On the day of your function, you need to make sure that you have everything with you that need to be taken with. You don’t want to forget anything as this could hinder your performance and once you are at your function, it is very unlikely that you can go back home and get it as your client would want you to dance just after arriving.

The best would be to make a list of everything that needs to be taken with and to do this rather early on the day or the day before. This is in case you need to go out to the shop to buy something you might have run out of or don’t have, you can still have the opportunity to do so without rushing.

Choose the costume you will be wearing on the day and do the following costume check:

1. Are the hooks which hold the costume together once you place it on still intact or do they need to be sewed on for extra strength? You don’t want to be falling out of your bra top because the hook came undone
2. Are all the beads and sequined still attached and looking professional. If not find an alternative costume to use until you have done some maintenance work on the areas which need fixing.
3. Are your skirt and harem pants clean and matching each other.
4. Is your harem pants too see through? If it is wear yoga tights under it.
5. Are the dancing shoes you are wearing still in good condition?
6. Get the jewellery that you will be wearing and see if it will match to your costume.

It is a good idea to get a descent size gym bag to put all the essentials into when going on onto a performance. This is so that you have the least amount of stuff to carry around with you which will least likely end up getting lost. Things to remember to keep have in your bag before leaving your house is the following:

1. Your music CD with the songs you will be dancing to. Without this you cannot perform and it is important that this be the first thing you remember to take with you.
2. Your props
3. The list of the songs in which order it must be played to give to the person playing your music as well as for yourself.
4. Safety pins to pin your bra and your belt to your skirt in case the hooks come off and for any other emergencies.
5. Business cards with your correct number, email address and website address.
6. Make up bag for any touch ups.
7. Sewing kit in case of any sewing emergencies which cannot be concealed with a safety pin.
8. Cloak or solid material veil to cover yourself with when leaving the house and after your performance. Belly Dance is also about the mystique and you should only show off your costume when you perform.
9. Snack for energy if needed.
10. 2 bottles of water with water in. You will definitely dance up a sweat when performing and is good to have water on you to drink throughout your performance.

What to do when you get to the venue
What is a professional belly dancer?