From dinner to dance floor

Why company dinners stall

At a company dinner people sit at fixed tables. Departments together, clients next to their account manager, the board at one end. That is fine while people eat. But after dessert there is a gap. A few people get up for a drink, the rest stay seated, and by ten the first guests are heading home.

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Music from a speaker doesn't fix that. What works is someone who walks into the room, talks to the tables and decides the moment the evening turns. That is what Janah does. He is a singer, but also a host.

An international team, three languages

Do you have colleagues or guests who don't speak Dutch? Janah sings in English, Dutch and Spanish and switches when the room asks for it. The colleague who moved here last year gets a moment of their own, just like the one who has been with the company for thirty years.

The evening in three parts

1. During dinner

At the reception and during dinner the music stays in the background. People need to hear each other. Janah sings soul, ballads and Spanish songs at a calm pace, between the courses. Now and then a song makes the room look up. He walks between the tables, so guests already know him by the time the party starts.

2. The turning point

This is the key moment of the evening, usually after dessert or right after the last speech. One song everyone knows, a bit more volume, and Janah getting the first people out of their chairs. Agree the moment in advance, so the staff have cleared the tables and the floor is free.

3. The dance floor

Then the tempo goes up. English classics, Dutch sing-alongs and Spanish rumba. With a band or with The Gypsies live musicians join him, and the room fills fast. He picks the songs by what he sees.

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Which evenings

• Company or staff dinner. The evening you thank your people.
• Gala. A dress code and a tight programme, with music that follows the programme.
• Client evening or reception. Welcoming clients and partners in a way that feels personal. Solo suits a smaller group.
• Company anniversary. Speeches, a look back, and then a party.
• Christmas dinner that turns into the Christmas party.

Which line-up fits?

During dinner, solo is often enough: little space and a calm volume. For the dance floor a band or The Gypsies work better, because live musicians pull people out of their seats. A mix is possible too, solo during dinner and musicians afterwards. Very flexible: almost anything is possible by arrangement.

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What to sort out beforehand

• The programme. Times of the courses, the speeches and the moment the party should start. Ideally the speeches come before the turning point.
• The space. Where Janah stands during dinner and where the dance floor is.
• Light. It helps if the lights can go down a little after dinner.
• Sound and power. Can the venue's system be used, or does he bring his own? Power near his spot.
• Load-in. When he can get in, and where he can unload.
• Invoice details and one contact person on the night.

What it costs

A 30-minute solo set starts from € 1,495 excl. VAT and Buma (Dutch music rights). An evening that runs from dinner to party lasts longer and often has musicians on board, so you get a price on request.

Frequently asked questions

Will the music be too loud during dinner?

No. During dinner Janah sings quietly, so guests can talk. The volume only goes up when the party starts.

Can Janah perform for an international team?

Yes. He sings in English, Dutch and Spanish and can switch between them on one evening.

Can he sing solo during dinner and with a band for the party?

A combination is possible by arrangement. Describe your programme and the venue when you get in touch, and you'll get a proposal that fits the evening.

Can he announce parts of the programme?

He is happy to host the evening between songs. If you want him to announce speeches or an award, agree it beforehand so it fits the programme.

Do we get an invoice in the company name?

Yes. Give your company name, address and a purchase order number if you use one.

What does a singer for a company dinner cost?

A 30-minute solo set starts from € 1,495 excl. VAT and Buma (Dutch music rights). A full evening with a band or The Gypsies is on request.