Thread: Unusual Gigs

I thought there was a thread already but couldn't find it. So I thought I'd start one. Let's post either a weird, strange, unusual situation or gig or gig request. Funny ha ha or funny hmm that's strange. It cold make us smile and maybe learn a thing or two about how to handle it if it happens to you. Sound good?

I'll start.


I got an email for a gig request to do a surprise bellygram for a surprise party at a Doctor's office. Everything sounded legit and then we talked on the phone, that's when I started thinking um wait a minute here.
They wanted me to come in and act like a real patient, fill out all the medical paperwork, give them my ID and insurance card to copy and go in the small room with the Dr and answer all his questions, get my vitals checked and have some fake ailment for being there. Then he would give me a gown to change into and when he came back I should be in costume, turn on my music and start dancing. They thought this would be hysterical. I explained to them that I am not comfortable going through all that and I really didn't think it needed to go that far. It sounded to me like they wanted to pull a prank rather than have a bellydancer. After 30 minutes on the phone with them they said they would think about it and get back to me. They called me back to say they are going with Rent A Nerd instead. That's just fine with me.

Funeral of an older <del>Armenian</del> Russian man. He had been a musician in his younger days and loved belly dancers. So I came to the grave site, danced to his favorite music and put a flower on the casket and said, "Goodnight, Pops," per the request of the family. I was later told that Pops would have loved it.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Funeral of an older Armenian man. He had been a musician in his younger days and loved belly dancers. So I came to the grave site, danced to his favorite music and put a flower on the casket and said, "Goodnight, Pops," per the request of the family. I was later told that Pops would have loved it.

{{{HUGS}}}

Wow! I would have never thought that was a legit gig. Was it awkward?

hhmmm, I think I want a bellydancer at my funeral.

No, it wasn't awkward at all and I never even thought about it not being legit. But I also confirmed with the cemetery that it was alright. There was already a sound system in place because the family had asked for it.

But, I do have to say that I had a long talk with the son and daughter of the deceased. This was an elaborate funeral with a wake afterwards. And the cemetery where the funeral was being held is known for being open to the wishes of their clients.

And I have decide that when I die, I want to be dressed in all my Roma - esque glory with a pair of zills and big earrings!

And yes, a belly dancer or my heirs won't get a dime! Without the belly dancer at the funeral, I'll leave it all to the ASPCA!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by MahiraRaqs

I'll start.


I got an email for a gig request to do a surprise bellygram for a surprise party at a Doctor's office. Everything sounded legit and then we talked on the phone, that's when I started thinking um wait a minute here.
They wanted me to come in and act like a real patient, fill out all the medical paperwork, give them my ID and insurance card to copy and go in the small room with the Dr and answer all his questions, get my vitals checked and have some fake ailment for being there. Then he would give me a gown to change into and when he came back I should be in costume, turn on my music and start dancing. They thought this would be hysterical. I explained to them that I am not comfortable going through all that and I really didn't think it needed to go that far. It sounded to me like they wanted to pull a prank rather than have a bellydancer. After 30 minutes on the phone with them they said they would think about it and get back to me. They called me back to say they are going with Rent A Nerd instead. That's just fine with me.

Ha! I just can't get over this. Do they not know how long it takes to put a costume on? Were you supposed to have your vitals checked in full makeup or did they expect that to be a part of the quick change too? Forget the boombox, how would you explain the absurdly huge bag that had your costume and other supplies in it? "Bellygram" and "changing on site" just don't go hand in hand.

Here is one of the threads you were looking for, Mahira!

http://www.bhuz.com/rest-belly-dance...eird-gigs.html

{{{HUGS}}}

Wierd Gigs... I've had a few. Most recently with the Flogging Mollys. Yep an Irish Punk band hired me (cabaret bellydancer) to Bellydance at a show for one song, that was a glorious and fun 8 minutes. They requested that I dress as 'sereotypically bellydancer-ish' as I could.

Dancing at a biker bar as the break between band sets. Band members birthday. Big scary bikers got up and shimmied... hilarious!

I had a lady once call me up and ask if I could balance a bird in a cage on my head. Yeah... NO.

