Most performers and entertainers have a special bag containing all of them little must haves that help to make the show run smoothly. The same goes for belly dancers. Mine has everything I need so whenever there is an emergency or I have to rush off inbetween sets I am confident in knowing I will be prepared. This is beneficial and destress me.
It's really important to be prepared because if you are not the chances are the worst mishaps may happen. For instance a when I started Performing at restaurants my CDs would play up or decide not to work at all ending in a total improvised Dance set which is ideal for us Belly dancers however dancing to off the wall rave music with pauses and beats you didn't know where there are not good for any kund of dancer or performer. These days I am alot more prepared. Preparation equals professionalism. Whenever I get chatting to my Dance friends the mishap discussion comes up and to quote us all saying thank God I went prepared. Anyway enough of me babbleing on....Here's what I have in my gig bag. Feel free to share yours.
The Duffle Bag On Wheels
I bought this from eBay for around £12. It has 4 outer pockets. Shoulder strap, 3 Hand straps, A pully handle. I take this bag when I have to change at the venue.
This fits everything in it. Costume, x2 pairs of shoes, Makeup bag, Costume cover up, Veil....everything!
Shoes
I always keep two pairs of shoes in my gig bag. A professional pair of ballroom heels (not cheap but last forever and beneficial of dancers feet) and a pair of soft Belly Dance shoes.
Most of the time I try to keep authentic and Dance bare foot but from experience most of the places I get to Dance at are evening venues that serve alcahol and have a Dance floor. Meaning there will be more than likely glass and other sorts on the floor.
You don't want to step on glass or slip on wet surfaces. Better safe than sorry. What's a dancer without the use of her feet. Be wise. Keep your shoes quite nude in colour so they don't clash with costume colours.
The Costume
Whatever costume I decide to wear I always lay it out the night before and check to see if it needs pressing the next day. I always put it in a separate bag to protect it. The bags I use are see through thick polythene bedding bags with air vents, Citton handles and a zip. I bought online. They where £10 for three.
The Belly Stocking Cover
No matter where I am Dancing I always take a Belly Stocking with me. Sometimes I prefer to cover my skin in certain situations where male restaurant customers can get roudy and try to touch my skin in a sexual way. Some of my clients are religious and prefer a Belly cover.
I also have a fabulous tattoo in my stomache that I cover with sashes or a belly stocking because I personally dont like to see tattoos on other dancers or myself when I am in costume. Belly cover are also great pull ins, like a Basque only alot more comfortable. If you are hormonal and bloated, Recently had a baby, Have had a skin breakout or want to hide stretchmarks and Scars belly covers are great!
Spare Emergency Jewellery
Two basic sets of earnings, Necklaces and bangles in both gold and silver. Just incase you forget to put them on at home or you accidentally break somthing. Nothing worse than a bare Belly dancer.
Bag Organiser
This is great and only cost £2 with free post from China (EBay).
It has lots of little pockets and three main compartments. I keep Makeup in the centre, Toiletries in the front and bits and bobs in the back. I then place it into the vanity case below.
The Vanity Case
This handy little bag Fits toiletries, Makeup & all sorts of bits and bobs in and has a mirror. I will explain further in this blog. It has a hand strap and a shoulder strap. If I am asked to turn up to a gig in costume I just take this along with me and ditch the duffle bag.
Costume Cover Up
Must have for Gigs. Wether you turn up in costume or get changed at the venue it's not only great to hide you lovely costume but it also covers your modesty. I roll this up and put it into my duffle bag on wheels if I am to get changed at the venue or I just out it on over my costume if I turn up in costume.
Toiletries
Goes without saying but even a dancer without any makeup is better than a smelly one. I am a little OCD on personal hygiene and professional appearance. It's important to make an effort. I always take along lady products (tampons ect) a spare pair of clean underwear - Sounds crazy....it is. It is not unusual to hear stories of knickerless Belly dancers, at least if for some very strange reason you leave the house without any pants on at least you'll have a second chance to throw your spare ones on. A small pot of talc, A small hand towel or face flannel, Deodrant\antipersprant, Perfume or nice body spray, Chewing gum or breath spray, a small pack of tissues, A small pack of travel baby wipes, A couple of plasters, A travel size body lotion, A small pot of hair product.
