Thread: Requests for Hula Dancers?

Does anyone else get constant requests for luaus?? I feel like I am always getting phone calls that sound something like this:

Customer: Hi, I'm having a luau and I wanted to hire some dancers

Me: Ok, well, just so you know I am a bellydancer, not a hula dancer.

Customer: Well, bellydance, hula dance, isn't it the same thing?

Me: No, not really. We may have some similar dance moves but it's very different.

Customer: Yeah, but you wear flowers and move your hips and stuff, so it's really the same.

Me: Not really, no. Also, I use Middle Eastern music, not Hawaiin music. Why don't you visit my website and watch my video clips so you can see if what I do would be appropriate for your party?

And of course I never hear back.

I mean, I'm not one to turn down a job, but I don't want to show up at a party dancing to Hakim when they were expecting Lovely Hula Hands.

What do you guys do with these kinds of requests? I'm almost tempted to buy myself a grass skirt and start booking these jobs. I can do the Huki Lau (sp?) with the best of them. And if these people don't know the difference between bellydance and hula then they wouldn't be able to tell if I knew what I was doing....(I kid, I kid. That would be very Suzy Nippletassels of me).

Seriously though, on Gigmasters I get at least one request for hula dancers a week. And some bellydancers MUST be bidding on these jobs - it will say that the client contacted 14 performers (bellydancers, polynesian dancers and hula dancers), and like 10 responded yes. There are only 3 hula dancers in our area listed on gigmasters so some of those that said yes must be bellydancers. Who is doing these jobs???

I get this a lot, and yes, a great majority of the callers seem to have no idea the Belly Dancing and Hula are two completely different dance forms.

Sometimes I honestly get a "it's all just the same foreign crap, right?" vibe from them.

One person actually said to me "Well, you wear those grass skirts too, right?"

Um, no.....

Especially having lived in Hawai'i, yeah I get that a lot. Did you see my thread where I found that weird 'Hawaiian Bellydance How-To"?

Again, offended on behalf of Hawaiians and bellydancers everywhere. ,r:;

Yes, I get this. And yes, I know bellydancers who put on a grass skirt and omi to Don Ho tunes or whatever. (well, I think they've had SOME lessons, to be fair!!) Clients don't know the difference, of course, and everyone's happy --- except, of course, for the REAL local hula dancers!!!

I only know that I wouldn't want the hula dancers to put on a Cairo airport special Nippletassels costume and shimmy to Hakim, so I don't do it to them.

Gotta admit, though, during times when I get more calls for hula than bellydance, it's tempting!!

Neighbor calls me, says she's having a kids' party, wants a hula dancer. I explain that Middle Eastern dance is different etc. She says, "But it's two weeks away. Couldn't you learn?" ..l;,

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

One person actually said to me "Well, you wear those grass skirts too, right?"

Um, no.....

I got a request for a coconut bra once.

Sometimes, I wish I had a little more of that Nippletasslin' Spirit....I'd probably be making a LOT more money doing this!

Not long ago, another dancer referred a hula request (you guessed it - she got it on Gigmasters) over to me. I know she was trying to be nice because I'd just gotten into an accident and needed money, but when I politely declined on the basis that I'd only been taking hula classes for 6 weeks, she told me that 6 weeks was all the experience I needed to perform hula.

It is kind of sad that even some BDers equate hula with omis and pretty hands - how is that any different from people saying that all we do is stand there and wiggle? Hula isn't exactly something you can fudge, either, as each hand gesture has a specific meaning in the context of a song's lyrics.

Done with my rant. I wonder if there's an option on Gigmasters where you can opt out of requests for non-M.E. dance forms. (I'm sure nobody's asking you for Chinese acrobatics or ballroom dance instruction, though - just the "hippy shaky weird ethnic stuff").

I am with you...I think I'd be rich if I could channel Suzy Nippletassels and don a grass skirt and lei...

On a related note, I tried to find a hula class in my area and couldn't even find one! (I found a few - just a few - in Manhattan, but I wanted to stay in Queens or Long Island, NY) And I only see two or three performing troupes in my area. I guess that could be the reason for the hula requests too - there aren't enough *actual* hula dancers to go around?

My teachers did both hula and bellydance and they got a LOT more work as hula dancers. Luaus, nursing homes and international events where bellydance might be considered 'too racey' were primary venues.

Yeah, I was asked to TEACH hula, believe it or not, for a kids class this summer. I told them I don't know hula, and they said that bellydance was "too risque" for me to teach kids.

