Difficult performance experiences - Page 2

KuteNurse · 11-06-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brea

Hi KuteNurse-

As a matter of fact, it was. The restaurant that was the most problematic was the Med Cruise (the one where I was invited to audition, nobody was there I was supposed to dance for, then they had that 'festival', etc). After that experience I would never WANT to work for those people. Even the friend I brought with me (who is an actress, not a dancer, but still) was horrified at the way everyone was treated. ALL those other dancers, by the way, were dancing for free. There had to be at least 15 of us, only three or four of which were paid for that evening. Odd that they called it an 'open stage' instead of a 'bellydance festival' which they had been advertising. The place was packed. I was singularly unimpressed with them.

-Brea

My husband and I were at the Med Cruise a few weeks ago on a Sunday night when they had open night BDing. It was a warm day in October, I remember...Towards the beginning of the the month. We asked to be seated in the main section so we could sit and watch the dances....Was this the ocassion? We didn't stay late...because I had to work early and we still had a 2.5 hour drive back home. It was fun seeing the dances however. It is a shame that you were treated badly and that dancers in general were treated badly there. I do not have experience performing, however, Janaki and others here have great advice Brea. Good luck and maybe we can hook up at a workshop or something.

Brea · 11-07-2007, 04:04 AM

Hi,

It was their most recent open stage, I believe. I can't remember the exact date at the moment though. Too bad I didn't know you were there! We could have met. I was the dancer in the pink costume w/black skirt. I danced relatively late.

-Brea

KuteNurse · 11-07-2007, 04:13 AM

Hmmm! I do not remember a pink top and black skirt. If it was the date...My husband and I must have left already. Darn! It would have been nice to have met you. Another time I guess. Do you like your move to the Twin Cities overall?

Brea · 11-08-2007, 04:27 PM

Hi,

Actually I find people in the Cities to be very rude and too trendy. Very arrogant in my opinion...but then you have to remember I have moved here after spending a long time in the islands, which I am desperate to return to now because it is very very cold here!

-Brea

Mya · 11-12-2007, 07:17 PM

i've rarely been mistreated by event organisers but i've more than once come into contact with rude audience members - usually women!
trinidadians are so used to seeing obscene gyrations that go along quite often with dancehall and soca music that when they see bellydance, it's not impressive to them at all - they don't see the art, tastefulness or culture in it - just some overrated ego-inflated little girls that like to play dress up doing what any other trinidadian girl can do.
spectators have often said within hearing distance during performances (and even once followed me around during a performance) things like "what makes her feel she's so special, there's nothing great in that" and as recently as the weekend before halloween performing for a party i had a lady standing in front of my face less than 5 feet away saying for 10 minutes straight different versions of "well i could do that too and probably better than you - but if you feel the need to call yourself a professional you go girl".
The pictures from that party are up online and they're all horrible - everyone keeps saying "gosh you should have smiled a bit" but no! i was too busy holding myself back from planassing that woman with my sword.
One may not like a dancer's technique, style or performance, but for crying out loud at least be courteous and not loudly and rudely say things to deliberately distract or embarass her while she's performing....grrrrr!
sorry bout the rant, but these things really get my goat.

belly_dancer · 11-12-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mya

i've rarely been mistreated by event organisers but i've more than once come into contact with rude audience members - usually women!
trinidadians are so used to seeing obscene gyrations that go along quite often with dancehall and soca music that when they see bellydance, it's not impressive to them at all - they don't see the art, tastefulness or culture in it - just some overrated ego-inflated little girls that like to play dress up doing what any other trinidadian girl can do.
spectators have often said within hearing distance during performances (and even once followed me around during a performance) things like "what makes her feel she's so special, there's nothing great in that" and as recently as the weekend before halloween performing for a party i had a lady standing in front of my face less than 5 feet away saying for 10 minutes straight different versions of "well i could do that too and probably better than you - but if you feel the need to call yourself a professional you go girl".
The pictures from that party are up online and they're all horrible - everyone keeps saying "gosh you should have smiled a bit" but no! i was too busy holding myself back from planassing that woman with my sword.
One may not like a dancer's technique, style or performance, but for crying out loud at least be courteous and not loudly and rudely say things to deliberately distract or embarass her while she's performing....grrrrr!
sorry bout the rant, but these things really get my goat.

