Today's tip comes yet again by way of my good friend, Chad Ricardo aka The Mitzvah Maestro.

A user wrote in with a very valid question and one that can sometimes seem a little trivial to families when planning their event whether it be a Wedding, Corporate Party, or a Bar and Bat Mitzvah. The question is, as written to Chad:

"Chad,
Thank you for taking time to read this. Our very first Bar Mitzvah is on the horizon and the closer it gets, the more frantic I’m becoming!
I feel as though I could ask you 20,000 questions, but if I do, you likely won’t respond, so I’ll stick with the most pressing one at this time. Dancers. Are they really that important? My son has a majority of male friends. We anticipate around 90-100 total, with 65 or so being boys. How many of these dancers do you believe we should have and does it matter if they're boys or girls?
Again, Thank you so Much!"

Chad Answers:

Claire,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write me! And listen, I can assure you that I would have found the time to write you back, even if you asked ALL 20,000 of your questions… I’d have just had to hope you received my response before your date came and passed!

So here’s the deal, as a Master of Ceremonies, I tell the families I work with that dancers are very important, in fact they are often instrumental in the overall flow of the night. Reason being, aside from dancing, they have a ton of other responsibilities that assist with the facilitation of your party; they pass out favors, help lead your teens to where they should be and AWAY from where they shouldn't and they take care of things for you and your guests. A quality dancer will aid your party in myriad of ways.

To the specifics of your question, with that many boys, chances are you will want 4 dancers. A great MC can get away with 3, but if you have it in your budget to stretch for 4, it’s likely in your best interest. I’m of the belief that you should keep a 1: 25 ratio, dancers to teens, thus that falls closely within those parameters. Furthermore, the gender of your preferred dancers really depends on the type of teens you have. If your fellas are more athletic and rambunctious , it’s likely best you request that 3 of your 4 dancers be male to help them have fun, while keeping their rough-housing to a minimal. If your guys believe themselves to be smooth and charming, ask for 2 females to accompany the 2 males. Your guys will enjoy trying out their latest pick-up lines on the older women!

At the end of the day, quality dancers will serve as a huge benefit to your Bar Mitzvah. You’ll throw a great party and you, AND YOUR MC will be thankful to have had them at your disposal.

I hope this helps and I’ll be looking for the other 19,999.
Create a Great Day!

Your MM
Chad Ricardo

 

 

I agree with Chad's advice. I have photographed well over 200 Mitzvahs and from my experience EVERY party rises to a whole new level when there are dancers at the party interacting with guests, dancing, motivating others who might otherwise not dance to get out on the dance floor and have a great time. The female dancers have their purpose and male dancers have theirs as well. I find that a good appropriate mix manages all aspects of personalities at a wedding, corporate event, or a Bar and Bat Mitzvah.

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