Dance around the world like Hallie!

BOORAY PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY When Hallie Koch, daughter of Gary and Cindi Koch of Tampa, became a Bat Mitzvah on Oct. 23, 2010, the theme went global. Combining her love of travel and dance, Hallie’s Bat Mitzvah theme was “Dance around the world.”

“ My daughter has been involved with dance since she was little. We wanted to make an event that would make the adults comfortable and the kids comfortable. We wanted to make it an affair that wasn’t the same old thing,” mom Cindi said.

Following her Shabbat morning service at Congregation Schaarai Zedek in Tampa, and a luncheon at the temple, the festivities continued that evening with a reception at a banquet facility in Tampa, with more than 200 guests in attendance. The reception was centered on a night of dining and dancing. The food for the adults was set up tapas style, with four courses with paired spirits, followed by dessert – each representing a different geographical region. There was a coordinating dance performance for each course and region of the world, produced by the DJ and dancers.

The parents hired performers to carry out a Chinese lion (similar to the ones brought out on the Chinese New Year) to usher guests into the ballroom and to announce Hallie’s grand entrance – with Chinese drum accompaniment. Cards at the table explained the symbolization and history of the lion for celebration.

A special family tradition incorporated into the celebration was a Shabbat group family prayer that they often recite at group Shabbats and at the break fast atYom Kippur. It was recited with their guests at dinner. Guests followed along with prayer cards made to theme.

“It’s a tradition, it’s something I found and embellished, and it became what we do. Everyone feels a part of it, and it’s not totally faith-based, so it was inclusive of everybody and sends a good message,” Cindi said.

Décor included a 6-foot rotating globe above the bar, custom lighting and ceiling clusters of lanterns in lime green, turquoise, and white, resembling the colors of the globe. Table centerpieces were custom floral arrangements, also in the theme colors.

The Kochs designed a logo in the shape of the globe with Hallie’s face on it. The image was printed on outof town gift bags, place card holders, cocktail napkins, water bottles at the bar, and on menus.

There were several vendor stations, including a shutter booth, an airbrushing station, and a faux tattoo artist for Hallie and friends.

For Cindi, two years of planning went into the event, and she worked with more than 18 vendors to make it all happen. “I enjoyed the planning process immensely. I wouldn’t change a thing,” she said.

Menu

Course 1: Asian – Chinese chicken salad paired with warm sake. Costumed dancers performing a classical ballet set to Asian music.

Course 2: Latin – Chilean sea bass over mofongo with chimmy churry sauce, paired with Chilean chardonnay. A salsa/samba with audience participation.

Course 3: Italian – Butternut squash ravioli with lemon butter sauce, paired with Peroni beer. A hip-hop/ break dance routine.

Course 4: Indian – mint and sage marinated lamb tenderloin over ginger rice pilaf with toasted kumen and mint pea puree, paired with cabernet from Indian Wells. An Indian inspired dance performance.