What To Pack In Your Recital Dance Bag

What to Pack in Your Dance Bag!

As the recital nears, we are starting to put all the pieces together. We are excited to announce, that it’s going to be a spectacular show! Our students are working hard in the studio to make sure their dances look flawless.

Parents, we know you are doing your part in making sure you know the schedules and have everything you need for your student to shine on stage! We can’t say thank you enough for all you do to support your dancer and know it’s a lot to keep track of. To make your job a little easier, we thought we would give you a list of everything you need in your child’s dance bag to have a successful show day. 

Read through the list below and pack your child’s bag before the big day. You will be able to check a few things off your list so you can enjoy the moment with your child!

1. All costumes labeled with your child’s name

It’s SO important to label your costumes. The last thing you want is to be missing an accessory or shoe when it’s time to dance on stage! Backstage there are a lot of dancers and dance bags. Your child’s things could get mixed up easily so it’s best to be safe and mark your child’s initials into all your costume items, shoes, and accessories. Please make sure to mark costumes and shoes on the inside so we don’t see them on stage. 

2. Dance shoes

This seems obvious but it’s worth saying, there is nothing worse than missing a shoe on recital day! Make sure to have your dancer try on their shoes before the big day to catch any holes or uncomfortable (and too tight) shoes. Need new shoes? Come over to our dance store in the studio lobby area where you can find everything you need! 

3. Extra tights

We all know that tights can rip easily! Throw in an extra pair of tights for your dancer along with the ones they will wear on stage. That extra pair could save the day for your dancer! 

4. Costume accessories 

Do any of your child’s costumes come with headpieces, layers, or other accessories? These items are just as important as your main costume to have in your dance bag! If you need to check our costume book for recital, you can click HERE

5. Hair supplies  

 Packing a small kit of hair supplies for your dancer is a great idea. Although they should have their hair ready when they arrive, hair emergencies happen! Pack a brush, bobby pins, hair ties, and some extra hair spray just in case. 

6. Clean (& nut-free) snacks

Throughout dress rehearsal and recital, dancers may get hungry and need a snack to keep themselves energized to perform! No one wants to get on stage hungry! Remember, since dancers will be in costume, we recommend packing clean and nut-free snacks. Choosing a nut-free snack is a way to keep other dancers, who may have allergies to certain foods, safe. 

7. Water

This may be one of the most important ways to stay energized and hydrated during recital! We encourage dancers to bring reusable water bottles with them.  Make sure to label your water bottles or bring a case to share with others! 

8. An activity for backstage 

If your dancer has any downtime during the show, have them pack an activity such as a coloring book, tablet, book, or game with them! This allows backstage to be a little calmer throughout the show and dancers to stay occupied while waiting for their next dance or bows! 

And there you have it! Please know that our staff will also have first aid supplies and a few more emergency supplies backstage for dancers. We are so excited for recital and want to make sure everyone feels prepared and thrilled to dance on stage! 

4 Tips To Have The Best Recital Ever

4 Tips To Have The Best Recital Ever

Recital is near and it’s time to talk about some great ways to ensure that you and your dancer have a great show! Before the lights come on and dancers are on stage, LOTS of preparation goes into creating a recital. There are even a few important steps for you to take before it’s showtime, are you ready?! 

Mark Your Calendars

While we are preparing for the big show day, make sure you know the important dates and times for any costume try-ons, rehearsals, or photos! 

Our dress rehearsal will be on June 25th and performance on June 26th at the SUNY Staller Center For The Arts. 

You can click HERE for our dress rehearsal schedule, show order, costume book, and purchase tickets! 

Label EVERYTHING

Once your dancer has come home with their costume(s) for recital, take the time to write their name or initials on tags, the insides of dance shoes, a costume bag, makeup, or accessories. 

Dancers will most likely be in the same room as many other dancers backstage and the last thing we would want happening is someone having a missing costume piece or getting things mixed up with another dancer! 

Click HERE to view our costume book with information on hair, makeup, and images of your dancer’s costume(s)! 

