Thread: hmm....festival?

Hi guys, hope everyone is doing well.

I have a question regarding performing at a multicultural festival. I agreed to do it already...but was wondering if I did the right thing. Here's the thing: some performers are paid. Are festivals usually like that? I don't think I"ll be the only one there who isn't paid..well, who knows right. I haven't performed in a lot of places..and I'm not experienced. so I was thinking since I'm not pro completely yet it wouldn't hurt to dance for them...even though "some" performers are paid (which could be all of them who knows..and I'm guessing there MIGHT be a bellydance company performing there).

What do you think? I can always back out since nothing is set in stone yet.

They just want to fill in the extra slots.They also said there would be around 10,000 attendees and media coverage and also press conference. and also a dvd recording of the performances given out.

*Sigh* Maybe I can view it as a type of "performing internship".

ok, tell me what you think I should do...

If you are aspiring to be a professional it's never too early to start behaving like one...you agreed to do this, don't back out on a commitment now because you didn't square away the payment situation at the time.

~~Kimahri

ask if you can give out business cards, especially to the media--see if they have a press kit or something you could slip them into

Sometimes we do dance for free. I am planning a festival in which all the performers will be paid. However, I don't like to see people making a habit of it, or it creates situations like those in my area where no one gets paid because nobody will buy what they can get for free.

That said, I agree that if you have already said you'd do it, you should.

My troupe used to get paid to dance at a local festival, until another local troupe volunteered to dance there for free. Within 5 years, none of the bellydancers are getting paid by this festival any more. I don't know about the other performers.

Even more important than that, to me, is what is your level as a dancer? An opportunity to present our art form to over 10,000 people is tremendous, not the place for an internship or an inexperienced performer. It's not clear from your post above how long you've been performing and whether you're ready to represent the art form in this environment.

Usually at a multicultural festival, most of the dancers are native or highly trained and working under an experienced artistic director. Are you prepared and capable of presenting a variety of Middle Eastern dance forms? I'm not sure any of the Middle Eastern or Arab cultures would appreciated being represented by Raks Sharki alone!

Hi BreaMorgiane,

Thanks for your comment. yes, I am definitely not going to make a habit of it. I want to get the experience to get my feet wet but also have a good business etiquette for the other dancers. I'm only doing this because I am not a pro...if they want a pro, they have to pay. I will only be dancing for free only for charities and non profits next time.

Thanks and g'luck on your festival!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

My troupe used to get paid to dance at a local festival, until another local troupe volunteered to dance there for free. Within 5 years, none of the bellydancers are getting paid by this festival any more. I don't know about the other performers.

Even more important than that, to me, is what is your level as a dancer? An opportunity to present our art form to over 10,000 people is tremendous, not the place for an internship or an inexperienced performer. It's not clear from your post above how long you've been performing and whether you're ready to represent the art form in this environment.

Usually at a multicultural festival, most of the dancers are native or highly trained and working under an experienced artistic director. Are you prepared and capable of presenting a variety of Middle Eastern dance forms? I'm not sure any of the Middle Eastern or Arab cultures would appreciated being represented by Raks Sharki alone!

What she said!

Totally outside of this particular thing:

If non-pros dance for free, people will only hire non-dance pros. Once you are ready to perform in public, you should charge. This helps the community (read what Lauren said). Even if you feel inexperienced it's important you do this. Nobody pays for something they can get for free.

Also, I echo what Lauren said - do you know enough about Middle Eastern dance to do it justice at a festival of that kind?

Originally Posted by Lauren_

My troupe used to get paid to dance at a local festival, until another local troupe volunteered to dance there for free. Within 5 years, none of the bellydancers are getting paid by this festival any more. I don't know about the other performers.

Even more important than that, to me, is what is your level as a dancer? An opportunity to present our art form to over 10,000 people is tremendous, not the place for an internship or an inexperienced performer. It's not clear from your post above how long you've been performing and whether you're ready to represent the art form in this environment.

Usually at a multicultural festival, most of the dancers are native or highly trained and working under an experienced artistic director. Are you prepared and capable of presenting a variety of Middle Eastern dance forms? I'm not sure any of the Middle Eastern or Arab cultures would appreciated being represented by Raks Sharki alone!

Hi Lauren,

Rest assured that I have performed at a non profit event before and I am at intermediate to advanced level. Btw, it's going to be just a short performance in public so no director...if there was a director, they wouldn't hire me since I'm not pro obviously and I wouldn't want to be hired as a pro - not yet at least until I get some more experience under my bedlah. And about your native dancers comment, well it's different in Canada...you get Caucasians teaching and performing lion dance...

ok, I can represent it better than that girl did on britains got talent. I will charge everyone from now on. thanks.

