|
What is a professional Belly Dancer
Being a professional Belly Dancer is more than just getting paid for doing a couple of movements in a pretty outfit to some music.
It I so utterly sat to see a dancer in a restaurant or show and knowing that she should not really be performing with the skill level she has.
I think the greatest problem is that dancers, who want to perform, just go out and do it, instead of learning all about the ins and outs of what she should know before event attempting to perform!
- A professional is a highly trained dancer proficient and knowledgeable on a variety of props, music, rhythms and styles of Middle Eastern dance. She has spent years honing and has perfected the movements and has a great vocabulary of movement. Her movements are crisp, clear, well defined and controlled.
- She is knowledgeable on how to deal with clients, being able to explain what she needs regarding sound, floor space for moving etc. She deals with them in a professional and business like manner with all the usually business ethics that go along with this.
- She has a wide variety of music and knows and understands which props fit in with which music. She also knows that certain clients do not always want all types of music. Ex. I have had Greek customers who requested I please do not use Turkish music. Find out if your client has specific requirements.
- She is well aware of safety with regards to certain props, for example fire and swords which can be dangerous in small spaces!
- She knows how to work a crowd – This does not mean flirting outrageously with every man in sight, that is left for the girls at teasers! It means keeping eye contact when you should, creating tension in a performance as well as having a climactic ending that leaves them breathless for more!
- She can improvise and recover seamlessly when a slip up happens, and do this with a smile and confidence.
- She knows her audience, reads them well and understands that not everything goes at all shows, they are all different. Inquire about who you are performing for and the ages that will be there. This is especially true when dancing at a restaurant and a couple is having a quite PRIVATE dinner. You enter and the lady stares daggers at you whenever you come close to their table. Be mindful not to offend people. Offer a polite smile and focus on the other patrons at the restaurant. This couple wishes to be left alone so respect their space!
- A well versed professional dancer uses her space to its maximum benefit. This does not mean flitting through the tables like an energizer bunny! It means use space effectively and dramatically if possible.
- A professional performer acts with integrity and is ETHICAL in her business practices. This means no undercutting; you are worth more than that! You are damaging the industry for yourself and fellow dancers. Are you only worth R300? Your professional – not home made rag – outfit cost thousands. Practicing and attending classes over all the years cost you a fortune. Travel costs add up and there are so many other things that go into your price. You also create the idea that you are cheap! Are you?!
- She must be able to but a well executed show together with the appropriate amount of variety and skill. You must be able to dance with a prop in a flawless manner! This does not mean you can dance if you can play one basic sagat rhythm to a song and do two movements.
- She sticks to what she is best at until such time as other instruments in her vocabulary are at a level sufficient to be demonstrated in public. She drills, practices and rehearses before using new material in her performances. Quality is essential and she knows this. This means that if you learnt a new movement last week, it should not be used until mastered!
 |
- She possesses knowledge on Middle Eastern culture and what is acceptable for Middle Eastern dance, especially when performing for a Middle Eastern audience. You might just do something that is seemingly harmless and in the process offend the audience profoundly.
- She uses business cards!
- She has a selection (at a minimum 3) professional outfits that is fit for professional work. She is also knowledgeable on costume care, how to adjust them in an emergency etc.
 |
- A professional dancer knows how much to show when, and where. What costumes suit day show – usually more conservative in colour and design – as well as evening shows. What looks good with stage lighting and what outfits are flattering in normal lighting. She does not where next to nothing in public! She wears harem pants when slips on full skirts are high as not to offend the audience.
- She wares good old Granny Panties… Honestly I do not want to see your bum, nor do I want to sit guessing as to when I will see it! I personally insist that all my students wear harem pants. There is nothing worse than people not appreciating what you are doing because they are concentrating on what piece of your anatomy is falling out. Have a little respect for yourself.
- Finally a professional Middle Eastern Dance performer honours herself and the art form trough showing it the respect it is due and promotes it to the full extent of the beauty and wonder it possesses. It is not cheap or smutty; it is somebody’s culture and should be respected!
www.bellydancesa.co.za
|
