FAQs and All the Details!
We are thrilled you have chosen Sophie Dance West for your birthday party! Please read through this information before approving the deposit charge as deposits are 50% of your cost and non-refundable.
When?
Parties are booked:
Saturdays from 3-5pm or 4-6pm
OR
Sundays from 1-3pm, 2-4pm, 3-5pm, 4-6pm
We only book one party per day and dates book up in advance
How Much?
Parties at Sophie Dance Cost:
$650 for up to 14 children and 1 Teacher
$850 for up to 25 children and 2 Teachers
Additional Teacher $100 per hour
Additional Party Hour:
$150 for party with 1 teacher
$250 for party with 2 teachers
Please note: All parties are responsible for a $100 cleaning fee. This will be added to the end total of your final bill.
Who Can Come?
Parties are for children turning age 4 and up. Parties for children under 3 years old may be available with required additions booked for your party such as additional teacher and additional entertainment and are for a maximum of 12 children only. Parties for children turning 3 are only available to current Sophie Dance students and with approval from Miss Sophie. We do not offer parties for children turning 1 or 2.
Siblings ages 4 and up attending the party count as children and party guests
Adults are welcome to stay at the party but we do not allow more than 50 people (adults and children total) in our studio at once for safety.
Drop off parties are allowed and are recommended for older children who may have guests reluctant to dance in the presence of their parents!
How early can I set up and how soon to we need to exit?
Set Up:
Your Sophie Dance teacher will arrive 30 minutes prior to your party start time to assist you with set up. Please keep this rather short window in mind when considering large or elaborate set ups and decorations. Access any earlier will depend on your party start time versus the finishing of Sophie Dance classes. Parking lot set ups can begin as soon as our last class finishes. If you require a teacher to open the studio earlier you may do so at a cash rate of $50 per hour to the teacher and are subject to the teacher’s personal availability.
Tear Down:
Our parties include 30 minutes of clean up time assisted by the teacher! Any clean up that goes beyond 30 minutes will be charged at a rate of $50 per hour.
All trash and food must be taken out of the studio by parents throwing the party with assistance of Sophie Dance staff! No food can be left on the floors and teachers will also clean the mirrors.
Food and Alcohol?
You may bring adult beverages if you wish for the adults attending the party.
We recommend you bring some kind of snack, pizza or food for a break time in addition to your birthday cake. Food is only allowed outside or in Studio 1 (small room) and must be eaten seated at tables.
We do NOT have a refrigerator large enough to store a birthday cake. Please be sure your birthday dessert is one that can be left out for the duration of your party.
What does Sophie Dance Provide?
Tables and Chairs
At Sophie Dance West we have for your use:
- Three 6’ tables
- 12 standard size folding chairs
- Two 6’ child size tables
- 16 child size chairs
*Most parties do not require anything more than this. If you are looking to bring in additional furniture either for personal decorative taste or for parking lot use please see our list of suggested vendors. Please note we cannot store large amounts of tables and chairs in the days before and after your party.
Linens and Décor
You are responsible for bringing in your own tablecloths and décor. Miss Sophie recommends craft paper for kids’ tables with crayons for added entertainment while snacking!
Do we need additional entertainment?
Additional entertainment is not required for parties for ages 4 and up. It is required for pre-approved 3 year old parties. However, many parents do bring in additional elements of entertainment during the 2 hour party and we highly recommend it if you are extending your party to 3 hours. This is often recommended when you are not sure if all of your party guests will be in to dancing!
Some ideas include simple craft tables, face painting and balloon twisters, and princesses or characters! Please see list of Miss Sophie’s vendor referrals for more!
Miss Sophie's Recommended Vendors... Her Personal Faves!
I WANT THE WORKS… (and to just show up!)
