Thread: Strange request for a gig

I have a gig coming up and the client has asked if I would dance to a rap song (um, NO) and if she can dance with me for part of my performance (seriously?). Has this ever happened to you? How did you respond?

I make special song requests for clients. Usually improv to whatever they give me. I'm not going to choreograph an entire routine for each request. I've never had a rap request, but I've had some other strange ones.

Does she want to just get up and dance for a couple seconds to get some attention or does she want to be your duet partner? I get party guests up to dance sometimes before the audience participation part if they are just ready to dance and wont sit still. If she wants to learn a choreographed routine (I have had this request) I reply with my private lesson rates and the estimated number of lessons needed to learn the routine. (didn't get that gig).

the song is not something I want to dance to. I am going to ask her exactly what does she mean when she wants to dance with me. I'm guessing she wans to do some kind of routine by how she asked.

No, this is a new one:)

I wouldn't dance to something I don't like, but anyway I've never heard of such a thing. One time the hostess asked if I would wear red and gold to match her dress, that was about it:)

I've had requests to dance to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Desert Rose by Sting and a couple others I've forgotten the name of.

If it isn't a song you like, you can explain how belly dance really needs to be done to specific rhythms to work and that the rap song does not have the rhythms...

In-a-Gadda-Davida is like 20 minutes long, isn't it? lol

I have had special requests regarding music when I have done Indian events. "Can we throw some Bollywood on?" Not a problem. "Can we dance with you?" is a pretty normal question. But I take it in the will you have audience participation way, not the choreograph a number for me way.

{{HUGS}}}

her exact words were "would I be able to dance with you for part of the performance?" how would you take that?

I would take the question to mean audience participation stuff where she is just the center of attention for a bit after you show her some moves.

The lady that wanted to be a part of my routine specifically asked if she could do a "matching dance" with me and if I had a costume she could borrow.... She wanted me to drive to her house and teach her the dance... (again, didn't get that gig after my price quote!)

Can you contact your client again and give her a run down of your performance, specifically saying that you'll get her up to dance after your cane/sword/drum solo dance? Then she has something to know when it is or isn't her turn.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

In-a-Gadda-Davida is like 20 minutes long, isn't it? lol

There is a 3 minute radio edit version!

Originally Posted by crystalllized

I would take the question to mean audience participation stuff where she is just the center of attention for a bit after you show her some moves.

The lady that wanted to be a part of my routine specifically asked if she could do a "matching dance" with me and if I had a costume she could borrow.... She wanted me to drive to her house and teach her the dance... (again, didn't get that gig after my price quote!)

Can you contact your client again and give her a run down of your performance, specifically saying that you'll get her up to dance after your cane/sword/drum solo dance? Then she has something to know when it is or isn't her turn.

Wow! Someone actually thought that was ok?

Thanks for the advice. I will send her back an email.

Thanks Crystallized. Hey, if it were the original, it'd be the whole set. lol

We get similar requests and they always necessitate teaching the customer how to dance to the music. Sometimes they actually hire after hearing the total price :)

I found a great song a couple of years ago by a young guy from Giza where he's rapping in Arabic about what a pain his girlfriend is, how she ruined his life, and how he wishes he'd never gotten mixed up with her. Sounds like a fit!

ina godda divida is a balady

I've gotten all sorts of odd requests over the years. Some I can't do, some I can.
*The rap song? Does she mean a specific song? As Tourbeau said, if it is an Arabic song, I would be ok with, as long as lyrics ok that is.
*The "dance with" part: people request things like that from time to time. I find out exactly what they mean, by giving them options: All are planned ahead and made very clear (in contract) with client.
1. For a bit of simple "audience style participation" : she pops up and dances along for maybe 30 seconds, I do steps with her, couple hip drops, bow & clap toward her, usher her off, continue my set. No extra charge.
If she wants to do above but wants to meet with me ahead to "practice" : private lesson rate.
2. Same as above, but more extensive, 1-2 minutes: Must meet with me & have private lesson w rates accordingly.
3. Do a duet with: Lessons, coaching, costuming: lotta bucks.
I've done a few #1 or #2; #3 at existing student of mine's request: Prepared over a series of months for her hubby's 80th gala bday party (she was in her early 70s); and at that, she just did a small part of a longer routine. I did a solo, my troupe did short set. It was all part of a package priced accordingly and was absolutely darling and fun. I introduced her appropriately and briefly explained her part.
If you pm me I'll let you know what I charge in my area.

Originally Posted by zamora

ina godda divida is a balady

Originally Posted by samirashuruk

Thanks Crystallized. Hey, if it were the original, it'd be the whole set. lol

LOL Now I kind of wish I did the whole 20 minute song as my set. There is a killer drum solo in it!

Well, I've had gigs, pre-wedding parties for women only, where they wanted a lesson then everybody would dance together then I would perform, or vice-versa, and of course sometimes audience participation is requested or just happens, but the music is really important, I guess that's my #1 thing.

PS I prefer White Rabbit myself:):):)

It depends on whether or not you would want to dance to a rap song in your bedleh. But part of the performance? Uh, well, she could dance with you at the end of your performance. How could she be part of your performance unless you taught it to her? I don't think so. . .

I had a client request that I bellydance to whatever the DJs were playing. I explained that it would be like doing the hula to square dance music, and I would provide my own music instead.

Nothing wrong with sticking to what we do rather than trying to please odd client requests.

her exact words were "would I be able to dance with you for part of the performance?" how would you take that?

Personally I'd take it as "I wanna get up and shake my butt around and pretend I'm Shakira and try to impress people," which may or may not go along with "I've taken a few lessons and I wanna perform too!"

Yes, I agree it's a case-by-case basis. I had a bride request some Indian/Rap song that was out a year or two ago. It was her favorite song, and would I incorporate it into my set somehow. Since it was going to be a small part of the show, and bookended by "real" bellydance music, I said OK, and cross-faded it up right after a Hakim song. She loved it, and those two minutes were a real thrill for her. It didn't wreck my show.

There is no way I expect the GP to know that we need "special" music, and I try to be patient and forgiving when I explain this. Having some Western music smack dab in the middle of what is appropriate for this dance form probably makes it clear without a lecture. Or maybe not. It might be wishful thinking on my part!

I think the main thing for me would be if the requested song's lyrics were super suggestive/sexualized or not. I'd likely refuse to perform to "Big Pimpin'" or "Golddigger", for example. Something tamer, like "Say Hey (I Love You) or "Getting Jiggy Wit It", I'd be fine with incorporating as just one part of a longer set.

I have posted on my website that at the last song, I will encourage audience/guest of honor participation. That's what they are stuck with. I have also posted (next to weddings) the bride may take private lessons, and she can dance with me or on her own, AFTER my show ;)