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Permalink Reply by SaFire* on September 19, 2009 at 5:39pm

Hi Kiersten,

If you are interested in being paid for your work my biggest suggestion will be to determine a flat rate for any evening you'll be working and ideally to be paid after your set. Some bars will hold off to pay you until cash out at the end of the night, which means you'll have to stay till closing (3:00 a.m. or later). Also very important; if you are working casually and are being paid in cash, be sure to stick around until you get paid. Bars can also be known for stiffing performers since performances are not always contracted.

Consider approaching different bars and clubs with hoop and business card in hand. Calling in advance to find out the managers name and hopefully personally talk with them will get your foot in the door. Ask when a good time would be to have a meeting. If they will be at the club during bar hours, that would be the best time to display your talents because there will be an audience and he or she will be able to see how much the crowd loves hooping.

Demo a short set (3-5 minutes) to the crowd and then discuss options with the manager/owner. You could do a 5 minute "set" or an hour or more of "roving." Roving is a casual style of performing much like go-go dancing that will allow you to interact with the audience, enjoy the music and have more fun just jamming out. In regards to prices. Often a short stage set where the audience has their full attention on a choreographed routine runs for a similar price to an hour of casual performance. Managers are likely to bite on the offer of a longer performance for the same cost. You can also consider offering 15 minute roving shows every half hour for a few hours but be cautious of how much time you have to spend there in order to full-fill a commitment of a full hour of performing.

ALso, you'll likely be offered a tab at the bar. Be sure that the manager realizes that this tab is NOT part of payment. Getting a $60.00 bar tab doesn't put groceries on the table. Make it clear that the bar tab is not what you are interested in. On another note, it can be really fun to bring your friends to work with you and pay for everyone's drinks. ; )

When performing wear an outfit that has pockets, or a pocket belt to hold business cards. People will be asking about you and if you teach classes it's great advertising. If someone asks for your card and inquires about a price for a performance, it is best practice to not quote them on the spot. Find out what the event is and arrange for them to call you Monday morning. This will give you the time to get accurate information about the event. Also, clients are less likely to take your pricing seriously if your talking in a bar and trying to yell over the speakers.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask more questions.

Much love,
SaFire

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Permalink Reply by Amanda of Hip Flick Hoops* on September 20, 2009 at 3:09pm

Have you ever done it for free at first then got paid? Im not sure if bar owners in Grande Prairie would pay but it would be nice.... Just the exposure alone would be pretty sweet.

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Permalink Reply by SaFire* on September 20, 2009 at 3:56pm

Not really, only when I'm out for fun and not really performing and the first time I did a demo for a bar before we determined a quote.

You're right. It great exposure, great for you, for hooping and any classes or jams you run.

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Permalink Reply by Jessica Packard "JesSpins" on December 26, 2009 at 3:30am

omg! I was searching forums with this same question! Though i don't think i'll be in Atlanta to much longer because i'm almost finished with school. (so i've been weary about getting started in performances or troops) BUT I got some money for Christmas and will be making a LED hoop with it! (YIPPIE) So hopefully there will be performances in the future. :)

Kiersten, If you want someplace to practice hooping in a bar/club (though without pay... but could be a good place to practice your routine for audience appeal) go to the Highland Inn Ballroom on North Highland Ave. The Bartender there Joshua is SUPER nice and is constantly asking me to come and hoop again. (though you must bring your own) I've been wanting to go down to Opera and see if they need entertainment for events... but get REALLY nervous when it comes to business things. I don't know how comfortable you are with approaching people but i have huge anxiety on this front. So if you would like to get together and plan something... maybe go as a duo? (if you're cool with that) I'd be totally game. I don't think I have the balls to go down there myself. haha!!

Thanks for the GREAT advice SaFire! I've been wondering how to even get started.

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Permalink Reply by Kiersten on December 13, 2010 at 6:50pm

Can't believe I haven't been back to check on this fourm in over a year! man how life gets busy! SaFire, thanks for the fantastic advice...I'll definitely utlilize this when looking into gigs around Atlanta...I already have some contacts for go-going and club contacts since I've bartended in a lot but I feel like when you bring hooping up to people they have no idea what to think...I'm just going to get out there with my hoop and show them what its all about! 

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