Thread: Gig lengths

What types/duration of gigs do you advertise on your websites?

For example, do you have a "'gram" that is really short, just pop in, do your thing and run out?

What do you consider to be a standard private gig set? 15 minutes? 20 minutes? 30 minutes? Something different?

What duration of time do you consider a "specialty set?" Like a mini-show and lesson? Other examples?

Deborah

we do ,5, 10 15, and 30 min.

My packages are here: Daniela - Bellydancer, Performer and Instructor.

I can tell you that noone hires me for the "bellygram" (I think I have done one, ever). My most common is the 20 minute show. But I do a lot of 30 minutes, too.

I NEVER do bellygrams. For one, I loathe the idea of driving so far (nobody ever hires me for gigs in my town!) to only dance for 10 minutes. Two, nobody ever wants such a short show. And three, I won't get into my feelings on comedic harem fantasy - but let's just say, that's three.

I advertise a Standard Show at 5 songs, usually between 20-25 minutes. This is my most common set, as it's a perfect length and audiences respond best to the classic cabaret format.

For Girls' Night Out/Bachelorette Party type events, I offer two options for a Deluxe Show, which is either a Standard Show plus a mini 20-minute lesson, or a 40-minute lesson plus a mini-performance (2 songs, max).

Observational Tidbit: I used to tack a mini-lesson on to the end of every Standard Set, no extra charge. A few other dancers around here do that, too. I've noticed recently that most people, by the time the audience participation's over in the last song, would rather get back to their food and their friends than stick around to dance with me. So I eliminated this feature and now use it as an "extra."

I figure, I'm not sticking around an extra 15-20 minutes to teach people who'd rather not get up and boogie...billable hours, ya know

Oooh, Daniela, I like how you spell things out so clearly.
My typical show- whether regular venue or party is between 20-22 minutes (typically around 5 songs). That being said- even a 10 minute show has all the same prep and drive time, so I don't charge any less for short shows.
Book Belly Dance Performance Samira Shuruk DC VA MD
If I'm doing two shows in the same venue or at same event, my second show is shorter and includes more audience participation.
If I'm teaching in addition to performing, I consider the age group (little girls or bachelorette party etc) and teach anywhere from 15-30 minutes. Price varies with this. Typically it's another $125-150.

Thanks, Samira. I was sick of having to explain everything to people every time they inquired. Now I just direct them to the website!

My packages are listed here: Galatea~Belly Dance Performances and Classes in Milwaukee Wisconsin

My most commonly booked package is the BellyGram, because my most common gigs are birthday parties in people's homes. Personally, I love being in and out in no time, and back home watching TV in my sweatpants less than an hour after leaving my house.

Thanks for all the responses, everybody!

I'm a dinosaur, I guess. When I started dancing in the (very) late 1970's in Southern California, private gigs were about 15 minutes max, at least as far as I knew and I practiced. The infamous bellygrams were about 10 minutes.

'Grams seem to still be about 10 minutes, from what I can tell. But full sets? It seems common for folks to do about 25-30 minutes on a regular basis.

I still prefer 15-20 minutes, which includes audience participation and, for the 20-minute gig, about 5 minutes or so specifically for everybody to get up and bop at the end.

I have basically three types of sets: 10-minute 'grams, 15-20 minute "full shows" (20 minutes costs more), then "specialty" stuff which includes things like Ladies'/Girls' Nite Out, Bridal Showers with short show and mini-lesson (total time 30-60 minutes), kids' parties (time varies with age), etc.

When did this switch to relatively long sets start? Are we dancing longer to justify charging more? Enlighten me!

Deborah

Originally Posted by casbahdance

When did this switch to relatively long sets start? Are we dancing longer to justify charging more? Enlighten me!

It still seems to be different from region to region.
Reasonable length sets at reasonable rates makes it so that in some regions we can have some full time dance performers, which is nice.

I prefer my 20 minute show, but I get a lot of people calling and asking me to dance for 1 -2 hours - they figure if their party is 4 hours long, they need to entertain people for at least half of it, otherwise what will they all DO for four hours!? :-)

So, it's a lot easier to talk them down from one hour to a half hour. 20 minutes just sounds a lot shorter!

