Hi All

Apologies in advance for the long topic but i need some help.

I am in the process of setting up a series of regular Burlesque Events in Manchester, looking to launch in September. In addition i may have my first event in an Art Gallery very soon. I can release details nearer the time, however i have some important pre-work to do:

1. What is the typical artist contract i should be asking for/providing? Are most artist's Equity or not?

2. I know that cost varies from act to act but what on average can i expect to pay and does cost include expenses?

3. Is there an insurance policy i need to look at providing or do artists provide their own (i'm thinking of accidental damage etc in light of post on £350 loss)

4. Are there any interested Northern acts that would be happy to perform - i would need to see show reels.

5. Is there anything i need to know?

I think this is enough to start with.

All help will be greatly appreciated

Vicious Kitten x

Hi Kitten

I'd recommend you use the minutes from the first general meeting to base your contract on.

I'd also recommend that you choose and book your main entertainers through MoB as we can vouch for their aptitide and attitudes.

Check out the showreels bit.

x

__________________
Kittie Klaw - The Ministry Of Burlesque
"Together We CanCan".

Find out more at.
www.kittieklaw.com
www.ministryofburlesque.com

Hi Kittie

Thanks for the tip - i have trawled through the site and either i'm missing it but i can't find the notes from the first general meeting - do you or James have the link?

VK x

Hi VK

Boswall and I live a short Jaunt down the A6 in Bakewell so I am very exited by the idea of a Manchester Burlesque. Please Keep me informed at james@beautyinbedlam.co.uk

Would love to give some advice or offer ourselves as performers but we have just organised our first show and we used amateurs (we didn't have to pay them) went well tho but we are about to have a development period to create sellable acts. As for insurance you will probably need public liability cover. The acts should have there own too, Not totally sure how it works as the organizer but look into it. Fire brings a whole load of new insurance issues too.

My additional advice would be, make sure you have a good techie to handle lighting and sound. It's amazing how something slightly wrong with these can maar an audiences enjoyment.

Feel free to drop me or Boswall a line as we know some good performers around the sheffield area, just let us know what you are looking for.

Good luck

__________________
I do not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Not so sure about the wording of the latter part of this JP.
In some cases the Venue's Public Liability Insurance would be enough, sometimes the organizer has to sort insurance and some performers have their own cover (eg anyone in Equity is covered up to £5m) but many dont.
I should point out that it isn't a legal requirement to be covered for absolutey everything - However, you run the risk and some venue's wont let you in without it.
The main thing to do is to find out who has what cover. Ideally the venue should be covered for general trips and falls. Its usually you and the performer's responsibility if someone gets injured by a part of the show (fire/flying knicker elastic) the venue may well try to "pass the buck" if such a claim was made.

Disclaimer - this is based on my experience as a circus skills performer. It may be different as there isn't as much risk of injury to public in burlesque and I haven't organised anything in a club yet.

I tried being onstage AND being techie in our last show. :WALLBASH: The stress was so much that I attempted to open a door with my head and bled all over the backstage area. :BLACKEYE:

PS - Regular Burlesque nights in Manchester? Yes Please!

__________________
Boswall Park xx
"All this talk of Pasties and I'm hungry"
www.beautyinbedlam.co.uk
www.glaikitcircus.co.uk
www.myspace.com/mathrose

click here!

For a link to the minutes

x

__________________
Kittie Klaw - The Ministry Of Burlesque
"Together We CanCan".

Find out more at.
www.kittieklaw.com
www.ministryofburlesque.com

Hi sounds good let us know the date
x

__________________
Diva Hollywood - http://www.myspace.com/divahollywood

from a performers point of view .

1 - equity has a good basic contract which is fine to use.

2 - local unknown performers free - £50 inc travel
- local known performers - £50 - £100 inc travel
- very well known headline performers - £200 - £400
depending on number of acts and distance to travel.
this does not usualy include travel or accom.
normaly organiser books hotel and train or gives petrol money.

3 - i'm not sure but i think usualy the venue and the performers are responsible for the insurance.
i have equity public liability and i also have special fire insurance from country mutual.
if performers are insured it shows a degree of proffessionalism.

4 - sorry i am london based , but would be happy to travel
my showreel is here in the video section.

5 - i'm sure there is a ton of stuff you need to know
a lot of it is in the minutes of the burlesque meeting.

why don't you come down to the next social meeting and talk to kittie and all of us. it would be great to meet you.

please keep us updated on your progress.
a fab new place to perform is always appreciated.

regards
redsarah

__________________
Winner "Best Female Performer 2007" MOB Awards
Mistress of Make Believe
Veteran of Circus and British Burlesque
http://www.redsarah.com
http://www.myspace.com/cherrybombola