I went to a workshop and we were told no negativity about age, size etc which is great but I do need to voice a few worries, well, one, which is that I'm 43 and even though people are constantly telling me I look much younger I am wondering if its too old to be starting in burlesque if I want to perform? I'm not thinking of becoming a star but I don't want to make a fool of myself either. I have small children and I'm a single parent so this may be a way of bringing in a little extra. I have performed as a belly dancer for 9 years but I'm not getting a lot of gigs now, its just not as popular.
Also if I do get into performing should I,as I've been reading, not expect much money or does this lower clients expectations which is something I found with belly dance. If you do something for free or cheaply then they won't pay you a decent amount the following year even though yuou have more experience and spent more on costumes, training etc. Also...other dancers get annoyed if you charge less than them, so you are expected to keep to the accepted rates for the area. Anyway, the more people pay, the better they treat you!
I'm not just dancing, whatever style, for money, I'm quite shy in 'real life' and this is a time for me to be someone else doing something I love and then get told how much they enjoyed it by the people who just watched me
Oh, the other thing is where do you get work? There are no clubs here so maybe I should go for hen nights, stag nights, private parties? Any other ideas?

Do a myspace page! That's great for generating work and no! You are never too old! To me it sounds like you have plenty of belly dancing that you can incorporate into acts which would be amazing! If you want to do it don't let age hold you back! xxxxxx

Hmmm, pay scales - I think someone should draw up a payscale for burlesque performing - or issue some guidelines!

Experience - just because someone has been doing something for years, does not mean they are any good. I used this line, with a steely glint in my eye, when I was climbing the career ladder (not burlesque).

Age - now that can be very deceptive! Some people look younger than their years, others look older.

Hen & Stag nights - I would hope that only a certain type of 'clientele' would request a burlesque performer - so, why not?

There was one of those faking it programmes on the telly quite a while ago and Immodesty got a lady of a similar age with no experience and more body issues than you to perform and they didn't guess it was her. Don't worry, I don't think you can be too old either!

x

Thankyou for the supportive words, I feel better now and I'll start advertising more. I have a myspace page, must get some decent pics though.

Ah yes, won't get into that one too much. Its about talent. I get a lot of good feedback about my dancing from those who know so I'm not too worried about that. I don't know if I'll be good at burlesque but the more I do the more I like it!
Its surprising there are no accepted rates of pay for burlesque but I suppose you can base it on other entertainers rates. Maybe add a bit if your taking more off.