Do Clients Expect a Bare Belly?

maria_harlequin · 08-12-2009, 05:56 PM

I was talking to my teacher the other day about how I was getting a one-piece no-belly belly dance costume made specifically for restaurant/party gigs because I feel so exposed - that and Thailand being a pretty modest and conservative country, a bare belly can make a lot of people uncomfortable.

Then I jokingly said that the client might call the studio (my studio is sort of our "agent" - they get gigs for us all the time) and complain why there wasn't a bare belly present when they were asking for belly dancers (mind you...most people have very stereotypical views of what belly dancing is) and my teacher said that might very well be a possibility.

What do you think? Has this every happened to you? I'm sure the people in party won't mind if I show up in a gorgeous evening-gown like attire with no bare belly but whoever hired us for the show might!

Shanazel · 08-12-2009, 06:21 PM

Some potential clients expect the dancer to spend the night with them after a dance, but that doesn't mean they'll get it.

Wear what you are most comfortable in unless the contract specifies a particular costume.

shiradotnet · 08-12-2009, 08:31 PM

I don't know how it is in Thailand, but in the U.S. it depends on the gig.

I have worn an evening gown style of costume for a restaurant gig, and it was fine. I don't think I'd wear one for somebody's 40th birthday party, though.

I usually wear the evening gown style of costume when I perform for arts events, on theatrical stages, etc. My reason for doing this is to challenge the audiences' stereotypes. Everybody thinks they know what a "belly dancer" is, and often they're wrong. So by choosing a costume that does NOT match the stereotype of what they expect, I force them to challenge their prior beliefs and accept my performance on my terms.

lizaj · 08-12-2009, 09:28 PM

I've worn an evenng type dress for a party in a restaurant and I've been asked to dance at a function and intend wearing it again.
I don't look too bad in a 2 piece with a body stocking but I think I look better in a dress.
I think clients do expect a belly dancer to wear a bedlah or a two piece BUT hey illuminate them as to the alternatives. I know young women as well as older who look great and glamorous in a dress.
AND in the final analysis a dancer wants to be comfortable and if she feels good/better in a dress she will perform her best.

Shanazel · 08-12-2009, 11:43 PM

Atta girls all around! Challenge those stereotypes for all you're worth.

Reen.Blom · 08-13-2009, 12:08 AM

Why not give a body stocking a go? Skin tone or black or even in colour to match the costume... If you dont feel comfortable, dont do it!

maria_harlequin · 08-13-2009, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reen.Blom

Why not give a body stocking a go? Skin tone or black or even in colour to match the costume... If you dont feel comfortable, dont do it!

I don't like the way body stockings look on me

And it's not really about me feeling uncomfortable -it's more that the audience feels uncomfortable when they see a bare belly!

maria_harlequin · 08-13-2009, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiradotnet

I don't know how it is in Thailand, but in the U.S. it depends on the gig.

I have worn an evening gown style of costume for a restaurant gig, and it was fine. I don't think I'd wear one for somebody's 40th birthday party, though.

I usually wear the evening gown style of costume when I perform for arts events, on theatrical stages, etc. My reason for doing this is to challenge the audiences' stereotypes. Everybody thinks they know what a "belly dancer" is, and often they're wrong. So by choosing a costume that does NOT match the stereotype of what they expect, I force them to challenge their prior beliefs and accept my performance on my terms.

I had a recent gig where they asked for a "sexy" costume and I showed up in my most modest one! I should do this more often...

Reen.Blom · 08-13-2009, 11:22 AM

That's right! One can be sexy in a modest costume!

Kharis · 08-13-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maria_harlequin

What do you think? Has this every happened to you? I'm sure the people in party won't mind if I show up in a gorgeous evening-gown like attire with no bare belly but whoever hired us for the show might!

I have never been expected to show my tum, and never had any complaints when I didn't. I think a gown looks lovely, demure and elegant. I think so long as the dancing is fine, what you wear is not that relevant so long as the costuming fits the style and is professional.

08-12-2009, 05:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
maria_harlequin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 960	Do Clients Expect a Bare Belly? I was talking to my teacher the other day about how I was getting a one-piece no-belly belly dance costume made specifically for restaurant/party gigs because I feel so exposed - that and Thailand being a pretty modest and conservative country, a bare belly can make a lot of people uncomfortable. Then I jokingly said that the client might call the studio (my studio is sort of our "agent" - they get gigs for us all the time) and complain why there wasn't a bare belly present when they were asking for belly dancers (mind you...most people have very stereotypical views of what belly dancing is) and my teacher said that might very well be a possibility. What do you think? Has this every happened to you? I'm sure the people in party won't mind if I show up in a gorgeous evening-gown like attire with no bare belly but whoever hired us for the show might!

08-12-2009, 08:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
shiradotnet Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Iowa City, Iowa, USA Posts: 794	I don't know how it is in Thailand, but in the U.S. it depends on the gig. I have worn an evening gown style of costume for a restaurant gig, and it was fine. I don't think I'd wear one for somebody's 40th birthday party, though. I usually wear the evening gown style of costume when I perform for arts events, on theatrical stages, etc. My reason for doing this is to challenge the audiences' stereotypes. Everybody thinks they know what a "belly dancer" is, and often they're wrong. So by choosing a costume that does NOT match the stereotype of what they expect, I force them to challenge their prior beliefs and accept my performance on my terms. __________________ www.shira.net and www.bellydanceplus.com, on twitter @shiradotnet Last edited by shiradotnet; 08-12-2009 at 08:41 PM..

08-13-2009, 12:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Between Heaven and Earth Upside Down Posts: 3,586	Why not give a body stocking a go? Skin tone or black or even in colour to match the costume... If you dont feel comfortable, dont do it! __________________ Join the World Bellydance Day! <<<== Click here

08-13-2009, 11:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Between Heaven and Earth Upside Down Posts: 3,586	That's right! One can be sexy in a modest costume! __________________ Join the World Bellydance Day! <<<== Click here

08-12-2009, 06:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 8,397	Some potential clients expect the dancer to spend the night with them after a dance, but that doesn't mean they'll get it. Wear what you are most comfortable in unless the contract specifies a particular costume.

08-12-2009, 09:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
lizaj Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 4,247	I've worn an evenng type dress for a party in a restaurant and I've been asked to dance at a function and intend wearing it again. I don't look too bad in a 2 piece with a body stocking but I think I look better in a dress. I think clients do expect a belly dancer to wear a bedlah or a two piece BUT hey illuminate them as to the alternatives. I know young women as well as older who look great and glamorous in a dress. AND in the final analysis a dancer wants to be comfortable and if she feels good/better in a dress she will perform her best.

08-12-2009, 11:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 8,397	Atta girls all around! Challenge those stereotypes for all you're worth.