Take Inventory

Not only should you label your dancer’s costume(s) and other accessories, but also make sure you know everything they need! Keep track of the items your dancer needs for show, such as tights, shoes, makeup, and hair accessories. 

NOW is the time to order anything as well. Having an extra pair of tights or shoes may come in handy! You never know if something might snag, if your dancer loses a shoe… Better to be prepared! 

Have A Plan

Make sure you take the time to talk to your dancer about the logistics of dress rehearsal and recital day. It’s important for everyone to be on the same page about when to be at dress rehearsal and show day call times, who your dancer may be carpooling with, when pick-up will be…etc. 

For our dress rehearsal, we ask that dancers arrive 20 minutes prior to their scheduled rehearsal time slot. Click HERE to view when your dancer will need to be at the theater! 

For show day, our recital will begin at 11am! 

And… Remember To Have Fun! 

Once you have these things covered, relax a little and get ready to enjoy the show! We are so excited to present our performance. Your dancers will LOVE stepping on stage to show you what they have learned this year.

If you have any questions or concerns about the recital, never hesitate to reach out! We are always here to help. 

Contact us HERE

Costume Care for Recital

Our show is getting closer and closer and it is finally time to talk about costumes! For these past few months, we’ve had costumes arriving at the studio and are now in the phase of sending them home with your dancers. 

Costumes are a HUGE part of recital so there are a few things we need to cover as dancers begin to bring them home! We want to make sure your dancer and you have everything you need for the big show day along with some extra tips to keep in mind! Let’s dive in… 

Caring for Costumes

As costumes arrive at the studio, we will begin having dancers try them on during their class times. If your dancer’s costume fits well, we will send it home with them to keep for recital day! 

We know your dancer will be excited to show off their costumes. We encourage our dancers to do a quick fashion show when they first get home so you can celebrate the milestone. After that, it’s important to keep their costume stored in a safe spot until the big day. Make sure to designate a spot that is pet and kid-free. Once our recital is completely over, dancers can then wear their costumes freely! 

Our costumes come in a carrier bag and we recommend holding onto those for storing costumes safely. This also makes it easy for your dancer to keep all costume items in one bag on dress rehearsal and show days. 

If your dancer’s costume has any wrinkles in it, try hanging it upside down in a steamy bathroom! This allows for all wrinkles to come out gently without damaging the costume. 

Please do not iron costumes, if you aren’t sure how to get wrinkles out, ask us! We are happy to help! We want to keep costumes in great shape so then your dancer looks and feels their best on stage! 

Costume Accessories 

Most costumes will come with accessories. Make sure your dancer has all accessories needed along with TWO pairs of tights. One pair of tights will be included with your dancer’s costume and we recommend having an extra pair on hand just in case. 

If you need to check what accessories come with your dancer’s costume or need to view the full look, click our link below to our costume book! Our book includes information on class, costume, shoes, and hair! 

LINK to Costume Book: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55d62d51e4b0a862eed61f38/t/61f3b6f9669542504da2b86e/1643362049129/Costume_Book_2022-Revised.pdf 

Hair and Makeup 

Lastly, your dancer may need to have their hair styled a certain way for the recital. If your dancer needs to have a bun, here are TWO tutorials you can view. One with a bun-maker and one with only bobby pins and elastics! Make sure your dancer’s bun is centered and has no part. 

With a bun-maker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqqdaU7rwdU&t=83s 

With pins and elastic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yG7Hcozrf8 

As for makeup, we recommend pink lipstick and pink blush for younger dancers so they do not get washed out under the stage lights. If your dancer is older, add in a few more elements such as eye makeup and foundation. We find that practicing hair and makeup before show day can be very helpful and takes some stress off your plate! Make sure you set aside some time to do this with your dancer. This will also get your dancer even more excited to perform by getting to see their full look ahead of time! 

Show Time

We are SO excited about recital and hope you and your dancers are too! Looking their best can also help our dancers FEEL their best and be excited to perform. Taking the time to clarify details on hair, makeup, and costumes can be so important for a spectacular-looking show. We have found that practicing hair and makeup before the big day can take a lot of stress off your plate the day of.

