Thread: Performers: Do You Have a "Busy" Season?

I wanted to talk a little bit about seasonal cycles and trends for gigging. When do your bookings tend to peak? When do things get slow? Do dancers in warmer climates have a more consistent performance schedule than those of us who have a cold, icy winter season? And how's your Holiday season looking?

This year, I had a busy spring and summer. Lots of outdoor parties, weddings and special occasions. September slowed down. Then, I hit a second peak in October and had a CRAZY month in November. This all tends to be fairly normal. Oddly, this December is dead - no holiday parties, or anything like that. Maybe people in my area are budgeting their money toward gifts and throwing low-key celebrations? (Or maybe I'm just S.O.L. this month!)

I'm normally busiest in spring and summer and this year was super busy all summer. Sometimes 2-3 gigs in one night which has never happened to be before.

I usually have a small peak around the holidays and then really quiet 'till spring. This year so far though, no holiday bookings

It seems like our patterns tend to match - maybe people are, like you said, spending less on parties and stuff this Xmas to save some money.

Same here. I was getting multiple bookings through the summer and again in late fall, which was previously unheard of. (This might have to do with my website and its performance on Google searches). In this sense, I almost feel like I beat the recession. I did way better than I expected this year.

As for holiday parties, I've read some interesting articles which suggest that people are more reluctant this year to have over-the-top celebrations because they think it's not in the best taste to be "extravagant" during tough times. They're doing small house parties - if they're even having parties at all. Not to mention, a lot of people just don't have the money by the time they buy all their gifts. We'll see if it picks up...but I could use some down time, so I can't complain.

I'm with you all. Really busy spring and early summer this year. Slowed down into fall but then jumped back to life in November. I've read the same articles about companies not being extravagant with their holiday parties this year so who knows what the rest of the winter will hold.

I'd say December is normally my busiest month. Lots of corporate holiday parties and 3 or 4 NYE gigs, plus any of my regularly scheduled show.

This year, September and October were totally packed and November was steady. So far, not a single call for a holiday party. I'm still expecting (hoping for?) some last-minute rebooks and a busy NYE, but as of now I am very, very thankful for my restaurant work.

Yeah, this is when I wish I had a restaurant gig! ,r:;

I'm a little surprised that my holiday season's looking so empty, but judging by responses here and on my facebook poll, this seems to be somewhat of an unusual holiday season for a lot of us. ..c::

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Yeah, this is when I wish I had a restaurant gig! ,r:;

I'm a little surprised that my holiday season's looking so empty, but judging by responses here and on my facebook poll, this seems to be somewhat of an unusual holiday season for a lot of us. ..c::

Totally. My day job isn't even having a holiday party this year. A little bit sad actually because it would be nice to spend non work time with my coworkers.

Only have one new years eve event (Turkish night!) but I am actually really looking forward to it!

oh well...it will be nice to see what next year brings :)

PS hey satinworship, i used to work out in fairfield, ct a long time ago. wish i had known about bellydancing then! would have been fun to see one of your shows!

That's wacky! I've only been performing professionally for about 3 years. So you might not have wanted to see my shows, back when you were in CT ..l;,,r:;

I think next year will be a turning point. Though consumer confidence levels are still in the toilet (and are projected to stay there at least another several months), experts are saying that the worst of the recession is over.

But hey, now's the time to start building our brands. Invest in your dance business now and you'll be poised for success when things get better out there!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

That's wacky! I've only been performing professionally for about 3 years. So you might not have wanted to see my shows, back when you were in CT ..l;,,r:;

I think next year will be a turning point. Though consumer confidence levels are still in the toilet (and are projected to stay there at least another several months), experts are saying that the worst of the recession is over.

But hey, now's the time to start building our brands. Invest in your dance business now and you'll be poised for success when things get better out there!

..l;, LOL - i hear ya!

But yes, brand building! Good idea!And love your website! It is so engaging and personal. It feels friendly, you know?

Anyways, off to dance to disco turkish music from the 70s. Wish me luck! ha ha ha

Originally Posted by jengal55

..l;, LOL - i hear ya!

But yes, brand building! Good idea!And love your website! It is so engaging and personal. It feels friendly, you know?

Anyways, off to dance to disco turkish music from the 70s. Wish me luck! ha ha ha

Well, thanks. That was my creative vision....a kinder, gentler, more charming BD website

Turkish disco....are you wearing bellbottoms with that V-belt? ..l;,

kitty cat print bellbottom and a coin costume from salomestar!!!

Summer and early Fall is usually the busiest for me. November through January is notoriously dead, and usually in February things start to pick up a bit. Spring is generally still light but at least it's something.

My worst dry spell was last year - I had a wedding gig in mid-August 2008, and didn't have one single paid gig after until the end of January 2009. It was awful, but rebounded with a crazy busy February and March.

Here we've just hit the busy season. Typically around the end of October to the end of March when the snowbirds hit town for the winter is when we are running like mad to keep up with events and gig requests. I'm coming close to having to turn down events so I don't burn out the troupe. Not that I'..g.:m complaining mind you. Hopefully it will get people ot book out their events a little bit earlier instead of waiting until the last minute since I'm having to tell them the date they want is not available. ..g.:

I just arrived in Arizona a little over a month ago, I do not advertise thru partypop or website that I am a dancer..now that I'm feeling healthy again I've been dancing a lot more

Gigs keep falling in my lap. I have two lined up for the next couple of weeks..all Xmas related. I think holidays are peak times for corporate events and parties. There's also a ton of festivals and artsy things going on in Arizona right now so business contacts are everywhere

word of mouth and just talking to people and handing out business cards is key

Jes, I think you hit a key point about "old-school" networking - just getting out there, mingling and handing out your card. I've gotta do more of that! Sometimes, it's too easy to rest on your pixels....I mean, laurels ,r:;

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Jes, I think you hit a key point about "old-school" networking - just getting out there, mingling and handing out your card. I've gotta do more of that! Sometimes, it's too easy to rest on your pixels....I mean, laurels ,r:;

lol :)

And Satin I bet you have NO problem marketing ..your beauty and charm are magnetic

Well, it seems like people finally woke up and realized the holidays are right around the corner! The bookings are rolling in and my NYE is almost full. Hope everybody else is getting more work too now that we're almost a week into December. :)

I also had a busy Summer and late Fall... but now December it's kind of dead!!! I usually have lots of Holiday parties and such, but this year I don't...

I did get a couple of inquiries for this coming Sat, however I'll be having a dinner party w/ my students so I had to turn them down.... Friday I have nothing!!! I also received an inquiry for New years, but I'll be out of town.... oh well!!!

Surprinsingly, I've already booked two gigs in Januay 2010... so it's hard to say when you're going to be busy!