas for both music and games? I can really only think of the Limbo and Musical Islands. It's 2 and half hours long and they will be eating during that time too.
Have you had a look here for ideas?
Good tip - be confident and don't let 'em see the whites of your eyes!
Jokes aside, if you would like to discuss pointers further over the phone - don't hesitate to give me a shout.
Good tip - be confident and don't let 'em see the whites of your eyes!
Jokes aside, if you would like to discuss pointers further over the phone - don't hesitate to give me a shout.
Luau Party Music CD Drew's Famous
1. Hawaii Five-O - (Theme Song)
2. Surfin' USA
3. Iko Iko
4. Kokomo
5. Tide Is High, The
6. Tiny Bubbles
7. Copacabana
8. Oye Como Va
9. Good Vibrations
10. Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
11. I Can See Clearly Now
12. Don't Worry, Be Happy
13. Blue Hawaii
14. Wipeout
15. Red Red Wine
16. Hands Up (The Club Med Songs)
17. Aloha Oe
http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/...Party+Music.htm
Hey thanks for your suggestions and link.
Do you think that track listing would go down well with 11 year olds though?
I've been talking to some people and they seem to think that that age group won't really want games at all and would prefer a proper disco.
Do you think that track listing would go down well with 11 year olds though?
I've been talking to some people and they seem to think that that age group won't really want games at all and would prefer a proper disco.
yeah i usually do the odd dancing competition at this age but thats it...
i do a lot of kids parties and fidn this age prefer a disco to disco and games.
dont plan to ahead adapt to what they need!
i do a lot of kids parties and fidn this age prefer a disco to disco and games.
dont plan to ahead adapt to what they need!
QUOTE(llcooljoe @ Mar 15 2008, 12:37 AM) 
I've been talking to some people and they seem to think that that age group won't really want games at all and would prefer a proper disco.
You said "They want lots of games and don't feel the kids will dance that much. "
You also said "It's 2 and half hours long and they will be eating during that time too."
Children are of course critical. If you don't get their attention in the first 5-10 mins then imagine the rest of the party.
So how do you intend to grab all their attention from the off, play a particular record?
Too much music for dancing, the kids will get bored. Too many games and the kids will get bored.
Of the many elements to a successful childrens disco party, it's partly about finding the right balance and partly to do with whether you are a DJ entertainer who provides games or just a DJ who plays music...if the latter, then maybe the gig is not for you! If prepared to provide games / have experience of then it won't be all bad!
Everyone needs to be and feel included. Yes, there are times when there is the odd exception (dare I say awkward child) but they grow up to become the awkward individual at an adult gig anyway! LOL!
From my own experience of childrens discos at this age group, between 3-4 spaced out (but quick fire) games in an hour is enough for keeping the attention.
I'd do as many 'games' for the second hour but depending on the nature of the function would depend on how I'd close the party. It's probably easier when catering for a birthday party but when performing for a larger function, in your case a themed function then I'd probably make it clear to the organisers before I statred that I'd want adult volunteers nominated towards the end of the gig for the finale. The more adults to hand, the better. Let the organisers help you make it a great time for all.
Children love interaction and especially when adults are involved, so don't be afraid to 'use' the parents who are attending. Get them roped in to assist. Great fun.
I find that the more kids at a function, the better. Yes the room will be full of noise and the screams but hey, that's all part of the atmosphere.
More tips...
Is to do a head count / get the organisers to do a head count.
It's easier to get larger amounts of children to nominate team leaders, to line up into 'teams', to get one 'team' to go in one direction and others in another...great for congas, competitive games, etc.
If you intend to do give-aways, don't do it too early and make sure you have enough for all.
Older children will want more disco than games sure, but still appreciate interaction and adult participation.
Hey thanks, you have given me loads of really good advice and I really appreciate it. I think you are right, I do need the games. I can't see 11 year olds disco dancing for 2 and a half hours.
Do you think I should start with a game quite early on into it?
Someone has suggested hula hoops too.
Do you think I should start with a game quite early on into it?
Someone has suggested hula hoops too.
From experience, if you don't get their attention in the first 5 mins, the rest of the gig could be very hard work.
Some party entertainers use a 'ref whistle' to aid in triggering start, stops, etc but I've never used as after having endured at another party as a guest, after a while, the noise was toooo much for my ears! Each to their own!
My strong tip is refrain from direct physical interaction with the kids and be mindful of your language!
We can all make mistakes but try not to let it be verbally heard by little radar ears!!!!
Everyone attending needs to be included so why not try a great fun warm up!
Instruct the organisers that refreshments will be required from the off and that it would be ideal to set-up drinks ready after your initial routine as the kids may be pretty thirsty after the warm up! If there is no bin allocated for cup disposables, rubbish, etc, it would help as you won't want rubbish and sticky cups placed on or near your disco gear….
