The Solo Restaurant Gig
By Kashani of Mas Uda Dancers
When we dancers get together there are usually lots of conversations going on and sometimes I enjoy listening to the great variety of topics being discussed in various parts of the room.
At an event awhile back, I heard someone say “the solo restaurant dancer thing is not for me”. I was somewhat dismayed to hear this. And, no, it isn’t because I DO dance solo in restaurants, it is because I feel that many times we miss great opportunities to learn by telling ourselves “Oh, no, I don’t want to do that/learn that/be around that”. I’ve heard this sort of statement a number of times recently in reference to specific styles of belly dance. Also, I know that the dancer who made this particular statement hasn’t even TRIED dancing at a restaurant – she simply has made an assumption that she wouldn’t like it, so she is losing an opportunity to learn through a new experience.
I think the reason that this is so disappointing for me is that I feel that one of the strengths of our dance is that there is such a great variety of styles and so many combinations of styles. I have always felt that I can learn something from almost anyone. I have taken folk dance workshops, tribal workshops, Egyptian style workshops and many more. Many times, while an instructor or a specific style doesn’t work well for you, you can take the steps and moves or something from the ‘attitude’ of that dance style and meld it to work for you in whatever style of dance you choose.
I have to admit that for many years, I didn’t think that I’d ever want to dance as a soloist in a restaurant. I SO enjoy the camaraderie and interaction I have with my troupe when we’re on stage dancing or when we’re getting ready to go on stage, during our costuming events, sewing projects and everything else that I felt this was PLENTY for me – why would I want to do the ‘solo restaurant thing’?
I have had calls over the years to dance at restaurant events and have done them, although not frequently. I was eventually somewhat forced to do the ‘solo restaurant thing’ on a regular basis – that sorta happens when you are in charge of scheduling the dancers at a restaurant!
As a soloist, I have found that since you are the ONLY one dancing, naturally, there is more attention to what you are doing (it’s sometimes easy to ‘hide’ in a troupe). With added attention, you find that you really need to be well-prepared and that your costume, make-up and jewelry have to work well and you need to learn to project your personality and energy. This extra level of preparedness carries over to your group dancing, be it ethnic, folkloric, tribal or cabaret – attention to these details is important no matter where you dance! As teachers we should impart this idea to our students and make opportunities for all types of dance experiences available to them.
Another facet of solo restaurant dancing that helps you with your group dancing as well as any solo stage dancing you might do, is that in a restaurant setting, your movements are somewhat limited and you need to be constantly aware of other people’s locations – that waiter with the tray of hot food – don’t want to run into him. Or the waitress with the glasses of wine on her tray, either! People going to and from the rest rooms – don’t want to run into them. This added level of spatial awareness is of great use and transfers over to dancing in other venues, either solo or in a group (especially in tribal style, since you are ‘following’ and NEED to be aware of what others are doing) – you develop an awareness of where other folks are and how much space exists between you and them.
So, what’s this got to do with teaching? Well, I firmly believe that teachers should encourage their students to try dancing at as many types of venues as possible – it all adds to a dancer’s experience level and how well she can adapt to changing circumstances. Teach your students how to employ moving steps to keep them out of the way of waiters. Increase their awareness of the location of their fellow troupe members in group dances.
Restaurant dancing is also an opportunity to interact with people and to gain a greater understanding of peoples’ perceptions (and mis-perceptions!) of belly dance. Dancing on a large stage, removed from the closeness of a restaurant audience, you may not see and understand the varied responses that people have to dancers. Teach your students how to ‘catch’ these perceptions and how NOT to further any negative perceptions that folks may have of our dance.
So, don’t limit your dancing and encourage your students to take whatever opportunities may become available (within safety limits of course!)
Until next time – happy dancing, teaching and learning!
