Tribe.net. Local Connections Samira http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#51432ed2-2c67-4c42-8552-d02395cc04e7 2009-06-27T19:41:18Z 2009-06-27T19:41:18Z

Thanks so much Lynette. It's great to have a wider perspective. :D

Samira 2009-06-27T19:41:18Z Lynette http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#4a123df2-f1d4-4e5b-b52a-540deeafa3a8 2009-06-27T17:23:17Z 2009-06-27T17:23:17Z

Views expressed in GS articles on Tipping Yasmina Ramzy of Toronto- http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/06/07/askyas7/ "If you work with musicians, it is customary to split the tips as they contributed greatly to the success of your show. In many establishments, it is a three-way split between management, the musicians and the dancer. The same practice is implemented for singers as well. Musicians are often not kind on stage to artists who have previously withheld tips. It is a good idea to tip a waiter and ask them to pick up your tips for you. It is not becoming for a dancer to pick tips up off the floor." Rhea of North Beach San Francisco and Greece http://www.gildedserpent.com/articles20/rheapitspart2.htm "The musicians in the Middle Eastern clubs shared our tips, so they were full of all kinds of advice and ideas to get the patrons to part with the contents of their pockets." Yasmin of Wash DC http://www.gildedserpent.com/art41/YasminProPartyP3.htm Tips - how to split them with the band (if there is one). What happens to tips during and after a performance is usually the biggest bone of contention between a dancer and musicians. The more money involved the higher the stakes for all concerned. When I worked in Europe and the Middle East there were two different ways that tips were handled. Either every member of the show, musicians and performers, took an equal share of the night’s total income (for the lower class places) or each performer had their tips split three ways, with a third going to the artist, a third to the band and a third to the house. A smart dancer learns to pick out the big bills in her costume or on the floor and to remember roughly how much she put into the communal pot (if she empties her costume on stage). However the split will be, communicate about it before the show to avoid misunderstandings or confrontation.

Lynette 2009-06-27T17:23:17Z Fatinah http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#4d578e71-264d-44f6-95b4-450ebe305c05 2009-06-22T14:44:32Z 2009-06-22T14:44:32Z

Thanks everyone for some ideas. My dance studio is setting the standard for the area as the first to work with a band that isn't dancers playing for dancers. The band in question isn't really a band but a couple of guys who think a dancer should dance to live music (and they aren't that good).

Fatinah 2009-06-22T14:44:32Z Gia http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#d495c018-bbd3-4d3e-9d06-e8f58141d089 2009-06-18T14:38:22Z 2009-06-18T14:37:13Z

The usual way this is handled in NY & NJ (at least when I perform), is that all tips showered on the dancer during her part of the show are split 50-50, half for the dancer, half for the band to split and anything tipped on the dancer's body (tucked into belt etc) are hers to keep (the idea being that if the patron wanted the band and dancer to split the tip, it would have been showered on the band or dancer or in a tip basket). EVERY band that I've worked with has a set or TWO before the dancer and at least a set after...this is PLENTY of opportunity for them to receive tips before and after the dancer's set as well...so there is no need for a dancer to give up her share of tips...ever. I've never heard of a band working gratis.

Gia 2009-06-18T14:37:13Z Phoenix http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#d55333e1-198e-407b-81b5-cade3f338a72 2009-06-15T06:42:01Z 2009-06-15T06:42:01Z

So...I thought I read them all before I responded but missed this one. OOOppss....so after reading this....I am reposting one thought. If they are keeping tips meant for you, then it sounds like you do need to talk to them. I would open with -- 'how do you normally SPLIT the tips with dancers". This may make them realize that they should respect you and that you are open to their ideas. If they say they have not done this then it opens the door to figure things out together. It could be that they are learning the ropes too......and if not then at least they know you are noticing which may make them stop. If they say...you keep your tips and we will keep ours then I would probably point out that if audience gives money to them (the band) and says to give to the dancer ... then you could leave a basket for them to drop the money in (to let them know you have noticed that happen). Just a thought....hopefully they would respond okay.

Phoenix 2009-06-15T06:42:01Z Phoenix http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#c62b23ea-f721-475a-9626-fdc30ec51ef5 2009-06-15T06:30:24Z 2009-06-15T06:30:24Z

I agree with many of the suggestions. Check with some dancers in your area - especially ones that have worked with the band you are working with. Also...just speak with the band. I usually do that and it always works out....some say....keep what they tip you and some say lets split it all. Tips are great but you both will still have your fee so hopefully tips are just that and not the only form of payment. I think it is important to work as a unit and appreciate each other....then not only do you show your appreciation for them but also they will return that appreciation and be excited to see you next time. Just as we love muscians that are easy to work with....they love dancers who appreciate them. Also...do not forget that bands may be asked to bring dancers...yet again ....good to be the dancer that works with the band not just expecting the band to play for them. Often...they are going to pick the dancer they enjoy working with - both on the stage and on the business side. But do see if there is a standard in your area......

