Thread: The State of the BD Union Address

I know that the economy is doing a number on businesses and spending. But, I've been wondering what has been everyone's experience been business wise in the BD trade?

Personally, I have noticed the my party gig's have decreased but classes are doing well. I've been doing a small show and a little cafe nearby and it is going well, but many venues have either closed their doors or have let go some of their performers. Also I get tons of notices for Fusion or Tribal shows and very few for Traditional shows. ..c::

I'm guessing that just like every other business we need to change with the seasons to stay fresh and maintain a living wage. Where do you feel the trends are going? What's been working for you? What's been a flop?

I have no personal experience in this but I have talked to others in the Chicago area who have been working harder than usual for gigs mostly due to the economy. As far as classes go, I think people think the investment is better when it's spread over weeks instead of just one gig.

Hopefully, things will pick up for you soon!

Performances for me didn't really slow down until Jan 09. They seem to be picking back up in the Baltimore/DC region already. I started noticing it in September- and spoke to other small businesses - video companies, massage therapists- friends of mine; they noticed the same thing. The ride back up will sure be a bumpy one, but reports (as in news reports) indicate things are recovering.

Surprisingly, I have more opportunities now than I had a year ago - I was laid off of my day job in May, but the gigs have just fallen into my lap since then and I've been able to make ends meet (barely, so far) with only dance income.

AND all I ever do is traditional, and I've added a new regular gig to my schedule - business there seems to be booming.

ETA - classes have been steady, but not overwhelming. I did see a drop in enrollments over the summer, but I think my fall sessions will be full.

I've seen a big drop in my Beginners classes but my Level II students are going strong. I don't advertize for gigs really so that hasn't changed much, I still get an occasional gig. But I have seen a trend toward more Belly Dance Aerobics type classes. Students seem to want a harder workout and less technique.

Originally Posted by SamarDahab

But I have seen a trend toward more Belly Dance Aerobics type classes. Students seem to want a harder workout and less technique.

Have them shimmy for 25 minutes and see if they sweat, ..l;,

my intermediate/advanced classes are doing fine, but my beginning classes have been dismal- prenatal classes too. tho it's picking up for the one tribal teacher in town, the rest of us are struggling through a decline this fall, despite classes actually being better than usual in the summer. I'm wondering if it's more a local issue as the stryker brigade just got back end of August and will be deployed again in November- we're definitely a military town! maybe in January all our military wives will come back (at least for my prenatal classes, maybe?)

Originally Posted by Lara L

my intermediate/advanced classes are doing fine, but my beginning classes have been dismal- prenatal classes too. tho it's picking up for the one tribal teacher in town, the rest of us are struggling through a decline this fall, despite classes actually being better than usual in the summer. I'm wondering if it's more a local issue as the stryker brigade just got back end of August and will be deployed again in November- we're definitely a military town! maybe in January all our military wives will come back (at least for my prenatal classes, maybe?)

You might have better luck after R&R and block leave ..l;,IDK, someone's always coming or going here & with as much interest as I had & advertising out the wazoo, I still had zero luck getting a beginner's class started. Lots of interested emails & people I met in person who were excited, but when it came down to it, I didn't even get enough registrants to cover the studio rental fee. So any teaching is on the back burner indefinitely.

Clubs have seemed somewhat interested, but of course clam up when they see a price. Typical military town clubs though, if it can't be tied in with wet tshirt contest night or a "pimps & ho's" party then they don't see the draw. I've had one call for a private party, but turned out to be nothing.

Slow is an understatement here.

My classes are still going strong, and I've not seen an unusual dropoff. Gigs really slowed down for me at the end of the summer, but I had a big burst of bookings a couple of weeks ago.

My beginner classes are down slightly, other levels mostly carrying on as always. I'm not sure whether it's because of the economy or because of an advertising decision I made earlier this year that turned out to be a mistake. I'm returning to my old marketing plan now, so I should know soon.

I lost my restaurant gig, presumably due to a drop in the restaurant's business, but private events are up for me as well.

I guess it also depends on what area you are in.
Oddly enough this week I found out that the studio where I teach is letting go of one of thier studio rooms because other classes have been dropping off. My classes have been doing well and I've added another one to my Saturday line up. But, because of scheduling I won't be able to do it if they do let go of the other studio.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Surprisingly, I have more opportunities now than I had a year ago - .

Interesting. I've been getting more show and conference gigs than last year. Which is okay. I kind of like doing them better than private parties.

