- What is it that you do?
I’m an Oriental (AKA=”Belly”) Dancer, Instructor, and Director of Emerald Coast Belly Dance, which is a school, a performance group, an event host, and a community of collaborative artists and entertainers. I offer classes and performers for hire.
- Where are you located?
Pensacola, Florida, USA
- What got you interested in starting out in this business?
I simply love to dance and always have, as far back as I can remember. I knew I wanted to work professionally at 15. I enjoyed an amazing dance career as a Jazz dancer in Las Vegas production shows and Musical Theatre. After a major knee injury took me offstage and I had completed my post-surgery rehabilitation, I accidentally found Oriental Dance at an Aladdin Hotel & Casino audition. I thought the job would be character work but was told we would be cast in a troupe of dancers called The Gems, and we were to learn Belly Dance by attending classes and learning from an Oriental Dance Teacher on the job at rehearsals. That was how I crossed over from Jazz and Ballet to Oriental Dance and have been in love with it ever since. Naturally, my obsession with this ancient dance art led to performing in restaurants, weddings, special events, and shows.
- What was your local faire or home faire?
Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire & Pirate Festival in Milton, Florida.
- What advice do you have to give to others that are just starting out in this business? Or how to stay in this business?
For the Ren Faire Business, my advice is to do a ton of research to find out what the standard rate pay scale is for your country and region. For the US, it seems to be vastly different from the Special Event Standard, so quote accordingly. The dancers most successful in Ren Faires are those who live in the same area as the Faire location, OR they are full-time Rennies who live in an RV/Camper. Full-time Dancer Rennies with an RV who have their own band/live music have the greatest chance of success in this business. Ren Faires want to hire entertainers with following, so if you don’t have one yet, submit videos of your act performing for live audiences (even if it’s friends and family; whatever, create it!) so your potential employers can see how you interact with an audience. As with any gig, make sure you get a contract with everything in writing, and don’t be afraid to negotiate.
- Why Renaissance Faires or theme? What is it that made you so interested in this period?
I’ve been interested in all things Medieval and Renaissance since I was a teen. I think the allure is the rich tapestry of art and culture of these historical eras. I can’t help but be captivated with a sense of adventure and romanticism especially with the Medieval period, with its knights, castles, and chivalry. I remember designing costumes for Camelot the musical for my Costuming Class in college, and Excalibur (1981) is my all-time favorite movie. I love the Arthurian Legends!
- What makes your act unique or different/what makes you stand out?
Well, firstly, I’ve only ever been hired as a soloist for my local Ren Faire, so that makes me different right off the bat because the other dance acts are groups. (I do know some other fabulous dancers and amazing musicians that I would love to collaborate with for a Ren Faire gig, and that would totally set us apart from anyone else in my area because currently, no one is performing with a complete music ensemble. So, if there are any Faire Producers with budgets out there looking to stand out with their entertainment, hit me up!) Speaking of music, I think my show differs because I exclusively use simple, unsynthesized, organic-sounding music that resonates with the Medieval and Renaissance period. I’ve developed a backstory for my Ren Faire Dancer character. This narrative serves as the foundation for the show, influencing everything from the choreography and improvisations to the choice of music and costumes. Regarding costuming, I ensure that my attire seamlessly corresponds with my character’s backstory, which enhances the overall visual appeal of the performance and adds an extra layer of depth to the storytelling. So, I think my dance show sets reflect the cohesive narrative, which is different from those who seem to adopt a uniform, modern-type presentation for every show. I think this creates an immersive and engaging experience for the audience. In summary, my act stands out for its soloist approach, simple music, narrative-driven dancing, and carefully curated costuming.
- What is your go to for food at faire?
Turkey Leg and Meade!
- What’s your idea for the future of faires?
Permanent, year-round faires with permanent structures and all performers and vendors working full-time!
- Plug your website or fan page here (or both)
Website: www.emeraldcoastbellydance.com http:///www.emeraldcoastbellydance.com
Facebook: Emerald Coast Belly Dance https://www.facebook.com/ginaraqs
Instagram: @ecbellydance https://www.instagram.com/ecbellydance/
YouTube: Emerald Coast Belly Dance (@emeraldcoastbellydancehttps://www.youtube.com/@emeraldcoastbellydance
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