Things to Know Before Your First Belly Dance Restaurant Gig
Your first “big kid gig” can be scary! Getting a restaurant gig can be one of the more rewarding experiences as a dancer. However, restaurant gigs are very different from your local show or halfa. You’re dealing with the "gasp* general public! Here’s a few things I would loved to know before starting my first restaurant gigs.
Research the Venue
Your venue will dictate all your decisions going forward. Taking the time to research all you can before your show will make your life much easier. I ask myself a few questions before.
What does the venue look like? Low tables with low hanging lamps? Stage area with seating below you? Outdoors? Choose costuming and props accordingly.
What kind of restaurant is it? Moroccan, Persian, Turkish? Pick your music with that thought in mind. Might not be the time to pick your fusion pieces.
If there is already dancing, what do the other performers do? Attend a show! Take notes.
Is this a family restaurant or more of a nightclub? What kind of patrons attend the show? Generally, I advise catering your show to who attends. Mostly MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey) attend the show? Pick only traditional and modern Arabic music and costuming. Mostly westerners? Pick more fantasy “belly dance” music and costuming. Is it more family friendly? Avoid deep and high costume slits.
What’s the lighting like? Black might not be the best choice.
How’s parking?
Is body tipping part of the culture or something else?
What’s the sound system like? Auxiliary, cd, or bluetooth?
Most of these questions will help build a plan of what you are going to do going forward. The easiest way to answer all of these questions is pay the venue a visit during non busy hours as a patron. The quickest way to a venues heart is supplementing its wallet so show the restaurant some love.
Choosing your setlist
As mentioned before, your song choices will depend on what works with the venue, what props, and who’s attending. Generally sets are 15-30 minutes depending on your venue. This may seem like a lot, but I promise they do go by in a flash. Typically sets going something like this: Entrance Song (high energy) - Medium Paced Song - Veil/Taqsim (slow) - Prop Piece (Sword, Basket, Tray, etc) - Drum Solo - Exit or Reprise of entrance. When choosing your music, pick pieces that you know well. Being safe for your first performance is never a bad thing. When I first started, I picked songs from troupes I’ve been in. This way I had a good understanding of the music as well as a back up choreography to go on. Nothing wrong with doing this! Unsure of what to pick? Reach out to your instructor or mentor. They will always be happy to assist you.
Choosing a Costume
Know your audience. Family friendly venue? Not the time for your most revealing costume. MENAT patrons? Leave your stripey fusion pants at home. Mostly importantly pick a costume that fits you well. If your costume is constantly needing to be adjusted during your performance it’s not the costume for this gig. When you are performing, you want to be free of worries so that you can focus on the show.
Pick your Props
Props are a great addition to your performances. They provide a new level of excitement and are a great way to keep engagement with your audience. My general rule is a minimum of flowy prop and a balancing prop. For example I’ll bring a sword and a veil. For outdoor venues I’ll bring isis wings and a candle balancing tray. Keeping in mind the potential hazards, your prop can be a great opportunity to build excitement and show of your technical skills. A “wow” factor never hurt!
Prep your Gig Bag
Prior planning prevents poor performance! Save yourself heartache and make sure you have everything you need. My gig bag holds all my essentials and back up items. I've compiled a list of items in my dance bag so that you can take suggestions and add to yours!
Essentials:
Well fitting costume (or two depending on how many gigs you have)
Finger Cymbals
Veil
Dance Shoes
CDs
Mp3 Player/Auxiliary Adapter
Portable Charger
Jewelry
Makeup Bag
Any dance props needed (sword, isis wings, fan veils, etc)
Small Items:
Large pins
Baby wipes
Hair ties
Small towel (for gently wiping your face and body after performing)
Pen (the non exploding kind)
Business cards
Hair products
Hair Brush
Small mirror
Small costume repair kit
Back Up Items:
These are items to have just in case something goes wrong. Even if you think it won't happen to you, it will. Be prepared.
