Thread: Gig helpers!

I have a possible gig coming up that is a good distance away and it's in a bar. Not that I usually have issue with dancing in a bar, but having someone with me will help the whole situation. My beau will be unable to help me with this one, so I wanted to enlist a student to help. Who does this? How do you approach them? How do you compensate them?
Thanks!

I accompany my teacher on many gigs, but I am (as far as I know) the only one of her students with the desire and/or ability to go pro so I think we both see it as a sort of apprenticeship/job shadowing/experience sort of thing. I am always happy to help her with no sort of compensation except for the experience.

I was going to say something similar to Catysue. It's the perfect learning opportunity for a student interested in going pro.
If no one is available- bring a fun friend who you want to hang out with anyway and offer compensation... I always know ahead of time however and charge extra for my escort. IF you've already negotiated with your client and can't charge extra to pay your friend; maybe offer to take them out to dinner on another night (or after the gig if it's early enough).

Ditto the above. Unless you have a student you're interested in apprenticing into pro-dancer territory, I think it's best to just ask a friend to go with you and offer to buy them dinner. That way it's a favor, not a 'job' and you avoid a lot of legal employer/contractor entanglements and liabilities.

Taking on a student to apprentice should be a major decision for both of you and involves a lot more than accompaniment to this one gig (including recognizing that she will be your competitor one day, and knowing you're OK with that even if she becomes more successful than you and it hurts your feelings and your income. Mentoring isn't for the faint of heart -- LOL)

So I'd go with the 'friend' option or go alone. I'm more comfortable on bar gigs with a chaperone, too, but I've done them alone. It is our job, and ultimately our responsibility.

If it's still a 'possible' gig you may want to check the site out ahead of time, ask around about the place's reputation, and -- most important -- insist on scheduling the gig early in the evening.

I've had good, bad, and ugly bar gigs.

I offer my students $25 cash or a free private lesson in return for accompanying me on a gig. They almost always choose the lesson, so it works out great for me financially.

Thanks for the good advice. The only problem is that I don't have any students who wish to go pro (that I know of) so there's not really that relationship set up.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Thanks for the good advice. The only problem is that I don't have any students who wish to go pro (that I know of) so there's not really that relationship set up.

The students who have accompanied me aren't interested in the pro route. They just do it for the money/free lesson, and to help me out.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Thanks for the good advice. The only problem is that I don't have any students who wish to go pro (that I know of) so there's not really that relationship set up.

Perhaps you can make a general announcement to your students: "I have xyz gig coming up and I'd love to have a helper accompany me. If you think you'd like to see what goes on behind the scenes at a bellydance gig, then let me know." Perhaps someone will find it interesting enough to come along for fun.

If my hubby can't come with me I ask a friend and take them for drinks or dinner or whatever.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Perhaps you can make a general announcement to your students: "I have xyz gig coming up and I'd love to have a helper accompany me. If you think you'd like to see what goes on behind the scenes at a bellydance gig, then let me know." Perhaps someone will find it interesting enough to come along for fun.

I'm a student and doubt I'll ever go the pro route, but if my teacher needed someone to lend a hand and I had the time, I'd certainly do it! I consider her a friend and would love to see what goes on behind the scenes. Not knowing what kind of help is required, I guess I don't know why compensation is required. Is it that much work? I wouldn't expect anything if I volunteered- though a free private lesson would be fantastic.

Side note... If you bring someone new and have specific things you need help with, I'd recommend you spell them out pretty well (maybe print up a "cheat sheet" ahead of time) so she knows how to assist. If you need costume help, show her before it's go time so there's no rush or screw ups. If you need help getting a guest away from you, make sure she knows when to swoop in and how to handle it. What I'm saying is give the new helper confidence in knowing what you need from them!