Originally Posted by gretchendances

I had a lady once call me up and ask if I could balance a bird in a cage on my head. Yeah... NO.

LOL, I've never tried. why a bird cage? what did she have in mind?

I am not entirely sure... She thought I could put it on my candle tray and dance with it. All I could think is... great. Bird poo.

Originally Posted by gretchendances

I am not entirely sure... She thought I could put it on my candle tray and dance with it. All I could think is... great. Bird poo.

LOL. people have no clue.

I once had a gold fish in a brandy snifter on my candle tray surrounded by votives and flowers. I think the party had a Hawaiian theme. Or maybe it was at a seafood restaurant. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

I also did a death-related gig. It was a living funeral for a man dying of cancer and at home in hospice care. His wife said they used to go out a lot to ME restaurants to see the belly dancing so she wanted to include that for his final party.

Originally Posted by crystalllized

I also did a death-related gig. It was a living funeral for a man dying of cancer and at home in hospice care. His wife said they used to go out a lot to ME restaurants to see the belly dancing so she wanted to include that for his final party.

Now, that is WAY cool! What a way to go!

My favorite gig memory is of dancing at a nudist's birthday party. Many of the guests there were also nudists. Now, some of the audience members wore normal clothing - even nudists don't want to get sunburned from being outdoors all afternoon.

However, I do have one memorable audience member to mention. At the nudist's birthday party, one guest in particular caught my eye. He was wearing only a baseball cap to shield his eyes from the sun and shoes & socks on his feet. Stark naked in between.

While I was on the other end of the swimming pool from him, I noticed he was kind of bobbing around like someone who is really enjoying the music and maybe wanting to dance but hesitant. So of course I worked my way around the pool over to where he was and invited him to dance with me. His face brightened up with a big smile, and he proceeded to start doing vigorous hip lifts with a twist. Very vigorous. And yes, it was hard to keep my eyes on his face with all the, um, movement around his hips!

Later, after my show, when I was enjoying a drink of water before leaving, that fellow came up to me and thanked me for my performance. He said he had been stationed in Turkey when he was in the military, and had come to love Turkish music and belly dancing while there. My performance brought back happy memories.

I got a call to dance at a funeral parlor. I was rather startled, but it actually was for the owner's birthday party, held in one of the sort of "loungey" rooms in the place. All arrangements were in place as per usual.

**So... back story: I worked in restaurant biz for a long time and had just been promoted to asst mgr and was on my first solo night shift.
The restaurant was very popular, large menu, fun crowds at happy hour late night; but we were strict in maintaining order, not serving anyone intoxicated, underage, etc. We took classes in safety in managing intoxicated patrons, etc.

A large group came in - uh oh, I knew it was trouble; they had been at a wedding reception and were wasted, noisy, & already getting belligerent swearing etc. I made the executive decision that I would not seat them. One guy in particular was particularly...you know...
I was pretty nervous as I was new at this.
Needless to say it was a not a happy outcome for them but at any rate I managed to get them to leave without calling the cops.

Of course, he was the birthday boy at the funeral parlor!! A lot of times I am not that recognizable when I perform, what with the hair, makeup, my stunning figure revealed ... so I figured he'd never recognize me in a million yrs!
A few minutes in he was staring and staring at me; I just continued per usual. His comment "Well, you are certainly in better graces with me now than you were last week!" Some nerve eh!
I gave him a puzzled look and kept on with my show, finished the gig, got paid and tipped and was outta there.

Oh, and yah, my friends & I have already made arrangements for dancing at ours, and other loved ones', funerals!!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

I once had a gold fish in a brandy snifter on my candle tray surrounded by votives and flowers. I think the party had a Hawaiian theme. Or maybe it was at a seafood restaurant. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

I would be so terrified for the fish....

Mine is along the lines of your's Mahira, but with a twist!
I was hired to do a Christmas Party for a Doctor's group, at a great
restaurant in a private dining room. It was all the employees, and the
doctors were all pointed out to me ahead of time, so I could try and get
them all up to dance--and make sure I have accessories to put on them too.

