You are in the belly dance business from your first paying gig—ready or not. How can you make it your dream come true rather than a nightmare?

Preparing a belly dance show involves much more than 20 minutes of actual performance. There are costuming preparation, makeup, music, rehearsal and travel time to be considered. Remember to practice in your entire costume before performance to discover any nasty surprises waiting to bite you on stage.

1. Questions to ask show host:

a) Time/place/type of gig:
• Birthday party – surprise birthday parties need coordination with the host about music and entrance location and timing.
• Restaurant gig – They may invite you to “audition” for your first show; you must decide if it’s worth it to dance for free and undercut other dancers or try for money and possibly not dance at all. Once there, will you find a private, secure dressing area? Plan accordingly—leave valuables locked in the car; come in costume and coverup.
• Bellygram – Usually an agency pays you for these. Make sure you get clear instructions. Travel in costume, bring a battery-powered boombox.
• Stage show – Includes time for rehearsals, lighting tech, and actual show(s).
• Ethnic/Renaissance Festival – Be sure of costume styling required; practice improvising to be ready for live music.
• Bachelor party – It’s your choice, but you will be seen as a stripper, be prepared.
b) Dance floor details—will you need shoes, dancing in the round, on stage?
c) How long will your show be?—20 min. is typical, but you might do 30 if they ask—you’re there already. Some audiences want 45 min. to an hour. Charge accordingly.
d) Nationality and number of people in audience—style your show to fit them. It will not contribute to your success to play music done by a Middle Eastern singer for a bunch of cowboys.
e) Is tipping allowed? If you don’t mind having money stuffed in your belt, that’s one thing. If you do, bring a little basket.

2. The critical question: how much do you charge. Ask what their budget is first, and then decide. If you cannot get this information, determine your value by asking what other dancers get, or check out www.samirashuruk.com for rates by state. Consider your experience/skills, travel distance and set a base price for 20 minutes, let’s say $100. Then if they want 40 minutes, you can ask for $200 (be willing to take $150).

3. Once you have a gig, you will need cards, brochures or flyers to help people find you for another dance op. The website www.vistaprint.com makes free business cards and shipping costs run around $5. At that rate, you can leave some lying around as you leave. Later, as your success grows, you can make the glossy full-color photo cards, and a glamorous website. Online directories exist for dancers and entertainers—look into signing up with them.

3. No matter how tempting the invitation, remember you are a hired entertainer, not a member of the party. Even if the host invites you to have a glass of wine and spend some time, resist. The old show business maxim, “Always leave ‘em wanting more,” is good to keep in mind as a professional entertainer. In a restaurant, do not take it personally that waiters are walking onto your stage and people are talking, eating and drinking while you are dancing your heart out. In that venue, you are part of the décor, not a star of the stage. Always wear a cover-up when in costume—it saves the magic for your audience.

Here is a good checklist, edited for word count from www.shira.net, excellent resource for belly dance issues.

Items

• Directions for Show
• Address And Phone Number of Host for Show
• City Map Showing Location Of Show
• Props (Cane, Sword, Finger Cymbals, Veil, Shamadan)
• Bra/Belt Set
• Jewelry: Earrings, Necklace, Wristbands, Hair Ornaments
• Skirt
• Pantaloons/Harem Pants
• Body Stocking
• Dance Shoes
• Extra Pair Of Underwear
• Extra Safety Pins
• Gauntlets
• Hairpiece
• Extra Ponytail Elastics, Bobby Pins
• Hair Spray
• Caftan or Cover-Up
• Fresh Clothes and undies for after Show
• Small Mirror
• Eye Shadow, Eyeliner, Pencil, Mascara
• Lipliner, Brush, Lipstick
• Foundation, Blush, Concealer
• Makeup Brushes, Sponges, Applicators
• Facial Tissues
• Contact Lens Case, Cleaning Solution, Wetting Solution
• Spare Pair of Contact Lenses
• Bottle Of Water
• Camera, Spare Film
• Original and Extra Music CD
• Boom Box and/or CD/IPOD/MP3
• Extra Cash
• Emergency Medical Items (For Example, Inhaler Or Insulin)
• Mints to Calm Your Nerves Backstage

Many dancers have had the nightmare about showing up to perform and finding they have forgotten their bra or their music. This information should be of value for sweet dreams! Any additional information can be addressed to: jherico@cox.net

“Shimmy from the Heart!”

(graphics from www.fotosearch.com)