I don't have time to over think this anymore..all I do is get more frustrated and lose confidence discussing it on here. I'm am a great dancer so they will be pretty lucky.

thanks for all the comments.
have a great weekend.

I would just like to say that I think the girl on Britains got talent was a fantastic representation.

Originally Posted by Bellydancingcaroline

I would just like to say that I think the girl on Britains got talent was a fantastic representation.

You are too kind. She was wriggly, uncoordinated, inept and pulled daft faces. She looked fantastic however. But that was all.

Remember, they only showed a few edited clips. Imagine one of your routines with 4 edited clips from different sections.

Originally Posted by Bellydancingcaroline

Remember, they only showed a few edited clips. Imagine one of your routines with 4 edited clips from different sections.

She wasn't edited at Raqs Britannia!

Ah well dancing at Festivals.I'm dancing in one and there are plenty of perks if not pay. Entry to other events, a comraderie born of rehearsing, a joy in representing this dance ( in a lovely costume!)
GOOD/GREAT dancers with BIG names get paid.
I'm a good dancer but not a big name.
Cultural happenings do not have the resouces commerical ventures do. They do not intend to make profits ,just enough to hold their events. Often the BIG names will appear for less remuneration, the kudos is enough for them.

You have to believe in the event and if it is good for you and to say you have appeared in it. Even if you are as you say a GREAT dancer it may be worth dancing for free or expenses. There will be times when GREAT dancers like Randa may decide to grace a lesser known venue for less pay because they believe in it or want to spread their wings.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Sometimes we do dance for free. I am planning a festival in which all the performers will be paid. However, I don't like to see people making a habit of it, or it creates situations like those in my area where no one gets paid because nobody will buy what they can get for free.

That said, I agree that if you have already said you'd do it, you should.

Yes! To both. We have that situation, where we all started dancing for free (my troupe included) and now it's harder to get paid gigs. Especially troupe gigs. And, now because both beginners & pro-levels are dancing, the GP really doesn't know the difference!! But, once you commit to something, don't back out--if you do, you definitely won't get the next paid one that they offer!

You agreed to do it, but have you agreed to doing it for free yet? If not, I'd say to charge them the going rate. If you have, well you have to follow through on your word, but I'd make sure to kindly mention that you normally charge and will be waiving the fee this year, only.

We've not seen you dance and cannot reasonably question your abilities. I'd say the person you should be speaking to about dancing professionally is your teacher. Paid or not, this is a professional venue.

Have fun, and don't lose sleep over it. What's done is done - go out there, do your best, and have fun! And like the others said, try not to keep it all Raks Sharki - they'll want to see some folklore too.

Hi all,

I should not have compared myself to any dancer. I will be careful of that from now on. Thanks for pointing out the facts. I won't be doing a folkloric dance. I haven't studied it long enough..I know how, but I want to do it properly. So no, I won't be doing it. I know the importance of including it though.

I'll be doing a cabaret style choreography...I've been practicing everyday and trying to refine my technique.

There was a bellydance superstar dvd I saw a few years ago showing different bellydance styles. They had classical egyptian, cabaret, turkish folk..and I can't remember the rest. But thinking back now, I am definitely cabaret..aren't most bellydancers cabaret style? In all my dance classes and different teachers, there weren't any teachings of the differentiation of these styles and moves. I mean, I just learn the techniques...and when I'm dancing, I don't think about if what I'm doing is classical egyptian or cabaret style.

I mean, I pickup moves from different places..from teachers, other dancers, videos...for example, I might be using an egyptian walk, and then a "lebanese headache", and then a turkish gesture. boy, I'd get in big trouble if I were in Egypt eh? I know there isn't any bellydancing that is truly authentic... I hope people won't expect it at performances. Some big name dancers I see them adding in their own moves...

Originally Posted by Fushia

I'll be doing a cabaret style choreography...I've been practicing everyday and trying to refine my technique.

Cabaret style/Raks Sharki is a legitimate "native" dance form in my opinion, so I don't think you need to worry too much about it being "native" enough.

That said, if I were doing something like what you're doing for a cultural festival, I would probably go more towards the "folky" end of the spectrum. I'd do this simply because it's not seen nearly enough and the GP is very ignorant of its existence -- but that's not the GP's fault of course!

If it's possible to do, and I completely understand if it is not at this late date, would you consider adding a bit of cane to your routine? It's folky, but very much at home in a cabaret performance. It doesn't have to be long or complicated, just a taste. You will be remembered for that cane!

Deborah
(Fushia, I've pm'd you)