Thread: Restaurant Newbie

Hey Everyone!

First time that I've been on the new site, I like it!

I will be meeting with a restaurant owner tonight to discuss doing shows, twice a week. This is my FIRST restaurant gig, I'm so excited! Got any tips and success-secrets? Obviously, I know to dress nice for the initial meeting. He has seen me dance before (he is a student on the campus and he's seen me practicing). On the phone, he asked if I'd be willing to try it out tonight, but I said I'm not sure. I don't want to give a free show just because I'm "trying it out". But at the same time, I REALLY want this job.

There are no dancing restaurants in my area within a large radius, so I have a chance to set the bar high. Again, at the same time, I don't want to make it too high to chase him away. On Samira's site, it says the average rate for restaurant dancing in North Florida is 2-3 15 minute sets, $30 and up per set. I'm thinking maybe charging $50 for the first 2 sets and then $30 for the third? I don't know, I'm just brainstorming.

Let me know your thoughts! I miss this place, I'm glad I ventured back here :D

Eden

Congrats! ..g.:

My tips for meeting with the restaurant owner for you would be:

1. Know your pricing and stick to it.
2. DO NOT "audition" for free. If he wants you to dance that night, of course you can if you wish to - but it should be FOR PAY. An "audition" if required to show your dance skills (i.e. if you don't have any promo clips to point him to) should be for restaurant staff only, and does not require full costuming. Anything else is a show and should be charged as such.
3. Absolutely dress nicely, as if for a kind of interview. Do you have any promo pictures showing you in costume? If so, bring them along.
4. Bring some music with you - the type of set you think you would be performing to. That way, you can discuss the types of music you both feel is appropriate - and it's easier to do that by listening that by trying to describe types.
5. Be sure to ask to see the facilities - i.e. where you would be changing. Is it the bathroom? Is it a store cupboard? If so, is there an internal lock so you can get changed in peace?
6. Consider hashing you a written agreement to take with you, that notes everything about number of sets, waiting time, callout or last minute fee adjustments, cancellation process. I'm sure there are exemplars out there on Bhuzzers sites - I can't remember who had it, though, sorry!

HTH!..g.: Good luck, I hope it works out well for you!

Originally Posted by wigglewhiz

Congrats! ..g.:

My tips for meeting with the restaurant owner for you would be:

[everything]

HTH!..g.: Good luck, I hope it works out well for you!

yes to all
i once decided to use the men's bathroom to change since they were both single person rooms and there was a line for the ladies. it's lucky there was a lock because i heard someone outside say that the bellydancer was in there changing and then some guy tried the handle. ..l;,
i also think sometimes owners might have their music genres mixed up, there job is to run a business and/or cook, after all. so if they tell you they want x style, try to confirm their meaning. maybe ask "so like band A, band B, band C?" which gives the impression that you're familiar with the genre they want while still letting you get some sort of confirmation (of course if they don't know they might just agree to cover themselves. or they might not care what you dance to so long as you make the customers happy)
for writing, please. my mom always said that contracts save friendships. for example: if you have it in writing that you get extra pay for staying late they can't screw you over and act like you're trying to cause problems for them when you ask for your money. (and you won't surprise them if they don't realize that it's standard to charge a late fee.)
there's lots of things about the place i dance now that i'm VERY glad the owners are such nice people who respect us and don't try to take advantage. at the same time i've noticed things that i'd want in writing if i were to go someplace else. (some things from my experience, some from reading, some from other dancers in the area at other establishments)
restaurant contracts might make a good spin off, do they differ from one-time gig? how does one word regular shows into them? (ie: contracting to perform every week or every month to justify the discount?)

Thank you so much for the advice ladies! Unfortunately i didn't get to look at the thread until after I got back, but on a happy note I didn't do the opposite of anything you listed ..l;,

I'm a little worried though. I was supposed to go in and give a small demo for the staff and discuss scheduling with the guy and his brothers, but he hasn't called me back today. I called and left him a message. I hope they are just busy and he hasn't gotten around to it yet :(

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Yay! Congrats, Eden! There is nothing more flattering than when someone is willing to pay you for your art. ..g.:

Will the audience be primarily Caucasian? Or Middle Eastern?

Ditto to everything Wiggle and Fariha said. A few things to add:

#1. If you don't already have some, invest in a good pair of shoes - ideally ballroom dance shoes. If you aren't comfortable with a high heel, don't worry! You can get certain brands with a short heel - mine are Diamond brand, and they are only about an inch high. Shoes are very important because restaurant floors can be dirty, and hazardous (broken glass, bits of food).

#2. My first instructor gave a performers workshop right around the time I started performing professionally, and she said: "Dance into the light." This really stuck with me, and for me it means connecting with my audience. A restaurant gig is very different from a stage show - there will be regular people who will come to know you, and it's important to acknowledge that. Smile, make eye-contact, invite people to dance with you! Say (or nod) thank you when people tip you. Which brings me to...

#3. Tips! Determine (perhaps with the owner) how you will receive tips if they're offered. Many restaurant owners will have no opinion on the subject - some will prefer if you collect tips in a bowl or basket at the end of your show (or you may prefer to). Some will prefer that you only accept tips in your belt, not in your bra (or you may prefer to). If you decide to allow your audience to tip in your costume, make friends with some of the staff so that if you drop a tip someone will make sure to pick it up for you!

That's all I can think of for now... if I think of anything else I'll let you know! Congratulations, and Hiz ya Wiz!

Originally Posted by Qalysha

. Shoes are very important because restaurant floors can be dirty, and hazardous (broken glass, bits of food).

or e-coli from the guy who stepped in dog-doo before coming inside...... one of the first things they asked my friend was "you'll wear shoes, right!?" it's a health code violation for you to be in the kitchen barefoot too, i think.