Thread: Popular businesses/venues for performing?

Hey pros (and those who know far more than me on the business scene haha!),

What are some popular businesses/venues for performing regularly? We have maybe on Middle Eastern restaurant, and from what I hear, it's very tiny. We no longer have an Indian restaurant and we have one Greek one, but it's got little floor space. What have you found to be other good venues to perform at? I teach at two gyms right now, but I'd really like to further my performance experience and "stuff". There's not really very much competition in my area. There's only one other dancer that performs when I can't make a gig (which gigs are rare to begin with) and teaches, but that's about it.

What suggestions have you all?

Thank you!

Eden

We have enough BD-friendly Middle Eastern venues in my region (CT) to count on one hand, with at least a couple of fingers left over - and far more dancers than I personally believe our market can support. Occasionally, a non-ME nightclub will hire me for a one-off gig. But they usually spend their entertainment budget on house music, cover bands and other "safe" diversions.

Needless to say, I'm done with that scene. I do lots of private parties and corporate events. The pay is better and there's less competition in my niche.

It never hurts to send out your feelers to prospective venues in your area, whether or not they're ME. I'd suggest becoming a customer at those places first, and developing a friendly rapport with the owners and staff before you pitch anything to them. If you get good vibes from them, feel free to hand out your card, a promo DVD or whatever materials you might have. If they already have dancers at those places, please coordinate with them first! Miscommunication is the biggest factor in 9 out of 10 scene dramas.

If restaurants and clubs aren't biting - and even if they are - you should get your name up on PartyPop, Shira's website, and all the other party directories. Consider signing up for Gigmasters. And if you don't have a website, definitely consider getting one, even if it's DIY. To get party gigs, you'll need some type of web presence and/or a friendly rapport with other dancers who might refer gigs over to you.

And I think this goes without saying, but if you're a newbie to the pro scene, definitely touch base with other dancers in your area to make sure you're on the same page about rates, set length and other important business protocol!

We perform at a fancy steakhouse, a greek restaurant, and a neat local co-op coffee shop.

As far as unpaid events go, we perform at the local city and summer events around here, like the art show, 4th of July, and the community festival.