Thread: To make a payment, say payments... Im sorry, I didnt not recognize your request

Originally Posted by Kimahri

Ouch.

I host student showcases in a theater twice a year--not only for my students but I invite other instructors and their students to perform too. My classes perform but solo and small group slots are there for the asking.

Student soloists and troupes perform at my haflas and other events.

I added a student soloist category to the Midwest Bellydance Challenge this year that offered a $250 dance scholarship to the winning student.

and I'm FAR from being the only one, even in my immediate area, that actively works and puts her money where her mouth is to create performance opportunities for the up-and-comers.

~~Kimahri

We put on one large theater show a year and one studio show a year at our academy so far for students of our academy. It's like the carrot in the end of each semester for all the hard work the students put into their dancing throughout the semester. I'm not saying that there aren't dancers that put their money where their mouth is to create performance opportunities - I'm just saying that there could be even more......g.:

Thumbs up for you for being able to include people - and get people to commit and not flake out on you!

Originally Posted by david

We put on one large theater show a year and one studio show a year at our academy so far for students of our academy. It's like the carrot in the end of each semester for all the hard work the students put into their dancing throughout the semester. I'm not saying that there aren't dancers that put their money where their mouth is to create performance opportunities - I'm just saying that there could be even more......g.:

Thumbs up for you for being able to include people - and get people to commit and not flake out on you!

How much is enough? I think there's something to be said for managing student expectations as well....I remember back in the day when there would be one show a year and it was a HUGE deal to be in it (yeah we walked to the dance studio uphill both ways too!)

~~Kimahri

I think Chicagoland actually has a decent community... There are quite a few haflas (I personally have never gone to one; I have very little time as is and don't drive/know someone who drives).

In Boston, they have twice a week dancing at a night club/restaurant called The Middle East. It's Sundays and Wednesdays, I think, and there's open mic dance, as well as people who are scheduled to dance.

In Western MA, they have (I guess they still do?) some sort of hafla monthly. I think pros and amateurs alike can dance there. It's held at a hotel (I think it's a private thing, though).

However, maybe the problem is publicity? I know about the Chicagoland stuff because of Bhuz or tribe and Western MA stuff, too (I live/lived in these areas at one time, btw). I think I found out about the Boston stuff because of talking to people in class, but it seems like generally I've found stuff online.

While I'm happy to continue to do that, many people are not comfortable with searching the internet for everything. They may not be aware of the many opportunities in their local communities.

There is a monthly hafla here in Milwaukee (Shaia Fahrid's Drop-in Haflas at the MGAC), and another down in Chicago (Zayna's Sphinx Haflas). When combined with all the other BD events and shows between here and there, I have no problem providing my students with ample opportunities to perform in appropriate venues.

MECDA (Middle Eastern Culture & Dance Association) encourages members to host Dance Parties. There are usually several parties per year in Southern California. MECDA assists the host in presenting the party by paying many expenses outright, assisting with other expenses, advertising, and providing a party coordinator or two to assist during the party itself. These tend to be very low-key events, perfect for students.

Deborah

Originally Posted by indigostars

I think Chicagoland actually has a decent community... There are quite a few haflas (I personally have never gone to one; I have very little time as is and don't drive/know someone who drives).

In Boston, they have twice a week dancing at a night club/restaurant called The Middle East. It's Sundays and Wednesdays, I think, and there's open mic dance, as well as people who are scheduled to dance.

In Western MA, they have (I guess they still do?) some sort of hafla monthly. I think pros and amateurs alike can dance there. It's held at a hotel (I think it's a private thing, though).

However, maybe the problem is publicity? I know about the Chicagoland stuff because of Bhuz or tribe and Western MA stuff, too (I live/lived in these areas at one time, btw). I think I found out about the Boston stuff because of talking to people in class, but it seems like generally I've found stuff online.

While I'm happy to continue to do that, many people are not comfortable with searching the internet for everything. They may not be aware of the many opportunities in their local communities.

I know that this was a problem for me. It took me forever to find the dance community here in Oregon. Things just are not easy to find and the web is a poor source for finding things out here unless you know which sites to go to.

I personally have turned down paid work (it was going to be one of those crummy jobs) to dance for free in support of a community hafla/performance platform, and I was so glad I did. Sometimes you just need to feed your dance soul with what it needs.

re: Student opportunities:

Luckily, we have a great community here in Vegas that does offer students AND pros opportunities to perform.

Once a month we have a hafla that is MOSTLY students, although we do have many of our favorite teachers and pros dance when they are available to.

