Thursday, June 3, 2010

Calling all Bellydancing Moms!

For those of you who don't already know, I am 6.5 months pregnant and expecting a little girl in late August.  I have not danced professionally since I started showing at about three months.  I am feeling very out of the game.  I performed at my student showcase, and I still teach my classes, but as far as gigs go.....I haven't been able to do any of those since February.  I am hoping to get back into performing shape soon after the baby is born, but that's not what's worrying me.  I feel like being a pro bellydancer is a constant game of keeping your name out there, staying in the public eye, and building your repuation.  And after all is said and done, I won't have done any of that for about a year! 

Ladies, I need to know how you do it!  How did you get back into gigging after the babies were born?  Was it totally different? I know I really can't go back to the levels that I used to, with multiple gigs each weekend - I was never home!  I will need to scale it back somewhat, I know.  But how to I even get back to the point where scaling back is an option?  How do I let everyone know "Ok world!  The baby has been born and I am ready to dance at  your parties again!  Come hire me!" :-)

How did you do it??  Share your tips, please!  And just for kicks, here's a picture of me from a gig a few years ago.  I forgot I had it!

1 comment:

Nepenthe said...

I did not know you were pregnant - I just recommended you for a gig (in New Jersey). Hopefully if they contact you, you can direct them to someone good.

I just got back into professional dance at about 6 months. I first performed at about 3 months - it was too early to get back. first, it takes a while to get your body back into shape (yes, it does take about 6-12 months - even if you work out all the time and diet). Then, the baby needs you so much early on that it's very difficult to go dance. But later on, they are sleeping through the night and you can take off for a gig and they don't even notice you're gone.

I basically had to go and tell people I was back because most people assumed I had either retired or wasn't performing yet and didn't want to bother me. I started contacting the people who book shows. I also put my advertising back up and let my friends know (people who refer to me if they can't do a gig) that I was ready to come back.