the best thing to do with these kind of women is to invite them to dance (in your best kiss ass attitude of course, cause you are a "professional

")
right there & then, ON the spot, in front of whoever they were talking sh@* about you to!!!... I can almost gaurantee you that they will get all flabbergasted, refuse to dance AND shut up.... it is SOOOO much fun!!!
I recently did this IN THE MIDDLE OF MY SWORD DANCE... you could hear a pin drop, the crowd was so mesmerized.... except for this one young girl... young enough to be my daughter... blabbing on the way you mentioned (& you could tell her friends were embarrassed by her)... so I GOT UP (I was in the middle of my floorwork section)... went thru the tables over to her....& (very sweetly!) led her to the dance floor, & PUT MY SWORD ON HER HEAD.... hehehehehehe of course it was all she could do to just stand there...
the crowd had been annoyed by her too so got much applause for that... & I felt MUCH better, so I took my sword back & did a kick ass drum solo WITH the sword on my head!!! her friend later came & signed up for class!!

usually I try to ignore these types... as it is a reflection of their problems/insecurities/personality/etc.... but sometimes...... I just cannot help myself
hehehehehehe

Brea · 11-13-2007, 03:53 AM

That was amazing!! I wish I could do that...I think sometimes I am afraid of being offensive because honestly in real life I'm offensive too often and very loud and mouthy. So I think 'be polite, just this once...' I'd like to be able to challenge someone like that onstage!

-Brea Morgiane

Mya · 11-13-2007, 01:39 PM

Belly i think that's a great way to respond - i just don't have the *ahem* testicular fortitude to pull that off. i'm already a nervous reck when i have to perform so aside from aggravating my very soul, those kinds of people also wreak havoc on my confidence while i'm on stage so i'd never really approach them. one of these days i'd like to round up my courage and try to though!

Brea darling, head up and keep on trucking! you'll get the right gig for you in time and remember, as our A'isha says belly dance is not for sissies! =)
coming to think of it i'll give myself that advice as well.

belly_dancer · 11-13-2007, 11:15 PM

yes.. well.... I am BOTH shy AND also known to be slightly... don't know if quite the right word... but offensive will do... BUT after performing for at least 14 years now... I have grown a decent set of "non-offensive" balls!!!!
it IS really hard for me to kiss-a#* & be "nice" (that is IF I open my mouth at all!!)..
I find.. like the situation I was talking about above, that if you make it a game... not a challenge.. it works.. I am not thinking... "so you think you're better than me... PROVE it"..... but thinking..."oh... you MUST be a famous dancer... (why else would you think you could critique me???)... so I will of COURSE give you the opportunity to show me how it is done!!!"..
invite some dancer friends over for a dance party, & practice on each other...

you do not want to be "rude"... just give these darlings a chance to put their shimmies where their mouths are!!!

Brea · 11-14-2007, 03:16 PM

You know, I am dancing at a cabaret in December...I was invited by a lady who is a pretty well-known dancer. I am terrified I won't be *good enough*. That voice in my head keeps saying 'what makes you think you can even share the stage with these people? Your shimmies aren't too great and you dance in a way it seems like nobody but Arabs has ever seen before, plus you hold a lot of opinions about bellydance that other dancers find offensive'

and on and on in my head! I am so happy about the opportunity but...aaargh!

I am definitely not shy, and I have always been loudmouthed and aggressive. However, in dance situations I seem to find myself more shy and reserved.

-Brea Morgiane

11-07-2007, 04:04 AM	#12 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Hi, It was their most recent open stage, I believe. I can't remember the exact date at the moment though. Too bad I didn't know you were there! We could have met. I was the dancer in the pink costume w/black skirt. I danced relatively late. -Brea

11-07-2007, 04:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
KuteNurse V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,986	Hmmm! I do not remember a pink top and black skirt. If it was the date...My husband and I must have left already. Darn! It would have been nice to have met you. Another time I guess. Do you like your move to the Twin Cities overall?

