How does it work?

[Aire]

Wow!
I see how it all works now, Shira, Aisha and Samira I really apreciate that you all took the time to break this whole thing down.
Samira:
I agree very much that one must think from abundance...wen I used to dance for a living I had people call requesting more than one dancer for their event, In two ocations I had to find 5 other dancers to travel to another city which required staying at hotel etc. My thinking was always how much I wanted me and the other dancers to make, and I was surprice to see that the amount I was requesting was accepted by the client without any problems I made sure that the client paid right away and as soon as the client paid I paid the dancers...I say all this because I want other dancers to know that there is a high value to what we all do, and when we spend a lot of money in workshops, videos costumes, make up, the stress and responsability o organizing an event does not mtter how small it is...etc...that's when you know what this is all worth.

Thank you.

 

[Samira_dncr]

Dear Samira,
Sorry, I didn't get that. I agree that there is a lack of quality promotion from inside, but also a huge market glut that is really making things difficult for everyone, along with a lot of the stuff being taught being poor quality.

Agreed. But this next year is going to make or break many of the existing events due to the economy. People who can't bring any business saavy to their events are going to truly suffer.

I think it would be difficult or even impossible, at least right now. There is also the issue of this being a niche market and if a person tried to have too many events in their area they would cut their own throats by giving their customer base too much of a good thing and attendance would drop. Right back to market glut, making it impossible to make a living as a promoter for just Middle Eastern dance events, for sure. Now, as a general events promoter, that's another thing all together!

I guess it depends a bit on your definition of what your market it. The Las Vegas Intensive isn't really just a local event any more. So I see my market as being much larger. Additionally, I would like to eventually grow this event to where I am making a substantial profit. I don't necessarily think that my one event is going to oversaturate Vegas (although certainly we have our own issues to deal with in that regard). I don't envision that a event promoter has to necessarily stay in one city or to just do multiple weekend workshops. Truly, building one event seems to be a better strategy for myself.

Well, my experience with baby promoters is not so much that they keep the prices low at all, but agree to ridiculously high wages to their visiting artists, and get themselves into financial trouble that way. They also do not put a cap on the amount of money the Star can make, or the number of students attending the workshops, making it a damn miserable experience a lot of times with no room to take a deep breath, never mind dance. I have stopped attending such classes for the most part.

Yes, that too. Bad terms are bad terms.

Currently I am watching a group that is organizing a "free" monthly dance night at a restaurant with open dance slots. They have made several comments that my monthly haflas shouldn't be charging $5.

So I'm sitting back and weathering this little escapde, knowing full well that organizing a "free" dance night for the community isn't going to last. 1) It isn't sustainable. How long are you willing to work for nothing? And 2) Even though it seems "free" on the surface, it is held at a fairly costly restaurant. So even though there is no "door fee", ultimately the attendees spend far more money to attend than they do at the monthly community hafla and potluck. Their attendance is dwindling...and frankly, it's just a matter of time. However, it still affects the market. The regular attendance at my haflas are substantially down. (I've been doing these for 7 years, so I have a pretty good idea of expected attendance each month).

I agree and that would be something different from region to region and city to city, but with the same basic plan.

Brad Dosland has been bantering about forming a loose organization where belly dance organizers can utilize each other as a resource, set standards, etc. This is a rough idea that is forming, but I'd be interested to see if it ever develops into anything. Mostly, I'd like to see organizers get more respect (frankly, they need to demand it) and to see more business sense brought to this whole industry.

When they are star struck and inexperienced, they often fall prey to people who charge them way too much for everything from room rental to plane tickets to the price of the workshop, to what they pay the star to appear in a show. I agree that they seem to think being a "Near Friend of the Near Great" somehow means losing their shirt, and they think its worth it.

"Near Friend of the Near Great"--Bwahahahahaha!!! I like that. :lol::lol::lol:

All I know is that the Intensive costs nearly $35k to put on...and I have to constantly watch the bottom line. (this is the last time I ever name an event an "Intensive"...as it has become just that...intense!) I barely even get to see my "headliners" to even call myself a near-friend...LOL. But all of my visiting instructors have commented about how professionally I handle things with them, probably most specifically due to the extensive contract I use...LOL.

 

[Aire]

Wow!
I see how it all works now, Shira, Aisha and Samira I really apreciate that you all took the time to break this whole thing down.
Samira:
I agree very much that one must think from abundance...wen I used to dance for a living I had people call requesting more than one dancer for their event, In two ocations I had to find 5 other dancers to travel to another city which required staying at hotel etc. My thinking was always how much I wanted me and the other dancers to make, and I was surprice to see that the amount I was requesting was accepted by the client without any problems I made sure that the client paid right away and as soon as the client paid I paid the dancers...I say all this because I want other dancers to know that there is a high value to what we all do, and when we spend a lot of money in workshops, videos costumes, make up, the stress and responsability o organizing an event does not mtter how small it is...etc...that's when you know what this is all worth.

Thank you.

 

[Samira_dncr]

Wow!
I see how it all works now, Shira, Aisha and Samira I really apreciate that you all took the time to break this whole thing down.
Samira:
I agree very much that one must think from abundance...wen I used to dance for a living I had people call requesting more than one dancer for their event, In two ocations I had to find 5 other dancers to travel to another city which required staying at hotel etc. My thinking was always how much I wanted me and the other dancers to make, and I was surprice to see that the amount I was requesting was accepted by the client without any problems I made sure that the client paid right away and as soon as the client paid I paid the dancers...I say all this because I want other dancers to know that there is a high value to what we all do, and when we spend a lot of money in workshops, videos costumes, make up, the stress and responsability o organizing an event does not mtter how small it is...etc...that's when you know what this is all worth.

Thank you.

No problem! It's been nice to banter with Aisha and Shira as they both have great insights and lots of experience to draw from.

I just hope that artists and organizers can recognize that creating something magical and profitable for everyone is really born out of a sense of partnership. The promoter needs the artist...and the artist needs the promoter. At its best, it is a Win-Win relationship. At its worst, it becomes one person oppressing another.

Thanks for bringing up a great topic.

 

[Aisha Azar]

Dance etc.

No problem! It's been nice to banter with Aisha and Shira as they both have great insights and lots of experience to draw from.

I just hope that artists and organizers can recognize that creating something magical and profitable for everyone is really born out of a sense of partnership. The promoter needs the artist...and the artist needs the promoter. At its best, it is a Win-Win relationship. At its worst, it becomes one person oppressing another.

Thanks for bringing up a great topic.

Dear Aire,
Ditto on what Samira said!
Regards,
A'isha