Hello All. I just discovered this forum and decided to post some questions I have that someone may be able to answer. Im an amatuer ballroom dancer, I take the class at school. My Professor(Davey) is great and I understand that he used to be third in the U.S. at one time. Anyway, I have fallen in love with ballroom dancing, even though Im not the best yet, and planned from the start of teh class to have my own little "ball". My birthday is coming up on the 15th and my class is almost over so I decided to go ahead and plan it. I already set a day when all my friends could make it(about 20 -30 people) and am figuring on having at 6 or 7. Since this dance is so amateur, and most people dont know how to ballroom dance but are up for it, I have enlisted about 3 guys and 3 girls to teach the basic steps at the dance itself. But there are many other details that I need worked out and I was thinking someone may have the time to give me some general information. Unfortunately, I have never been to a social dance(ballroom anyway) so I dont know how a lot of things go. Im just sort of playing it by ear.
Here are some of my questions and curiosities:
First off, I know 6 dances (the waltz, tango, cha cha, rhumba, foxtrot, and eastern swing) My teacher was able to teach the basics of all of these on the very first day of class (though we werent professional or anything). I was wondering if I should do the same or center in on less dances(3-4?).. If I do center on less, which ones are good to focus on for a group like this?
Concerning music selection, does anyone know of any easy to dance to stuff?
How long do dances usually last? DO they usually start at about 7?
What kinds of foods are usually served?
I get to use my friends dads church for it (Hes a pastor) and the place where were having it is a realy big room. It doesnt even have a hard floor though but I figured its not that big of a deal...haha Is it?
And even if its not, does anyone know where I could get a floor to rent or something?
My friends and I are setting up pillars(like ionic columns) and flowers and white silk curtains that swoop and line the walls (It looks really neat), but how are dances usually decorated?
Dress code: Im thinking dresses(not short ones) for girls and suits or nice shirts, ties, and jackets for the guys. Is that the norm?
I was also thinking some kind of inbetween events in case we need a break from dancing such as a game or something... Does this usually ever happen. Or is it straight dancing the whole night with a food area? Does anyone know of any cool games or interlude events that would work?
Also, since most of us have never done this before, I was thinking about implementing dance cards with everyones name filled out once so we can all get around and then lots of blank spaces after that. Is that a good idea?

Im sure there is more, but I cant think of it right now. If anyone has any other suggestions, instructions, or tidbits of any kind, please let me know. Thank you so much for taking your time to read (or answer) this!

Sincerely, An Unexperienced hopeful new dancer

(I posted this in ballroom just in case no one saw it because it was just labeled "dance discussion")

Since most of your friends don't have a lot of dance experience, why not plan it as primarily a party for your group of friends, answering most of the questions as you normally would for something concerning this group, and treating the dancing more as a "theme" for the evening.

In terms of the music, it may be better if you can have someone actually play the songs rather than make a mix CD, so that you can adjust it based on what people seem to like. You may want to have some non-ballroom pop music available too, and maybe some salsa since people might know that. For ballroom songs are usually faded out after around 3 minutes.

why not go to a social, and see for yourself what it is like? You will learn a LOT.

I think that, to remain friends with your firends, that you hire an OUTSIDE instructor to teach ONE 'basic step' and have that one activity at the party, btw. It will encourage participation, and free you of the need to do everything.

Also, are you sure you can show and teach the man's part? After one lesson, I doubt very much if you can; try doing that part with a student and see what they think...