Um...but hula isn't? Interesting to me. I lived in HI, I know what some of those songs mean, and just because a word sounds pretty doesn't mean that its meaning is! ..g.:

Still, I can definitely see why as a hula dancer I'd get more gigs. Hm. Maybe it's time to learn...

Lauren - you're right on the money with that. Hula is HUGE in the summer and definitely more widely acceptable at "family friendly" parties and venues. Not to mention, to Daniela's point, the hula community doesn't tend to experience the same level of supersaturation that BD does, so there are plenty of opportunities to go around. In fact, it's actually hard to find hula dancers!

I really, really wish I could get "into" hula the same way I do BD. I really enjoyed the 8-week hula class I took this spring, but for whatever reason, it just never struck the same chord that BD did.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Um...but hula isn't? Interesting to me. I lived in HI, I know what some of those songs mean, and just because a word sounds pretty doesn't mean that its meaning is! ..g.:

Hahahaha yeah....and let's just say you experience a whole new level of draftiness when wearing a grass skirt that makes you appreciate the security of a snug Lycra number or a circle skirt and harems.

And I'll take ten layers of padding, boning and decorative fabric engineered to support and contain over two coconuts and a string, any day!

Not knocking hula costuming, by any means....just sayin' .w.:

The local Elks were shocked and appaled when we came on the invitation of a freind to dance. But when the Hula ladies showed up it was so lovely!! They wore one third the clothing we did and open and closed their thighs with great alacrity. So...it must be breasts in motion are bad, or the whole Orientalist bad girl vs. good clean American Emperialism thing. It drove me crazy that people wouldnt take the time to examine the bad logic behind their prejudice.

That's why I'm looking for a hula class. While I would never perform hula without the proper training, I'm thinking that if it's something I really do enjoy, I could learn to perform both (again, only when I'm ready...). I do see that there is a high demand for hula dancers and not enough of them to go around, so of course the business side of me sees the huge profit potential. But the artist side of me wants to make sure I learn whatever I am learning correctly before I perform it.

I just don't understand the whole bellydancer must equal hula dancer thing? At first I assumed it was because I lived in Hawai'i, but then it seemed more about the bellydancer part. And the lady- this was at the COLLEGE where I teach- said that 'hula and bellydance can't be THAT different, right?'

Yeah, actually, they are. Hula is a lot more in the feet. The purpose of the dance is to tell a story. The hand movements are really the point of the entire dance. And ya gotta wonder how many Suzie Nippletassles hula instructors there are outside Hawai'i. Kumu hula are NOT known for their kindness!

And let's all remember that Kohelepelepe means 'detached vagina', everybody.

,r:;

'detached vagina'

ahhh...from what? It's not like its a dangely bit .

Anala - oh, right. The story.

The great hog god (and also god of rain) Kamapua'a thought Pele was very hot, so he chased her around. She wasn't interested (obviously). One day she was walking with her sister, who happened to posess a detachable vagina. When Kamapua'a again chased Pele, her sister threw the decoy and Kamapua'a went after that and (for the time being) left Pele alone. Later he did accomplish his mission, but for the purposes of this story, there is still a place on Koko Head in Honolulu called Kohelepelepe- detached vagina/fringed vagina/etc.

Here is a picture of it:



and here is a well-known painting of one of their famous fights, rain vs fire:

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

That's why I'm looking for a hula class. While I would never perform hula without the proper training, I'm thinking that if it's something I really do enjoy, I could learn to perform both (again, only when I'm ready...). I do see that there is a high demand for hula dancers and not enough of them to go around, so of course the business side of me sees the huge profit potential. But the artist side of me wants to make sure I learn whatever I am learning correctly before I perform it.

Definitely give it a try. You've got nothing to lose! Tahitian will be a SNAP for you because you've already mastered hip bumps, omis and shimmies. If nothing else, you'll come out of the experience with an amazing new level of fluidity and expression in your hands and arms. The benefit for me was enormous, in this respect.

Profit was definitely a fringe benefit that I kept in mind when I signed up for hula. You really do open yourself to all kinds of new venues and possibilities if you can perform Polynesian dance.

I also know that you're way too smart to become the next Six Week Wonder of the hula world! (Though, yes, that is still the most profitable course of action at the end of the day).

detachable vagina...I can think of lots of uses for that. I would like to leave it home alone once a month for starters!

There was a nineties grunge-era hit called "Detachable Penis." Perhaps, they took their inspiration from Hawaiian folklore.