If you still have questions on costumes, hair, makeup, or accessories, please reach out to the studio! We are happy to help. Click HERE to contact us.

5 Ways We Make Recital Memorable for our Dance Families!

Dance Recital in Babylon

This year is a special year for Positions Dance Studio, and we must say, we are in our feels! Recital 2021: Celebrate Good Times is just a month away! Check out one of our past blog posts to learn about what we’re celebrating this year. Most notably, Positions Dance Studio turns 50, a milestone anniversary that makes us want to hit the dance floor! 

One thing we’ve learned after 50 Years is that Recital Season is the sweetest, most rewarding time of the year for both our staff AND our students. It’s the moment where all of our hard work pays off and comes to life. More importantly, it’s the time where our students break out of their shells and create memories that will last a lifetime. 

We know how exciting Recital Day is for our students, so we absolutely LOVE doing everything we can to make it special. After 50 years of recital memories (and many more to come!), we know it’s the little things that you’ll look back on and cherish forever. Memories are priceless, and we’re honored by the opportunity to create a memorable family experience! 

Check out the 5 Ways We Make Recital Memorable for our Dance Families:

1. Dad’s Dance

Recital is a family affair! A crowd favorite in our annual recitals, our Dad’s Dance is a golden opportunity to dust off your dance shoes and show us what you’ve got! Our adorable dancers LOVE watching their dads have their big moment too! It’s a precious dance each year that is ALWAYS a showstopper! 

2. Recital T-Shirts

Have you checked out our T-Shirt design this year? Recital T-Shirts are a great keepsake that your dancer will wear proudly even after recital is over! Be sure to pre-order yours today to be sure your child gets the perfect size. All pre-orders will be available for pick up at the Dress Rehearsal on July 2.

3. Professional Dance Photos

We know you’ll cherish your child’s dance years forever. That’s why we partner with Lasting Impressions Photography to provide adorable photos of your child in their costumes. Photos will take place on June 6th and June 13th and sessions are by reservation only. The reservation window has closed, but please contact us if you missed out and we may be able to accommodate. 

4. Flower Bouquets

If you’re looking for a special gesture to honor your dancer’s hard work, flowers are a classic post-show tradition for performers. We partner with The Commencement Group to offer bouquets for preorder that are available for pick-up on recital day. It’s the most convenient option for our busy dance parents. Pre-order your flowers here! 

5. A Live Stream Option (New This Year!)

Because of the challenges we’ve all faced this year, we are ready to adapt to make sure everyone gets to take part in the wonderful memories. Ticket sales will begin closer to the day of the performance to ensure that we are working with the most up-to-date capacity guidelines. Those who are unable to attend for whatever reason will have the option to purchase a live stream of the performance. 

From costumes, hair, and everything in between, we know a lot goes into getting your child ready for recital. But at the end of the day, the thing that matters most is the priceless joy on your child’s face when they step on stage. We know that feeling will stick with them and we love providing small opportunities to make it memorable. 

Don’t forget to check the Recital 2021 Page of our website frequently for all the most important information. We update it whenever new details take shape. We can’t wait for an AMAZING performance! 

4 Signs That Your Child is READY To Hit the Recital Stage!

4 Signs that your child is Ready to.png

Did you hear?! A celebration is in order! This year, our Positions Dance Studio recital theme is Celebrate Good Times. If you’ve recently visited the recital page on our website, you’ve probably marked your calendars for the big day on July 3rd! We thank you for your patience as we continue to confirm all the details.

Have you ever met a child that is a natural-born entertainer?! You know, the ones that take every opportunity to get all eyes on them! Many of our students are similar, and it’s rewarding to see them find their home on stage. What’s even MORE rewarding is seeing our shy students move out of their comfort zones and into the spotlight!

So how do you know if your child is ready for their big moment on stage? Throughout the end of the school year, you’ll notice the excitement start to build! It’s the most adorable thing and we absolutely LOVE sharing the hype with our students! 

