Thread: I'm Writing "The Conoisseur's Guide to Hiring a Belly Dancer"

I'm writing an article, geared at the consumer level, on what to look for in a belly dancer. There's some baaaad information out there, locally and at large, and I think it's time I do something to help set the general public straight ..g.:

The bullet points I plan to cover will include rates, costuming, professional behavior, and training.

Anybody want to share additional key points? What do YOU think consumers should look for when hiring a BDer?

Quotable quotes may be quoted (with your permission, of course).

I would definitely urge them to hire someone who works with a contract - the contract protects them just as much as it does the performer. Without a contract, they really have no guarantee that the dancer will even show up. I wouldn't risk having my event or party messed up by the entertainment flaking out on me.

Cool, Laura, that's actually a great point for the Professionalism segment. A contract protects the client, as well as the dancer!

I'd simply like to see more professionalism in general. How can we teach those hiring dancers to play Pin the Tail on the Six-Week Wonder?

I think a good article would have some information about what kind of belly dancer they want. We're all different and our personalities or dance-styles may not suit every event. Gently suggest to them what they would WANT in a belly dancer--in terms of how it fits their event.

Do they want glam, ethnic, generic, approachable, funky, sexy, or maybe all of these? Nice descriptions of each style or type plus information about the types of gigs that would be appropriate for each of these dancers.

Stereotype alert! I know, but even just general guidelines will help people. These are things that people might have questions about anyway:

"Her Web site says 'Oriental'; what does that mean? Does that mean she's from China?"

"She doesn't look like a regular belly dancer. Why doesn't her costume have sequins?"

"I want something glamorous for my red carpet party."

"She looks like someone like me. I can relate to her. If she can do it, I can do it!"

Etc, etc...

How about "Think about it before you try to hire a Belly Dancer who lives 200 miles away".

Not to mention "You REALLY don't want a 1 hour show, REALLY."

I think researching the dancer is very important, to build on Andalee's thoughts. It wouldn't make sense to hire a tribal style dancer if what you really want is an Egyptian style dancer. Look at their photos, watch the YouTube clips (or catch them live).

Building on what Zorba said, I would suggest listening to the dancer and considering her/his opinion.

Yes, PLEASE tell them they don't want a neverending show! 20 minutes is MORE than enough for any party, and any longer can be too much. After 30 minutes, your guests will have mentally checked out and be wondering when this damn performance is going to be over so that they can go back to the bar!

Also, stress that cheap does not = good. Good dancers will likely charge the going rate, because they are professionals and professionals in an area usually have an acceptable range of prices for gigs. If someone is charging something that is drastically lower than the rest of the dancers you have called, it is probably because you are about to hire someone who is not a professional! You don't want to entrust your guests entertainment and the success of your party to anyone but a professional!

What about something along the lines of what to expect from this type of show that would cover things like length of show, and might help prevent some of those ridiculous client requests that are so much fun to read about.

Also, maybe something about determining whether a bellydancer is right for your event. Will there be room for a dancer to perform, wait to perform, stash belongings, etc.? Will this help you create the environment you want for your party? Are you wanting guests to do lots of talking and conversing with each other and will a dancer either distract from that or help to serve as an icebreaker?

What an excellent idea!

I echo what others have said above about bargain shopping for a bellydancer. I would point out that with bellydancers, you are really getting what you pay for in terms of someone who will provide quality entertainment for your event. Going with the cheapest dancer will likely get you someone who is lacking in skill, professionalism, and showmanship - and you could end up with someone who will embarrass you in front of your guests!

Maybe also something encouraging people to think about what kind of performance they want, background ambiance? audience participation? life of the party? something more artistic?

Awesome idea- and great tips!!!
I'd add that it's important to find out if the pictures and video are fairly recent and truthfully representative. This can go in either direction. A video that's a couple years old may not show all the dance skill that a dancer has now if she's been working a lot. While a picture from 10 years ago (or a heavily photo-shopped image) may not represent the truth of the visual image the dancer presents in person today. If this is important to the client, it is something they should consider and can ask.
Is there a way to diplomatically point out the importance of looking for truth in written copy as well? If a person says they have XX years performing experience- they should be able to have a list, quite an extensive list of *professional* performance venues and events. These should include repeat events and referrals. A client can look for consistency in written representation.
Anyone can write that customers love them. But do they have a lot of repeat business and referrals? If clients are hiring them BACK (at those professional rates) it's a concrete demonstration that clients consider them to be a valuable addition to their events.
There are different markets- there is the belly dance market, the GP market and the ethnic market. A client can look for accolades from a similar population to the event they are booking for- or they can look for all three. ..g.:
One good clue to the kind of experience they can expect as far as professionalism is the copy on the dancer's site as well as the language chosen in written correspondence and phone calls. Does he/she write like a teenager texting? Does the dancer chew gum and use a lot of slang on the phone? Does the performer try to "upsell" you like a waiter at TGIF? You can expect that sort of image and treatment in person as well. I would suggest a client looks for a combination of professional, friendly and informative.