Makeup
If I am going to be Dancing close to people I apply a generous amount of classy make-up but avoid falsh lashes etc. If I am on a stage I will plaster myself in makeup and have the biggest lashes. Usually I'll apply my make-up at home and touch it up at the venue if my partner is driving me however If I have to travel by bus or train I will apply my usual day makeup and apply performance makeup at the venue. The products I take with me are great because most have multiple use.
Face - 2 in 1 Concealer & foundation, A good translucent powder, A good bronzer, a small pot of my usual foundation, a high lighter.
Cheeks - Pink\Coral cascading blusher ( each colour is perfect for a spectrum of lip colours. A trio of dark eye colours, I use a mid brown to contour my cheekbones, Chin and forhead.
Eye Brows - A trio of dark eye colours ( the same as the one I use for contour) brow gel, Tweezers if needed.
Eyes - A trio of dark eye colours ( same as the one I use for btows and contouring) Highlighting shadow, black liquid eyeliner, Black Glitter liquid eyeliner, Black khol eyeliner, Black mascara, Chubb colours eyeliners in various colours.
Lips - Chocolate brown lipliner, Coral, pink, Bright Red, Plum, Wine lip chubbs Matt liners or lipsticks and a good lip gloss.
Brushes & applicators - Large powder brush, Large blusher brush, a small blusher brush, A sponge shadow applicator, A good blending brush, A sponge.
Face Jewels & Bindis
Great to add dramatic bling. You can reuse them if you have a good eyelash glue. I use duo. It is white but fries clear and lasts. A big makeup must have.
Bits & Bobs
I have essential bits and bobs even if I don't end up using them I can assure some one will.
Safety pins, A mini sewing kit, strong hook and eyes, Nappy pin, natural nail varnish, Natural Glitter nail varnish, A nail file, a pair of small scissors, hair clips, bobbles , hair clamps,a comb, Ear plugs (after being behind a Samba band in a Parade) Pain killers, Anti histamine, Dioreer tablets, Antacids, Stress relieving tablets (herbal) mini Tweezers, A disposable razor. A jack adapter ( one small to big, one big to small)
Refreshments
I always take a small bottle of water and a banana, Salted almond nuts, Yoghurt or cereal bars depending on what I have in my kitchen at the time. I avoid chocolate bars because they are false energy and Unhealthy leaving me with the shakes and lightheadedness ....not good for a dancer. Health is priority.
Music
I keep my CDs in a small inexpensive ring binder plastic wallet CD folder. Whenever I want to give a CD to a DJ or Restaurant manager I just remove whichever plastic folder and give it over. This is alit easier than having separates. I also have an mp3 player with several wires and jacks. I take my small Bluetooth speaker (also has an input for a wire) which is loud enough to fill a medium size room, great for hen parties. I take a spare plug and adapter just in case. All the wires are kept in a resealable freezer bag to protect from moisture etc.
Props
Usually I dancer with silk (veil\ fans) and zills.
Silk veils are rolled up and places into the duffle bag. If I am wearing my costume to the gig I will fold it and place it in a protective bag. I also have a long Isis Wings shoulder bag which I place cane sword and wings into. Zills are kept in a small organza bag. Trays are kept in a hat bag.
Paper Work
I always take a book to read and place my buisness cards, flyers and invoice/receipts in the centre of it. Thanks s protects them.
It All Fits In Comfortably
As you can see by the image it all fits in comfortabley and there is a little more space to fit extra things in around the sides
I put toiletries, makeup, Banana,Speaker, Book and bits and bobs into the organiser. The organiser fits into the travel vanity case. The case fits into the centre of the duffle bag. Then the ballroom shoes and costume cover sit on one side next to the vanity case and the water sits in the opposite side. The costume and veil are inside the polythene bag which sits on top of the vanity case ready to be zipped. Inside the four pockets are the soft flat belly dancing shoes, The CDs, Mp3 player and wires and there's space for keys, notebook purse and phone. All ready to roll!
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