Thread: How to get started in a new area?

Hi fellow Bhuzzers!

I thought I'd try for a little advice from y'all. I am a professional dancer and teacher with almost 10 years experience (gosh, does time really go that fast???), mostly in the Egyptian style, but I've been kinda out of the "scene" for a while since I've been in medical school for about four years now. I moved to a new part of the country for school, but have been so busy that there has not been time to promote myself!!

So here's the question/dilemma: I'd love to get back into the scene, because I love and value performing and teaching, but it seems there's not a whole lot of room out there for us part-timers. I've been keeping up with practicing, but not really making connections, and I now find myself with a little more time to do what I love. Any suggestions on how to get myself back in the game, so to speak?

Thanks, lovelies!

I think you'd need to start networking with existing teachers and performers in the area. Ask if you can meet up with them socially, and explain you want to become more involved in the local scene now that you have more freedom to do so. Ask them about the scene, what are the good events to attend, who are the people you should know.

Go to other teachers' classes, to get into their informational loop. Go to workshops organised by local promoters/sponsors. Go to haflahs and showcases. Subscribe to the local dance magazine/guild/association. Offer to help with events/write articles or reviews.

And I'm sure you would do this *anyway*, but it goes without saying that you should go in with the attitude of joining in rather than "using" the scene.

Network, network, network!

Looking forward to reading what other people suggest.

Ditto what Béatrice said. I think she is right on the money.

Yes, to the above. I'd add, it also might be helpful to go out and see professional shows in your area to see what regional expectations are.

Bea hit it on the nose!

I moved almost a year ago (YIKES!), the first thing I did was look for dancers and instructors in my area. I found one 45 minutes away, e-mailed her and actually we became fast friends. It's Aziyade, I think she has posted on here maybe once or twice ..l;, Luckily for me, and I guess for her too, we get along and have both helped promote each other. She really clued me in tot he local scene prices, what the competition is, what local customers/students seem to want and not want.

As far as getting students and gigs, a strong web presence is key. Most people use google to find what they want now. Find local community and charity events where you can dance and do demonstrations. Just get out there and get in the publics face.

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate the replies... lots of great ideas!!!

Ditto on everything already said. I did a small move about 3 years ago.

Also offer yourself as a sub for restaurant and teaching work (if you are interested in it). Offer to shadow/audition for the scheduling dancer (if any) to show her you know what you are doing. People aren't psychic and won't know you are looking for work/performance opportunities if you don't tell them.

They (house dancers/schedulers) will also appreciate that you went through them instead of aggressively going straight to the owner. In my experience, being humble and super professional helped me get quickly into the new local "scene".

At the least, have videos of your dancing on Youtube/ your website to show people.


Definitely support local haflas and sign up to dance at them so people can see what you can do.

After a bad experience, I would never again let a dancer sub my night without seeing her dance. One time I let a proclaimed "professional dancer of 8 years" sub my night out of convenience and trust that she was what she said she was. I had never seen her dance before, but figured if she was a pro, then it would be fine. Turned out she lied about being a pro and made me look like an idiot to the owners...doh!

it IS helpful to go through the house dancers/schedulers, but it's hard to find them sometimes...

I had to call a few restaurants and just ask for the dancers number, or ask to speak to someone about an audition.

It will probably take some time, but don't worry, everything takes time!!

I personally think the best way to 'get back in the game' is to come up with your business plan, and then see what you need to do to implement it. Circulating locally may indeed be what you need to do, but maybe you'll need to circulate selectively or with less-than-obvious groups of people.

Having been in the position where I moved to a much smaller market and tried to get to know the local teachers, etc. and not only found myself stalled but snubbed, I am going to suggest taking things somewhat slowly. Get involved on the level of going to an participating in haflas, local workshops, etc. and taking classes from various teachers. After doing that for a while, if you can find someone to partner with, it may be helpful. Also, if you have a specialty which no one else in the area has, you may be able to use that as a way of introducing yourself as a teacher. But again, depending on the community, you might want to do this slowly.

{{{{HUGS}}}

ETA: Here is an earlier thread on this subject: http://www.bhuz.com/showthread.php?2...ghlight=moving

Here is another thread on the topic.

http://www.bhuz.com/showthread.php?9...ocating-Ethics

{{{HUGS}}}

In an area with an established group of performers and/or teachers who feel as though the market is already saturated, I think it would be best to plan on developing your own venue / niche/ whatever rather than hope to be included in existing rotations or studios. That way other pros may see you as making the pie bigger rather than fighting over the existing pieces. Even then expect some grousing.... we had complaints from a teacher who taught on the other side of Louisville (population one million) when we started classes on the same night as her class. She felt we were making off with her potential students. We felt that students were not basing their choices on location, and were proved right when three other belly dance teachers attempted to establish themselves within a few blocks of our studio, and then faded away. But 'being right' didn't do anything for our relationship with the other teacher. We just had to stick to our guns.

Also be prepared to be undercut if you do open up a 'new' venue, and don't take it personally. Concentrate on building your brand in your new location. Restaurants are actually the very-worst-paying places to dance in this area.