Video:How to Plan a Karaoke Party

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Transcript:How to Plan a Karaoke Party

Hey guys - Jonathon Stewart here for About.com. Are you tired of boring cocktail parties where everyone just moans about how much they hate work? Sick of doing keg stands and beer bongs until you pass out? Jenga gatherings feeling a bit stale? Well loosen up your larynx, and tune up your tweeter, let's get ready to karaoke! Check it out.

Karaoke Party Supplies

Tip One: Preparation. You'll need a few things to get your party started right: a TV, a karaoke machine, some snacks and refreshments that preferably contain alcohol, a reasonable amount of space and some cool people (singing talent not necessarily required). Last, but not least of course, music. Karaoke machines can generally be rented for less than a hundred bucks a night in most places, and music packs are often included. Of course you don't necessarily need a karaoke machine, but there's just something about having a microphone in your hand and the words on the screen that make all the difference.

Get the Karaoke Party Started

Tip Two: Execution. Don't be afraid to be the first person up to sing in order to get the ball rolling, though you might want to wait until the party gets warmed up a bit before breaking out in song. Try to have your karaoke set-up in an area that's at the center of the party, even if it feels a bit awkward at first. Make sure you have a list so that your guests can sign up for songs in advance as things get going - hiring a DJ or appointing a friend to keep the music going is a must.

Like having a clean joke you can tell at any given moment, or keeping a bottle of red wine in your trunk, you should also have at least one killer karaoke song up your sleeve. One that you can really belt out, and preferably one the crowd is likely to know, is the way to go. Mine is a toss up between The Gambler, and Danny Zuko's part in Summer Lovin'.

Get Creative With Your Karaoke Party

Tip three: Get creative. Once you've got the basics down, don't be afraid to throw things like costumes into the mix. Dressing up can actually help take the edge off of guests' initial shyness, and also makes for some classic photo memories. Some people enjoy having a contest aspect to their karaoke parties, but once competition is involved, you might just lose some singers who otherwise would have stepped to the mic.

You can also rent out karaoke rooms in many cities, which can be a lot of fun, too. But, I don't know, there is something sweet about standing on the back of your own couch and rockin' out to You Shook Me All Night Long, all night long.

Thanks for watching! To learn more, visit us on the Web at About.com.