Originally Posted by zorba

How about "Think about it before you try to hire a Belly Dancer who lives 200 miles away".

This is so true. I know of a few very qualified and experienced dancers that cannot get into the restaurant scene in their hometown because out of state dancers drive 1.5 hours to their town and dance!

Don't get me wrong - I completely understand that just because you live in a town does not mean you have rights to the gigs there. This is an open marketplace ;-)

I just wish that restaurants would - sometimes - support their local talent if the talent is qualified and professional.

Supporting local talent may bring in more local business!

Originally Posted by ravenadesigns

This is so true. I know of a few very qualified and experienced dancers that cannot get into the restaurant scene in their hometown because out of state dancers drive 1.5 hours to their town and dance!

Driving an hour and a half to a restaurant gig? Those dancers should be charging gas and mileage.
At the same time- it brings about the question: why is the owner hiring the out of towners, not the in-towner if the prices are the same?

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

why is the owner hiring the out of towners, not the in-towner if the prices are the same?

In a case I knew of, the dancer in question was driving 90 minutes each way and undercutting the local restaurant rate by about $20.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Driving an hour and a half to a restaurant gig? Those dancers should be charging gas and mileage.
At the same time- it brings about the question: why is the owner hiring the out of towners, not the in-towner if the prices are the same?

Hey Samira ;-)

You know how it is. One dancer gets into a restaurant and then brings in her friends. It makes it hard sometimes to "break the barrier".

Oh life in an industry where dancers outnumber gigs.

Things will get better soon - I just know it :-)

Lisa - check out the FAQ's on my website. These cover some of the common questions I have gotten about booking me for a performance.

{{HUGS}}

Hmm how about that dancers, like any artist, tend to specialize. So to make sure you get what you're expecting and to get the best value for your money you need to be informed. There's no point in hiring the world's greatest portrait oil painter when what you want is a delicate water-colour landscape.

How about how to evaluate certifications and awards? did the dancer come 3rd in some obscure competition 20 yrs ago or have they placed recently in one of the current well respected, long running competitions? Advise them to follow up qualifications and certifications... a simple google should weed out most junk claims.

Thinking about this really impresses on me the importance of a dignified and professional web presence in a modern market.

Originally Posted by NandaDncer

Hmm how about that dancers, like any artist, tend to specialize. So to make sure you get what you're expecting and to get the best value for your money you need to be informed. There's no point in hiring the world's greatest portrait oil painter when what you want is a delicate water-colour landscape.

I like this - good idea.

Originally Posted by NandaDncer

Hmm how about that dancers, like any artist, tend to specialize. So to make sure you get what you're expecting and to get the best value for your money you need to be informed. There's no point in hiring the world's greatest portrait oil painter when what you want is a delicate water-colour landscape.

How about how to evaluate certifications and awards? did the dancer come 3rd in some obscure competition 20 yrs ago or have they placed recently in one of the current well respected, long running competitions? Advise them to follow up qualifications and certifications... a simple google should weed out most junk claims.

Thinking about this really impresses on me the importance of a dignified and professional web presence in a modern market.

I absolutely agree that a quality website is very important in today's market.

The text of my website (still under construction) comes across as intelligent, but certainly accessible. I don't claim to be the 1,426th reincarnation of Sabah, Pharaoh Ramses II's favorite; nor do I claim to be the only "authentic" BDer (whatever that means) in all of Southern California. Mostly I let people know what types of performance packages are available, my prices, a bit about my background, plus a word or two about my style and what to expect from a professional belly dancer.

Most folks want a BDer who looks good in her make-up and hair, and -- although the host might not realize it -- an entertainer with strong technique who knows how to handle a crowd.

In other words, keeping our websites short, sweet, easily navigable, and to the point will probably garner more responses than a site that doesn't have these qualities.

ETA: I think I went astray as to original topic -- sorry!

Deborah

I need this!

I am getting married and would like a bellydancer(s) for my wedding. The restaurant I am having the wedding at has local dancers. I never knew there were local dancers here, which is great! Once I have the time I will go check them out at the restaurant, because I might like all of them. I have found a YouTube clip of the lead dancer of the restaurant and it looks fabulous! This is so hard and I have no clue where to start and don't want to say the wrong thing to her.

