Dancer Archive

After reading FlawedDiamond's Guide to Erotic Dancing threads (very nicely done, FD, and I'm going to incorporate many of your ideas), I began to question one of my standard practices.

Like everyone else, I hate long waits for shuttles. Last night it seemed like I missed about 3 of them in a row by 5 seconds and had to stand there for 9 minutes, 55 seconds doing nothing.

So I did what I do -- I danced. A couple of times one of the other players was also a musician and pulled out an instrument to accompany me. It felt like we were street performers, and we got either stares (I was in my street clothes, not a dancing outfit) or applause. We also got tipped, probably better per capita than I usually see in a cantina. When some of the audience started saying "Take it off", etc., I politely told them that I wore other outfits when I was working in a cantina, but I wasn't going to have everything hanging out in a Tatooine dust storm. (Followed by questions of where I worked and when I might be there, a grand opportunity to self-promote)

In FD's guide she made the point that she only dances in formal settings - i.e., cantinas, theatres, etc., and draws a sharp dividing line between her professional approach as a dancer and her other life as a common citizen. I'm sure she's found that to be necessary given her RP approach to Erotic Dancing, and I think it's a very valid addition to her mystique.

Maybe I'm naive (please tell me )... I'm no prude, I flirt with my customers and I wear revealing outfits. I freely embrace the sensual side of my profession and I haven't had too many problems discouraging the droolers. But I also love dancing - I love it so much I'll dance anywhere there's an audience, tips or not. And given the tip money I got last night at the shuttle ports - completely unsolicited - I'm not sure I haven't found another revenue stream

What's your feelings on dancing outside of cantinas? Does it encourage the drooling or have you, like me, found that it's part of your expression of your art form? Maybe more importantly, does it dilute the professionalism that the Dancing profession already seems to lack overall? Or is it nothing more than a good way to promote yourself and add to your fan base?

A saying comes to mind

All the worlds a stage.

If you feel like dancing Dance.

PS - As I sit here wishing for an Edit function, I remembered also that I am not adverse to stopping at player camps as I hunt in the wilderness and offering to dance for them as they heal. I've done this at least a dozen times, and in every case it was very much appreciated by the adventurers, the tips were healthy, and I didn't even take off my clothes

It saved them a trip to town - very important for the adventurer. I make this a regular break in my hunts, now.

I've been dancing while waiting for shuttles or playing music since day 3 of release I think. Its a great way to pass the time in my oppinion and I often get a few tips at the same time. In fact, if all I was concerned about was tips I'd probaly spend all day there instead of cantina's, lol. I think its a great idea as a whole, from my experience people tend to really appreciate a little entertainment while they wait.

I will say this tho, if you have an option between music and dancing I'd go with the music. They seem to enjoy listening to a song while they wait more then watching someone dance in my experience, but that may vary I suppose. Probably depends on what your wearing and what your look like too. But for me the music seems to work best. Either way tho I've found other people waiting appreciate the thought and tend to tip pretty well. So overall if you have to wait for a shuttle I'd say go for it, but I wouldn't just set up shop there and hang out, the tips would go down as the novelty and appreciation went down as they got more use to someone being there.

I think its a great way to promote. You might even toss in an unsolicited line maybe just once just before the shuttle comes suggesting there's much more to see at the cantina.

I know you are talking abot dancing, but as a musician I feel this applies to me as well. I just became a Master Entertainer, and as such I have access to my mandoviol (guitar) and I must say.. I LOVE THIS THING! I have never had so much fun with any other instrument up to this point. I find myself as a player constantly humming along to the tunes I'm playing in-game (what can I say? I love music).

During a shuttle wait or any other times when I have free time, you better believe I break out my instrument and start jamming. (Starwars1 sounds amazing on the mandoviol) As far as my RP reason, my character is a musician. It is his life. He doesn't see it as work, he sees performing as something he likes to do and has fun, so he has no problem just playing anywhere theres room. I guess it helps that he's a bit of a laid-back guy too, kind of goes with the flow.

Sskar :~Þ

P.S. Now that I think of it, my character is a lot like me. lol

I originally picked up Dance to be helpful in my group's camp. Our medic is a musician, so after a hunting mission spree, we bust out a camp, have music and dance to help heal.

Just the other night while waiting for a friend, Orileous (the medic) and I started to play and dance at the southern edge of Coronet. We didn't get any tips and not too many watchers, but we still had fun and got a few side points. Granted, I was wearing my armor and was armed, but it still looked good *heh*.

I love playing music or dancing while waiting for shuttles It seems to always be appreciated by the others waiting around.

I dance wherever I please and whenever I please.

I always let people know that I can't heal their BF outside of a camp/cantina/theatre/player house, but they don't mind. It helps them pass the time as well. Dancing doesn't have to be a job like the way Flawed Diamond proposes it (but in her case its very necessary for the distinction) it can also be a great pastime and why not share the pastime with others?

When you gotta dance, you gotta dance!

Very few of us are in FD's position of being a kind of "celebrity" who needs to draw a line between personal and professional lives. I've no qualms about pulling out a horn and tooting away while I wait for a shuttle. People enjoy the diversion even if they aren't getting healed by it.

If you want to dance, then go for it!

I dance while waiting for shuttles (and pretty much everywhere else) as an RP thing. Lilin is dedicated to his craft and he keeps his body in tune by practicing constantly. He's even taken up the martial arts of late in neverending pursuit of physical focus and perfection.

People DO enjoy having something to do other than sit and stare at the shuttle stop too... =)

You name it, I'll dance there. I'm a flittery little guy, I can't sit still. Waiting for a shuttle, I'll either burst into dance or pull out an instrument and begin to play. If a friend makes a camp, I'll dance. If one if my friends is talking with someone and I'm standing there, I'll dance. Waiting in the medcenter to heal someone, get healed, or watch a friend get healed? Dance. That's what I do.

As for dancing in armor...if need be, I'll do it. As for dancing while ARMED....I've been considering doing that actually. Give the hecklers something to think about before giving us dancers grief.

i also dance while waiting for shuttles. i find it helps pass the time and the people also waiting enjoy it.

And if there are other performers around sometimes we even group up.