Thread: First restaurant show--advice & good vibes?

I'm shimmying with excitement--and a bit of sheer terror.w.: --because I have my first "real" performance in a restaurant in a few weeks.

Does anyone have some good tips for making sure things run smoothly--particularly for encouraging some audience involvement? My biggest fear is that I'll bore everyone to tears!

Thanks,
Laura

Originally Posted by LauraLevana

I My biggest fear is that I'll bore everyone to tears!

AS IF!!!!..l;,

No worries Puddin' we're all going to be there to cheer you on and I guarantee audience participation will NOT be a problem!

~~Kimahri

Oooh, congratulations! You are going to do awesome! I only wish I could be there - I don't think I've seen you dance in such a long time. If you listen reeeeealy close, you should be able to hear a faint zagarheet coming from North of you that night.

I'd say, make sure you alternate fast and slow music, include some veil, finger cymbals, sword. Smile, especially at the women, and especially at the ones who look like they are annoyed by your presence. They usually melt with a little "I'm not here to take your man" friendliness. Usually. Don't worry about people getting bored. Since you are able to move around in a restaurant, any one person will not see that much of what you are doing anyway. And, remember, you are just a small part of their evening, maybe just one little part of a larger time out. Your performance means a whole lot more to you than to them. :) And, remember, you deserve to be there, or they wouldn't have hired you. :)

Congratulations!! Have fun, and make sure to let us know how it goes!

Exciting! You'll be fab! just dont forget your music!

That first performance is the hardest, it gets easier. I always tell 1st time performers not to "over practice" the day of and day before your performance. Something I'm very guilty of but it'll make you tired and sometimes more nervous. Some practice/review is good just don't over do it.

and remember your first performance is just about having fun. don't worry about making mistakes, they're never as noticeable as they feel.

If you get nervous, look too your friends. They're always smiling for you ;)

I'm sure you'll be great, just have fun!

-Raena

dance as if you were the most gracious hostess at your fabulous party. and 'dance as if every woman was your mother, and every man was your son.' relax and SLOW DOWN. :) and don't forget to have a good time!

I agree with elisagamal to relax and slow down, we want to enjoy
your whole show. We will be there to share in your elegance.

I'm going to be taking this advice too; I'll soon be doing my first 2-set solo show and I'm soooo nervous already! I've danced at the club before but always as the troupe, with one solo. Not 40 minutes worth of solos *bites nails*

Thanks for the advice...and you're right, slowing down is my biggest challenge. Jeanette and Kim--remind me to breathe!

Fortunately, I have a really supportive group coming, so that will help.

Safiyah, we're in exactly the same boat; the longest I've ever danced at one time was about 8 minutes with my troupe, and this will be two 20-minute sets. I'm really thrilled to be doing it, but that's a darn long time to fill!

Thank you for the long distance zaghareet, Laura!

Originally Posted by LauraLevana

the longest I've ever danced at one time was about 8 minutes with my troupe, and this will be two 20-minute sets. I'm really thrilled to be doing it, but that's a darn long time to fill!
heart:

even more reason to start planning on taking your time. :) we're so used to having to cram everything we have to offer into such short sets, that it can be kind of a freak-out to have to fill 20 minutes of time - or more! think of what you usually do in your short sets - you have your entrance, the main part of the show, maybe your music has a taqsim section, maybe you do a drum solo, and then your finale music. in a longer set, you get to really relax into your music and explore it, one aspect at a time. in the first song, really think about greeting your audience, setting a nice relaxed (yet exciting!) tone, having fun. don't worry about busting out all of your hot moves just yet - you've got your whole set to do that. don't worry about doing all the slow moves and all the fast moves - you've got a veil song or a taqsim coming up, and a drum solo, to showcase your slow and fast stuff. in your veil music, just do veil stuff. taqsim, just relax into the groove and express express express. maybe another fast song to lighten things up - with folkloric flavor, perhaps? bust out your chops in the drum solo. if appropriate, take a few songs to go from table to table dancing your hello-and-thank-you (and tips if you do that). come back to the stage for a nice big bow and flutter off to blot the sweat and chug a glass of water. :) have a blast!

oh - final advice: when people give you compliments, accept them graciously - and believe them! nobody is going to go out of their way to get up and go tell you how much they liked your show, just to pull your leg. :) even if you messed up that combo or totally botched your choreo or blew the ending on your drum solo or felt totally terrified, give them a big happy smile and say "thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, I had such a good time dancing for you!"

Sounds like you've been doing some great planning! When is your show?

I have my music ready--nice veil entrance piece, mostly upbeat pop, a cane number, and a drum solo to end each set. I let my daughters each pick a song and promise they'd get up on "their" song, so I have adorable audience participation guaranteed, and after a few drinks, my husband easily out-shimmies me!

I really liked the idea of thinking of it as hosting a party and encouraging others to have fun.

Levana~ Have a great time at your gig!!!
I've seen you dance before- and you are Great!
Good dance vibes sent your way!
. . .yeah, I still have pics for you. . .
~Zayna : )

. . .yeah, I still have pics for you. . .
~Zayna : )[/QUOTE]

Finally got that computer working? ..g.:

Originally Posted by LauraLevana

. . .yeah, I still have pics for you. .
Finally got that computer working? ..g.:

heh- which PART of the computer???
LOL- the computer! ..c:: ..l;,
I actually don't own a computer or that camera, it's all borrowed-
so I can't complain- er- loudly?
Are you missing pics from more then month?

Hi Zayna,
The last time I danced at Sphinx was August, so those are the pictures I've never seen.

Thank you for all the good advice--I survived!..l;,

Okay...I forgot half of what I'd planned to do, probably did a lot of panicky random laps around the room (It went by in such a blur, I couldn't really tell you what I did...I'm hoping it was something vaguely middle eastern!.w.: )

But...I didn't light my veil on fire in one of the centerpieces or forget to bring my CDs or knock over a passing tray!

And, they've invited me back! ..g.: