scaling back, is anyone planning on dancing LESS this year or until economy improves?

[jesennia]

So we've talked about workshop attendance and if your restaurant dancing has been affected by the slow economy, how do you feel about dancing at haflas or student shows or other events? Do you think you will cut back on dancing because of the cost of costuming (or do you think you will wear the same costume as before)

Will you be cutting back on taking classes?

What other extras? Buying less costuming supplies or sewing your own?

As some of you know we are in the process of buying a house in Arizona. Before the economy dumped, I'd been thinking about scaling akai back for a while to do something new. Now with the economy still slumped it's of more interest to me to pick up a good paying job when we get back to Arizona and scale back akai to part time only (at least till I get sick of the other job:)

Just sort of feeling out how everyone is looking at this year as far as dancing (hobby, professional, hafla, or are you cutting back on performance and costuming, etc)

[zumarrad]

No plan on scaling back here. I've just started a new job, which is actually quite well paid - if it were full time I'd be doing very well - but it's casual, so it could end at any time, and it will take me a couple of months to get back on my feet as it is. But I'd already decided I wasn't going to certain festivals/workshops because of being unemployed. *If* work really picks up I would quite like to go to Brisbane in July for Kafazy and Lubna Eman, but I doubt I'd be able to save enough in time.

The exchange rate makes buying new DVDs etc harder, but I certainly will be making some purchases if work continues.

[jesennia]

yeah i've been watching the exchange rate and it really sucks. been thinking of selling off some of my old dvds but it may not be a good time, they may sit on swap meet board since the rate is so piss poor

[NandaDncer]

Originally Posted by zumarrad

*If* work really picks up I would quite like to go to Brisbane in July for Kafazy and Lubna Eman, but I doubt I'd be able to save enough in time.

OMG... plz come Zum... I haven't been in couple of years and I'm doing this one, it'd be great to catch up :-). Booked my flight already and it's only 4 days so it'll be cheaper And Kazafy is Fab!

[zumarrad]

I'd SO love to, but it would cost me at least a thousand dollars and now the only thousand I have is the one I owe the bank. It's six hundred AU plus flights and accommodation etc.

[NandaDncer]

Oh and to answer the question.

I have seriously scaled back my swapmeet cd and dvd purchases because of the seriously **** exchange rate atm. I have decided to not go to Egypt this year cos' of the rate too and am going to bris for Lubna and Kazafy instead.

But lotsa actual physical dancing seems to be on the cards this year. Knowing I can't drop bundles on workshops has made me take another look at my current practice regime. And it looks pretty pathetic. So I'm upping that and focussing my energy on different dance projects instead of planning to attend multiple workshops.

[NandaDncer]

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I'd SO love to, but it would cost me at least a thousand dollars and now the only thousand I have is the one I owe the bank. It's six hundred AU plus flights and accommodation etc.

Bugga. Will keep my fingers crossed anyways :-)

[Sarahamh]

Originally Posted by zumarrad

*If* work really picks up I would quite like to go to Brisbane in July for Kafazy and Lubna Eman, but I doubt I'd be able to save enough in time.

I've never taken a workshop with Kafazy, but I took 3 with Lubna in Scotland in November and she was outstanding! So earthy and grounded...oozing Egyptianness if you know what I mean I was lucky enough to have two dinners with her too (thanks to BellydancingCaroline ) and she's an amazing lady. I didn't know about these workshops, off to look 'em up!

Sorry!

[tahiradancer]

I had already scaled back my costume habit before the economy issues came up. Grad school, you know. I am actually doing MORE now than before, taking advantage of the exchange rate - at the moment it's $1.42 to every pound and for me that rocks! The son's uni just came down somewhere around $4K a year! Lovin' that!

But, I live in LA. Even if I weren't planning some trips, I could do a lot of haflas, workshops, etc. without adding too much to my monthly costs.

As for costumes, I still have several which I have never worn. So that as well as adding different skirts, etc, will keep things interesting.

