If you belly dance in restaurants or want to start, I've made a list of tips for dancers that, perform on a regular basis. These tips are based on my experiences. I have been dancing in restaurants for nearly two years, I went in to it with no prior knowledge and have done pretty well. I really feel these tips are a valuable asset to any dancer.

Before you consider dancing in restaurants you have to decide whether you think its for you. Dancing in restaurants is very different from dancing on stage. You have to be able to improvise and also be able to move your dance around. You can't just stay in one place like on a stage. You will not have time to think about or plan your performance, if you are working on a weekly basis. You have to be 100% confident with yourself and your dance as you are dancing on the same level as your audience and they can some times be too nice, dismissive or not interested. You've got to be prepared to handle however your audience act.

Agree on your pay clearly so when you start there will be no misunderstandings.

DON'T UNDER CUT OTHER DANCERS IN THE AREA or cheapen our art.

NEVER EVER DANCE FOR FREE: a lot of restaurant owners try to convince you that the first time you dance for them it's free because its a trial. It's a scam, they have a high turn over of dancers none of which they ever pay. Remember you are a professional not a student they should respect that it's you profession

Before you start working for someone you have to be clear about everything.

What dose you employer want you to do? How many dances are you being paid for and expected to dance? Do they want you to get people up to dance? Do you have to stay in a certain part or section of the restaurant? Being clear makes your first night run a lot smoother. Remember the first night is important, it's what secures your long term status.

Ask what your audience will be like? What ethnicity are the customers? Are they mixed? Are they Arabs, Turkish or English? Will  there be children? ..It's very important to know your audience: it influences what music you'll use and what costumes you'll wear etc..SEE BELOW

Where will you be expected to get changed? make sure they have somewhere you can get changed... Unless you don't mind the toilets???

Now you know your audience pick your music: I would never use my employer's music. I always bring my own. That way I dance to songs I know like the back of my hand. It makes improvising easy.

If your audience is English: Choose pop music and modern style. This is music they can relate to and feels familiar to them. There have been so many times where I've had the audience's full attention all evening and decide to do a really amazing drum solo and they just switch off. Why? Because they have been taken out of their comfort zone, that type of music is alien to them!

If your audience is Arabic/ Turkish / Greek / Eastern European  then the CD rack is your oyster, pick a nice selection of styles, pop, traditional, baladi, etc.. I always find the good old classical film songs go down well. The audience love to sing along. If it's one of the favourite ones they all get up automatically and start dancing, so all you have to do is occasionally shake your butt, clap them along and enjoy their dancing. Easy peasy! However don't do Tribal style. you might be able to get away with one song, but if that's the only style you're planning to do...DON'T. Egyptians don't have a clue what Tribal is. You'll be taking them out of their comfort zone and they'll probably think you're a total weirdo.

Never take your original CDs: make a copy. You don't want to lose your originals. Also put all of the songs you're going to dance, on one CD, in order. Your boss will not want to spend the night juggling your CDs and the CD player.

So now you know your audience and your music, so pick a few costumes which go with them and put them on rotation, for your weekly performances.

If your audience is English: It's not as hard as picking music for them. Just don't wear anything too traditional, like a baladi galabaya as they won't know what it is, or appreciate it. I find two piece costumes go down the best... but don't have your tits popping out. A two piece is what they associate with belly dancers, and what they think a belly dancer should wear. They have come to see a belly dancer. That's what they want and their idea of a belly dancer's costume is a 2 piece.

Children? If it's a family restaurant save your more revealing costumes till later on in the evening.

Don't be worried about using both professional and home made costumes.

Make sure you are able to put your costume on by yourself. Some of my one piece costumes have hard zips to do up. Usually you are getting changed in small spaces which adds to the difficulty.

Remember your costumes are working costumes. Look after them but don't worry if they start to get a bit worn. I have some really expensive costumes, but with working in restaurants I can earn what they cost in about 2-3 evenings work. It also gives you a good excuse to make/buy more.

CLICK HERE FOR MY SHOP AND CHECK OUT THE COUSTUMES ON SALE

  So other than music CDs and costumes be sure to take;

·         Make up

·         Jewellery and accessories

·         SAFETY PINS!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can't beat them. I have tons. Their uses are endless. If you have a costume mishap they can save the day!!

·         Baby Wipes, handy for removing makeup for the trip home, cleaning your dirty feet and wiping off sweat. 

·         Brush

·         Hair pins and bands.

·         A RAZOR I know it sounds weird, but leave a small one in your make up bag. When you're performing on such a regular basis, you don't think so much about it. Things like shaving your arm pits just get forgotten, until you're getting changed and you realise!! NO-ONE wants to see hairy arm pits when eating their dinner YUCK! Be safe not sorry!!

