Thread: Bellygrams and Private Parties- To Do or Not

Hey, everyone! ..g.:

I am just beginning to work on getting some restaurant work on my own, and I am wondering if, and when, I should start doing bellygrams or private parties.

I have been dancing for over 9 years but, due to some significant stage fright, only gotten into doing solo work in the last 3 years. I have been along to observe a bellygram, but never done one myself. Never done a private party either. Have done festivals, haflas, etc., but no private parties.

So, my question is, with nothing to reference from personal first-hand experience, how do I know whether I should persue these kinds of opportunities? Do I just wait until I get an offer to do one through restaurant work, and then try it out to see how I like it? Or do I more aggressively seek out bellygram and private party gigs on the net, and try it out then?

You know, it's difficult to know if you like something, or are suited for it, before you actually try it, right?

Thanks!

as my grandmother always said "try it, if you don't like it you don't have to do it again"

please be careful when going to dance for strangers [outside of a restaurant or club setting]. as you know, it is best to bring someone along with you.

Try seeing if you can get a "lead" from a friend or someone you know - it will be less intimidating if you sort of know the people who you are dancing for!

I think private parties are easier to do than restaurants - at the parties, you know the people want you there - they paid for you to be there! It's not like you are interrupting their dinner - you are the highlight of the night! I say go for it. Private parties, IMO, are less hassel and more money. You might end up liking them better than restaurants!

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

Try seeing if you can get a "lead" from a friend or someone you know - it will be less intimidating if you sort of know the people who you are dancing for!

I think private parties are easier to do than restaurants - at the parties, you know the people want you there - they paid for you to be there! It's not like you are interrupting their dinner - you are the highlight of the night! I say go for it. Private parties, IMO, are less hassel and more money. You might end up liking them better than restaurants!

What danielabellydance wrote, plus what sabrinabellydancer wrote!

I "grew up" doing parties and grams -- always more money (unless the clientele at the restaurant where you work are always super-duper fabulicious tippers) and, overall in my experience, more fun, for the reasons daniela mentioned!

Deborah

Well, if you love dancing and would like to make more money, I'd say go for it. Of course you have to be comfortable going to strangers homes, etc, but I have never had any problems. I have never heard of anyone having any problems, of course you want to screen all your customers well with lots of questions, and always listen to your gut feelings. (but this is a whole other conversation)

I would say with bellygrams you are not going to get the satisfaction you would otherwise get at a party or at a restaurant that is fully packed.
A belly gram is very short, your dancing skills are not really shown, and even less appreciated. You are mostly a costumed character. You bring the music, the image of the bellydancer (costume, etc) and the moves. The element of a suprise. However a very quick wy to make money. I don't do much of these anymore, I have my prices only $50 apart (full show or bellygram), so I guess people always choose the 25 minute performance.
When I did it for agencies, somehow I always felt weird afterward.

Private parties however are a whole other thing - I always felt highly appreciated, and treated nicely. Especially Arabs/Persians will treat you like a princess and pay you well. Your dancing skills and entertainment are highly appreciated, people love you - you are the highlight of their evening.

So I'd say go for it. If you're not sure how and what to do, ask another bellydancer friend / teacher if you could tag along to a gig and help her out, be her assistant. Carry her boombox, set up the music, etc. You would feel more comfortable.

My answer to your question: if someone wants to book you (customer from restaurant) go for it. You can also advertize yourself for doing private events. This things don't come around that often in the beginning, so if you want to do it, go for it.