How about letting them know the kind of things that we might ask/need to know so they can prepare the information before they start calling around?

i.e. dancefloor size and floor type, changing area availability, sound system (CD/laptop/mixing desk/iPod compatability), any ceiling height restriction for props. It's the kind of thing they just have proably never thought about and maybe don't want to be caught on the hop with the bellydancer on the phone, feeling like an idiot when she's asking you this stuff.

Also: remember the dancer has done many events before. Feel free to ask for advice on length of show, type of show, etc, if you don't have a clear idea yourself. (Good Dancer: Knows These Things. Suzy Nippletassles: "Um... like, whatever you want to see, I can, like, totally do")

I'd start by dropping "Conoisseur"...you want to make hiring a bellydancer sound like it's something anyone might want to do, and can, do. More "your guide" than somehting that hints at teh fact we are a luxury item.

Originally Posted by ozma

I'd start by dropping "Conoisseur"...you want to make hiring a bellydancer sound like it's something anyone might want to do, and can, do. More "your guide" than somehting that hints at teh fact we are a luxury item.

I personally like the use of the word "conoisseur" in this context:

It conotes a certain air of "good taste" and sophistication. I know a lot of people like to think of themselves as cosmopolitan and knowledgable, and many people would like to *become* a conoisseur of something, even if it's one quirky thing like hiring a belly dancer.

Seeing this word would impart to them that there is an art to selecting a belly dancer (and, by extension, an art to belly dance itself!), just as there is an art to wine tasting or selecting fine jewellery or gourmet food. Live entertainment is one of the finer things in life and by using the word "conoisseur" you're signalling to your audience that belly dance fits in there.

And if someone feels they aren't fancy enough or they don't know enough about it to hire a belly dancer, they can achieve a certain level of knowledge by reading the guide. It draws you in! "Ooo! Conoisseur! La-dee-da! I thought I was just hiring a bimbo in a bra. I didn't realize there was so much to consider! Don't want to look like a buffoon in front of my guests! Better read this..."

It might also reassure them that their choice to hire a belly dancer is a high-class choice, in case they had any doubts that belly dance is somehow risque or in poor taste.

Just make sure the guide itself uses simple language, with short sentences and sticks to a maximum of five concepts. The four you laid out in your first post sound fine, and add something about styles; I would start with styles, then training, then costuming, rates and then professionalism - it seems to flow logically that way.

Yeah, I agree - that's why I picked the word conoisseur. To be used a little tongue-in-cheek, a little seriously. It implies not only an affinity toward BD, but being able to discern top-notch from subpar ..g.:

Regardless of semantics and wordplay, it's important to get some good info out there. It's amazing how often I've seen dancers in butterfly tops and broomstick skirts marketing themselves as high-end - so I think it's up to me to say, "Psst....don't fall for it!" ..g.:

Originally Posted by bdaddiction

I need this!

I am getting married and would like a bellydancer(s) for my wedding. The restaurant I am having the wedding at has local dancers. I never knew there were local dancers here, which is great! Once I have the time I will go check them out at the restaurant, because I might like all of them. I have found a YouTube clip of the lead dancer of the restaurant and it looks fabulous! This is so hard and I have no clue where to start and don't want to say the wrong thing to her.

Ooh, dancing for a dancer's wedding is the BEST! I danced at one once where there were five belly dancers AND the groom was led into the reception hall by Darth Vader and storm troopers. It was so much fun. I wish we had gotten pictures.

Originally Posted by jmdruadh

I danced at one once where there were five belly dancers AND the groom was led into the reception hall by Darth Vader and storm troopers.

I think "connoisseur" is spelled with two n's.

Yes, I think you're right. As an English major, that stupid word is the one of the few blemishes on my otherwise pristine spelling record. I can never spell it. ,r:;

Afficionado is the other one I constantly screw up. Oddly, they're both synonymous.

Add insult to injury, will ya?

(KIDDING, of course ).

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Add insult to injury, will ya?

(KIDDING, of course ).

I don't get the joke.. how was I insulting or injuring? I was actually just trying to do you a favor.

Originally Posted by lotus

I don't get the joke.. how was I insulting or injuring? I was actually just trying to do you a favor.

I know you were! I was being self-deprecating. Being a linguistics geek, I always brag about my near-perfect spelling record, and sometimes I'll jokingly call people out if they point out an occasional misspelling. That's really all I meant.