Thread: Spin off: Restaurant gigs

OK, I just need to feel a little better about my situation. I know some are pro restaurant gigs, some anti- and many do it because they have to. Everyone is welcome to respond!

I've been wanting a regular gig for quite some time. I tried to get in at the Hookah bar and I thought for sure I'd be a regular dancer when they opened their second shop, but I only got the opp to dance a few times there. And then the Greek restaurant a couple blocks from my house reopened (read: walking distance!) and eureka the owner called me. I got really excited about it because he has 2-3 restaurants and he wants regular dancers in all of them.

I posted in an earlier thread earlier about how he asked what my age was. He told me to call him to make an appointment. I called him and he didn't have time so he asked me to e-mail him my resume and some pictures. I did. It's funny before I sent them off I felt like I wasn't good enough...that it just wasn't right. Generally, I am really proud of my belly dancing accomplishments but it must've been my gut instinct talking because he never returned my phone call or my e-mail!

Should I contact him for the 3rd time? Or should I let it go?

I would contact him with a message something along the lines of

"I'm writing to make sure that the photographs and resume that I sent you on DATE were able to open properly on your computer, and if not, please let me know how I may get them to you otherwise. I look forward to working with you and your business."

I would actually call the owner with this message rather than write an email. If, by some chance he didn't actually get the pics, he might not get this email either. So best to not have to wonder about it any more than you have to: call to confirm!

I know, I just feel like I am being pushy!

Nothing wrong with pushy. Unless you are also rude, which I don't believe is the case. I am finding that follow up is exceptionally important in the business. because if you dont' do it, someone else will.

Also, when dealing with the fraud factor, remember that in this situation, he is the one who contacted you! you are more than good enough!

{{{HUGS}}}

i would get all dolled up, and go there with copies of all you sent because,"i sure you did not get these, so i am bringing them in persoanlly this time."
i never tell my age, because they will think of 57 in another light.not a 57 who has danced since 1953 and never had kids etc.but i only accept age appro. jobs anyway.
i have many younger dancers...really, go in there !

..stop in on your way home from a gig!....get my drift?

I think follow up is always important, in a non - pushy way. You don't sound pushy. You can also imply that you are a busy dancer and get booked ahead of time for private gigs. You would love to dance at his place, so you just want to know if he has decided anything.

I like the mixture of sounding like you don't need him / you are not desperate but at the same time excited about dancing there. (dancers that act like they're all that, and are very conceited, can sound rude and are a turn off).

I would either call him or go there instead of email, and could use the line of "just wanted to make sure you got everything I sent you". I like face to face interaction more, because you can get a clearer picture (is he brushing you off? is he just busy?) also in person he can see your personality, etc.

Revisiting this thread...I just followed up today. I hope to hear back...I was thinking about sending a post out to our listserv to ask if any dancers were dancing there and to give me the low down on it. Although I stopped myself because dancers some are really territorial about gigs here and only seem to allow their closest friends to sub for them. I on the other hand only want to dance a couple nights a month and this owner seemed interested in having a variety of regular dancers 3 nights a week in 2 different restaurants. Surely there is enough room for me? I am not trying to take a gig or undercut, but I feel like I should get in on this too. It's so close to my house and I've been wanting it for so long...

Keeping my fingers crossed for you, Andalee. I'm feeling a lot of the same frustrations that you are....not enough opportunities to begin with, and getting an "in" is not easy if you're not a member of this one small, close-knit tribe.

But that's a totally surmountable obstacle if you're talented, persistent, thick-skinned, positive, and willing to swim upstream at times. If you've got the talent, the professionalism, and the looks required to bring an audience to their knees, that's all you need. Even if this gig doesn't pan out, or worse, one of the locals is doing everything in her power to make sure only her MySpace Top 5 get in, your day will come. Just remember, on a conventional job search, they say your average person sends out 100 resumes before getting hired for a position. Same goes for finding your own venues. Try to learn something from the experience and don't lose steam.

And remember: it doesn't always have to be Middle Eastern. Some of the greatest gigs can be found at Mexican, Latin Fusion, Tapas, Italian, or Indian restaurants, or hotel lounges, or anyplace where there might be live entertainment. And also, don't forget: private parties can be faaaaaaaaaar more lucrative ..g.: .

Yeah, I'm not trying to usurp anyone. The dancers in my area are super nice. It's just that we're saturated and growing. Seems like a new belly dancer moves into the metro area every week! Anyway, I do prefer private gigs. They are more satisfying and they pay better. I just like having the visibility of restaurant dancing. I'll get there. :)

It will come..dont get discouraged....this is something I would like to do as well...so I know how you feel.

Just thinking outloud... but my first thought was "ask to audition" basically create the opportunity for the owner/manage to see you dance and see how you interact with an audience... performance personality isn't always apparent in a verbal exchange much less in an e-mail/paper exchange... again, just a thought for what it's worth...

Oh, full make-up & costume but NOT when custormers are present as then he would need to pay you... for that matter, you could invite him to another gig if you perform publicly elsewhere...