{{{HUGS}}}

[Bellydancefanatic]

Quite oddly, my goal is to dance more this year. This seems to be the breakthrough year for me. I'm sticking with my two classes a week, and I was going to go crazy with workshops in the area, which I've decided to chill on. I'm investing in more DVDs so I have a long term effect to dance practice, instead of a gym membership I've found the power of Suhaila fitness fusion DVDs, and instead of traveling out of the country (Egypt, Spain, Argentina), I'm staying in the U.S. It seems like I'll be sticking with Little Egypt events around the nation, and others in my area. I've got many things on my list that I need/want to do, but dance just keeps coming up. If I can keep my job (which isn't that fabulous of pay and benefits, but I'm grateful), and save more money, I should be fine.

Though I'm very frustrated by the economy and feel horrible for those who have lost their jobs and livelihood, personally, I'm not going to let this control my life. Life is too short and precious, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let this get to me. What happens is what happens. I'm speaking for me, not for others. I don't have a family of my own. So, I have only me to worry about, so it's easier for me to say these things, and I hope I don't offend anyone.

Point is, not much cutting back here. This is what pretty much keeps me sane.

BDF

[jewelbellydance]

Well I'm holding off any major purchases while I wait to see if the economy sweeps my own dance business into a big hole. I'm not just looking at dance expenditure, but other aspects, too. No new kitchen renovation, no new TV, no major costume purchases. But I'm still planning on attending several expensive dance workshops, because I can justify them as an investment in my business - that training helps me make money, not just burn it.

PS - I'm hoping to go to Brissie for Khazafy/Ebnan too. Can't wait!

[Sonja2]

I'm dancing more, and buying nicer costumes, but I am selling older, beginner costumes. Non-dance life is being scaled back though, less eating out, etc... Priorities, you know ;-)

[steffib]

It's looking like a weird year, without local classes to take, and with dance opportunities not happening. The only choice I see is to actively address the problem, i.e., travel to find instruction and keep myself going - no cutting back here, quite the oppposite. When it comes to toys, this is the time for bargains, and it's not an excuse to say that costumes are not doing so badly compared to stocks in terms of being an "investment."

[Taj]

I'll just have to wait and see. If I can get a decent job in the next few months, I'll be able to continue with live weekly instruction and workshops. But at the moment, I'm thinking I'll have to drop at least one of the 3 spring workshop weekends I was planning to attend, and quite possibly the weekly class. Which will be a shame, but I'm pretty good about keeping up practicing on my own.

[SatinWorship19]

Good question.

Connecticut was pretty much slaughtered by the recession: most of those hedge fund guys who brought in all the state's wealth came from Fairfield County and commuted to their jobs on Wall Street. Consequently, the tailors, pizza delivery guys and barbers in Stamford and Greenwich who served those powerful bankers have also gone under. So there go my corporate gigs, my lavish weddings, those Super Sweet Sixteens where they slip you $150 at the end of the show just because they like ya.....it's scary when you drive through the wealthiest part of the country and there are "Going out of Business Sale" signs everywhere you go.

Work hasn't exactly been plentiful and I'm not about to stick my head in the sand on that one. My booking agent said he's now down to one event a month if he's lucky, and he's applying for jobs to drive delivery trucks now. Really sucks out there.

At the same time, though, I don't plan to stop advertising. In fact, once I find a new job with a more stable income, I'm launching my website for good and plan to do everything short of beating people upside the head with sticks that have my stage name printed on them. In the interim, I'm doing more photo shoots, gearing up for a TV appearance, getting all my social media in order, and gonna start doing some postcard mailings. This is a GREAT time to advertise, people! Just think: all of your competitors are scaling back, and my theory is that 90% of the Suzy Nippletassels of the world will probably go away once the recession is gone.

As for the costume addiction? Barring one costume I bought yesterday, I haven't indulged in new sparklies in upwards of 6 months. Gonna probably trade in a couple of my Egyptian costumes for a few basic bedlahs in the event that things REALLY suck for a couple of years. It's easier to update your look by swapping in a new skirt and sleeves than it is to buy new costumes.

If anything, in my absence of gigs, I find that I'm taking a "back to basics" approach. I'm spending a lot more time practicing the basics now that I'm not performing. It's nice and I think everyone needs to revisit the building blocks now and again.