Hudson Productions
IG @hudson_productions
Website: Hudson-production.com
For full party planning, and with a larger budget, we recommend Hudson Productions. Frannie Felder Hudson was the event planner for the Unicorn party Miss Sophie hosted in the parking lot at 3rd Street and she is incredible and so fun to work with! A party like this will require ample set up time so please keep that in mind when choosing your day and time. Frannie can design and coordinate the party of your dreams and even bring the most perfect party favors.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Peter Carrier Photography
IG @petercarrierphotography
Website: petercarrierphotography.com
You may know Peter from the Sophie Dance front desk or Westside Players and we feel blessed to steal him away from his big photography business when we can. Peter is exceptional at capturing all the best moments of your party, leaving you to keep your phone down and remain present at your party. Peter is also a headshot, family and pet photographer FYI! Peter was the photographer who took all of the photos on our website of the Unicorn party as well as all of the family photos on Miss Sophie’s personal IG! He is amazing with kids and his craft.
PRINCESSES & CHARACTERS
Character IO
IG @chacters.io
Website: characters.io/
These characters are the real deal and always in character! Prices vary depending on how many characters/princesses you want and the duration. They are incredible and can do entertaining separate from dancing (ie: storybook time, they can also do basic face paint, singing) or they can join in the dancing led by our teachers!
FACE PAINTING
Always Sparkle Parties
IG @alwayssparkleparties
Website: alwayssparkleparties.com
Exceptional face painters who are also amazing with kids! They cost $130-$150 per hour per artist. They also offer super cool balloon twisting
BRAID BAR
Tangled Braid Bar
IG @tangledbraidbar
Website: Tangledbraidbar.com
Their cost is $1000 for up to 10 kids, $1250 for up to 15 kids, and $1400 for up to 20 kids.
HAIR TINSEL
Lucky Locks LA – By Kadi
IG @luckylocks_la
Website: www.luckylocks.co/
Lucky Locks are a perfect way to add some extra sparkle and fun to your party. Each dancer will leave with 10 tinsel strands that last for weeks! Kadi’s rate is about $200 per hour and she is lovely to work with. Even the adults can (and will want to) get in on the fun!
BALLOONS
Jennifer Gartland of Bella Balloon Designs
IG @bellaballoondesigns
Website: bellaballoondesign.com
Phone: 626-535-3941.
There is nothing she can't do and she has done several parties at our studios. She has photos of our space too to help you collaborate on ideas. She does marquee numbers, backdrops, balloon décor, mosaics and more.
CAKES, DESSERTS, and COOKIE DECORATING SET UPS
IG @cakesbyclaritza
To order email CakesByClaritza@yahoo.com
At this point Claritza is a household name! There is nothing she can’t do and her gluten free chocolate cake with vanilla frosting is unbeatable and my personal favorite. She does amazing gluten free and vegan options. Her cookie decorating set ups are also adorable and a great “craft” alternative for parties looking to have additional entertainment. She is a very popular one woman show who books up fast so be patient when trying to reach her and know she will get back to you in order of your party date…typically within 3 to 5 days.
MAGICIAN
Napoleon Ryan
IG @napoleon-ryan
Email: magicnapoleon@gmail.com
Phone: 323-542-6988
Looking to add even more magic?! Napoleon is the absolute best. He can do an amazing magic show for your kids in addition to close up magic for parents who are lingering!
DJ
DJ Pasha Gonzalaz
818-648-1223
Website: djpasha-ent.com
If you are planning your own party and looking for a la carte add ons Pasha is great to work with. His staff is full of ideas!
ADDITIONAL TABLES/CHAIRS/FURNITURE
Premiere Party Rentals
Teak and Lace
In most cases it is not necessary to bring any additional furniture. Some families with specific design ideas choose to do so. If you are using the parking lot this is something you will want to consider. Teak and Lace has adorable colorful picnic tables in adult and child sizes. However, Sophie Dance cannot store your additional tables and chairs before or after your party so if you are considering this route please be sure you can arrange same day drop off and pick up. *If you are working with an event planner they can coordinate this aspect for you.