Thread: Calling Canadian Troupes! What do you charge? Please help us set our rates!

Hi all!

I am a member of a new bellydance troupe starting in Manitoba. We are in the process of setting our going rates and we want to make sure it's fair and reasonable and in line with what other Canadian troupes are charging.

Winnipeg has fairly well posted and respected minimum rates for solo dancers but we really don't have much to compare ourselves with in our area in terms of troupes, so if any Canadian troupe members out there can give us an idea what your troupe rates for gigs are we would really appreciate the input. Thanks!!

Please help us set our rates!

I'm not in Canada but troupe prices ourselves this way: the solo price ($125/dancer) applies for the first 4 dancers, after that each additional dancer is $100. The entire troupe is available starting at $600.
Dancers get to keep all the $ from a solo gig (minus a tithing) but for gigs where they book the whole troupe we put the money into the 'kitty' and use it to buy troupe costumes, photo shoots, props et cetera.

Thanks, Nayastrance!

in ottawa the going rate for solo dancer is 75 canadian/15 mins..which i think is stupidly low. I know dancers who do 75 per HALF AN HOUR WTFFFFF


I too am wondering about canadian rates...solo and troupe.

I am in the process of trying to start a troupe and planning to charge at least 85 per dancer per 10 min routine.. but who knows if we will ever have customers when everyone else is dirt cheap?

In Winnipeg, the going rate for a solo dancer is $125 for one 15-20 minute set, which I think is fair.

$75 for half an hour??!!!!!!! No way!

There are people who dance for less than the going rate here too, at least there have been in the past. The dancers like me and a few others who stick to their guns and charge the going rate because they know they're worth it still get gigs. I was so busy this summer I had to turn gigs away.

I think if you present yourself as professional, either solo or troupe, and charge a fair rate you will still get customers. Maybe not ALL the customers, but the ones that hire you will be the ones that want to have good, professional entertainment and not just some chippie in a hip scarf. (My 2 cents) :)

I'm with Ala Nar from Vancouver BC - your rates sound perfectly correct. We charge $125 per dancer - there are 5 of us, but sometimes clients don't need all 5 (and sometimes we are not all available). A set is up to 20 mins.

Thanks Elljay!

Originally Posted by aasiyah

in ottawa the going rate for solo dancer is 75 canadian/15 mins..which i think is stupidly low. I know dancers who do 75 per HALF AN HOUR WTFFFFF


I too am wondering about canadian rates...solo and troupe.

I am in the process of trying to start a troupe and planning to charge at least 85 per dancer per 10 min routine.. but who knows if we will ever have customers when everyone else is dirt cheap?

Hi Aasiyah
I used to dance in ottawa about 10 years ago and charged way more than 75 for 15 min. I mean restaurants weren't great paying but private gigs were defintly more than that.
Have the prices gone down since then? That can't be.

Samantha

sorry , i should actually clarify...this is the going price i have seen at restaurants. - NOT GREAT AT ALL!!!!!!!

The going rate for restaurants in Vancouver is also $75 for 15 mins.

At least you guys have restaurants to dance in, we got nothin' in Winnipeg.

Arabesque's rates are posted here
Arabesque - Agency

Originally Posted by eshe

Arabesque's rates are posted here
Arabesque - Agency

Thanks for posting that, Eshe!

Now if only we could charge their rates ..g.: (although I'm quite sure they're worth every penny)

Edmonton's Number 1 Belly Dance Troupe

We charge the same regardless of how many members can make a show - they get anywhere from 3-10 dancers, unless space is at a minimum.

PS. you should move to Edmonton, there are tons of restaurants with live dancing.