Thread: Crazy gig last night.

So I get a call Friday night from a show promoter that she needed a belly dancer for a birthday party Saturday night (the next day). I told her I could do, got all the information and that was that.
So Saturday I get ready and my husband drives me to the gig (as always). We pull up to the house #8231 where there is a lot of cars and a birthday sign on the door so I tell him wait in the car I will only be 20 mins. I get to the door and I can kind of see in as I am knocking away. It is an indian party. I start to panick. Am I covered enough, is my music appropriate, etc? They finally answer the door and they are looking at me like "What the heck? Who hired a belly dancer. I say hello I am here for the birthday party. I was hired to dance here. Is there a Nicole here? They are still staring at me blankly. "No they say. We didnt hire a belly dancer !"
I thought well that is strange. Maybe it was a mistake and I should go home. Then I looked at the paper where I wrote the directions. They said #8321. What are the chances of that. Two birthday parties on the same street with one number difference.
I get to the other house and I knock. I am 15 mins early as usual. They ask me can I go on at 9:30 instead of 9. I said yes, but you will have to pay extra for me waiting. Okay. (mind you my poor husband is still waiting in the car)
At 9:25 the birthday women comes in and says the guy wants to go on before you, becuase he has another gig to get to. "The guy I say"! What guy?
"The stripper".
I am thinking what a stripper and a belly dancer. Would would you hire both on the same night. There were men there and children.
I told her I really need to get going becuase my ride is waiting and I didnt want to follow the stripper. So she asked him and he let me go on first. How nice of him.
It actually was a really fun crowd and the kids really loved it. I give them hipscarves and danced with them. There was a three year old who was trying to copy everything I did.
I think this was probably with the strangest gig for me yet.

Oh, first of many strange gigs that will come your way.
Sounds like you handled it well.
That would be an interesting thread "What has been your strangest gig?"

Wow... thats crazy!
Did you leave before the stripper performed? Why on earth would a stripper be hired for a party with kids???? ..c:: Yuck. It sounds like they had a fun time with you though!

i am so happy you asked to be paid for your extra waiting time! good job.
that should be an industry standard, imo

After all that craziness I'm glad the gig went well for you! I've had crazy gigs where I had to go on before stippers too...and luckily never after! **Still puzzling over them hiring a dancer AND a male stripper on the same day.**

~Kat

I know. I just didnt understand it. They sent the children to the playroom and the men outside. I am glad I got to go on first. What can you do

Originally Posted by katinabd

I know. I just didnt understand it. They sent the children to the playroom and the men outside. I am glad I got to go on first. What can you do

At least you were considered the family friendly portion of the entertainment and not on par with "the guy"

Imagine if all the women were sent out of the room and the children to the playroom during your performance .w.:

It definitely sounds like an odd combination of entertainment but it seems like you handled it with aplomb