“Recital Prep Day” is a fun event that’s not only a fundraiser, but also a great way to make sure new dancers and parents understand what is expected for your spring recital or performance. Be ready to supply parents with the details about what happens backstage at your next recital and the information they need to have dancers arrive at the right time and at the right place. Offer costume alterations to help save busy moms some time! Hold lessons in stage make-up and hair styles especially for the big day. Finish off the event with a delicious lunch provided by a local restaurant! Take orders for flowers and recital memorabilia. This fun Parent-Dancer event is a great way to help ease the fears that new dance moms may have and bring in some extra revenue for your dance school.
This type of event is great for new dance students ages 3-8 and their parents.

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As school and dance classes begin for most students this month, Ballet Gift Shop would like to wish all dancers the best in their endeavors this season.  Whether you are attending dance lessons for the first time or you are returning for a new year as a member of the dance company, we hope that the 2011-2012 year holds many opportunities for learning and growth in your experience as a dancer and a person.  

We look forward to assisting dance companies in their fundraising efforts this year as we have for the past 4 years.  Our new Fundraising Kit offers dance companies, studios, and their supporters a risk-free opportunity to raise additional funds for their cause without an up-front investment.  We recommend starting to take orders with our fundraising kit 6-8 weeks prior to when you wish to have the items delivered.  Be sure to request your kit early for the most fundraising potential! 

We really appreciate feedback from our customers.  Please let us know if there is anything we can do to improve our products or services.

Late summer is the perfect time to start planning your upcoming Dance Company fundraisers. One of the most popular fundraisers (paired with the most popular ballet performance) is a Nutcracker Performance Boutique. Volunteers research and purchase inventory, make crafts and baked goods to sell, and stand for hours in the lobby of a theater selling the fruits of their labor to support the dance company performing that season. How is such a daunting task organized and carried out? How do volunteers make time for coordinating such an event between taking their young dancers to classes, rehearsals, and costume fittings? We’ve put together some recommendations to help the volunteers of any non-profit dance company accomplish such a feat.

Click here to read our new article with tips for organizing a Nutcracker Boutique!

Feel free to share your Nutcracker boutique experiences and ideas in the comments to this post.  We’d love to hear them!

Take a look at this creative (although messy) fundraiser put on by the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater in Houston, TX.

Photos: Dominic Walsh Dance Theater

These colorful works of art were created at DWDT’s Third Course program in May as dancers performed Walsh’s new work, Time Out of Line.  Watch a rehearsal of the piece on YouTube (without the paint).

From DWDT’s website: 
“Time out of Line, an inventive new creation that merges dance with a unique sound design, visual art aspects, and video.”

Each piece was put on sale last month and signed by the choreographer.

Nurture Friendships Formed Through Dance
Recital season is in full swing and summer break will soon be upon us.  Many dancers will go to various summer dance programs and have fascinating new experiences.  Dance is a wonderful team-building experience that can create close and lasting friendships among dancers.  Since everyone has their own uniquely busy schedule these days, it can be hard for dancers to take time to spend with their fellow dancers outside of a formal dance class or rehearsal.  Why not help to nurture these friendships by hosting an exciting sleepover event? This could be a fun end to a spring recital season or a summer dance program and give dancers a chance to share stories about their spring or summer experiences and do fun activities together.  You could also help spread the word about your dance studio by encouraging dancers to invite their non-dancer friends too! This type of event could be hosted just before classes end in May/June or just before the start of classes in the fall.  Styling each other’s hair, learning stage make-up basics, and playing ballet and dance-themed games are just some of the fun activity ideas! This type of event is great for dance students aged 6-14. 

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Host a fun Mother-Daughter event perfect for this Mother’s Day or any lovely spring weekend.  Spring hats, dance-themed teas, and delicious treats set the scene for a fashion show put on by your dancers! Have dancers model the spring fashions from a local clothing boutique and a few of your company’s own beautiful tutus! Dancers can also perform a few numbers for the audience in between portions of the fashion show – Take advantage of the performing opportunity! Give away door prizes and take orders for the clothing being modeled.  A Spring “Tutu Tea & Fashion Show” is an elegant way to spread the word about your dance school or company and celebrate the joys of Spring!

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** Do not reblog or publish this article without permission from Ballet Gift Shop.