Thread: How Much to Charge for Shamadan!

Hello All!

I'm so excited! I'm getting a shamadan for my birthday, and I plan to market it as an option for my shows if the occasion warrants it. How much extra should I try to charge for using it in my shows? (it IS a bit more hassle to schlepp, set up, and use). I do have a couple of trusted mentors I will ask, but other opinions are welcome.

Thanks!

Hello!
Congrats on your new shamadan!! It can be hectic toting around such a bulky prop, and it is certainly a "specialty act", but I dont know if I would necessarily advertise a charge for the addition. In my case, I use it for weddings (zaffa), corporate events, and sweet sixteens (entrance). Since these shows are typically longer and more complex I charge more. So it's more of a -it's included in the package- deal. I have also had requests from reg. (25min) gigs asking me to perform with my shamadan in lieu of another prop (sword or cane), which I've found that ok.

Hope this helps.

Unless you are adding an extra song to your set to include shamadan, then i wouldn't charge extra for it. I would just replace another prop with it. It is an extra hassle but i wouldn't advertise it as an extra cost.

I agree with the above posts, I wouldn't charge extra for using it, however, the only time I have used it was at weddings and those tend to run long. In those cases I charge for time I am there waiting around to dance or between sets, etc. so it ends up being more anyway. And always make sure that you actually can perform it in a particular location before you agree to it, some places don't allow fire. In those cases you can either just not light the candles or use the electric candles that run on some kind of battery, they look good but are expensive.

I actually would charge more, because a good shamadan routine is a big deal, and a skill you should be proud of. Consider other types of artists or business owners: when they have a speciality that sets them apart from competitors frequently have a surcharge or added fee for something extra and special. Shamadans are bellydancing deluxe and take more preparation and care than a sword, veil, or cane.

I've seen some dancers' websites with pricing guidelines that have different types of shows available as a package for potential clients. They can pick from a mini-show, a show and mini-lesson, a long traditional show, etc, with a description of each package and a price guide. If you add a shamadan show to your normal available packages, you should charge accordingly.