Thread: Best place in the US to work as a bellydancer?

Sometimes my students ask me where is the best place to work as a bellydancer here in the US. I honestly don't know what to tell them. Toronto was a great place to be a dancer because there was a large Arabic and Persian population who hired for weddings and parties, there are Arabic and other nightclubs and restaurants that have dancers, there are entertainment events that need dancers, the local pros charged decent rates, and there was enough population that the scene wasn't overwhelmed. There were always great training opportunities there as well. Is there anywhere in the US that is similar? DC? LA? Detroit? Dallas? NJ? Chicago?
I'm hoping to never move again, but I'd like to have some decent advice for the American dancers who ask me.
-Hannan

Tell them anywhere except West Virginia! I've been dancing in neiboring states for paid gigs for 4 years and just this month finally landed a gig in my hometown! However, I've danced in Cleveland several times (although it's too far for regular gigs) and there are always professional gigs, shows, concerts, etc for bellydancers. My belly buddies from up there are constantly busy! I'll be interested to see what everyone else says

Well Detroit has the largest ME population outside of the ME. There are still places that hire dancers but not like it was 20 years ago. But there are always weddings.