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Thread: Dancer Licenses

  1. #1
    Veteran Member Jayln's Avatar
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    Default Dancer Licenses

    I just started dancing this week in the Detroit area and found out that to work at the clubs I need a license. I've talked to a few girls and they told me that it stays on your record for a minimum of seven years. The same dancer told me that she has been rejected from jobs because background checks have shown that she was a stripper. I am only dancing while I am in college, so I am really worried that dancing will hurt me in the long run if it shows on my record. Does anyone know if you can somehow get around this rule? I know certain clubs in the area have been raided before and girls that didn't have licenses have been arrested. Scary. Licenses are really expensive ($300) and the fact that they stay on record worries me. Has anyone had experience with licenses??
    For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will long to return.

  2. #2
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    I had to apply for 2 while working different clubs. Yes, it's a paper trail that can follow you. I made the choice not to worry, and got a job at a major hospital while stripping anyway. (They know what i do).
    Thats about all i can say about the matter, i have had no problems, and don't anticipate any. Some dancers will give a long drawn out story about applying for a license, and may have had some problems. It's enough to scare any "want to be dancer away". But i said screw it , it's my life and decision. Pamela

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Just because you have a license, it doesn't mean you actually used it. My club jsut required an independent business privledge license, which is great because it's something all IC's need, not just dancers. This is in Philadelphia, BTW.

    Some clubs will let you work without a license, and yes, you risk getting in trouble for it. So you just have to consider the biggest risk and if both aren't an option, I guess dancing (at least in Detroit) isn't for you.

    One alternative is to pay for school after you get out. Pay your loans off with dancing....that's what I'm doing. it wasn't practical to dance while I was in college, but now that I'm out, I'm paying off my loans and credit cards that I lived with my weekend job.

  4. #4
    Veteran Member Jayln's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Pamela~ That makes me feel better hearing that the hospital you work at doesn't have a problem with your dancing. They must have an informed administration. I guess I feel as you do in the respect that although I have only been dancing for a week, I love the job so far. I don't feel any shame about being a dancer and a few of my close friends know about my decision and are supportive. However, I think most people think dancers are trashy or slutty in some way. This is so unfortunate because while getting into this business I have met some of the most intelligent and fascinating people. And contrary to popular stereotypes about strippers, they are smart businesswoman who have lerned a lot about life through their dancing jobs. I wish there was someway to change this perception. But until that time, I will just have to get my license and deal with any backlash that it entails. I loove dancing and don't think other peole's misconceptions are a good reason fo rme to quit.
    For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will long to return.

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    Moderator Djoser's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Do the clubs in Ann Arbor require licenses as well? It's a bit of a drive, but from what I have read, you have serious money-making potential. A thirty or forty minute drive might not be bad if you made several hundred dollars a night. I don't know what the scene is there, I moved away before I got into this, and rarely visit, but it might be worth checking into.

    Emily raised a good point as well, perhaps the license is not "incriminating" if you don't have to reveal exactly what you used it for. If that is the case no need to worry. Just because you are extremely attractive and had at one time an independent contractor's license, they aren't going to assume you were a stripper if you don't tell them.

    What a pain in the ass, though, after you've thought about this for over a year, worked up the courage, got your routine down, and ultimately proven yourself, you have to deal with administrative bullshit and the fear of future repercussions spoiling your fun!

    Well, the worst case scenario is that you know now what you are capable of, and if you get away from Detroit, you'll never have to worry about money! There are plenty of places to dance without these ridiculous restrictions.

    If you want to make a lot of cash during semester breaks you can travel almost anywhere (not Vegas) and have a working vacation doing what you enjoy, and also avoid the burn-out that is the down side of this business. It's not all fun and games!

    One of my all time favorites, Vanessa "The Essence of Sensuality", got sick of the bullshit that pervades the industry in Daytona Beach, works in Miami (dancing to music I gave her, I'm proud to say) whenever she wants, makes a ton of money, and hangs out here when she gets tired of it. She looks better and happier every time I see her.

    Djoser
    You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.
    Friedrich Nietzsche

    Free your mind, and your ass will follow.
    George Clinton

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  6. #6
    Veteran Member Jayln's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Djoser I actually live in Ann Arbor because I am a student at the University of Michigan. I would love to dance here, but unfortunately there are no clubs. I believe Ann Arbor has some sort of ordinance agaisnt adult establishments, which is odd for a cllege town. There aren't even any adult bookstores in the city. The closest club to me is a Deja Vu in Ypsilanti, which is about 15 minutes away. The girls there don't make vey much money because of the clientele. The two best clubs in Detroit are the next closest for me, so it's not the drive that's the problem. I don't know if you are familiar with this club, but The Flight Club is close to me and is the only Detroit club where you don't have to have a license. That is where I want to work, and I think I will go audition. It's extremely upscale and a beautiful club. Unfortunately, The Flight Club is packed full of Barbies, and I'm not sure I would stand out. But no license is needed, and I know girls who regularly walk out of there with more than $1000 a night. It may be worth it. And just a general inquiry, why couldn't I work in Vegas on a vacation?
    For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will long to return.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    You need a license to work in Las Vegas too...well, a sheriff's card

  8. #8
    Featured Member Veronika's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    You do in a lot of places... but I'd rather have the license on my record than an arrest!

    And just as an FYI, I've known a lot of people (a couple of guys too , but they were in SF and I don't know if the guys need any type of licensing there) who stripped in college and who later went on to well paying corporate jobs. I personally would only really worry if I was planning on applying to the CIA or something.
    Currently dancing at the Men's Club of Reno, NV
    under the name of Veronica! I am a 2007 calendar girl for MCR, so message me if you want a calendar!

