Thread: anyone losing gigs at restaurants or private parties due to economy?

Hey Laura,

I am happy that things are picking up for you.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I probably shouldn't jinx myself by posting this .w.:, but I have gotten calls about potential gigs nearly every day for the past week. Shockingly, about half of them have actually booked! Since before this past summer, even random inquiries about gigs had slowed down to a mere trickle.

I don't know WTH is going on, but suddenly is seems like belly dancing is in big demand in my area. Only one had anything to do with my postcard mailing campaign, so I don't think that's it. The weirdest thing is that even before the economy went into the crapper, January/February were traditionally very slow months.

I just hope it keeps up!

I've noticed things picking up again.
Business owners who have been successful for quite some time are realizing they need to do something to bring people in. So there are places that are starting to have dancing or started inquiring into having regular dancing.

Party calls are picking up slowly, too. :) I think people are hopeful.

I have always lost gigs to belly bunnies who only charge $50 and have taken 2 classes total. So nope! Nothing much has changed.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

I've noticed things picking up again.
Business owners who have been successful for quite some time are realizing they need to do something to bring people in. So there are places that are starting to have dancing or started inquiring into having regular dancing.

Party calls are picking up slowly, too. :) I think people are hopeful.

I told my hubby I thought it might be the Obama Effect. ..l;,

Originally Posted by laura 2

I told my hubby I thought it might be the Obama Effect. ..l;,

I know Obama makes me want to Dance!

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

I've noticed things picking up again.
Business owners who have been successful for quite some time are realizing they need to do something to bring people in. So there are places that are starting to have dancing or started inquiring into having regular dancing.

Party calls are picking up slowly, too. :) I think people are hopeful.

by chance are you visiting phoenix again soon?

Originally Posted by jesennia

by chance are you visiting phoenix again soon?

:( My dance travel plans are small this year- Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York...no plans to hit AZ any time soon. :( One of these days we WILL meet. I'll be in Las vegas 2010.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I told my hubby I thought it might be the Obama Effect. ..l;,

I know that there were 1.8 million peeps in DC this week spending money like there was no tomorrow. I sure hope that some bellydancers got some of that love.

T

No and here's why...

My calendar for summer weddings is already 80 percent full for 2009 and class registration is UP at all six classes.

Restaurants are always slow in January, so to make up for it, I placed a newspaper ad reading "Not Traveling because of the Economy? Have fun at home. Host a dinner. Everyone pay their own way. And your gift to the guests...a night of bellydancing entertainment...."

It worked. It gave people the idea of doing something fun yet cheaper. I'm booked through Feb. Everyone feel free to steal my idea, I don't care!

Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, if I can do it you can. We also have the highest Arabic population in the country, so people here are very open to bellydance and will pay for it.

This looks like good news. I know that, in the realm of ad sales, cold calls and business meetings have been a little more hopeful. My boss predicts an "artificial lift" in consumer confidence from the inaguration, the upcoming stimulus packages, and the auto bailout. Coincidentally, have you noticed how many national advertisers are banking on themes of optimism? Coke, Pepsi and Dunkin' Donuts, just to name a few.

Who knows - maybe we should change our ad copy and our focus to reflect the good times, the togetherness and the joy that audience members feel in our presence? Everybody's looking to get away, after all.

Originally Posted by blksunwyn

I know that there were 1.8 million peeps in DC this week spending money like there was no tomorrow. I sure hope that some bellydancers got some of that love.

T

Ha HA! Like I was going to brave the traffic or deal with the crowds on the freezing cold metro!
LAST inauguration, which was not exactly a momentous occasion- I taught an afternoon workshop in DC- and it took me 4 1/2 HOURS to drive 26 miles home. NO THANK YOU!