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Hello all. Last night two of us danced in a restaurant. The restaurant space is long and rectangular with booths on both sides of the restaurant. About 3/4 way down, there is a room divider with bigger tables on one side. Our musicians were seated behind the divider on one side. I've read what Carolena says about dancing center stage. Saying that, it was somewhat difficult dancing to both sides of the restaurant and then somewhat up and down the aisle so those behind the divider could easily watch at times.
My partner and I pretty much knew the space configuration but it was still kinda difficult to let everyone have a looksie. How is the best way to treat dancing space that isn't a 'stage'?
Thank you so much.
My partner and I pretty much knew the space configuration but it was still kinda difficult to let everyone have a looksie. How is the best way to treat dancing space that isn't a 'stage'?
Thank you so much.
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Kansas
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Re: Working an audience
Fri, August 21, 2009 - 2:33 PMI'm not very versed in cafe style, as we've had maybe 2 or 3 gigs like that, but couldn't you essentially use one of the traveling steps (EB, Arabic, Shimmy) to quickly move down the aisle? Also, in duets it's super easy to change the leader, and switch positions so that you can face any direction and still be dancing together.
Depending on your aisle, you could do a diagnal trio and change leads, the sight lines aren't as good, but it could be done.
Like they say in India, "Anything Possible" ;-)
You may want to set up a fake cafe stage in a studio. Put tape down marking aisles, or set up chairs and block off space so you can practice cafe style. My classes are in yoga studios, we can use all the blocks, bolts, and extra mats to block off space.
Or if you have a lot of dancers line them up in two rows facing each other, then two at a time, come down the aisle and dance. The outside dancers zil and cheer, and smile.
We've done it in our classes and I've taken classes at the FC studio where we practice cafe style like that. -
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Re: Working an audience
Fri, August 21, 2009 - 2:51 PMCafe style is great for that kind of situation. If you can practice with chairs, do, because you'll need to know how close you can get without getting your fringe and tassels caught in them. ;}
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Re: Working an audience
Fri, August 21, 2009 - 3:21 PMWe hadn't practiced with chairs cause I knew it was pretty wide. The hardest part was during our last "set" at 8:30. By that time the restaurant was pretty empty except for a booth way up near the door and a table behind the divider. NO ONE in between!!! -
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Re: Working an audience
Sat, August 22, 2009 - 8:46 AMWhat Carrie & Sandi said! But it all comes down to what do YOU want to see as an audience member? I'm always telling my students that......what do you want the audience to see? You have to put yourself back in the audience and remember what was it about that performance that YOU liked or didn't like? What would YOU have done differently? I'm always asking myself that. Makes for a different performance.
Maybe it's not a venue where you always have to see the dancers. Maybe it's about the music and atmosphere. But if it is about the dancing, maximize that! Dance to the tables with the people craning their necks to see you. But if they're deep in conversation or are shy, averting their eyes, the ol' "oh please don't pick on me" energy, dance away from them but don't try to stare them down.
I danced at a restaurant with my troupe where I felt like a cruise director, taking tips in my belt, ack! But it wasn't your typical ATS gig and so I treated it like that and was happier. Perspective. It was a long time ago and had I been the leader I probably would've handled things differently but I digress...... Lesson learned. Every gig is unique, every space is a new challenge (i love the random plastic plant onstage or the piano that can't be moved!), just like in acting......say your lines with honesty and avoid the furniture!
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Re: Working an audience
Sat, August 22, 2009 - 9:04 AMThat is a tough situation - audience on opposite ends. If it is too far for you both to travel back and forth in a duet, I probably would have taken one song and done solos towards each table for the first part, then come together in the middle at the end. But otherwise, it can be good enough for the duet to travel slightly further in one direction, then the other, but not all the way to their tables. And maybe they were in those faraway booths for a little privacy anyway?
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