Thread: Bellygram at a bar...

Okay,

I was just offered a gig to dance for a going away party. It's for a woman's son, and she runs a bar in town. She will be working that night, and wants to have the party at her bar (understandable, since she owns it, right?). So, she's hired me to come dance for one hour (20 minute performance, plus audience interaction, photos, etc...). During that time period the bar will be shut down.

I was gung ho until she said it was at a bar.... anyone else ever been in that situation? By then I had already agreed to do it (I'm new at this, and she had just said she wanted to have it at her business...how was I supposed to know her business was a bar...stupid me). Anyway, I mean the restaurant I normally dance at is a bar after around 11pm, too.

So I'm just wondering if others have had similar jobs? I sent her my policies along with my confirmation, including how I accept tips, that I won't tolerate lewd behavior, that I will not dance for a men-only crowd, and that I will need someone to walk me to my car after the gig.

I did bellygrams for over 10 years, and I would say that probably 75% of them were in bars. I never had a problem at any time. If you're a little uncomfortable with it, bring a friend or your husband or SO to keep an eye on things and so you don't walk in alone. Safety in numbers, right? I never traveled alone if I could help it. I was always dragging some poor unsuspecting girlfriend along, or the hubby, even if he just walked me to the door and waited in the car. It doesn't mean you're unprofessional to have someone with you -- just means you're guaranteeing your own safety. People should understand that.

Originally Posted by donnadiva

I did bellygrams for over 10 years, and I would say that probably 75% of them were in bars. I never had a problem at any time. If you're a little uncomfortable with it, bring a friend or your husband or SO to keep an eye on things and so you don't walk in alone. Safety in numbers, right? I never traveled alone if I could help it. I was always dragging some poor unsuspecting girlfriend along, or the hubby, even if he just walked me to the door and waited in the car. It doesn't mean you're unprofessional to have someone with you -- just means you're guaranteeing your own safety. People should understand that.

Oh good. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't committing some kind of "faux pas" by doing a bellygram at a bar. Although I do have a friend that has done 2 at another local bar, so I guess that should've clued me in. ,r:;

Yep, I've done several BellyGrams at bars. My only requirement is that the management are fully informed about my performance if the party's not in a separate, reserved room. Obviously, management's not a problem in your situation!

I don't book past 9pm no matter what the venue is, so I don't worry much about a rowdy crowd.

I think the fact that the bar is run by the guy's mom means it's a pretty safe space....

it'll probably be fine.
just don't wear one of your best costumes b/c you are more likely to get splashed or spilled on if going around bar tables.

Kinda lends a whole new spin to the phrase "belly on up to the bar.''

(((GROAN))) Sorry, couldn't help it.

I do lots of them. I always make sure I schedule the belly gram early in the party though, less chance of trouble with people who over indulge! (I usually say to the person booking "oh it's great to have it in the beginning of the party! It really gets the party going and people have something to talk about." that way they don't mind it early and I don't have to deal with drunks!
Just my two cents.....

yep, do them a lot
make sure their music is off, and the person of honor is in a chair, not on a high stool.i make sure the bar keep knows what is going on...they are sober!
get paid first....: )

Originally Posted by ghazallah

Kinda lends a whole new spin to the phrase "belly on up to the bar.''

(((GROAN))) Sorry, couldn't help it.

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,

Well now I'll laugh the whole time I'm there, so that's good! ..l;,

Originally Posted by zamora

yep, do them a lot
make sure their music is off, and the person of honor is in a chair, not on a high stool.i make sure the bar keep knows what is going on...they are sober!
get paid first....: )

Thanks! Yes, I always specify payment up front is required. My teacher taught me that very early on...it's a smart policy.

The barkeep is the person who suggested me to the boss's mom, so I think I'm pretty safe in that regard. She is a regular at the restaurant I dance at, and is who first approached me about doing a party at "her boss's business" ,r:; She's a really super sweet person, so I do feel safe in terms of having people around me whom I know are trustworthy.

Good tips about costumes, etc.. I think it'll be a fun night. Considering the guest of honor is only 17 and is heading off to college in New York, i think it'll be a fairly tame crowd... The barkeep said that it would be "all ages".

"and the person of honor is in a chair, not on a high stool"

what if no lower chairs are available and why?

Lizzy, that puppy is adorable...is it yours??

Sonja - yes, thank you. I bred Jack Russell Terriers for many years but have since "retired". This is one of the pups from our last litter (kept 3). We have 6 J.R.'s running around our mountain with the horses (unleashed on 142 acres) but they stick close to home and always seem to do their "business" on the front lawn

Still interested in chair height ---- have a feeling you're gonna make me laugh!

I stopped counting bellygrams when I hit 1000 and from fish packing plants to machine shops to dentist offices to baseball fields, a fair share of them have been in bars. :)

the line in your post that makes it not matter that it's at a bar is that the owner is going to be shutting the place down during your party. so it's basically going to be the same deal as having it at a private home or room in a restaurant. only invited guests will be there. so no worries. :)

I've had great grams in bars - they often have dance floors and fancy lighting and a fab sound system. in contrast, I plan to never dance in a bowling alley or an Olive Garden ever again. :)

Originally Posted by elisagamal

I stopped counting bellygrams when I hit 1000 and from fish packing plants to machine shops to dentist offices to baseball fields, a fair share of them have been in bars. :)

the line in your post that makes it not matter that it's at a bar is that the owner is going to be shutting the place down during your party. so it's basically going to be the same deal as having it at a private home or room in a restaurant. only invited guests will be there. so no worries. :)

I've had great grams in bars - they often have dance floors and fancy lighting and a fab sound system. in contrast, I plan to never dance in a bowling alley or an Olive Garden ever again. :)

..l;,..l;,

I have done belly grams in t strange place. a few bar's and they have been fine you can always take someone with you.

I've done many bellygrams in bars: for private parties, special promo events, and just as a change of pace (I was friends with the owner). I never had a problem with misbehaving patrons, however more than a few times I found that I just couldn't compete with "the game" on big screen TV's!

you could always go and check the place out first. That's what I'd do!

Originally Posted by Sonja2

Okay,

I was just offered a gig to dance for a going away party. It's for a woman's son, and she runs a bar in town. She will be working that night, and wants to have the party at her bar (understandable, since she owns it, right?). So, she's hired me to come dance for one hour (20 minute performance, plus audience interaction, photos, etc...). During that time period the bar will be shut down.

I was gung ho until she said it was at a bar.... anyone else ever been in that situation? By then I had already agreed to do it (I'm new at this, and she had just said she wanted to have it at her business...how was I supposed to know her business was a bar...stupid me). Anyway, I mean the restaurant I normally dance at is a bar after around 11pm, too.

So I'm just wondering if others have had similar jobs? I sent her my policies along with my confirmation, including how I accept tips, that I won't tolerate lewd behavior, that I will not dance for a men-only crowd, and that I will need someone to walk me to my car after the gig.

I have no problem with it. Most of the places I dance publicly serve alcohol. Is there a problem with rowdiness in your area?