It all went great, all the doctors were great sports, with veils on their heads,
hip scarves, shimmying like crazy! Such a blast, all the employees laughing
and having so much fun. As I'm leaving, a few of the office ladies are
walking out and talking to me, and one of them says a doctor's name......
it's my dad's doctor! I'd never met him before, so I had no idea.

When the lady that organized the whole thing called me to thank me, she
had been told of my reaction--so I told her he was my dad's doctor. We had
a good laugh and that was it.
All the years my dad went to him, I had never met him---but sure enough 2
months later my dad has problems, and he wants me to go to the appointment
with him---to that doctor!!

When my dad checked in, all the office ladies were whispering and smiling and
waving at me! Someone had noted it in my dad's file, that he was the
bellydancer's father! Let me tell you, that doctor is either the best actor in
the world, or clueless---because I still am not sure if he really didn't recognize me, or was just trying to be professional.

BTW---I have pictures!!

We once performed at a volunteer thank-you event as the act following Skippy the Agility Dog.

What king of music you had chosen for the funeral gigs? Just curious :)

Originally Posted by InnaDZ

What king of music you had chosen for the funeral gigs? Just curious :)

I my case, the family had about 4 old school Turkish / Greek / American style songs which they let me choose from. Because they had been his favorites. i also danced at the same Cemetary at a Summer Solstice event and used a piece from a Persian - American musician who used traditional rhythms and modern sounds. I don't remember his name, but it sounded a lot like Yanni! But I was young. Something you know better in time!

{{{HUGS}}}

These are all so much fun to read about.
I had totally forgotten about a special gig from a few years back until last night.
Last night at a regular venue there was a family with two boys who I believe had downs syndrome. I could be wrong, but they were definitely special population. And they were SO cute. They did arm moves with me and head slides etc. They were so sweet I ended up interacting with them a lot. When I left the mother thanked me and said I made her son's birthday. Moments like that make this job. :)
But it reminded me of a holiday gig I did a few years ago. My daughter came with me. It was a church sponsored party for people with various disabilities. They had a buffet in their auditorium and it was quite full of people with various challenges and their workers/helpers.
The first half of the show was amazing. The pure joy and happiness that comes from some special population folks is just beautiful and their reactions are so honest. My daughter was watching from backstage all teary eyed...then some started getting up to dance. Still just pure joy and enthusiasm. Perfect example of "enthusiasm is mesmerizing" and it was a great time to watch (while I was dancing and interacting at this point) It was great fun!
SO much fun apparently that a man and a woman started dancing closer and closer and then started grinding on each other. and they kept grinding on each other. I was looking around for helpers... but didn't see them anywhere for a little bit. This couple literally almost made it to grinding on the floor. My daughter was torn between laughing so hard she was crying and feeling badly. She was laughing at the absurdity of the situation, not AT them, but she still felt bad for laughing, especially right after being so moved by the sweetness of it all in the beginning. I was torn- because I had to still dance/do my job and was unable to get a helper. After quite some time looking around and looking around I FINALLY got a worker to help the couple move on to more appropriate activities. lol...
Ahhhh, the glamor of this job.

While not too unusual I had a really hilarious experience teaching a herd of freshman boys to bellydance at their school's International night.

They were super enthusiastic and proceeded to then start trying to show each other up with various moves. The parents were taking about that for the rest of the night!

Originally Posted by NancyAsiya

While not too unusual I had a really hilarious experience teaching a herd of freshman boys to bellydance at their school's International night.

A HERD fo freshmen? Oh, brilliant!

Originally Posted by gretchendances

Wierd Gigs... I've had a few. Most recently with the Flogging Mollys. Yep an Irish Punk band hired me (cabaret bellydancer) to Bellydance at a show for one song, that was a glorious and fun 8 minutes. They requested that I dress as 'sereotypically bellydancer-ish' as I could.

I like Flogging Molly! What song did you dance to?

Originally Posted by Karnak

I like Flogging Molly! What song did you dance to?

They played Devils Dance floor and incorporated a moment of the Red Elvises Song... I wanna see you Belly Dance.