Thread: My First Solo Gig

OK so I just got home from my very first solo gig It went kind of OK but kind of weird...

...I ended up dancing 3 sets at 2 different places (under the same ownership). The first place was a more young American crowd. They didn't really watch me but I did my thing and got used to the whole improv in front of an audience thing. No tips ,f:: I didn't care so much because I knew my last set of the night would be at the place where the Arabs hang out and they'd be more into it.

Well, I'm pretty sure everyone was drunk! I had one drunk lady follow me around during my whole set. I started dancing with her then drifted off but she kept following me. I couldn't do the moves I wanted to; I thought about doing the "sit down and watch the new star dance" trick but decided it wouldn't work. She really did want to be the center of attention.

Then I play "El Enab" and everyone got up and started dancing in the middle of my set! I knew this song would be a hit but didn't know the audience would take over the floor. I didn't know what to do...There were like 30 people on the dance floor ignoring me and doing their own thing. I wish the would've just cut the music after that song but the DJ went through to my drum solo. Everyone continued dancing...oh and I still got no tips.

I'm left a little happy and feeling a little jaded. It was fun overall but only because I made it fun for me. I have never seen these people get up and dance in the middle of a bellydancer's set - I've been to the Arab club many times while dancers were there.

On the plus side, I got paid and the guy said I did very well. I hope he meant it; I tried my best

Well, it sounds like you did everything right. It's true a lot of nights will feel this way, but the best nights are better than words can describe. Keep at it, and you'll see that for yourself.

Remember also at this time of year, people tend to drink more than usual & exhibit odder behavior as a result.

Originally Posted by Safiyah

OK so I just got home from my very first solo gig It went kind of OK but kind of weird...

I had one drunk lady follow me around during my whole set. I started dancing with her then drifted off but she kept following me. I couldn't do the moves I wanted to; I thought about doing the "sit down and watch the new star dance" trick but decided it wouldn't work. She really did want to be the center of attention.

Been there. I had one lady stand up to dance with me and I could not get her to sit down. I tried to dance in front of her but she kept upstaging me. The worst part was she thought she was a good dancer (she came up and told me this later) but fact was her timing was so off with the music that to even glance at her almost threw my own timing off. Especially since she danced so close to me.

It sounds like you did a great job! ..g.:

Lisa

thanks guys! There was a large birthday party there that night and so they were probably drinking for a long time, since I got there around 1. I just keep saying at least they all had a good time but I hope the owner doesn't think I completely suck! It was his first time seeing me and I couldn't really shine in that kind of situation.

I'm really happy to hear I did the right thing. I was so confused and my family was in the audience trying to figure out what to do. They gave me a money shower but nobody recovered the tips for me due to the large crowd on the dance floor :( And I had hoped it would've prompted more tips but...

I went out to see one of my teachers at an Arab nightclub and I was surprised that so many Arabs were up & dancing during her set. There were the few that came up to dance WITH her (usually while tipping lots of money) but there were also a few that were dancing for their tables like they were inspired by her or something. She's an amazing dancer with a real understanding of middle eastern dance, so I don't think it's any reflection on her at all.

You did good! Just because you didn't get to dance your set the way you planned, it doesn't mean it wasn't good. On the contrary! People got up to dance, it means they liked your music, they liked you - you brought fun and life to the party / place and entertained them! That is basically our job.

Of course it would be great if you could do your drumsolo and everyone would watch in amazement, but if they doing it with you on the floor and keep dancing... who cares?

you did a good job, don't worry about it.

Sometimes I don't get much tips, but everyone is watching/clapping/having fun/dancing with me. So I don't really care, I will not let that make me feel bad. It is obvious that they liked everything, so that's a positive thing. (they often give me a lot of tips after that, when I come out with my coat/cover up ready to go, but not always).
The bottom line is we get paid and tips are extra. (nice, but extra)

So jealous of you!!! Sounds like you had a good night! What a cool first experience, even if it wasn't what you expected.

Sounds like you did an outstanding job considering the circumstances. I'm glad you were able to have *some* fun with it. One of the tricks I like to use when somebody decides to get too close to me while I'm performing (most usually some overly enthusiastic guy) is to take advantage of my finger cymbals. You don't really have to use them aggressively to be able to get someone to back off a bit. Just playing them relatively adjacent to the person is usually enough to get them to move away from you fairly quickly, *especially* if you are moving (turns, spins, or traveling steps) with them in play (oh, let's call that one a pun intended, even if it just slipped out) ..g.: and it just so happens to pass close by their face in the normal trajectory of the arm movement.

Oh I know tips aren't requisite, but usually the tips are good at this place. I think it was a younger crowd and it's close to the holidays. Also almost everyone there was celebrating someone's birthday so they were just in party mode.

I definitely feel like I got the crash course in restaurant dancing...well, these places are more of a nightclub. It was a positive experience, I just felt a little like I didn't have control over the audience, which I'm not used to lol! Usually they just sit in their seats. But hey the crowd had a blast so that's what's supposed to happen. Hopefully I'll "officially" be put on the schedule!

Originally Posted by TediThomas

Sounds like you did an outstanding job considering the circumstances. I'm glad you were able to have *some* fun with it. One of the tricks I like to use when somebody decides to get too close to me while I'm performing (most usually some overly enthusiastic guy) is to take advantage of my finger cymbals. You don't really have to use them aggressively to be able to get someone to back off a bit. Just playing them relatively adjacent to the person is usually enough to get them to move away from you fairly quickly, *especially* if you are moving (turns, spins, or traveling steps) with them in play (oh, let's call that one a pun intended, even if it just slipped out) ..g.: and it just so happens to pass close by their face in the normal trajectory of the arm movement.

..l;, That's a great trick!! Thankfully nobody crossed the line. A few people got a little too close but I just backed up and they understood. But I don't doubt I'll have to use this trick at some point in time or another