[Nepenthe]

I've scaled back on costuming too - as hard as it's been. I've come very close a few times. It's been interesting because it's forced me to re-look in my closet (especially with my changing size) - and reconsider costumes I hadn't worn as much.

I have only scaled back on workshops in terms of not signing up unless it's in my area of interest. Previously I went to almost every one because I didn't know what my passion was for until Nov 2007.

The DVDs are so inexpensive these days (cheeky girls & new york) that I can still justify those.

I admit that paying for classes has become more of a big deal - I start to question how much I'm spending on classes per month - but I get so much out of them - and they ensure that I keep practicing and growing.

[bethsoren]

I think I will be traveling less, freezing costuming buying and trying to dance more. We haven't been hit too hard by the economy yet at our house, but I'm trying to prepare for it. I think you are going to see more bellydancers using the same costumes for haflas and festivals that they have previously worn at lots of other events. The question is: Can restaurant dancers get away with fewer costumes?

[Nepenthe]

I think as long as you don't wear the same costume 2 weeks in a row.

[Lauren_]

I cut back SO hard last year. This year will be even tighter. I'll probably only go to local workshops, and I may have to only go to one day of each. Can't buy a costume unless I sell one to pay for it, which means my costume collection is de-valuing overall as time goes by. *sigh*

Oddly, I'm actually dancing like crazy at the moment, but most of it is with my student rep group or to promote my studio, so it's not paying for any costumes or training for me.

The studio is still going, but I have to work a lot harder at promotion to keep my classes full.

[SatinWorship19]

Originally Posted by bethsoren

The question is: Can restaurant dancers get away with fewer costumes?

Yeah, I think it's OK to make do with a 4-week supply or so. I think something like a Great Loop or even the American Icon is a teriffic investment for the restaurant dancer because you can wear it with damn near everything and look like you have a new costume each time. You just don't want to wear a memorable Sahar or Eman twice a month at the same place.

I'd venture to say we'll soon see a return to the humble bedlah, for this very reason.

[Sonja2]

Originally Posted by bethsoren

I think I will be traveling less, freezing costuming buying and trying to dance more. We haven't been hit too hard by the economy yet at our house, but I'm trying to prepare for it. I think you are going to see more bellydancers using the same costumes for haflas and festivals that they have previously worn at lots of other events. The question is: Can restaurant dancers get away with fewer costumes?

yes. I'm trying to get rid of some of mine and rely basically on 4 or 5 high quality costumes. Although I've bought more nice costumes this year tan ever before, I've never been a person who buys or owns 16 or 17 costumes, I just can't afford or justify it. Our troupe is scaling back bigtime, though. Re-using costumes from shows we did several years ago, hiring local seamstresses to make costumes instead of buying online, adapting one costume 2 or 3 ways in order to stretch our bucks. One problem I've had though, is it's a crappy time to sell stuff just like it's a crappy time to sell a house! Have you noticed on the swap meet, there are reductions everywhere...no one can afford to buy like they were 6 months ago.

It's really scary. I feel blessed because I work for the govm't so I feel some job security. Friends who rely solely on dance income are really suffering. In some ways, I am dancing at the restaurant less in order to schedule girls who DON'T have a full time job the extra days to give them an opportunity to work more & make some extra income. Poor marketing on my part, maybe, but I suspect that at the end of my life I'll be happier if I've treated people well than if I've danced at a restaurant an extra 2 nights a month :-)

I'm making up for dancing at the rest. less by taking advantage of the free weekends to participate in haflas and shows that I would have turned down before, because of time limitations.

[ruta21030]

for me, the scaling back has been less about the economy, more about upping my game...............i'm preserving my energy and fundage mostly for privates with 2 mentors, GREAT local workshops, and support materials (good pics, the occasional amazing costume that supports my new focus, etc)......this is my year to boost, to go beyond, too many gigs were getting in the way of that, mostly in energy level......while the economy DOES have an effect, it looks like i'll be spending MORE this year, just shifted priorities........