On the whole, we are retaining students. New student enrollment fell off and then spiked on this month. Paid gigs are up, I'd like to think because of word-of-mouth but who knows? Maybe we're cheaper than a clown or a jazz band so that makes us attractive in this economy.

I'm glad somebody posted this, because it's always nice to check in.

This summer was awesome for me until late August through September, where my gigs dropped off to nada. But my bookings picked right up again in October and are going steady. Private parties seem to be where it's at for me, rather than restaurant/club gigs - but one of my buddies who works as a nightlife promoter just contacted me about some new prospects. So maybe I'll have a different report next month.

On the party front, I'm noticing an even bigger trend of cozy house parties, vs. parties at big restaurants or banquet facilities. For some reason, this especially seems to be true among the more affluent segment of my market. There's a lot of American comfort food, served banquet/family style, rather than with any huge amount of fanfare. Note: between 2008-2009 there have been several articles in the lifestyle section of the New York Times about a return to coziness in high-end entertaining. This may be useful to keep in the back of our minds.

One of the more bizarre phenomena I've noticed on the restaurant/club/public circuit is a demand for big, ballsy, over the top productions (of course, not always with the budget or common sense to back it up). One teeny tiny restaurant wanted essentially a multi-dancer BDSS-style revue with costume changes and choreographies (for the price of one dancer!). A tanning salon wanted to have 4 burly, shirtless men bring me out in a coffin and have me dance out of the said coffin, requiring at least 2 rehearsals - and they told me to beat the price that 3 other dancers had quoted them. (They wanted to do this coffin night once a month, apparently!) I guess the recession is bringing out the weirder side of ingeneuity, as well as the good!

What's been working for me, at large, is having a shiny, pretty (and informative!) website, and the nicest, most accomodating phone demeanor and customer service approach. More and more clients are telling me that they stopped "shopping" for dancers as soon as they saw my website and got me on the phone. They knew I was The One. Offer a great product and solution, and many people will pay your fees. I think today's prospects, more than ever, want to be assured that they're in good hands. It's a little bit of trial and error, but there's no better time than now to build your brand and do a little soul-searching.

I'm Carrara Nour and I approve this message!

I've noticed people are starting to tip again. I'm almost afraid to admit that because I don't want to jinx it!

Originally Posted by aazura

I've noticed people are starting to tip again. I'm almost afraid to admit that because I don't want to jinx it!

I've noticed this too. Maybe all of our collective Facebooking about the Tipping Fairy has finally summoned her sparkly butt back onto the scene! Let's hope that sparkly wench sticks around ..l;,

I have noticed there is no demand for master classes with internationally respected teachers any more in my area. Bookings dropped slowly over the course of the last year and even those who are able to book have to write several instalments and post-dated cheques. On the plus side I only need one hand to count the bookings ! People are really feeling the pinch.

Originally Posted by Bellydancingcaroline

I have noticed there is no demand for master classes with internationally respected teachers any more in my area. Bookings dropped slowly over the course of the last year and even those who are able to book have to write several instalments and post-dated cheques. On the plus side I only need one hand to count the bookings ! People are really feeling the pinch.

I'm unemployed right now and I know I've been cutting back on workshops. Been spending my bellydance bucks on advertising (website, Gigmasters, etc) and updating my costume wardrobe, instead.

Also, I'm not a predominantly Egyptian-style dancer, and 99% of the workshops in my area have been Egyptian. If something Turkish, Lebanese or even more Cabaret-friendly (like Aradia's workshops) came along, I'd hop right on it. But I'd rather not spend $$$ on yet another Egyptian choreography that I'm not going to use. I wonder if others might be experiencing a similar burnout on workshop material.

That's why it's called "discretionary income". People spend it (or not) at their discretion...

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

...One of the more bizarre phenomena I've noticed on the restaurant/club/public circuit is a demand for big, ballsy, over the top productions (of course, not always with the budget or common sense to back it up). One teeny tiny restaurant wanted essentially a multi-dancer BDSS-style revue with costume changes and choreographies (for the price of one dancer!). A tanning salon wanted to have 4 burly, shirtless men bring me out in a coffin and have me dance out of the said coffin, requiring at least 2 rehearsals - and they told me to beat the price that 3 other dancers had quoted them. (They wanted to do this coffin night once a month, apparently!) I guess the recession is bringing out the weirder side of ingeneuity, as well as the good!...

I'm running into this, too. Prime example is that latin club I posted about last month & their initial wants/demands. In the end aside from the start time issue, they just didn't want to pay appropriately for a monthly 2 dancer choreographed use every prop known to bellydance including the kitchen sink performance. They thought the regular weekly gig pay should suffice.