When I think detachable vagina, I picture Ms. Potato Head swapping out all sorts of various plastic modules whenever the mood strikes. Could come in handy, I suppose. *scratches head*

I get the same hula-and-BD-are-the-same stuff alot. No, they're not.

But . . .

<raises hand sheepishly>

. . . I must admit to hula-ing a bit.

<rushes to add>: But I was never paid!

I can do (my) version of Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles." That's it. That's all I know. I only do this for groups with which I have an affiliation. And I loudly proclaim that I am not a trained hula dancer.

Many years ago, my mom (who taught me the Tiny Bubbles dance) suggested I learn hula/polynesian to expand my repertoire -- and my money-making capabilities.

But, just how much call is there for a red-headed middle-aged haole hula dancer??? (yes, I know that haole (sp?) is derogatory, which is why I used it.)

Deborah

I think it was Kapo's...Pele had a lot of sisters. I always felt a sort of kinship with Pele.

The point is, Hawaiian dance/myth/culture isn't necessarily all sweetness, innocence and light! And hula has a problem being misunderstood just like our dance. There's even a modern Hawaiian song about it, Keep Your Eyes on the Hands:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxeR_myjVgY&feature=related"]YouTube - Keep your eyes on the hands[/ame]

And here are the lyrics:

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE HANDS

Anyone a fan of Hawaiian music here? I love it. That is, Braddah Iz and all that kind of thing.

Originally Posted by casbahdance

Many years ago, my mom (who taught me the Tiny Bubbles dance) suggested I learn hula/polynesian to expand my repertoire -- and my money-making capabilities.

No worries. As long as you're not flashing your detachable vajayjay and claiming to be the next star of Hawaiian dance, there's no problem with recreationally performing with a troupe!

It really is amazing how many of us have either taken hula or been advised to do so to increase our marketability? (I'm guilty as charged: not judging, just observing). Overall, it's a little bit sad that just doing BD doesn't cut it anymore. Not sure if this reflects on the stereotypes or the saturation of our markets, just thinking aloud.

How much do you want to bet that each of our local Nippletasslers will scramble to get a grass skirt and take up hula immediately after reading this thread? With these difficult economic times, man can't live on shawarma alone...

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

No worries. As long as you're not flashing your detachable vajayjay and claiming to be the next star of Hawaiian dance . . .

Neither of which is likely to happen within my lifetime . . .

..g.:

Deborah

Still, Deborah, I have to say it: please don't use that word to describe yourself or others. If you have to refer to yourself/others in some way, 'malihini' is a lot better.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Done with my rant. I wonder if there's an option on Gigmasters where you can opt out of requests for non-M.E. dance forms. (I'm sure nobody's asking you for Chinese acrobatics or ballroom dance instruction, though - just the "hippy shaky weird ethnic stuff").

I get a lot of Hula and other non ME dance requests on gigmasters because I have myself listed in the categories for both "bellydancer" and "dance group." The dance group category has no style sub-categories.
Apparently when someone is looking for entertainment they can either request info from specific entertainers use a feature that automatically requests information everyone in that category. When you go to respond to the gig it tells you if you have been auto-added and how to opt out of being auto-added to gigs in future if you wish.

Mariyah, I'm not listed in "dance group", only Bellydance. Did you just get the request for the Hawaiin themed wedding? 10 performers were contacted, 5 already replied yes (and as I said before, there are only 3 hula/polynesian dancers in our area!). It said that she requested bids from "Belly Dancer, Hawaiin Dancer, Hula Dancer."

So, she specifically chose Bellydancers as a group to contact, even though in her description she wants one or two hula dancers and a fire eater! ..cr.:

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

Mariyah, I'm not listed in "dance group", only Bellydance. Did you just get the request for the Hawaiin themed wedding? 10 performers were contacted, 5 already replied yes (and as I said before, there are only 3 hula/polynesian dancers in our area!). It said that she requested bids from "Belly Dancer, Hawaiin Dancer, Hula Dancer."

So, she specifically chose Bellydancers as a group to contact, even though in her description she wants one or two hula dancers and a fire eater! ..cr.:

Sounds like a friggin' cool wedding! But the usual....

Sad that some belly bunny is probably dusting her Bellynesian DVD and hanging the tassels from her coconut bra in preparation for the event.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Still, Deborah, I have to say it: please don't use that word to describe yourself or others. If you have to refer to yourself/others in some way, 'malihini' is a lot better.

Okay, okay . . . I'll be good. I'd never use that "h" word for somebody else, but even on myself it's not so great. BTW, I was taught the "h" word by my Japanese friends in junior high . . .

"Malihini" it is from now on. I promise.

Deborah