Prepare and cue a 130-140 bpm track and a follow up track ideal for a mad conga.
The following is ideal to be quick and fast paced - no hesitation in instruction - your confidence and clarity is essential!!!
Get everyone to spread out in the room first, ready for the 'party warm up'. No contact with another is the aim - even with arms spread out, no one should be able to touch anyone else.
Following your directions / call to actions, from shaking their hands in the air to down by their sides, to waving their arms from side to side, jogging to running mad on the spot, to jumping up and down, you use the music as the essential trigger to start the warm up (for atmosphere and setting the pace of the moment) your directions obviously trigger the outcome - keep it measured but paced as you'll only have around 2+ mins of music time to play with.
During the early part of the warm up, you may have to show the kids exactly what to do - you can show actions and let everyone see you are interacting which is effectively building a rapport and confidence in your instruction. They may even laugh at watching what you are doing which is fine - all part of the fun!
If you have a roadie in the form of 'an assistant', this will be easier to demonstrate actions.
If not, ask for the helpful assistance of one of the organisers for a moment. The kids will love it.
Get everyone to quickly grab a partner and follow you and your roadies/assistants movement.
Sometimes referred to as 'Rolling out the Barrel", or "Barrel Rolling", the movement is seen in rock n roll dancing.
Position one, standing facing your partner, lift your partners hands/fingers just above head height and both of you turn in one direction (mirroring one another) at the same time and repeat the 'roll' movement until you have completed a 'roll'.
In detail, you 'roll' towards one direction.
Say 'rolling' towards your right, your right hand will raise and your left hand will lower as your arms and body perform a rolling movement.
Your body will twist and you will end up facing backwards to your partner/assistant as you 'roll' yourselves, eventually facing one another again at position one.
Your partner will have to turn in the same direction as you and will be mirroring your actions, thus leading with their left hand as they 'roll', as you are leading with your right.
Good idea to practice with the roadie first before the party if unsure!
As long as you are sure of what you are doing, it will be easier to instruct an assistant.
When you have shown the kids how to do the movement, verbally give praise and point to those that are doing the routine - other kids will follow them!
Now get them to do the routine as quickly as possible - Roll out the barrel - and keep the pace up by getting the kids to change partners a couple of times for the same actions, they will scream and go mad to find a partner! Change the direction of the movement by calling to everyone to change direction. Find another partner. Roll out the barrel. Find another partner.
Call for the kids to find the original partner! Can be utter chaos, but fun which is also the intention! Three to four times/changes is usually enough!
Towards the end of the music currently playing, get everyone to line up in front of you in one long line.
Ask the kids to shout back to you if they are all warmed up yet? Can you hear the replies?! Ask again!
Then get the kids to place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.
They will identify with lining up from school.
Get every one to lean left, then right, they will follow your direction and don't worry about exaggerating the leaning! It's fun!
Then get them to lean forward then backwards - but empathise the 'backwards' word and the laughter and screams will let you know the feeling!
OK, now get everyone marching on the spot, still holding onto the shoulders of the person in front. You can even get them to stamp their feet so you can 'hear' them!
Stick on your ideal conga track, say Arrow's 'Hot Hot Hot' and direct the children to follow the lead child.
Make the conga fun by making the mass conga occasionally walk backwards, then forwards.
Get the kids to all turn around and change direction following the child who was at the back.
Speed the conga up, slow it down, change the direction, etc.
All of this action is carried out in 5 mins.
Bring the music to a close and get every one to come forward, gather round to listen.
Ask those who are thirsty to put their hands up and many usually will!
Now, get the children to all line up in front of where the refreshments are and not to forget that the floor may be slippery, not to run around with a drink in their hands.
You can tell them that there will be more games to come, "lets have some dancing music on and there will be more games announced sooooon!"
Stick on some pop music!
You are attempting to get everyone's attention in the first 3-5 mins to allow you to keep the attention as required during the course of the party.
Keep the games and the instruction clear and simple.
If you are going to use props such as hula hoops, great. But do you have 80 hula hoops to hand?
If you can't provide enough for all to use, you can adapt and stick 5 or 6 large hula hoops on the floor and play a musical islands type game, removing a hoop every round. Kids must keep feet in the hula hoop, etc.
Those left in the final hoop win that game - get a treat, etc, but try to include all in the treat giveaways if you can as there is nothing worse than the moaning parent or sobbing child - it happens even at this age group.
Adapt to the environment and note that humid conditions may cause dehydration so be mindful how far you push the kids during the party, after they've eaten, etc.
Enjoy.
Some party entertainers use a 'ref whistle' to aid in triggering start, stops, etc but I've never used as after having endured at another party as a guest, after a while, the noise was toooo much for my ears! Each to their own!
My strong tip is refrain from direct physical interaction with the kids and be mindful of your language!
We can all make mistakes but try not to let it be verbally heard by little radar ears!!!!
