About Go-Go Dancers

The word go-go dancer evokes an image of women in mod outfits dancing in cages. It comes from the French "a gogo," which means abundance. Go-go dancing is as popular as ever today, through the nightclub, casino and rave scene where promoters hire dancers to entertain the crowds.

History

The profession of go-go dancing emerged in the 1960s at the LA club Whisky a Go Go, which featured cages suspended from the ceilings where women in miniskirts would perform. Taking their lead from the Whisky a Go Go, other clubs began to employ go-go dancers throughout the U.S., but also in Tokyo. By the 1970s, however, the trend had died down until the late '70s when the popular New York hot spot Xenon brought in go-go boxes for amateur dancers, creating a renewed interest in go-go dancing.

Function

The job of the professional go-go dancer is to entertain the night club or casino patrons. The dancers perform on podiums, in lavish but scantily clad costumes. Go-go dancers should not be confused with strippers. Legitimate night clubs featuring go-go dancers do not ask their dancers to remove their clothes. Go-go dancers are there to liven up the club, and some are even performance artists, dressed in costumes and performing with animals such as snakes.

Benefits

Night club promoters like to feature go-go dancers in their establishments as a way of bringing in patrons. The go-go dancers entertain and help create a vibe inside the night club.
Go-go dancing provides two benefits. The pay, depending on the establishment, can range from $50 to $150 a night, not including tips. The environment can be very appealing to young women, particularly outgoing women, who get to be at a club they enjoy while getting paid.

Misconceptions

Go-go dancing may seem like long hours but, according to Zhantra Entertainment, a go-go dancer company in Miami, most dancers will dance for 15 minutes at a time, and then take a half-hour break. Most nights, dancers won't dance for more than an hour. Zhantra also reports that their go-go dancers are harassed more often by female patrons than males.

Considerations

Despite the apparent appeal of go-go dancing, getting paid for minimal work in an enjoyable environment, there is a seedy side that dancers have to watch out for. Some strip clubs will place ads looking for go-go dancers when in actuality they are looking for strippers. Rather than answer ads, it is usually better to contact night club promoters directly for information about auditions or consider being represented by an agency that specializes in go-go dancers.