4 Signs That Your Child Is Ready to Hit the Recital Stage:

1. They CAN’T Stop Peeking at Their Costume

Over the past couple of months, we’ve been sending our dazzling recital costumes home with students. Check out some of our beautiful costumes on our Facebook Page! 

Costume day can be pretty magical for our students, but what’s even MORE magical is the day they finally get to dress up and head on stage. We tell our students not to wear their costumes around the house to keep them looking fresh. But if you catch your little one peeking and begging to put it on, they are just itching to perform! 

P.S. Click here to check out some more costume care tips in our last blog post!

2. They Love Practicing Their Routine At Home

Are you seeing your child’s stellar moves every time you turn around?! For our older dancers, are their tik tok favorites being replaced by their recital moves? It’s official, they’ve fallen in love with their recital dance! 

Need the zoom links to follow along with their recital video? Email us! 

3. They Ask to Listen to Their Recital Song Over and OVER

Have you downloaded your child’s recital song on your devices? If your child can’t get enough and knows ALL the words, that’s when you know that they can’t wait to perform their routine. Pro tip: grab them a pair of headphones so the sound of their music doesn’t make you crazy before recital! 

4. They Can Perform Their Entire Routine For You With No Help!

The tell-tale sign of a performer who is stage-ready is being able to get through their whole routine without the help from teachers, videos, or classmates. That’s when you can be sure that they really know their routine. 

We strongly encourage all of our dancers to do mock performances at home. It’s one of the BEST ways to combat stage fright and engrain those dance moves into their muscle memory. Make it fun by creating pretend tickets, entering your living room theatre, and turning those stage lights on and off with the music! 

So… is YOUR dancer ready to hit the stage?! If you checked off any of those tell-tale signs, Recital 2021 will be a total hit in your house! We can’t wait!

If you’re loving these at-home recital prep tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook! Over the next couple of months, we’ll be busy posting our Recital Tip Series that is dedicated to helping parents out during recital week! 

We are SO excited to celebrate our students on the dance floor at Recital 2021! Continue checking our website for updates, as we’ll be updating our recital page with important details in the coming months. Happy at-home practicing!

5 Recital Tips for Dance Parents

5 Recital Tips for Dance Parents.png

Can you believe it?! Recital 2021 is just 3 short months away!! Here at the studio, we are gearing up to celebrate on the dance floor! Check out our earlier blog post to learn all about our recital theme this year, Celebrate Good Times! 

With the excitement brewing over here at the studio, we’d like to take a moment to make sure that all that excitement doesn’t turn into stress for our dance parents! We know that recital can be a lot of information. Especially for new dance parents, it can feel overwhelming. 

Whether you are a returning dance parent with years of recitals under your belt, or you’re experiencing your child’s very first recital this year, it’s our goal to make things as easy as possible. So we’ve put together a list of our top 5 tips for a smooth, successful, and joyful recital!

5 Recital Tips for Dance Parents:

1. Be sure to read your Positions emails!

This one is at the top of our list because it is simply the KEY to making sure you stay in-the-know. Over the next few months, our recital details will continue to take shape and we’ll be updating you every step of the way. ALL important information will go straight to your inbox.

If you haven’t marked your calendar yet, be sure to pencil in our photo day, dress rehearsal, and performance day in now! Access these dates HERE. 

2. Handle your costumes with care!

  • Keep them hanging up inside their garment bags, away from pets and children.

  • We know the kids will be tempted, but don’t let your dancer wear their costume around the house until AFTER recital. 

  • Hang tutus upside down in the bathroom for a few days as shower steam flattens the wrinkles. 

  • Keep small accessories and hair pieces with each costume in a bag or other safe compartment. 

  • Be sure to save an extra pair of tights for recital day, or double check that yours don’t have runs or holes. 

3. Encourage your dancer to practice their routine at-home and perform for family members!

This is one of the BEST ways to limit pre-show jitters and nervous mind-blanks on stage. Practicing their routine at home without other dancers to follow ensures that they REALLY know their choreography well. In addition, getting used to having a set of eyes on them can make them comfortable in front of an audience before the big day! Plus, it’s fun for YOU to see their progress!