[lizajuk]

I want to dance more not less..after all at my age what else do you do!!!
However the costume purchasing situation is very different. That is partly because I really do have all I need and any money goes on group wear. It's the same with music..I will buy only what is very desirable and new. Workshops are a different matter..I will find the time and money to learn. I earn very little teaching belly dancing..just a few hundred pounds sterling ( and hey that isn't worth what it was!) and they are pigeon-holed for JoY and other workshop events .

[Samira_dncr]

Ruta & Bellydancefanatic,

I'm in agreement with you both. I realize that the economy has had it's affect, but I'm not allowing that to be an excuse for not doing the thing I love. I'm just shifting things around, regrouping, reprioritizing, upping my game, and staying focused. So in the end, I'm probably doing more this year...not less. Just doing it much more effectively.

[mihri]

I had a looooong answer all typed out but my computer ate it. I'll give you the cliff notes this time.

Less travel for me this year (both optional and being booked for workshops) means more local events and getting back into being a student at least once a week at my teacher's studio, while still trying keep my head above water running my own classes.

Also plan to dust off the DVD collection and learn from those virtual teachers to supplement. This might be the big year to challenge myself to create those choreographies I've been meaning to get going on!

In essence... less money, but more dancing for me!

[Mayliz]

No scaling back here. On the contrary, I'm hoping to add more to my list of events and costumes throughout the year. Of course, it boils down to what happens in the next few months. Around here, the travel industry is about to tank, and, while it doesn't affect us directly, I can see how it will reverbrate throughout the area.

So....I'll play it by ear. We're paying down debt and saving money where we can. I still have plans of attending nearby workshops and events and dancing whenever/wherever possible.

[BELLA_BELLA]

Love your stuff J. THere's nothing, nothing, nothing like floaty silk to make you feel uber-special.

I'm a new Bhuzzer, and one of the reasons I joined is PRECISELY b/c of the economy. Hubby and I both faced with job cuts of one form or another - so eliminating pretty much everything BD is essential (sniff, sniff). Haven't bought anything, gone to workshops (since last summer), or gone to classes...zippo. So joining Bhuz and surfing the web for nice videos to watch are my fixes. Collecting vids, photos of costumes I like to look at, and reading about other dancers is my Economic Meltdown equivalent of shopping.

I'm also hoping to sell off my collection of beaded fringe & material, since I'll probably never use it. But I'm feeling so timid since reading all the problems other dancers have had with Paypal, Ebay & the like. It's hard too - I love looking at the fringe and imagining what I'd do with it.

[Vahana]

I'm scaling back big time on costume purchases this year. So, I stay off Bhuz more than I used to since the temptation is totally there for me. I also closed my credit card accounts to avoid trouble.

As for dancing, I do plan on keeping my usual schedule, but now that you mentioned it, it has got me thinking. I am a horse trainer during the day, but I am now looking for a more steady job with better pay since that industry is tanking quickly.

So, if I end up with a regular job and have longer hours, I probably would then also scale back on my performances.

Wow. I hadn't realized that until you brought this up. Now I am a bit bummed. Nonethless, I thank you for mentioning this and getting me thinking.

I'm doing a combination of scaling back and shifting focus. I'll travel less this year for workshops and probably attend fewer workshops in favor of more private lessons. There will definitely not be any new costumes without selling an existing one. I don't view it as dancing less (if anything I'm stepping up my practice and cross-training schedule) but keeping a very sharp eye on my personal dance development priorities.

~~Kimahri

[LeylaFahada]

I'm scaling back, but in ways I should have a long time ago. I've given myself a budget for music and DVDs and I'm sticking to it. Instead of buying impulsively, I have a wish list that I revisit from time to time to see if I really want those things.

I actually have purchased more costumes lately, but they are earning their keep, but I've gone back to my project bin to make more things wearable.

I'm staying with two of my classes b/c they are an investment, but I had to take a break from the third when I lost my day job. I'm taking fewer workshops and not doing any more two and three 8-hour day marathons b/c I simply can not absorb that much material so it's a bit of a waste.

Satin, I think you make an excellent point about advertising. I really hope that economic conditions awaken some people to the true costs of this art.