We also have a new event every month called Tribal Nights, hosted by our 2 time award winning tribal troupe TABU. This event gives students an opportunity to perform in a restaurant setting, and features a pro troupe or soloist (we just had Aradia perform folkloric dances at the last one...it was awesome.)

There are also staged shows that are presented when we have a big workshop, and that is populated by Professional Dancers...these are starting to happen more, but usually I think there have only been 2-4 a year...this year I think there are...5-6.


***
as to the original topic, I don't perform professionally yet, so I can't really comment. I'm getting there though, and I'm enjoying reading all of the responses.

Originally Posted by laura 2

Oh, I'm so happy my post was taken in the spirit it was intended. I worried that it would come off as totally bitchy.

No, no, no - it's hysterical and yet so wonderfully true! I was almost that student you described (although I did not intend to be) but I got overly excited about performing at restaurants a while back, and was eager to try. Luckily, God gave me the good sense to ask my elders, and I got the appropriately gentle smack that I deserved! All in all, bhuz saved me from personal embarrassment and unintentional devaluing of the local dance scene when I took everyone's advice and declined a local restaurant owner's offer to have me be their "house dancer" (I figured out pretty quickly that the guy was only offering in the first place b/c I'm young and slim...perv).

Instead, I have focused my attention on taking more classes, practicing, *not* giving into impulses to buy costumes I'm rarely going to use, and dancing/helping host local haflas! :) All in all, a much richer, infinitely more artistic, and much more appropriate environment for my dance skill level. Thank you bhuzzers!!!..l;,

p.s:I swear I'm going to use your post somewhere...someday...when talking about what dancers should NOT do! lol (I hope that's okay!)

I agree as an instructor you need to teach your students more than the dance itself, but WHEN it is appropriate to go out and dance in a professional setting, and WHAT are appropriate venues to dance in. Like you, I get my students to dance in all the possible festivals and appropriate venues but will not send them out on any professional jobs until I feel they are ready.

This weekend in our town there is an event and the organizers asked the local teacher at the communtiy center to provide dancers. So of course she has her students dance there. My problem with this (and I did express this to the organizers), is that they are not of the caliber that they should be for people to pay good money in a nice theater for a professional show to see them dance. There is an outside stage for such talent, and in my opinion that is the appropriate venue for them to perform in, which is what I am doing with my students. As an instructor what are you teaching students if you put them up on stage in a professional setting when they are not ready? As you pointed out to me David, they will be overshadowed by the professional dancers in the show and I fear this will truly intimidate them. So that is not doing them any good for their self confidence. Or perhaps, a few will be over confident just because they are in a professional show and suddenly think they are good enough to get paid to dance or something, when they are not at that level. Either way, as an instructor I think it is important to be honest with your students and only have your students dance in appropriate venues for their level at the time. (And also in my defense for this group, I know these women well and am very well aware of their abilities as dancers. And because I know many of them well, I am concerned how this will effect them, they are nice ladies.)

And as far as lowering yourself as a dancer......I know what you are talking about in SD. I cannot believe anyone would lower herself/himself and all their talent and everything they put into learning this art form to go dance for $30 at restaurants, and go around undercutting people when they should have more respect for themselves and others and charge what is appropriate for all their talent. People will only respect you when you respect yourself. Basically in this art form and of course life in general we need to be honest with ourselves and all will be fine.
Love you David!! Lets Dance!!

yeah teachers need to have a place for students to grow and be supported my there teacher fellow dancers and family and friends. throwing them to the wolves in public at a public resturant when they are not ready is not a good idea. if they are not getting paid then they sould not be dancing on a night when the public goes out to see a "real show" not a recitle . if it is a recitle it need to be publizied as such also.
there are techers that have there studnets sub for them when the students are not confidant and bad remarks are made about them that is not healthy for the students. or students think cause they danced once in a returant and got paid they are professsional. you have to be an entertainer and know how to read and deal with your crown. also "be confidant in your self" I like to use Mary kathrine gall igar from SNL "Super Star as my montra and God give me piece" those are my two .
cause i feel nervouse sometimes it is good you know you are alive ; but I have to tell my self i am the super star for these 20 min all eyes are on me and i need to give them a good show that what they payed the big bucks for,r:;
also teachers teacher you studnets well and educate ! no dirty dancing with the customers or drinking with them after the show. .no.and do not belly dance to none belly dance music like persion or khaleegy not all middle eatern music is belly dance music. education!!!!!! teachers
make your students shine not look like crap while you shine!!!!,m::