Thread: Paring down what to take to a performance

If this thread has been done before, let me know!

I feel like whenever I perform (with or without my troupe) I am taking everything but the kitchen sink! What do you take when you perform and how do you transport it?

I take a big bag with wheels with everything inside. I avoid taking several bags.
Actually, a make a list of what I need to take and look at it all the time!

A former girl scout, I used to stumble up to a show with a suitcase, props and a couple of plastic bags carrying pounds of hairspray and make-up! I wanted everything to be there "just in case", but realized it was totally unnecessary and a huge pain in the behind to carry around.
I solved a lot of the problem by packing travel-sized hairspray, lotion, makeup remover...whatever. Also, instead of bringing ALL of my makeup I sort out what I REALLY need for the specific costume(s) I am wearing and bring it in a small makeup bag.
Same goes for jewelry.
It takes more time to pack/prep, but really lightens my load. Also helped backstage when I was trying to find things.

How I like to do it:

Wear costume bra, and sometimes costume skirt, under something that buttons down the front, usually a fitted black jacket, and a pair of slip-on heels. Full makeup, etc in place.

Take: music, a lingerie bra, pants or skirt to change into, veil/belt/sleeves/any other bits of costume not on my person, lipstick, eyeliner, possibly powder for touchups, maybe a small towel, makeup wipes, a fan.

Originally Posted by crystalllized

I solved a lot of the problem by packing travel-sized hairspray, lotion, makeup remover...whatever. Also, instead of bringing ALL of my makeup I sort out what I REALLY need for the specific costume(s) I am wearing and bring it in a small makeup bag.
Same goes for jewelry.
It takes more time to pack/prep, but really lightens my load. Also helped backstage when I was trying to find things.

I'm ITA. It really depends on the gig, but for the most events I can fit everything I need into a large gym bag.

I used to pack a big ole wheeled bag with everything but the kitchen sink.

Now, if I'm going to a hafla or troupe show of some kind, I pack my costume, a coverup, any props needed, and my music. Often I bring a spare coverup if I'm dancing with the troupe because someone always forgets theirs. That's really it. I do my makeup and hair at home and if I need to touch up I use the powder and lipgloss that live in my purse anyway. Same thing for restaurant shows.

For parties, I wear my costume with a coverup and carry a prop bag one of my students makes. My music and car keys fit into a large pocket on the front of the bag, wings/sword/cane fit inside the bag. My veil is usually wrapped under my caftan.

When I get to the gig, I touch up my makeup in the car, slide my purse under the seat and off I go.

I used to carry every kind of makeup, sewing kits, baby wipes, spare jewelry, etc but I've pared WAAAAY back. Touch up makeup lives in my purse, diaper pins live in my gig bags, I'm good to go.

1. Costume
2. Makeup
3. CD with music
4. Coverup
5. Prop (if needed)
6. Comb
7. Safety pins

I have a garment bag (the heavy duty travel kind) that helps keep my veil from wrinkling and has a few pockets for makeup, a coverup, zills, extra jewelry and my music. It fold in half and has a long strap so it is easy to carry and looks professional in case anyone sees me carrying it from the car. I never go to a gig without extra pins and a coverup.

You bring a rolling suit case. you bring 2 costumes, just in case. your zils, veil, caftan, 2 cds (unless it's a live band, but have that music anyway), boombox always in car (just in case), safety pins, brush, makeup, SHOES (just in case), CHANGE OF CLOTHES (in case your car breaks down). Safety pins.
VOila!

Originally Posted by lana

CHANGE OF CLOTHES (in case your car breaks down).
VOila!

I had to change a tire on the side of the freeway in a purple and gold caftan! I was really wishing that I had a spare set of clothes to change into. I was just lucky that it was only a tire that I could change for myself. What a strange conversation with a tow-truck driver it would have been if something worse happened!

Now I always keep black pants and a solid color shirt in the trunk that never leaves!

I'm pretty good on what to take to a performance: Shira summed it up nicely. What amuses me is that I can take one carry-on for a 2 week vacation in Europe, but for a weekend workshop/performance out of town i need several pieces of luggage. And a sword.

Originally Posted by kahaz

I'm pretty good on what to take to a performance: Shira summed it up nicely. What amuses me is that I can take one carry-on for a 2 week vacation in Europe, but for a weekend workshop/performance out of town i need several pieces of luggage. And a sword.

haha i know that feeling, it's exactly the same with me ..l;,
i'm pretty strict when i'm going on vaca, cos i don't like putting baggage in the bottom of the plane, but to go to BD class i have 4 veils, "just in case..."

Originally Posted by kahaz

I'm pretty good on what to take to a performance: Shira summed it up nicely. What amuses me is that I can take one carry-on for a 2 week vacation in Europe, but for a weekend workshop/performance out of town i need several pieces of luggage. And a sword.

..l;,

Originally Posted by crystalllized

I had to change a tire on the side of the freeway in a purple and gold caftan! I was really wishing that I had a spare set of clothes to change into. I was just lucky that it was only a tire that I could change for myself. What a strange conversation with a tow-truck driver it would have been if something worse happened!

Now I always keep black pants and a solid color shirt in the trunk that never leaves!

OMG! LOL! I'd be calling AAA or Hyundai free roadside assistance. While I can change a tire myself, I never would, especially not in costume! You brave and awesome woman!

Originally Posted by kahaz

I'm pretty good on what to take to a performance: Shira summed it up nicely. What amuses me is that I can take one carry-on for a 2 week vacation in Europe, but for a weekend workshop/performance out of town i need several pieces of luggage. And a sword.

I thought I was the only one like that! ..l;,..l;,..l;,

Note - I dance tribal so I wear a lot of layers and hair stuff. I pack a lot and 90% of the time it's for a good reason because I'm the person who always has that missing item.

If I'm traveling far and am getting ready there I pack my costume, make up, hair stuff, a make up mirror, cover up, music, snacks, water, shoes and jewelery in a small-ish rolling case. Actually, if I have to do my make up from the ground up once I'm there I have to carry it in a Caboodles case.

If I'm traveling fairly close but don't want to get ready totally at home (such as local summer shows) I'll put on my costume "base" (pantaloons, skirt, choli, maybe coin bra), wear my cover up and pack my belt and other additions, as well as most of the above items. I'll do my hair and make up at home, with my basic "top layer" of make up in a little case (powder, eye shadow, lipstick).

For something with no changing space I get completely ready at home. I have a small rolling back pack that will have a snack, water, music, small make up bag, shoes and my belt. I wear my cover up.

And in my make up case I always have a tin of safety pins, a tin of bobby pins, gum, travel saline solution and some hand lotion.