  9. #9
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Jaylyn, thank you. I told a "so called friend" that i did phone sex, and research into escorting, ( something i still do, but "i" do not escort). Then by chance a transporter at the hospital came into the club i was working one night. He was so unhappy, he has asked me out a few times before and i said no, i had 2 jobs.

    Anyway to make this story short, i was called into Human Resourses. The Administrator then asked me if i was a nude dancer. I told her yes. She then asked me if i worked for an escort service, i said no. She then asked me if i (as she put it, and struggled for the words), i talk dirty to men on the phone. I said yes. I told her i have been dancing since i was 21 living in Lauderdale, (now i'm 32), and doing "phone sex" for close to 5 years straight. (i have been at this hospital for close to almost 7 years now, i am pt, and trained in patient relations, and trauma). Meaning i traveled 3 days a week to work at this hospital. One long drive.

    She then looked at me and asked me if i like my job at the hospital, and i told her very much so. She then said be careful who you tell here because alot of people will turn this place into a soap opera real quick. She smiled, and said anything i do outside hospital property, and not on hospital time, if it is legal has NO impact on my working ability there. I wish all companies would look at us that way.

    I went in there ready to argue, but it never happened, and they found out about my dancing and phone sex a few years ago now. Now if i did get an arrest, that may very well be grounds for termination she said. I was always well aware of the situation.

    Another point people may argue, i am friends with alot of doctors there, and when they ask what my other job is because we can't go out (no time around their scheduel), i tell them i dance at "so and so". That is cool, but if i was handing out my cards on hospital time different story. Pamela

  10. #10
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Pamela, you may again have a unique circumstance because you were hired at the hospital BEFORE they discovered that you were a nude dancer. If you had been applying for a position, the pre-employment investigation may have prevented you from being hired if you were the holder of an exotic dancer's license. Professions involving the law or law enforcement, politics, government, education, medicine, finance and others where you'll be working with other people's children, other people's bodies or other people's money usually investigate prospective employees rather thoroughly these days.

    Of course there are different types of licenses required for dancers. One type is a DANCER's license, which specifically shows that a girl is licensed as an exotic dancer. This type of license turning up in a pre-employment background check can raise eyebrows in personnel departments. But another type of license which dancers may be required to obtain is simply a business license - where there is no specific mention of exotic dancing - and where hot dog vendors, driveway pavers and chimney cleaners are also required to obtain the very same license. If one of this type of general business licenses turns up in a background check it may raise a few questions, but it certainlyu won't raise a big red flag saying this girl is an exotic dancer (and therefore potentially a prostitute, drug addict, thief or whatever other Hollywood Stereotype ideas the personnel director has about dancers).


  11. #11
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Thanks Melonie, but i was working for the "American Red cross" in Lauderdale, and was dancing before i became an Assistant to the Supervisor. And you bet ya, i told them i worked evenings as an exotic dancer. I got the job! I am sure i am not the only one who gets hired being a dancer as well. Some places just want good help. I done a good job for them. I only worked there about 2 years though. I quit and took dancing on full time to finish getting through school. Pamela

  12. #12
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    I knew a dancer a few years ago who told me she got turned down for a job because she had a dancer license.

  13. #13
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Yep bet it happens all the time lover. I have talked to a few ex-dancers years ago who said they got a good job while dancing as well. But more said they were unable to get a job because of dancing, license. I would hope i am not the only one out here that has gotten a job and being a dancer at the same time. Some companies will hire you due to you being qualified for the job, as long as it will not conflict with your "real" job.

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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Jayln,

    Please do not let this steer you away from pursuing what you need to do. I came from corporate wall st., where every interview, even for a temporary 2 month position comes standard with the F.B.I. background check, fingerprinting, credit check, blah,blah,blah. Even through all that you WILL get hired. Believe me every place has its standards, and every place has been known to break its own rules (my favorite term "restructure". ) It CAN be done, don't let fears hold you back.

    Remember when the notion of a single working mother was outrageous and unfathomable in corporate america?

    People can use many excuses for a variety of cases.
    They could say you did not get the job because you were a stripper, or it would be you didn't graduate Ivy League, or do not hold a college degree, don't have enough experience in the field of interest, or how about you weren't in the same graduating class as the rest of the "new"management, or you just plain do not fit in.....it boils down to politics.

    I for one am fearing alot less, and putting more faith in myself. Things changed when the company pension plan required you to start you own retirement plan (outside or the "company" pension...) o.k. so what happened to all the money sucked out of my paycheck on a weekly basis?

    ...and then there was the case of ENRON...enough said.

    There are many jobs out there, go for it girl. You have one up on everyone else, being able to support yourself.
    Bills do not pay themselves off.

    keep your chin up!!!!!

    - Lara

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dancer Licenses

    Lara, I agree completely that being the holder of an exotic dancer's license will not, all by itself, prevent you from being hired - unless the position you're seeking is extremely political. But what it does do is add to the "negative" side of your equation when a prospective employer is deciding to hire you versus hiring someone else. In times like these when there are many many applicants for every open position, the negative contribution of holding a dancer's license may be all it takes to get you kicked off the employer's "short list" of potential candidates. However, in better economic times where employers have have a hard time finding qualified applicants, or in high demand professions like nursing where there is a constant shortage of qualified applicants at the salaries employers are paying, the fact that a girl holds a dancer's license won't be anywhere near as large of a negative factor.

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