• When there are guests seated between the band & the dance floor: this seems like it would be obvious, but still happens occasionally so is worth mentioning. Interaction between band & guests is difficult when the dance floor is not immediately adjacent to the band. Plus, some guests seated between band & dance floor often feel “in the way” or that it’s too loud once faster dancing starts. (then the band turns down the volume & the dance floor crowd thinks it’s “weak”) Better- when dance floor is immediately adjacent to bandstand.
• Bar is in a different room than band: When the Bar is outside the room where dancing is to take place, guests hang around the bar, they get a drink and start talking – and eventually 1/2 the “party” is out at the bar. Sometimes that’s just the way it is & sometimes that’s the way people want the party to be, & -if that’s the case- that’s great. Better– for dancing and guest/band interaction- is when there is one “party” room where the bar and all your guests will be at all times.
• Guest entertainers: When a party guest, CEO, or family member gets up to sing or play with the band – but then will not leave the stage. While this kind of thing can be fun for a while… before too long it can become a drag on the party. Better- have someone from your group come up and tactfully say “let’s hear it for (Guest singer’s name)” then usher him/her off as people applaud.
• Group photos during fast dancing: When your photographer – for whatever crazy reason – takes a bunch of group shots during the fast dancing portion of your event – and either 1/2 the dance floor goes outside to be in the picture, or JP has to clear the dance floor to take these group shots. Better- do it on a band break… the band will be happy to coordinate this with your photographer.
• The “sit down for dinner- & wait”: When the entrée is served, it’s a really good time for the band to break- usually the entrée is the “feature” course, and serving it hot & guests enjoying it hot is important, and rightly so. But sometimes, the caterer or venue asks the band to stop the dancing and get everyone seated- but then does not bring out food for 10 or 15 minutes. Better- have band break once the entree service really begins.
• The “between songs band meeting”: When the client, a relative, co-worker, guest or party planner attempts to micro manage the party on the night of the event (instead of having all details or requests worked out in advance) by coming up to “instruct” the band frequently throughout the night- (usually more than just a note or a quick statement, often a small conversation) thus interrupting the “flow” – and usually quickly clearing the dance floor. Better- write down requests or instructions & hand to the band.
• When a client insists on picking every song the band will perform: Don’t get us wrong, we love & think it’s great to have input from clients as to what they like & what they dislike. But often clients think they know what their guests like – only to be surprised during their event at what songs their guests respond to, or request of the band. Especially when that doesn’t exactly coincide with what they had originally thought. Moreover, the band knows the songs that work well with each other, and how to organize those songs for the best flow & guest response. Better- for the client to pick some songs & the band will work them into a performance that will best please ALL of the guests attending your event.
• When the client insists in getting dinner over as fast as possible so there can be “more dancing”: Better- A great way to keep the flow of a party is dancing when guests first come in – and/or in between courses. Even with no “official” dancing between courses, quite often the time between when the first person is served given course and the last person is served that course can be 10 minutes (or more) So allowing guests to dance –even if it is slower, or mid-tempo dancing- gets the guests moving and the party moving and goes a long way towards the ultimate success of the party- as often, more people dance to more types of music this way- and then say “we danced ALL night!”.
• Similar to this is when the client insists on the band starting after dinner. Honestly? This is one of the wort things people do to themselves unknowingly. Often it leaves guests to initially enter the room to silence, or background music, instead of the lively music that says “the party’s in here!” Sometimes it makes people leave right after eating. And often leaves any announcing to whoever’s there, instead of the professional emcee ability of the band. Also, the songs the band plays during dinner go a long way towards “warming up” the crowd, and to pleasing those who might not be into the all-out fast dancing that often follows dinner.