11-08-2007, 04:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Hi, Actually I find people in the Cities to be very rude and too trendy. Very arrogant in my opinion...but then you have to remember I have moved here after spending a long time in the islands, which I am desperate to return to now because it is very very cold here! -Brea

11-12-2007, 07:17 PM	#15 (permalink)
Mya Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 600	i've rarely been mistreated by event organisers but i've more than once come into contact with rude audience members - usually women! trinidadians are so used to seeing obscene gyrations that go along quite often with dancehall and soca music that when they see bellydance, it's not impressive to them at all - they don't see the art, tastefulness or culture in it - just some overrated ego-inflated little girls that like to play dress up doing what any other trinidadian girl can do. spectators have often said within hearing distance during performances (and even once followed me around during a performance) things like "what makes her feel she's so special, there's nothing great in that" and as recently as the weekend before halloween performing for a party i had a lady standing in front of my face less than 5 feet away saying for 10 minutes straight different versions of "well i could do that too and probably better than you - but if you feel the need to call yourself a professional you go girl". The pictures from that party are up online and they're all horrible - everyone keeps saying "gosh you should have smiled a bit" but no! i was too busy holding myself back from planassing that woman with my sword. One may not like a dancer's technique, style or performance, but for crying out loud at least be courteous and not loudly and rudely say things to deliberately distract or embarass her while she's performing....grrrrr! sorry bout the rant, but these things really get my goat.

11-13-2007, 03:53 AM	#17 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	That was amazing!! I wish I could do that...I think sometimes I am afraid of being offensive because honestly in real life I'm offensive too often and very loud and mouthy. So I think 'be polite, just this once...' I'd like to be able to challenge someone like that onstage! -Brea Morgiane

11-13-2007, 01:39 PM	#18 (permalink)
Mya Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 600	Belly i think that's a great way to respond - i just don't have the ahem testicular fortitude to pull that off. i'm already a nervous reck when i have to perform so aside from aggravating my very soul, those kinds of people also wreak havoc on my confidence while i'm on stage so i'd never really approach them. one of these days i'd like to round up my courage and try to though! Brea darling, head up and keep on trucking! you'll get the right gig for you in time and remember, as our A'isha says belly dance is not for sissies! =) coming to think of it i'll give myself that advice as well.

11-13-2007, 11:15 PM	#19 (permalink)
belly_dancer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: central coast, California Posts: 569	yes.. well.... I am BOTH shy AND also known to be slightly... don't know if quite the right word... but offensive will do... BUT after performing for at least 14 years now... I have grown a decent set of "non-offensive" balls!!!! it IS really hard for me to kiss-a#* & be "nice" (that is IF I open my mouth at all!!).. I find.. like the situation I was talking about above, that if you make it a game... not a challenge.. it works.. I am not thinking... "so you think you're better than me... PROVE it"..... but thinking..."oh... you MUST be a famous dancer... (why else would you think you could critique me???)... so I will of COURSE give you the opportunity to show me how it is done!!!".. invite some dancer friends over for a dance party, & practice on each other... you do not want to be "rude"... just give these darlings a chance to put their shimmies where their mouths are!!!

11-14-2007, 03:16 PM	#20 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	You know, I am dancing at a cabaret in December...I was invited by a lady who is a pretty well-known dancer. I am terrified I won't be good enough. That voice in my head keeps saying 'what makes you think you can even share the stage with these people? Your shimmies aren't too great and you dance in a way it seems like nobody but Arabs has ever seen before, plus you hold a lot of opinions about bellydance that other dancers find offensive' and on and on in my head! I am so happy about the opportunity but...aaargh! I am definitely not shy, and I have always been loudmouthed and aggressive. However, in dance situations I seem to find myself more shy and reserved. -Brea Morgiane