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

So, it's a lot easier to talk them down from one hour to a half hour. 20 minutes just sounds a lot shorter!

I've been in that same boat. What I do is say a "20-25 minute show". They hear and focus on the 25 minutes, which IS after all so close to 30 minutes in their heads they "round up". Then my CD is of course between 20 and 25 minutes as promised...but unless an ethnic audience it's usually closer to 20 minutes. They're happy- as we all know that's usually around the right length of time for a show. People's guest want to socialize, they want to eat etc. They don't want to feel obliged to watch a performance for half the party.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

I've been in that same boat. What I do is say a "20-25 minute show". They hear and focus on the 25 minutes, which IS after all so close to 30 minutes in their heads they "round up". Then my CD is of course between 20 and 25 minutes as promised...but unless an ethnic audience it's usually closer to 20 minutes. They're happy- as we all know that's usually around the right length of time for a show. People's guest want to socialize, they want to eat etc. They don't want to feel obliged to watch a performance for half the party.

Yes! "20 minutes" sure sounds like so little when somebody was thinking an hour or more, even if it is really the longest length of time people can *attend* for a single-dancer set! Remember, even adults have only about a 20-minute attention span . . . Then again, we had people asking us to dance for an hour 30 years ago, too, and it just usually wasn't done very often for a private gig. Hmmmm . . .

I've done a few 30-minute sets, one very recently, that were not "specialty." The only reason I didn't feel like giving up at 20 minutes was because everybody kept getting up and dancing with me -- they were very enthusiastic -- which is not the norm. However, 25 minutes really would have been better . . . even this group seemed to be just about over it by that time marker.

Of course, dancing for 20-30 minutes is a whole different ballgame when it's done in a restaurant, although with a very small restaurant, or with a very small crowd, 20 minutes can still be too much.

I guess how I'm pricing myself reflects the type of work I want to do with private parties. 10-minute 'grams are reasonable, but not cheap; 15-minute shows are at least $25 more; 20-minute shows are $25-$50 more than 15-minutes shows. As I mentioned in a previous post, I don't "offer" 30-minute-or-more shows except as a specialty item.

Reading everybody's posts, I think what I'll do for 30-minute "just a party" requests is to do what SamiraShuruk does and offer a 20-25 minute set because, as she mentioned, folks probably do hear "25 minutes" and that's close enough to 30 to make them happy.

Okay, I'm happy now. :Abiggrin:

Any other comments/ideas/suggestions?

Deborah

This is what is on my site. . .

Program types and Booking information:

Program types:

Bellygram: A bellygram is a short set generally composed of two to three short songs. Affectionately called a ‘hip-and-run”, these are great for a surprise at a birthday party, restaurant or any other place which something quick and fun is desired. The Dancer gets the Guest of Honour up on their feet, photos taken and then it’s back to the festivities!

Short set: A short set is a set which lasts between 10 – 15 mins. This is a great set for a party where there is multiple entertainers performing. Entrance, veil, zills and a number to get the guests up and dancing. A great way to get the party moving.

Standard set: A Standard set lasts between 20 – 25 mins. Depending on the desires of the client, this program includes entrance, veil, zills, and can also have candle tray and / or sword.

Weddings: Full Wedding programs include a Zeffah (entrance with Shamadan) and a full set. The Dancer may also get the Bride up to dance as well as the audience members. Includes one costume change.

Additional sets: Any set which is in addition to the original set. These can vary from a short set (10 mins) to a full set.

Prices:

Bellygram: $150 +
Short Set: $200 +
Full Set: $250 +
Weddings: $400 + (With Zeffah)
$250 + (With out)
Additional
Sets: $125 +
**********************************

One of the questions I ask the client is what they are anticipating the audience involvement to be. Afterall, if they just want to watch, then I'm going to make the set at the lower end of the spectrum. If they want to get involved, then I'll add an extra song.

{{{HUGS}}}