shut up

Hmmm,
I would do it for free locally, because at this point, no one could be expected to pay me since I have not really performed...
and I would love to get that experience.

I'd be happy to perform with paid people for no money because I want that experience.

And I work to pay for dance classes and bills so getting paid to dance is not an issue, getting the show time? I'd kill for.

But, I wouldn't pay to dance (ok, cover charges don't count).

I love seeing you and anyone else dance at coffee houses and relish any opportunity, so if you do it for free, I don't mind, but I will also pay to see a tribal show.

I think the pay, no pay needs to be left up to each person's choice. It would be wrong to make us inexperienced feel that if we don't get paid then we would be undercutting the pros, that way I would be doomed to never get on stage, because if anyone of the dancers I love felt undercut, I'd stay off.

Finally if someone is making money on an event, the dancers should be paid if they are asked to come an are part of the reason people come and pay a cover/entrance fee. (Unless of course someone asked me to come dance with them, then they can keep my share because I don't need it, I work to dance right now.)

I really really need at this point in my dance to have classes that lead directly to performances and have even (GASP) entertained the idea of doing cabaret because many of those teachers offer performance chances. I am not a brave solo gal who will jump up there by myself and juz do it. But finally I want to do it.

LOVE YOU MUCHO, and whatever you do, is always fair.

And, you are a professional, so insist on getting paid, when someone is making money off the event...and yes honey, charge for your classes. We all want you to continue teaching and want the dance to support you. I think tips are entirely appropriate...always.
elyce

Oops,
I find it hard to dance for guys I date, I get sort of disgusted when men drool. My own personal silliness I know, because I have never minded doing the dirty dog on the dance floor with said guy, or close girl friends.

This debate also borders on,
Commercial artist vs "Artist."
Me? Commercial Artist for my job.
EE

"What are your Ideas/thoughts/exp on this subject?"

I think it's a fantastic idea for newbie's to get their thing out there to shake, without judgement. It is also a place for people like me that have full days, but just have to shake it or will burst!

"What would you like to see more of?"

More newbie's to have fun with. New drummers to dance to and new people to have fun with.

"What would you like to see less of?"

People looking to get paid at a place that was not established for that. I am talking about the coffee house I dance at in Oceanside, not suggesting somewhere else, I know nothing about.
And hearing complaints about being there. If you don't want to go, then don't. There is always a choice. Sometimes people do things because they think it is expected of them, but if those people didn't show up, life would still go on.

"What have you exp as a performer doing a free show for self promortion or as a student for your self or instructors promotion?"

I have enjoyed doing free show's for self promotion. There is no presure to do a fantastic show. So it ends up being a dance where I pull out what I am learning at the moment. It's freeing. Doing a show for instructors promotion, I have had two different exp w/ this. My first teacher put us in as many shows as she could find. She never promoted it as a student show or recital and she always danced with us, made a tribe feel to it. I have had another teacher have a student recital and put me in it with student that had not even danced a year yet, even though I had been dancing for 10yrs. Called it a student recital and would never dream of dancing with her students....god forbid. Loved the first exp. Hated the second and never did it again.

"What will you tollerate and why?"

New drummer that are just learning, and new dancers that want to learn and dance. To me, this is not tolleration, but fun stuff, and that is why.

"When does it become undercutting?"

You must be there at a certain time, do a certain thing, look a certain way, then not get paid or comped in some way.

"Who wouldn't you perform for?"

People that would not appreciate this art form. Looks upon it as stripper stuff. No respect.

"And hell while were at it, Have you ever paid to perform and what did you think about that?"

Never out of pocket paid, but I feel the costume, the class time spent, the practice time spent, the time effort for rehearsals and gas to get there is paid out enough. If I'm at a place where they do not appreciate what I am doing, then I feel I have paid to perform. When I have a group of people that are interested, intreaged and enthusiastic, I feel I am being paid mentally and sometimes that is better than cash!

Thanks for your answers folks, this is valuable info, I think it is important to know what is going on in everyones world as performers.

I perform free all the time- at the ETR, at festivals, at fundraisers and sometimes at paid dance events run by other dancers people offer me money but I don't take it because I want to support the event and the other dancers. I do it for the love of dance and to show support to my community. However, if you asked me to dance at your wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party etc and you aren't my friend- I am going to charge the standard local fee plus mileage etc. The same should be said for club gigs or restaurants. When I used to do paid gigs- i asked local dancers and checked online as to the going rate. And I stuck by it and we, Velvet Gypsy in those days, were undercut on more than one occasion.

I am not really thrilled about paying to perform. I figure I have been doing this long enough that I actually can offer a good show when I put my mind to it- so I don't need to pay to perform. But...I will perform at Sameda Faire and I was specifically told to let them know when I 1) paid my performer fee or 2) paid for a workshop- which kind of bugged me given that I am also volunteering and vending. I really think they need to figure that out a little. Don't get me wrong- I fully support Sameda but this policy irks a little.

I would like to see more dance theater and less of the line up of the troupes/dancers. "And next is so and so from big city Cali." Tell me a story! Can't we as a group be more creative than this?

That's my two cents!