Dancing on a Cloud or Dancing on Clouds is a “special effect”, accomplished by utilizing a dry ice machine, which, when loaded with steaming water and dry ice produces a thick white cloud of smoke resembling, well, a cloud!

A CO2 tank can also be used, but are reserved for theater or other events where you need the cloud for longer than 4 minutes. During Weddings, Dancing on a Cloud is used during a first dance or parent’s dances, for Sweet 16s they are used during the father-daughter dance or event during the dance with the boyfriend. During Halloween parties they are used throughout the evening to give it that “Spooky” effect, further enhanced with black-lights. A Dry-Ice machine is small in size and usually black in color, so as not to be intrusive. It is usually filled with 5 to 10 gallons of steaming hot water so it must always be monitored by someone, and it is activated by loading it with approximately 20lbs of dry ice. I prefer to use pellets as they evaporate less quickly (although this is an ongoing debate between myself and dry-ice manufacturers which has not been verified), and pellets are also easier to handle. The machine is loaded approximately 5 minutes before it is set to be used, and rolled to the side of the dance-floor, away from view, where it is activated at the discretion of the operator. It can emit smoke for a full four minutes, as we prefer to use it, turned on during the climax of the song, as a surprise.

 

FAQs

 

Is the smoke that comes out of this machine hot? No. It is cool and created by condensation … just like the fog you see in nature.

 

Is it safe for people with medical conditions? The effect uses dry-ice, which is solid carbon dioxide, dipped into hot water. These are the only two items required to create low-lying fog!

 

There are no chemicals, additives, oils or any other items which may trigger a condition. But please always consult with a doctor.

 

Can this set off fire alarms? No, the fog stays low to the ground, and does not rise above your knees. With that said, the alarm systems at some venues are very sensitive and can possibly detect it. We have never had an incident where low-lying fog has set off any alarms. Your venue manager would be the best person to ask.

 

Does it cause a slippery condition? Marble or similar floors will become slightly damp but unless your first dance involves a tap-dancing number, most floors are totally fine.