4. Practice doing stage make-up and hair before the big day! 

Getting your dancer’s hair and make-up looking stage ready can be one of the biggest challenges for new dance parents. We’ve got some tutorials for you! Click HERE for a great tutorial on ballet buns. Click HERE for a stage make-up tutorial. Dress rehearsal is a great time to try out these techniques, so be sure to leave some extra time and practice doing it exactly how you will for recital day!

Pro Tip: Be sure to secure hair pieces with PLENTY of bobby pins, as they can easily fall off on stage. 

5. Organize everything the night before so you can really cherish the special moments with your child. 

A stressful recital day can take away from the magic that you and your child will feel on their performance day. Trust us, you’ll want to have plenty of time for pictures, smiles, and hugs. Pack your bag the night before, organize costumes, and plan your day out. Thank us later!

Putting this list together already gave us the warm and fuzzies that we feel EVERY single year during recital time. It is truly a magical time for all of our dance families. Parents, prepare to be amazed by your child’s bravery, beauty, and skill when they take the stage. 

To stay updated on ALL things recital over the next couple of months, be sure to check out Recital 2021 Info Page on our website. It’s our one-stop-shop for all of our recital information. We will continue to update it as details take shape. As always, contact us if you have any questions

Recital 2021: 3 Things We're Celebrating On The Dance Floor!

dance studio in babylon

We’ve got BIG NEWS over here at Positions!!! We’re announcing our 2021 Recital Theme: Celebrate Good Times! 2020 didn’t give the world much to celebrate, which is why we are setting out to make 2021 the greatest dance party that you’ve ever seen! 

So what exactly are we celebrating? We can’t wait to share the news with our Positions families! 

3 Things We’re Celebrating on The Dance Floor This Year!

1. Positions Dance Studio Turns 50!!!

Can you believe it?! 2021 will be our 50th year in business here at Positions. What better way to celebrate this huge milestone than to hit the dance floor and spread the love?! 

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of stellar dancing, 50 years of building our Babylon community, and MANY more years to come! We are SO thankful for the support we’ve received through the years as it truly means the world. We can’t wait to continue the Positions legacy of being the best dance studio in Babylon, NY! 

2. An Amazing Return to the Studio

The year of 2020 has sure been whirlwind. We know the end of last season didn’t go as planned but things are ALREADY looking up here at the studio. We’ve returned to our facility for a safety-conscious kick off of our Fall 2020 Dance Classes! Our updated COVID-19 Protocols and our dedicated staff have made this year feel like a victory!

While we were dedicated to making the return happen, it’s our parents and students who made this comeback truly something to celebrate! Our students have entered the studio ready to learn and eager to dance. Dance parents have shown great amounts of cooperation and understanding as we work through this transition together. The smiles have been contagious. We invite YOU to join us for a victory dance at Recital 2021!

3. The Joy of Performing! 

While 2021 will be a year of GREAT celebration for us, we have to be honest… our end-of-year dance recitals are ALWAYS pretty festive. There is something about performing that makes a child feel special, and a dancer feel like they’ve accomplished something BIG! Getting the opportunity to perform means the world to our dancers and we can’t wait to share all the details as our plans for Recital 2021 take shape! It’s going to be an amazing show! 

Who will be celebrating on the dance floor with us?! It’s not too late to join the best dance studio in Babylon and save your spot for Recital 2021! Check out our Fall Dance Schedule and register today! Our 50th Anniversary show is going to be a celebration that you WON’T forget.

celebrate.png

It's Time to Celebrate our Spectacular Students

It's Time to Celebrate our Spectacular Students

Wow, our 2019-2020 Dance Season has sure been one we will NEVER forget. A few months ago, we never imagined that we would be running a virtual dance studio, but here we are! As we close out the season, it’s time to celebrate our spectacular students the best way we know how: a performance!

When COVID-19 closures began, we said from the start that we were committed to making a performance opportunity happen. That commitment has remained rock solid, and we are SO excited to get our recital plans rolling! We know it’s going to be fantastic. 