·         Back Up CD Leave a CD at the restaurant. That way if you forget your CDs' or they start jumping: your back's covered. Back up CDs are always saving my day.

·         DON'T WEAR TIGHT JEANS before you dance. They leave red imprints of buttons on your belly, not a good look and they take a while to go down if you've been wearing them all day.

You are usually expected to get people up to dance. I never do this for the first two songs. This gives people a chance to see what the dance is like. It's also a chance for you to say hello to people and make a connection with the audience. This is also your chance to spot the people who are dancing in their seats and look as though they are up for a good night out, so you can get them up to dance later.

When you get to the song that you're going to get people up for, let it play for a little while so people get to know the beat and the pace of the song.

Make eye contact with the person first so they get to feel you're going to ask them to dance. If it's a guy you're going to ask and he's with a lady ALWAYS make eye contact with her first so letting her know you're not coming on to him. You'll know automatically if she gives you the ok to dance with him.

If somebody really resists getting up, don't keep on at them, just move on.

NEVER FALL FOR THE BIRTHDAY TRICK. When people don't want to get up they some times point to someone else and says "get him up it's his birthday!" don't look silly and believe it. If it was anybody's birthday you would have realised by then. Just because you are a dancer doesn't mean you're stupid.

Once you've got someone up, get everyone to clap them along. Tell everyone to give them some support. Show them some moves if they are struggling. Always be positive and give them compliments. Say thank you when they stop and get everyone to clap.

Always pose for pictures, and even better get someone up from the table to be in it too. You can then get them to dance, if they haven't already. It's so surprising how many people carry cameras with them.

When you are dancing in a restaurant you are constantly on the move so you get very hot and sweaty!

Things you can do to prevent it,

Don't drink too much water! You'll only sweat it all out! The more you drink the more you sweat. Also constantly wanting to go toilet in your costume isn't good. People say drink plenty so you don't get dehydrated ..... YOU'RE NOT WALKING THE SAHARA DESERT. I'm not saying don't drink, I usually have one drink to sip throughout the night. Then when you are finished you can drink as much water as you like.

Don't use too much deodorant because if your sweat can't come out of your armpits etc.. It only leaves one place...your face! A sweaty, red face is worse than a little under your arms.

Avoid costumes with selves or light colours that show up wet patches. They might be ok for on stage, but if you are in them all evening, the patches just get bigger.

Unless your restaurant is large and the tables are spread out don't use a cane or veil, there just isn't the space. You want to entertain your audience - not whack them in the face. If you can play the zills that will add a nice touch to your performance.

Don't say no to tips it's an insult. People would only do it if they liked your dancing. If you say no you're throwing their compliments back into their faces. It's rude.

If anyone tries to stick something down our bra, and you're not comfortable with it, shake your finger at them in a funny, cheeky way smile and then point to your belt, indicating for them to put it in there. Make it fun and light hearted

If money falls onto the floor, don't pick it up! It makes you look cheap and spoils your dance. Either wait till the end of the song, or make an agreement with a waiter to pick them up for you, and give them a small share to say thanks. Customers will often point it out to you, don't just ignore them, either signal that you'll pick it up in a min or signal to them to pick it up and put it in your belt, I find people love doing this, they get to tip you for free.

I usually dance commando to avoid knickers lines and bumps but if you are dancing for tips be sure to wear knickers!!!!!!!! You don't want them to pull you belt away to to put a tip in it and then get a flash!!!! Knickers are also a fantastic place that when you get a chance to , stuff a few notes down so they don't fall out and your belt doesn't get to full, so the tips keep flowing...............

You can earn a lot of money from tips so don't think low of it. Only do it if you feel comfortable with it.

If someone starts making rude or cheeky comments just laugh it off and avoid that table as much as possible.  Or if you are quick witted enough return the banter. That always shuts them up... but don't be too rude. You don't want to lose your job.

If someone tries to get a little too close and friendly when dancing with you; SPIN SPIN SPIN, TURN TURN TURN.. Trust me they will get out of your way ASAP.

If your audience is a dull lot and not watching or the restaurant is dead, just forget about them and enjoy yourself. Dance like you do in your bedroom. Forget about everyone and have fun; you are getting paid.

Always take your makeup off before leaving. That way people realise that it's just your job and you don't go around every day like that.

If you have been having some trouble with an over friendly customer during the night try to slip out home with out them noticing, just to be safe.

Tell someone about what time you're expected home so they know if you are too late.

If you think someone has followed you, call someone, don't take chances

I've never had problems in my years of dancing, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

I love dancing in restaurants so much. It's the best feeling in the world when people enjoy watching you dance. It's also a fab way to earn money. It's defiantly made me able to afford to go to university and pay for my education.

(animations are from Microsoft Office Clip Art)