Bellygrams And Boom Boxes

Note: In "Dear Shira", city names and other details are changed to protect the privacy of the people involved.

Dear Shira,

I will be doing my first gig soon, performing at a birthday party. I was going to bring my boyfriend to work the boom box, but that is not going to work out. Please tell me how you work the boom box when you go out on gigs alone. I plan to put all my songs on one tape, in the order that I will perform them.

I originally wanted someone to pause the tape after certain songs, so I can grab my veil, or put on my cymbals or go with the flow of the party. Please offer some advice. Thanks!

--Beginning Bellygrammer

Dear Bellygrammer,

Congratulations on moving into the entertaining world of delivering bellygrams! It can be lots of fun!

I have a few suggestions that may help you with your first show.

First, I wouldn't recommend pausing your music between songs as you suggest. It makes you look like you weren't quite prepared and it makes your performance look choppy. As soon as the music stops and you go marching over to get another prop or whatever it interrupts the flow. When you take such a break, audience members take it as an invitation to chatter, head for the bathroom, or go get another can of beer. Then you have to get their attention all over again when you resume your dance.

Look for ways to do your show with smooth transitions from one song to the next. Don't stop the music to grab your veil--wrap it around you before you even begin your show and tuck it into your costume, then make your grand entrance. "Dance it off" gracefully when you reach the part of your music where it fits. Try to avoid taking your cymbals on and off during the show--that is so difficult to do gracefully, and it suggests to the audience you're not a good enough dancer to do your entire show with them on! Instead, learn how to cope with veil work and other props while keeping your cymbals on.

You're right, of course, that it's nice to get someone to go along with you when you can. I'm always happiest when I can get someone to go to a gig with me, because not only can I get them to help tote the boom box and other props (sword, etc.), but there's also additional security in having a "bodyguard". I live in a safe area, and I accept gigs only in what I judge to be safe situations, but you never know.... You might try asking your classmates whether any of them would like to accompany you. Maybe a beginner would love to accompany you on your gig to see what belly dancing shows look like.

Still, you can't always find someone who is available to be your bodyguard/escort. So, ahead of time make a tape that flows smoothly from one song to the next, and make a spare copy "just in case". There should not be anything on your tape after the end of your final song. Nothing.

If the host of the party has a stereo system and is able to use it for my show, I prefer to use that instead of my boom box. Typically, someone's home stereo system can be turned up to a louder volume than a dancer's boom box. I bring the boom box just in case, but only as a fallback plan. By using theirs, I ensure that they'll know how to operate the equipment and therefore they'll be less likely to make mistakes that could impact my show.

If you have to use your own, then before you leave home, place the tape in the boom box and cue it up to the beginning. (In other words, twist the reel to get it past the long leader.) Check the batteries to make sure they have plenty of power to crank out the volume you need, just in case the place doesn't have a convenient electrical outlet. If you have the kind of volume control that stays where you set it even after you turn off the boom box, set the power to where you think it will need to be for this party. Make arrangements for your host to greet you when you arrive, and take the opportunity to explain how to operate your boom box. It's ideal if you only have to explain two things: how to turn it on, and how to adjust the volume.

I hope these ideas are helpful. Have a wonderful time in your show!

--Shira

Other articles on this web site that you may find helpful include:

Doing Gigs. What just-turned-pro dancers need to know about doing gigs successfully.

Tips & Tricks For Belly Dancers. A potpourri of tips, including many related to doing gigs.

Bellygrams And Boom Boxes

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