Might be moving to the UAE next month! Any dance advice??

maylynn · 04-29-2008, 11:41 AM

Hi all,

I'd posted this thread a little while ago but it disappeared, so am posting again since I'd really like to get some advice!

My partner might get posted to Abu Dhabi next month, and I am planning to go with him! We would be there for 6-8 weeks, and of course I would like to use that opportunity to bellydance as much as possible.

What I'd like to know is how to approach getting gigs in the UAE? I've been lucky enough throughout my bd career to basically get by on word of mouth, so am wondering if I should get an agent, or just advertise myself, or what the most effective and socially acceptable way would be to go about this. Should I start looking into it from here (London, UK) - and if so, HOW? - or would it be best to wait until I am over there...etc.

Would appreciate hearing any tips that you might have!

Thanks,
Maylynn

maylynn · 04-30-2008, 02:47 PM

So it's looking like a sure thing now. Not moving anymore, but will be 4 weeks in Abu Dhabi starting mid-June.
Need advice on getting set up in the bd scene there and getting gigs! Please help!

Thanks,
Maylynn

Salome · 04-30-2008, 05:33 PM

Clients, at least big fish, do not typically search out performers, they hire an agency for that. My suggestion would be that you get an agent and that you start auditioning for one now. I've had many offers for UAE contracts over the years and all but one agency was based outside of the UAE. Try Jordan, Lebanon the UK...

Do you have a promotional packet? If so, email it to me and let me see what you can do. I do have a personal connection to an agency there, who actually just asked me to come over for a couple months, unfortunately I had to pass. They may still need someone.

Lydia dubai · 05-01-2008, 06:48 AM

Hi there, i am performing and living in the UAE sinds 1986.....Abu daby is less busy with dancing then Dubai ...abu daby is the capital and not so much a fun and busy place....But there are a few places that do hire dancers...some places work with agents ,some not, they hire themselfs...In Dubai there are plenty places,where the same rules go,s....Be aware do there are many differant places and the only good danceplaces are respectable are in 5 star hotels...It is not easy to get in ..most places are booked like 6 to 8 months before time and the paperwork takes time aswell..like workpermit and israel boycot office...so the paperwork takes at least 2 weeks if you are lucky...then officialy you can not perform with a touristvisa,so i dont know on what kind a visa you will be here?...Than there is another thing you have to be carefull who you work for i have seen many many artist coming and going over the years and leaving without their salaris...that is a very common practise here...so you realy have to be carefull, it is the best to get a agent in the country where you live that can book you so when you go back home you can make sure you get your salaris....

Lydia dubai · 05-01-2008, 06:55 AM

sorry that mail went before i was going!! I book dancers all the time in the uea but only if i know them personaly and most inportant if i know how they perform and what the show is like ,because i can not present dancers to my customers that i dont know wel, and my customers expect a good show....so usely if dancers come from outside the country they come and see me,dance in my clasroom and i will take it from there...even pictures are not rely enough,you must have dvd enz aswell....So if you are in the uae i would be very happy to meet up and if you can take the trip to Dubai perhaps i can help you further...so must welcome !! have a nice day Lydia

maylynn · 05-01-2008, 11:20 AM

Thanks, ladies!
Salome, I will email you.

maylynn · 05-02-2008, 12:10 PM

Hi Lydia,
Thanks very much, I will definitely get in touch with you! Once my dates are confirmed I'll let you know when I'll be in the UAE, and would love to meet up.

Lydia dubai · 05-02-2008, 02:09 PM

Hi maylinn sounds great!!!keep in mind that dubai and abudaby are 1 hour and 45 minute drive from eachother....but you have to visit Dubai anyway you cant leave the uae and not visit dubai! so i will see you then,looking forewardt to a nice chat!!and you can find my tel.number in my website.... have a nice day....Lydia

maylynn · 05-07-2008, 08:58 PM

Holy crap, now it's looking like rather than leaving in mid-June, I might be leaving in 2 weeks!!!

maylynn · 05-18-2008, 09:08 AM

Annnnnd now it looks like it might not happen at all. Despite tickets, accomodation and everything else already being booked. Gotta love corporate planning. SO INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!!