Everyone attending needs to be included so why not try a great fun warm up!
Instruct the organisers that refreshments will be required from the off and that it would be ideal to set-up drinks ready after your initial routine as the kids may be pretty thirsty after the warm up! If there is no bin allocated for cup disposables, rubbish, etc, it would help as you won't want rubbish and sticky cups placed on or near your disco gear….
Prepare and cue a 130-140 bpm track and a follow up track ideal for a mad conga.
The following is ideal to be quick and fast paced - no hesitation in instruction - your confidence and clarity is essential!!!
Get everyone to spread out in the room first, ready for the 'party warm up'. No contact with another is the aim - even with arms spread out, no one should be able to touch anyone else.
Following your directions / call to actions, from shaking their hands in the air to down by their sides, to waving their arms from side to side, jogging to running mad on the spot, to jumping up and down, you use the music as the essential trigger to start the warm up (for atmosphere and setting the pace of the moment) your directions obviously trigger the outcome - keep it measured but paced as you'll only have around 2+ mins of music time to play with.
During the early part of the warm up, you may have to show the kids exactly what to do - you can show actions and let everyone see you are interacting which is effectively building a rapport and confidence in your instruction. They may even laugh at watching what you are doing which is fine - all part of the fun!
If you have a roadie in the form of 'an assistant', this will be easier to demonstrate actions.
If not, ask for the helpful assistance of one of the organisers for a moment. The kids will love it.
Get everyone to quickly grab a partner and follow you and your roadies/assistants movement.
Sometimes referred to as 'Rolling out the Barrel", or "Barrel Rolling", the movement is seen in rock n roll dancing.
Position one, standing facing your partner, lift your partners hands/fingers just above head height and both of you turn in one direction (mirroring one another) at the same time and repeat the 'roll' movement until you have completed a 'roll'.
In detail, you 'roll' towards one direction.
Say 'rolling' towards your right, your right hand will raise and your left hand will lower as your arms and body perform a rolling movement.
Your body will twist and you will end up facing backwards to your partner/assistant as you 'roll' yourselves, eventually facing one another again at position one.
Your partner will have to turn in the same direction as you and will be mirroring your actions, thus leading with their left hand as they 'roll', as you are leading with your right.
Good idea to practice with the roadie first before the party if unsure!
As long as you are sure of what you are doing, it will be easier to instruct an assistant.
When you have shown the kids how to do the movement, verbally give praise and point to those that are doing the routine - other kids will follow them!
Now get them to do the routine as quickly as possible - Roll out the barrel - and keep the pace up by getting the kids to change partners a couple of times for the same actions, they will scream and go mad to find a partner! Change the direction of the movement by calling to everyone to change direction. Find another partner. Roll out the barrel. Find another partner.
Call for the kids to find the original partner! Can be utter chaos, but fun which is also the intention! Three to four times/changes is usually enough!
Towards the end of the music currently playing, get everyone to line up in front of you in one long line.
Ask the kids to shout back to you if they are all warmed up yet? Can you hear the replies?! Ask again!
Then get the kids to place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.
They will identify with lining up from school.
Get every one to lean left, then right, they will follow your direction and don't worry about exaggerating the leaning! It's fun!
Then get them to lean forward then backwards - but empathise the 'backwards' word and the laughter and screams will let you know the feeling!
OK, now get everyone marching on the spot, still holding onto the shoulders of the person in front. You can even get them to stamp their feet so you can 'hear' them!
Stick on your ideal conga track, say Arrow's 'Hot Hot Hot' and direct the children to follow the lead child.
Make the conga fun by making the mass conga occasionally walk backwards, then forwards.
Get the kids to all turn around and change direction following the child who was at the back.
Speed the conga up, slow it down, change the direction, etc.
All of this action is carried out in 5 mins.
Bring the music to a close and get every one to come forward, gather round to listen.
Ask those who are thirsty to put their hands up and many usually will!
Now, get the children to all line up in front of where the refreshments are and not to forget that the floor may be slippery, not to run around with a drink in their hands.
You can tell them that there will be more games to come, "lets have some dancing music on and there will be more games announced sooooon!"
Stick on some pop music!
You are attempting to get everyone's attention in the first 3-5 mins to allow you to keep the attention as required during the course of the party.
Keep the games and the instruction clear and simple.
If you are going to use props such as hula hoops, great. But do you have 80 hula hoops to hand?
If you can't provide enough for all to use, you can adapt and stick 5 or 6 large hula hoops on the floor and play a musical islands type game, removing a hoop every round. Kids must keep feet in the hula hoop, etc.
Those left in the final hoop win that game - get a treat, etc, but try to include all in the treat giveaways if you can as there is nothing worse than the moaning parent or sobbing child - it happens even at this age group.
Adapt to the environment and note that humid conditions may cause dehydration so be mindful how far you push the kids during the party, after they've eaten, etc.
Enjoy.
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