My current frustration with the Business of Belly Dance!

[casbahdance]

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Dinner theatres with dark nights? Or at least times when they are not having shows? It does happen!
{{{HUGS}}}

You know, that thought came to me ... then promptly left my brain. I know of one dinner theatre in my area; there must be others. Will definitely check that out. Thanks!

Deborah

[Caliana_flame]

Originally Posted by david

What is wrong with putting up showcases in dance studios?

If you want food available you ask around for sponsorship. This way, the potential revenue can be higher.

Also, IMHO, if you as a professional or student feel that you have to "degrade yourself" to dance in a studio - your priorities are in the wrong order. The studio is home base, its the place we develop and evolve as dancers - it should be the first place we think of when it comes to presenting what we do within a budget and a safe enviroment. Not a restaurant, not a stage show, not a community hall.

I understand that need for "professional venues" and "professional feel" to a venue, but I think that dancers at times just get too caught up in that. This causes the less experienced dancers to be shoved into a venue they may not be ready for - and furthermore, make them think they are ready for such venues. Yikes.

Casbahdance, your professsionals will be honored to dance in the venue you provide if they are true professionals. Student dancers shouldnt need to worry about dancing outside of a familiar venue. So, my humble suggestion would be - why not put it all in a studio?

I agree with David. I have held 3 haflas at the dance studios I teach out of. The great thing is that the largest studio can potentially hold up to 50 guests (maybe more depending on how squishy I do or don't want things to be). I've only hear good feedback about the venue when I have used this studio for these events, both from guests as well as dancers whether they are at a student level or a professional level.

Definitley keeping it in the studio lessens student's anxiety, and I am lucky in that there is another studio right beside this one which can serve as a change room for dancers, and there is large bathroom space etc.

The price isn't bad per hour for renting and it is in a very central location. I may use lighting and enhance the already existing sounds system for the next event.

I do think about other venue options, but so far, the dance studio has worked well for me. After each event, we think of other things that we can do to improve for subsequent events.

I say until your events are no longer able to fit in the studio due to increasing amounts of paying guests, studios are great performance venues.