04-29-2008, 11:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
maylynn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 232	Might be moving to the UAE next month! Any dance advice?? Hi all, I'd posted this thread a little while ago but it disappeared, so am posting again since I'd really like to get some advice! My partner might get posted to Abu Dhabi next month, and I am planning to go with him! We would be there for 6-8 weeks, and of course I would like to use that opportunity to bellydance as much as possible. What I'd like to know is how to approach getting gigs in the UAE? I've been lucky enough throughout my bd career to basically get by on word of mouth, so am wondering if I should get an agent, or just advertise myself, or what the most effective and socially acceptable way would be to go about this. Should I start looking into it from here (London, UK) - and if so, HOW? - or would it be best to wait until I am over there...etc. Would appreciate hearing any tips that you might have! Thanks, Maylynn

04-30-2008, 02:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
maylynn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 232	getting there... So it's looking like a sure thing now. Not moving anymore, but will be 4 weeks in Abu Dhabi starting mid-June. Need advice on getting set up in the bd scene there and getting gigs! Please help! Thanks, Maylynn __________________ http://www.urbanamazon.co.uk

05-01-2008, 11:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
maylynn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 232	Thanks, ladies! Salome, I will email you. __________________ http://www.urbanamazon.co.uk

05-02-2008, 12:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
maylynn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 232	Hi Lydia, Thanks very much, I will definitely get in touch with you! Once my dates are confirmed I'll let you know when I'll be in the UAE, and would love to meet up. __________________ http://www.urbanamazon.co.uk

05-07-2008, 08:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
maylynn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 232	Holy crap, now it's looking like rather than leaving in mid-June, I might be leaving in 2 weeks!!! __________________ http://www.urbanamazon.co.uk

04-30-2008, 05:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Salome Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Corvallis, Oregon, USA Posts: 1,810	Clients, at least big fish, do not typically search out performers, they hire an agency for that. My suggestion would be that you get an agent and that you start auditioning for one now. I've had many offers for UAE contracts over the years and all but one agency was based outside of the UAE. Try Jordan, Lebanon the UK... Do you have a promotional packet? If so, email it to me and let me see what you can do. I do have a personal connection to an agency there, who actually just asked me to come over for a couple months, unfortunately I had to pass. They may still need someone.

05-01-2008, 06:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lydia dubai V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dubai United arab emirates Posts: 1,338	Hi there, i am performing and living in the UAE sinds 1986.....Abu daby is less busy with dancing then Dubai ...abu daby is the capital and not so much a fun and busy place....But there are a few places that do hire dancers...some places work with agents ,some not, they hire themselfs...In Dubai there are plenty places,where the same rules go,s....Be aware do there are many differant places and the only good danceplaces are respectable are in 5 star hotels...It is not easy to get in ..most places are booked like 6 to 8 months before time and the paperwork takes time aswell..like workpermit and israel boycot office...so the paperwork takes at least 2 weeks if you are lucky...then officialy you can not perform with a touristvisa,so i dont know on what kind a visa you will be here?...Than there is another thing you have to be carefull who you work for i have seen many many artist coming and going over the years and leaving without their salaris...that is a very common practise here...so you realy have to be carefull, it is the best to get a agent in the country where you live that can book you so when you go back home you can make sure you get your salaris....

05-01-2008, 06:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lydia dubai V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dubai United arab emirates Posts: 1,338	sorry that mail went before i was going!! I book dancers all the time in the uea but only if i know them personaly and most inportant if i know how they perform and what the show is like ,because i can not present dancers to my customers that i dont know wel, and my customers expect a good show....so usely if dancers come from outside the country they come and see me,dance in my clasroom and i will take it from there...even pictures are not rely enough,you must have dvd enz aswell....So if you are in the uae i would be very happy to meet up and if you can take the trip to Dubai perhaps i can help you further...so must welcome !! have a nice day Lydia

05-02-2008, 02:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lydia dubai V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dubai United arab emirates Posts: 1,338	Hi maylinn sounds great!!!keep in mind that dubai and abudaby are 1 hour and 45 minute drive from eachother....but you have to visit Dubai anyway you cant leave the uae and not visit dubai! so i will see you then,looking forewardt to a nice chat!!and you can find my tel.number in my website.... have a nice day....Lydia

05-18-2008, 09:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
maylynn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London Posts: 232	Annnnnd now it looks like it might not happen at all. Despite tickets, accomodation and everything else already being booked. Gotta love corporate planning. SO INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!! __________________ http://www.urbanamazon.co.uk