THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING A SHOW

A couple of the most frequently asked questions I get from students are "How do I turn professional?" as well as "How do I go about booking paying gigs?"

Negotiating gigs is a topic that will never get stale! This article is a re-post from December 2009, but the information is still pertinent now.

If you are on the threshold of becoming a working professional dancer, then without a doubt, you’ve been sweating in group and private classes, practicing your butt off at home, dancing with a student troupe and in dance show cases, honing your technique and stage presence… and you just bought a fabulous new costume.

Well, congratulations, girl, sounds like you’re about ready to go pro- all you need is a gig! Now might be the time for you to start working.

Exactly what do professional dancers know that you don’t? Well, for one thing, they know how to book shows.

Whether you’re donating your dancing to a charity event, performing at a private party or auditioning for a restaurant or club job, there’s “technique” involved before you hit the stage as well. The following information will help you book a gig like a seasoned pro… help you to determine the WHO, WHAT,WHERE, WHEN and HOW of your gig.

WHAT TYPE OF EVENT IS IT ?

Private party, wedding, birthday, corporate show, Arabic club, holiday festival…etc. Make sure to find out exactly what your gig will be, so you can costume yourself appropriately and plan a set of songs that will reflect the mood.

WHO IS HIRING YOU?

Club owner, bride or groom, a deejay, caterer, event planner…???

WHERE

How far is the event from your house, as well as whether the event is being held at a residence, restaurant, banquet hall, outdoor festival, etc.)

And "where" also includes your performance area; Is there a full theatrical stage, raised stage, dance floor, living room, patio or through a banquet hall, around the tables?

WHEN

Get specific performance times, and let them know that you are flexible, but cannot stay at the event for hours at their discretion

SOUND

Will there be a sound system w/ a deejay? Will you be using a CD or an iPod? Will there be other performers? Do they expect you to dance to a live band? If so- can you rehearse or do a tech check?

NEGOTIATING PAY

Depending on where, when and how long you will be dancing, state your rate, and negotiate your salary. It will behoove you to find out everything possible about the gig before stating a price- if the client asks my price outright, I stall around by blithely asking questions until I get more details...which makes it easier to come up with a price depending on what kind of an event it is! Keep all your prices in mind, or have it all written on a piece of paper that you can refer to when on the phone with a prospective client.

My friend Samira Sharuk, who is not only a lovely dancer, but a shrewd stickler on business issues, keeps an on-going log of regional rates on her website. See it here: www.samirashuruk.com/belly-dance-rates-by-region/

DO NOT

Undercut the “going rate”.

If you are not sure what the going rate is in your area, ask another local working dancer, or dance instructor. Start your price a little high, many people expect bit of bargaining. If you undercut the going rate in your area, you are literally depriving professional performers their livelihood.

Figure out if it is a tipping situation or not, this will affect the base pay you ask for… and also ask the host or person who hired you if they would like you to stay within your performance area, or if it is fine to dance among the seated guests. Some people consider this acceptable, others think it’s tacky.

DO NOT

Ask the person hiring you how much they wanted to spend on a dancer until you have stated your price. Everybody wants a “deal”, and will give you a lower figure. Know that it is fairly standard to charge not just for the party or gig, but the length of time it takes to get you there- think twice about accepting a gig that is far from your home base, unless you know it will be worth your time. And know that pretty much anywhere in the world, the “going rate” for New Years is triple whatever you would regularly charge.

GET DIRECTIONS

If you can’t get directions from the host, call the venue. If you can’t get in touch with the venue, look up the address and driving directions on the internet or via your GPS or on your phone.

GET CONTACT NUMBERS

Get both a cell-phone number as well as the number of the venue itself.

RE-CONFIRM YOUR PERFORMANCE

At least a week before the show, as well as the day before.

GET A CONTRACT AND DEPOSIT

These days, PayPal makes this part so much easier. Set up a PayPal account if you don’t have one already.

DO NOT FEEL “WEIRD” BRINGING ALONG A FRIEND- PREFERABLY MALE

Any decent people in this day and age will perfectly understand the concept of personal safety. If you are going into a stranger's house to perform, do not go alone, no matter who hired you...because you just never know what might happen! if anyone asks who the guy with is, tell them it is your "driver". However, it is totally inappropriate for you to be hanging all over your driver ! Be professional!

IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE AT ANY TIME, REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY.

That's it, that's all. Don't even question yourself- trust your instincts!

SHOW UP ON TIME, READY TO GO

Arrive fully made up, and if it’s a private gig with no dressing room, arrive fully costumed with a cover-up.

FIND A SECURE PLACE TO KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS

This could be anything from a locked dressing room or office, to a cubby-hole behind the bar or a concierge desk at a hotel or banquet hall. Even if you have to change in the Ladies Room ( and this is a common “dressing room” , believe me) ...or have your "driver" watch them while you perform.

DO NOT

... leave your personal things- purse, costumes, etc. unattended!

LEAVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU PERFORM AND GET PAID

No hanging around, you are an entertainer, not a guest.

BE GRACIOUS, CHEERFUL AND POLITE

... but firmly refuse anything you do not want to do…like perform a second time for free!

HAVE FUN AND YOUR AUDIENCE WILL, TOO!

Need I say more?

Food for thought: If you act like a professional dancer, you will be treated like one!