As I’m sure you could imagine, going back to the drawing board and reimagining our end-of-year festivities was not an easy task. We share the disappointment with our families around not making it to the theater, but we are excited to make the best out of a tough situation! 

We are SO thrilled to share how we are celebrating our students this year:

In-Class Virtual Recital (June 20th-26th)

Our first Recital Opportunity is happening NEXT week, in-class on Zoom, at NO extra cost to you! We’ve loved getting the chance to continue teaching our amazing students virtually and can’t wait to see the screen sparkle with their costumes! We ask that students arrive to class in costume with proper shoes and tights. Hair and makeup is recommended to add a little glitz and glam! 

If you are looking for ways to make this day EXTRA special, we’ve got your covered with a few ideas! 

  • Creating a DIY backdrop at home can make your child feel like ALL eyes are on them! We found this great youtube tutorial for a paper backdrop, but there are TONS of other youtube tutorials to check out!

  • Recording the performance and hosting a family watch party to view the recital video

  • A pre-performance photoshoot

  • Surprising your child with flowers after their performance

  • Sharing a celebratory meal with your child

Red Carpet Experience (June 26th, 27th, & 30th)

This year, we are offering our first-ever Red Carpet experience! Complete with professional recital photos, a private in-studio performance with 4 guests, a t-shirt, and awards, we know this option is going to make our students BURST with excitement. We can’t wait! 

After all the changes and chaos of this year, we are feeling extra elated about creating a celebratory experience for our students. Tough times make sweet victories even sweeter! We’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to our Positions parents for your continued support and flexibility. Recital 2020 is going to be SPECTACULAR!

How To AMAZE Your Dancer At This Year's Recital

How to AMAZE your dancer this recital!.png

Recital week is almost here at Positions Dance Studio! We could not be more excited to see all the hard work come to life and I’m sure you and your dancers feel the same. They have put in countless hours at the studio and you have supported them every step of the way. It is time to celebrate right?! With all the fun and excitement comes something else not so pleasant, STRESS. Yes, recital week is stressful for everyone (for us too!). There are costumes and accessories to pack, special hair and makeup to master, a handful of different check-in times to keep track of, and much much more. It is a lot to handle for the seasoned dance parent not to mention for those first timers out there! We want to make sure we are doing all we can to make your week as easy as it can be for you and your dancer. Let’s face it, if you are stressed out, your dancer will be stressed out too. And that is not fun for anyone. So we thought we would give you a few ways you can feel less of that awful stress and more of the fun and excitement. Following these tips will ensure that you can AMAZE your dancer at this year’s recital!  

  • Read EVERYTHING. Twice. Make sure you are really going through all the emails and handouts you receive from the studio. They contain information like check-in times, order deadlines, day-of instructions, etc. Take the time to really process the information and write reminders in your calendar.

  • Take Inventory Now. Do you have all the right shoes? New tights in the correct color? All hair and makeup supplies? Have you double checked all costumes and their accessories? Figuring out you are missing something last minute could be the worst feeling ever! You will feel much better knowing you have a few days to run to the store rather than just a few hours.

  • Make a recital day PLAN with your dancer. Everyone will feel much better after you talk through logistics and expectations. Talk with your dancer about when you will start getting ready, who will be helping with quick changes, when will they eat, and when and where you will meet them after the performance. You will rest assured knowing they know what to do and they will feel more prepared in handling the day without you.

  • Be positive, have fun, and enjoy every second! Recital is only once a year and trust us, it goes FAST! Be proud of your dancer no matter what happens on stage. It takes a lot of guts to get on stage and your dancer wants no more than to do the best they can do. Don’t be shy in telling them how you feel after their performance. Performing after all the preparation should feel amazing and as their parents, you get to share that feeling with them. They deserve that shining moment and so do you. Make sure you take a moment or two to look around and feel the joy with your dancer.

We want nothing more than for you and your dancer to enjoy this moment because it is the BEST part of being a performer (and a proud parent too) and like we mentioned, it will go fast! Take the stress out of the week and you will be able to truly savor each precious moment.

Have any questions about recital week? Check out this FAQ page we have and call or email the studio with anything you don’t see mentioned.