Thread: Flagrant promotional fangirling!

I've been really impressed by the way that Cassandra Shore's troupe Jawahir is using Facebook to generate interest in their upcoming show The Dark Nightingale.

The company has a fanpage and each member has been contributing notes to the page about their feelings as the production nears - sometimes writing of dreams they're having, how overwhelming it is, that sort of thing. As a dancer it makes me feel excited for their show and involved in it. I'd totally go if I were in Minneapolis anyway, being a giant Cassandra fangirl, but this ongoing pre-promotion method really works for me. If I were able to go to the show, I would be feeling very invested in it now, a few weeks from opening night.

I especially like that it's something different frrom the usual "our show will rak woo hoo". It really does feel - excuse me, horrible marketing speak coming up - "value added". Everything is positive, but it's also thoughtful, eloquent and even poetic. I feel that it's speaking to the converted - fans of the company, lovers of oriental dance - but it's not taking that didactic tone we often see in belly dancer communications. It's about the show and its participants, not the wider view of oriental dance or undercutting or costume malfunctions or style wars... I love it.

This article also reflects, in my view, the way the journalist was approached. She was invited to a rehearsal of a theatrical dance show. That showed her how much hard work is going on and that the dance on offer is a piece of theatre art. The simple fact that this *is* a large theatrical production gives it more weight with a reporter anyway - it's a different kettle of fish when you invite someone to Uncle Joe's 50th or Felafel Hut, no matter how good the dancing is - but I think the *rehearsal* aspect is key. It takes practice! It's formalised! It's not just wiggling around being hot!

I love hearing about that approach. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for posting!

Thanks for posting.

That's really helpful to me. Thanks, Z.

You know, sometimes I wonder if this approach is partially why the Vegas Intensive has grown so much. I try to do little updates and mini-blogs about what I'm doing as the organizer all year long. Long before the 2010 event happens, I've already started working on the 2011 event. I post regular ongoing updates about stuff all the time. Perhaps this has helped folks feel more invested in the outcome of the event. I have no idea. But your post has definitely made me stew about my own process.

That sounds like a much more thoughtful and welcome approach than just updating your status ten times a day with a link to the show flyer (sure way to get me to hide you!)

Originally Posted by beafarhana

That sounds like a much more thoughtful and welcome approach than just updating your status ten times a day with a link to the show flyer (sure way to get me to hide you!)

RIGHT! True, that!