We have very few troupe rules in Urban Gypsy and Gypsy Sister. I'd like to keep it that way, since we are all friends and adults. I believe respect for our common goals will lead us in the right direction in most situations. So here are the few rules Z and I believe are worthy of writing down.

1. All dancers are required to attend every practice every time, on time. These are: Mondays from 7:30-8:30 (Gypsy Sister), 8:30-9:00 (Everyone for drills and business) and 9:00-11:00 (Urban Gypsy). We have so little time together, and there is no make up rehearsal, so it is imperative that everyone be there all the time unless otherwise arranged.

2. If you are unable to attend rehearsal for a valid reason please let Z or I know 48 hours in advance via phone or email. Valid reasons include out of town travel, family issues, or working late (on occasion). Anything that could have been done any other time (getting your belly button pierced, finishing something you procrastinated doing, other rehearsals, etc.) do not constitute and excused absence. In case of emergency (illness, etc.) please call us as soon as you are able, as a common courtesy and so that we don't worry about your well being!

3. Any unexcused absence removed a member from "good standing" and disqualifies the dancer from the Dance Workshop Scholarship and may eliminate them from one or more future performances at the discretion of the directors. If excused absences become excessive - ie. attending less than 80% of rehearsals - troupe directors may remove a member from good standing after discussing it directly with them.

4. Leave of Absence. A leave of absence can be requested by a troupe member in extenuating circumstances. The leave is limited to two months, and the member must continue to pay dues to remain in good standing. Upon return to the group, the dancer must arrange private lesson with Sahira or Z to catch up on missed material so as to not slow down the group during practice sessions. The returning member's participation in performances will be decided by the directors and may take several months to resume after their return.

5. Dance Studies. We require that every troupe member study regularly with another dance instructor in ANY form: Egyptian, Flamenco, Bollywood, Jazz - whatever! One of the biggest ways new input flows into the troupe are through those of us who are studying with others and "tribalizing" it for our use! Without this, the troupe could be very stagnant and boring. Please, if you're lost as to where to start your additional studies, ask us - we are full of ideas!

Paying Gigs

How do paying gigs work?
Everyone can and is encouraged to solicit paying gigs for the troupe. If you know someone who is interested in a belly dance performance, pass along our business card and have them call either Sahira or Z to arrange it.

Here are some details that may help you promote us:
Urban Gypsy can perform with anywhere from 1 to 13 dancers!
Costuming and music can be: Tribal, Spanish, Indian, Gahwazee, or Urban in flair.
Urban Gypsy can perform with zills, veils, sword, or fire.
A dance lesson can be included in the performance.
Music and shows are custom made for the event.
Show prices average $175 per dancer for a 20 minute show. Discounts can be given for hiring more than one dancer.

Once a gig has been booked, contracts, deposits and final payment go through the Urban Gypsy troupe bank account. 10% of the total stays in the troupe account, 10% goes to the finder/organizer, and the remainder is divided equally amongst the dancers.

Troupe Dues

What are the troupe dues for?
Troupe Scholarships - $100 per year to each eligible member in good standing for tribal workshop expenses.
Helping pay for troupe trips
Subsidizing troupe purchases - ex: 30% of the Gahwazee coats
Promo Costs - ex: UG cards and post cards - printing etc.
Music Allowance - Each year each troupe member can buy 2 dance music cd's and the troupe will reimburse.
Promo items such as t-shirts and buttons
Also, gigs we do like 19th street last December - where the fee paid is small per dancer. We put that $$ into the fund, rather than give each dancer $16.66 for the show.
What do all these thing have in common? They all potentially benefit the troupe as a whole.

Urban Gypsy Tribal Dance Workshop Scholarship

Hello Gypsies! After all the hubbub the recent Rachel Brice workshop created, I've been brainstorming ways to encourage you all to attend more workshops like hers. There is a lot of flavor, variety, and wonderfulness out there in the tribal world, and the more exposure we have to different tribes and styles will only make us stronger and better-versed as a troupe. I also realize we are a bit tribally isolated out there in Texas, and many of the big tribal events happen in other states and that workshop costs plus travel and room and board add up pretty quickly.

SO! I would like to announce the Urban Gypsy Tribal Dance Workshop Scholarship! Each year Urban Gypsy and Gypsy Sisters dancers in good standing will receive a $100 scholarship to be used on a tribal workshop of her choice. Tribal Fest, Rakassah, Tribal Quest, Spirit of the Tribes, etc. are all great choices! I know for everyone, money - and not the desire to learn - is often the limiting factor in with who, where, and how often we study - so I think this would be a fabulous way to begin to put the troupe dues to work!

Here are the requirements to be eligible for the scholarship:

1. Dancer must be a member of Urban Gypsy or Gypsy Sisters for at least four continuous months.

2. Dancer must be in "good standing" meaning: fully participating in all rehearsals, paid up on troupe dues, and for Urban Gypsy members, participating in a number of performances as well.

3. The money awarded must be used in a tribal dance workshop or any workshop with a large tribal dance offering.

4. Each person using the money to travel and study will have to pass on their newly found tribal knowledge at a rehearsal when they return!