13th Birthday Party - Help

[finlaw]

Ok my neice is having her 13th Birthday party at the end of the month and has asked if I will photograph it. Of course I said yes. The plan is to set up my camera on a tripod and get a photo of everyone as they arrive. This is to make sure that I have at least 1 of everyone in manageable light.

Their will be a DJ there who is bringing disco lights and a smoke box and I just don't know how to handle this part. I am planning on shooting hand held candid shots and some group shots but don't know how to best handle the light. At this point I only have on camera flash.

To set the scene the party is at home but outdoors on a large shaded patio and at night so it'll be dark apart from the disco lights.

Any help is appreciated.

Fiona