How to Throw a Karaoke Party
- by Tessa Parker - A writer from Helium.com

What you'll need:

1. Karaoke machine - (You can buy one or you can rent one.)

2. Karaoke CD's - (have these arranged in a CD case alphabetically and make a song book that the guests can look through and select their songs). Don't forgot to make slips of paper for them to write their name, song title and the number of the song. You can classify the songs by the brand of CD, such as Sound Choice (SC), volume number (105) and the track # (05)-- so the entry in the songbook would look like this:

------ Song title -------- Artist ------ Track# -----
--- “Walk this Way” --- Aerosmith --- SC-121-03 ---

This will help you locate the songs quickly!

3. Microphones - (I would suggest having 2 microphones so, your guests can sing duets and in groups.)

4. TV - (You can do a small TV on a stand similar to the ones that are used in bars or you can hook up the karaoke machine to a big screen TV so, everyone can join in the fun.)

5. Tables and chairs - It works best to have the room set up in a club like atmosphere

6. Special lighting - Feel free to hang mini lights and a disco ball to help set the mood

7. Appetizers/snacks and drinks - As far as food goes, mostly finger food will do for this type of party; chips and dips, crudité, fruit, sandwich wraps, miniature desserts, etc. You can also put bowls of nuts on all the tables and make it really feel like you're in a club!

Click image to enlarge:

When setting up the party it would be best to set up the chairs and tables in a club like atmosphere with the stage area in the middle and all the seating around it in a semi- circle. This will allow you to place the bar and food area at the back so, it doesn't distract the singers when people are ordering their drinks, etc. If you have any outgoing partygoers it would be helpful to enlist their help in getting the party going and get the more extroverted guests up and singing right away. You can also have a couple of group songs like, “Y.M.C.A.” or “Summer Nights” that everyone knows and can sing. The group songs are a great way to warm everyone up and get them ready to belt it out. You can also have a box of accessories that they can use while singing like hats, glasses, wigs, feather boas, etc. Use your imagination and run wild! I would suggest that during instrumental breaks you get everyone clapping and cheering because this is always awkward for the singer-- doing this will help them all relax. One last idea for your party, purchase some door prizes and give them out for the best song, craziest song, most outgo- ing, crowd pleaser, etc. I hope this helps you throw a rocking karaoke party!