Trunk costume (This is a small one bag costume that can get rolled up easily. If your main costumes zipper breaks or you realize you forgot the belt you'll be thankful for a trunk costume)
Extra pair of finger cymbals (I've lost one before right before performing)
Small essentials make up bag. (not your regular bag, just a small ziplock bag of make-do items. I've left my makeup bag before and needed to get ready. This bag saved me!)
Period/Sanitary Products
Extra pair of skin toned undies.
Actually Practice
I know, a wild thought. Practice as if you’re in the restaurant. “Play” with your audience. Where the costume you plan on using. Check your stamina and note where you may be expelling too much energy. Film your practices to get a better idea of what you are doing.
Consider Bringing a Buddy
It’s your first gig and you’re extremely nervous. That’s normal! Sometimes having a buddy attend as a patron can make your life a little less stress free. That person not only can be your emotional support but can help with your set. Your plant can start the tips rolling, get up to dance, and clap when appropriate. Make them aware of how your set will go so that they can help when needed.
Etiquette with the Restaurant
You are a guest in their domain. Besides your personal safety, they get to choose how they want the gig to go. Everything from what type of music, costuming, and what the except out of a performance. Restaurants are incredibly busy. It is not your time to be a diva. Be respectful, mindful, and courteous. Never talk back or flip attitude. Play by their rules. Never get in the way of the staff. Remember, the business makes their money from the food and service, not the show.
Being the Entertainer
You’ve done all you can to prep, now’s time for the show! Dancing for a non-dancer audience can be a lot different than dancing for other dancers. Most of the time, the stakes are actually much lower. Most audience’s don’t know what a proper maya looks like, or know that the song shifts into 9/8. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Restaurant dancing is more about creating a fun environment for the guests. Be the host of the party. Welcome them into your domain and express joy for what you’re doing. If you are having fun the audience will too. Focus to much on “dancesterbation” and taking your craft incredibly serious your audience will tune out. Keep things light, fun, and simple.
I tend to have a few “party” tricks up my sleeve. These tricks work most of the time in keeping my audience engaged.
Get an audience member up to dance. This one can take some time to master, but pick a person who looks engaged. Have them follow along with your moves. I do not recommend getting someone up if they’re drunk. Trust me, not worth it.
Play “hard to tip”. If you are in a place that does body tipping, offer a hip or arm band to tip. When the customer tries to tip, pull away with a shimmy. Usually this will make them laugh.
Get the audience to clap. Use your zills or hands to get the audience to clap for you. Works most of the time.
Don’t be afraid to be silly. Try goofy on for a minute. It works, I promise.
Dealing with Mistakes or Problems
Sometimes bad things happen. Your sword falls. A costume malfunction. An audience member is not pleased with your existence. These things are inevitable. Do what you can to avoid them ahead of time. If they do happen despite your better judgement, breathe and move on. Let’s say your sword or skirt falls. Once it’s fallen don’t make a huge deal of it. Pick it up and try again even if it fell on your foot or showed your underwear. Make it ok for the audience. If you falter and panic, they will too. One of the most difficult to deal with is audience members who do not pick up what you’re putting down. DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE GET TO YOU. It happens to every dancer no matter how professional and fabulous they are. Do not give them anytime of day. The show is not for them. Many a time I’ve performed for very religious people who came to the restaurant without knowing there would be a dancer. One time they even complained to the owner. This is not, and will never be your fault. Breathe and put the energy into people who do enjoy you, even if it’s one person.
After Your Performance
You will be exhausted! Your adrenaline rush will fade and that’s when our good friend doubt starts to set it. This is not the time to judge yourself. Breath and quickly change and pack up your gig bag. If you are getting paid after your show (most do), delicately and polite remind the owner. Be humble and thankful. Generally, most venues do not like you to be in the customer area after your show. This keeps the “magic” in tact. Leave in plain and comfortable clothes.
Got any questions? Wanna share your first resturant gig story? Share them in the comments below!
Kat teaches, dances, and produces shows in Tacoma, Washington. You can find out more about her belly dance classes, belly dance performances, and belly dance shows at www.tacomabellydance.com