Phoenix 2009-06-15T06:30:24Z Fatinah http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#b6c137a9-c489-4aab-84d9-b57d493210b4 2009-06-14T20:55:16Z 2009-06-14T20:55:16Z

Well the band in question is the restaraunt owner and a couple of his friends who I think are using the time as practice for other gigs. They could use a lot of improvment. Well..... let just say they kept tip money a patron handed them to give to the dancer. Since most folks in my neck of the woods don't understand how to tip performers, should the dancer have separate tip basket form the bands basket? Just wondering what the dancer should tell the restaraunt owner/band leader if there is a question about tips. I agree with Sasha that no band should ever work for free(neither should a dancer).

Fatinah 2009-06-14T20:55:16Z ~Sasha~ http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#467279ef-ab93-43c6-a499-3032976c944a 2009-06-12T23:00:54Z 2009-06-12T23:00:54Z

This is disturbing. Todd, bands in your area aren't paid if there is a dancer? Why not? And why do bands tolerate this? Musicians spend countless hours honing their technique on their instruments of choice. Why wouldn't they expect to get paid? When I perform, I am paid a fee. Tips are a gratuity...separate and apart from my fee. I don't expect them, but I do appreciate them. Sometimes they are small. Sometimes they are large. They vary so I don't depend on even receiving them, especially since some audiences don't know it's OK to tip a dancer. When I work with a band who sounds fabulous and who I can have some fun with (especially during a drum solo), then they make me look good. I appreciate that. I show them my appreciation by sharing my tips with them. Without them, the show would be only half as good, if that. There is nothing like performing with live musicians!

~Sasha~ 2009-06-12T23:00:54Z Todd http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#0750ed42-8f1a-4eb1-b729-1890d5dfa8b5 2009-06-12T20:37:40Z 2009-06-12T20:37:40Z

In most of the venues in my neighborhood, the bands do not get paid (by mangagement) if there is a dancer. I think the answers to this question are as varied as the venues all over the country and world.

Todd 2009-06-12T20:37:40Z Tanya http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#d8e7eb2b-93b0-478b-8f36-55d3b4a23d8f 2009-06-12T19:47:58Z 2009-06-12T19:47:58Z

I see the idea behind this and if a dancer wants to tip out a band for an excellent performance from her body tips then it's her perrogative. But if the money is being placed directly on the dancer usually the intent is that the dancer should have it. Likewise if the money is thrown on the band (or stage where the band is playing) the band should have it. Tips places in common areas, tip baskets, dance floor etc. should be divided. But maybe that's just how thing are where I work. Again you should check with your local community to make sure you are keeping within standard practice.

Tanya 2009-06-12T19:47:58Z ~Sasha~ http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#bd4e9131-1c2d-46ad-acaa-1183d5645453 2009-06-12T19:29:29Z 2009-06-12T19:29:29Z

In one place I've performed at with live musicians, I would always split my tips with them. They had a basket on a little table in front of them and at the end of the night, half of whatever I got (regardless of where it was placed) would go in there. I would keep half of the tips, plus my fee. I think good musicians are to be valued and appreciated, regardless of whatever pay discrepancy there is between dancer and musician(s). The trio (sometimes a quartet) that regularly perform at this particular place are playing long before my first set would begin, during the break between 1st and 2nd set, and then long after my final set is done. They help to create the atmosphere and put people "in the mood" to even want to see a dancer! They are fabulous musicians in their own right and my sharing my tips with them is my way of showing MY appreciation for their talent and hard work. They never fail to make me look good. Good musicians make a dancer's performance better. Mediocre musicians can kill a performance. I always show the band some love!

~Sasha~ 2009-06-12T19:29:29Z Tanya http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#d2e3a4b8-0d7e-4ea8-bf93-5d06d244d509 2009-06-12T19:13:17Z 2009-06-12T19:13:17Z

Tipping usually varies from local to local. In most places whatever tips the dancer takes in her costume/on her body are hers to keep.

Tanya 2009-06-12T19:13:17Z Shira http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#b5da552e-9f31-4131-b3e0-51fe2a263713 2009-06-12T18:55:04Z 2009-06-12T18:55:04Z

Do you know other dancers in your community who work with the same band? If so, could be helpful to find out what they do.

Shira 2009-06-12T18:55:04Z Fatinah http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/91886f81-6ee3-4470-b5dc-299eb1de1da4#55fc59b2-f517-407c-8f14-3b176b92df34 2009-06-12T17:54:58Z 2009-06-12T17:54:58Z

I am wondering what are the current rates for tipping out your band at a restarunt gig. I have heard from 15%-50%. I would personally never agree to giving up half my tips since I know bands get paid better than the dancer. So is it the 15% like a waitress tips out her bartender or more? Does it make a differnece regionally(I am in a plains state)?

Fatinah 2009-06-12T17:54:58Z