Btw, anyone working clubs how is it for you? I've had no nibbles for Halloween which I'm a little surprised but not really. Younger crowd here, they're more interested in dressing sexy/skimpy for Halloween & hooking up than seeing any entertainment at a club. I am hoping for NYE though, it's more of a happy party atmosphere, with the holiday stress being over and people are more cheerful (or drunk, whatever).

Weddings events are wanting spectacular-spectacular until they hear the price. Commercial customers and private parties now tend to go with whatever daughter suggests is best for the venue.

Originally Posted by maurazebra

Weddings events are wanting spectacular-spectacular until they hear the price...

Agreed, about weddings and other types of events. BUT I find this to be true for any uninformed customer- economic woes or not.
"We want 10 belly dancing hula girls who can all breath fire and we need them mingling with customers for 4 hours. Can you do that for $50?"

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Agreed, about weddings and other types of events. BUT I find this to be true for any uninformed customer- economic woes or not.
"We want 10 belly dancing hula girls who can all breath fire and we need them mingling with customers for 4 hours. Can you do that for $50?"

OMG, I just spewed coffee all over my keyboard. This just about sums it all up, doesn't it? ,r:;

Don't forget, we're also typically expected to ride in on a white Siberian tiger - and provide the said tiger at our own cost! .w.:

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Don't forget, we're also typically expected to ride in on a white Siberian tiger - and provide the said tiger at our own cost! .w.:

You mean you don't all own flying carpets? .w.:

Originally Posted by MaryRaks

You mean you don't all own flying carpets? .w.:

Well, if somebody requested one, I'd go out and buy it. The customer is ALWAYS right ,r:;.w.:

Originally Posted by TexasRuya

Btw, anyone working clubs how is it for you? I've had no nibbles for Halloween which I'm a little surprised but not really. Younger crowd here, they're more interested in dressing sexy/skimpy for Halloween & hooking up than seeing any entertainment at a club. I am hoping for NYE though, it's more of a happy party atmosphere, with the holiday stress being over and people are more cheerful (or drunk, whatever).

I've kinda eased up on marketing to the clubs because I'm finding that it's a lot of aggravation and there's just no money in it. If a nightclub wants me for a one-off Arabian Nights theme party, then giddy up. But short of hookah lounges, which aren't really my cuppa tea anyway, there aren't many upscale nightclubs in my area that have the interest or the budget for an ongoing thing. Not to mention, a weekly BD show isn't always an appropriate fit for every non-Arab venue. New Year's might be a good call. But I think when it comes to clubs, an honest assessment of your local market is in order. Many places are only amenable to spending their entertainment budget on a weekly 80's cover band and/or a Top 40 cover band.

My goal in life is to get a good day job again so I can resume my life as the Most Uppity BDer in the Universe. If I only did weddings, corporate events and big parties, I wouldn't exactly be crushed ..l;,

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Agreed, about weddings and other types of events. BUT I find this to be true for any uninformed customer- economic woes or not.
"We want 10 belly dancing hula girls who can all breath fire and we need them mingling with customers for 4 hours. Can you do that for $50?"

I've have the same experience. Someone recently called to hire my entire troupe for a convention. When I quoted them the price, which I though was reasonable. They then asked if I knew of any student dancers who would do it for less "just in case the commitee doesn't approve the price for the professionals".

Has anyone been organizing haflas and student shows? How has the turn out been?

And what about travel time? Are you having to go farther than usual for gigs?

For our student haflas turnout has been relatively decent, but it's mainly friends of the dancers and they're very very casual.

I am finding that most gigs aren't too far from me, but I did recently accept one a good distance away and while they're paying full price for the show, I did give a discount on travel which I wouldn't normally do.

Originally Posted by audie

And what about travel time? Are you having to go farther than usual for gigs?

This hasn't been an issue, although I did something very out of character last weekend and did a private party out of state.

If anything, my travel radius has shrunk and I'm finding that most of my gigs are in the same affluent corner of the state. I can't complain, because I'll take a short drive to a gig over a long one, any day.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

What's been working for me, at large, is having a shiny, pretty (and informative!) website, and the nicest, most accomodating phone demeanor and customer service approach.

Your website is VERY impressive Satin. I've looked at a lot- partly for my own research and partly for school projects with my digital design degree and I can tell you that you are in my current top 5 for aesthetics and usability. Bravo!!