www.BellevillePride.com
by: Musica Malone
on behalf of: MetroEast NEWS
Entertainers' Talent Demands Fair Compensation
January 6, 2011
(ST. LOUIS)
In a recent and timely statement, veteran entertainer Musica Malone expressed feeling often felt, but not often verbalized. In fact the issue has been around for many years, and while it has largely been accepted or at least tolerated as the "standard practice" of bar owners & show venues, it has become a issue of awareness today.
Ms. Malone explains:
"The day of bars paying title holding queens, $25 a booking is coming to an end. It is time to know you are taking advantage of people who bring drinking customers into your establishments.
Now to be fair, not all venues fall into this category, in fact one owner in particular (Nancy Novak) has a reputation for going above and beyond the issues brought forth here.
Trust, I'm not the only entertainer who feels that way. Remember that make-up, costumes, and wigs are EXPENSIVE!
If this does not apply to you as a bar, then disregard please, if it does, then get with the program."
The statement obviously struck a chord with many in our community, with more than 20 people who also had support for the statement. Malone expands on the comment, and offers a plan of action which includes solidarity for those who work in the industry and at venues who insist on counting performance "tips" as a base of income.
"It takes everyone who is an entertainer to have enough respect for themselves and our art form, to put a stop to it. But that can only happen if we all stand together.
Our tips are our tips.....a good performance gets a good tip....just like a good drink and good service gets a bartender or a server a tip. Every drink or food item on a menu has a price and that price must be paid in order to get it.
The tip has no relation to the cost of the item or in this case...performer. The tip is a reflection of the entertainer and their ability to get you to pry a tip out of your wallet or purse. At cost...we as queens that respect our art form and do it right....spend approx. 40 bucks per show. So we are already 15 dollars in the red when we accept a 25 dollar booking."
Ms. Malone hopes to bring awareness within our community of the issue, so that owners and venue managers can begin to make some progress in this area. As consumers and supporters of male and female impersonation, we should be just as aware of our money, as we are our host sites. By making our bar owners know that we are aware of the issue, will perhaps make them more cognizant to the compensation package for entertainers.
Comments may be made to: editor@bellevillepride.com
OR directly to Musica Malone
Or join our discussion at: BellevillePride~ MetroEast News
