FAQS
General Questions
- How to book your services: You can call, text, or email with the time and date of your event to check availability. Once a date and time has been locked down, we will talk about the details, like location, event type, theming, special requests, etc. After that is ironed out, I will send a confirmation email outlining all the details, along with an invoice for the non-refundable deposit. The balance will be payed on the day of the performance, once I am finished.
- What payments do you accept? I accept cash, Cashapp, Venmo, Zelle, Paypal, ApplePay, Credit Card, Klarna, Affirm, Link, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. *No Checks*
- Are deposits refundable? No. Deposits are non-refundable. However, they can be put towards another event if you reschedule or decide to hire me for another event. Deposits are $100.
- Are there other fees? It depends on the time, location, date, and event type. Your price may incur travel, last-minute booking, holiday, or late night fees..
- What is fair pricing and why do you charge what you charge? In Central Florida, professional belly dancers charge starting at $300+ for a single show up to 25 minutes, for private gigs. For restaurants, it starts at $125. Dancers who charge less than the going rate are usually students, or dancers who are new, inexperienced, and without a mentor to guide them into fair pricing for our area. There is much more that happens behind the scenes than just "25 minutes of dancing". There's practice and lessons, there's being our own digital marketer and secretary, makeup, costumes, travel, sewing, etc. We are a one-person act, and have learned to wear every hat a regular business would assign different people to wear. You are under no obligation to hire me, but please be wary of hiring a "professional" dancer who is not charging at the professional going rate. I sincerely do not believe you want your special ocassion to be someone's practice gig. For more info, please visit Belly Dance Rates by Region by Samira Shuruk.
Performance Questions
- What can I expect from your performance? One (1) show is up to 25 minutes long, depending on how long you prefer. From my experience, 20-25 minutes is the ideal length to hold the audience's attention, and not detract from the rest of the party. The show itself depends on you and your guests! Do you want a more authentic Egyptian experience with little to no props? No problem. Are we doing a more "Golden Era", American Cabaret style, where I bring out 2-3 props and my zills? You got it! Mixed crowd, and want a mixed playlist? I have a wide selection and also take requests! What you can expect is audience participation, connection, and a wholeheartedly fun time for everyone, from the youngest guest, to the oldest. I love dancing, and I love when the energy is returned, and we can all celebrate together and have such a raw and vulnerable human experience like sharing music and dance during a happy occasion ☺️
- Is belly dancing family friendy? Yes, it certainly is! However, there is a lot of misinformation out there about what belly dance truly is. Belly dance is a beautiful, cultural art form originating from the MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic [Greek], Turkish) regions, and it has been enjoyed by men, women, and children for centuries. It's important to note that belly dance encompasses a variety of styles that differ from region to region. We kindly ask that you not confuse this artistic expression with other forms of dance. While belly dance may appear sensual and it is customary to tip performers, the two art forms are not synonymous. Thank you for understanding.
- Why should I hire a belly dancer? Great question! To begin with, hiring a belly dancer is not just any ordinary choice, it's a one-of-a-kind experience for you and your guests. Witnessing the mesmerizing movements and the captivating artistry of belly dancing is not only engaging, but also deeply expressive. If you seek to infuse your event with fun, unforgettable moments, something truly special, and culturally enriching, then look no further! Hiring a belly dancer will elevate your Quinceañera, wedding, engagement party, Galentine's celebration, birthday bash, corporate event, or any special occasion to a whole new level of excitement and enchantment. Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to create lasting memories and leave a lasting impact on your guests!
- Do you do bachelor parties or all-male events? No I do not. I also do not do any single-person shows, or perform at any adult-entertainment venues. Please do not ask for any exceptions on this.
- Is tipping required? While tipping is not required, it is of course very much appreciated. It is also culturally customary to "throw" money or "make it rain" on the dancer for good luck during weddings or birthdays. Tips are usually placed where the dancer lets you, eg: the side of their hip, arm bands, any straps around their stomach, or even halter straps, depending on the audience. If you are not comfortable placing tips on their person, you may just hand them. the money directly. For me specifically, I read the room, and will often use the tipping process as part of my performance to include the audience with an interaction, if I see they are willing to play along with me. No cash? No problem! After my show, if you are so inclined to tip, I have a QR code that will direct you to all of my payment options where you can leave a tip!
- Am I hiring you directly, or will another dancer show up to my event? What you see is what you get! I am not an entertainment manager, nor do I hire out other dancers. I am a one-woman act, and I do everything myself, including hiring myself out, and advertisig for myself. The person with whom you communicate, whether that is via call, text, or email, will always be me 100% of the time. I am with you throughout the whole planning process, from the moment you decide to hire me, until my time with you is done. And if I've done my job correctly, I hope to see you again at future events 🎉