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Thread: Features vs. Strippers

  1. #1
    Featured Member TiNi's Avatar
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    Default Features vs. Strippers

    I never work at a club that had features. But I seen alot of features being on the net and watching TV. I auditioning at a club that have features coming in weekly I think.

    I know in some clubs features go on stage and perform for 3 times.
    Questions: What features only do stage perform or do they also give lap dances? Do features hurt the girls that work in the clubs? What do the others do when they they perform? Sit and watch or continue to work.
    Also is it true that features make way more money at the club than the house dancers. :-/

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    from my own experience on "both sides of the dressing room" ...

    it is usually the clubs and not the features which determine whether the feature is allowed to do private dances, champagne room trips etc. When features are allowed to do this, they are almost always required by the club to charge substantially more than the prices for house dancers (like double) and to also split it with the club.

    Whether or not features "hurt" the house dancers is a matter for discussion. I would contend that while a feature is performing the house girls do get hurt, but once the feature has left the house dancers benefit from the new customers who would not have come to the club if not "lured there" in the first place by the feature's appearance. It also matters whether the club brings in a feature once a month versus every week. In the once a month environment the new customers continue to benefit the house girls for the next 3 weeks, whereas with the weekly scenario there is a different feature in the club virtually every day of every week proividing a constant "distraction" by features. Most house dancers tend to shortsightedly view features as a negative influence on their earnings, without stopping to think that features, and not themselves, draw new customers into the club which the house dancers continue to benefit from.

    Again it's up to the club, but in general the actual feature's stage performance tends to put a damper on house dancers' income producing activities because the club has the DJ bring everything else to a stop to pay attention to the feature on stage. However, this usually only amounts to 20 minutes out of every three hours. For the 2hrs and 40 minutes between shows the house girls get to work on the customers, including the extra customers who have come to see the feature!

    About feature income levels, it depends on what you count as income. Yes, features are paid a fee to appear at the club. But features also have to usually cover their travel and accomodation expenses out of their own pocket. Yes features charge more for private dances IF they are allowed to do them, but they have to split this with the club. Features are also usually allowed to sell merchandise (i.e. their video tapes, polaroids taken with customers etc) but they must also split this income with the club. Given current economic conditions, I wind up turning down some feature offers because today's feature fees + club earnings potential, minus travel and hotel expenses and split payouts to the club just aren't worth the time away from "home".

    If the truth were known, the vast majority of some features' earnings don't come from the club at all - they come from the between stage performance and after hours "private shows" which they can independently arrange with fans that live in the city they are featuring in - see if you don't know what I mean, and hit the tab for "schedule" - you'll see that many girls's feature tour cities and dates coincide with the schedule on this site for "private show" appointments. Since I won't do these sort of one on one up close and personal "private shows" with my fans, this income source doesn't factor into my equation.

  3. #3
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    Hi TiNi,
    i do only stage dancing, so i have to do features to make better money. I do features at three different clubs, from time to time. For me doing a feature show takes the pressure off of me having to hustle the crowd on the floor. My one fav. is my new paint on latex that dries and looks real, so when i go on stage i do my thing and start peeling (it stretches also,) off my latex. Down to my g-string, slowly and dancing to the song "i touch mysef." Wigs, clip on extensions, name it!!
    I also am into 3DX body stage shows under a black light that is fantastic, light colours are a must for the lighting then. I admit i have taken gag bals and a few dildos on a stage show. Different, but then they start yelling "put it in!" so i will mouth it for them, or rub myself with the dildo. Some stage dancing i do can get pretty raunchy. But i have to compete with ladies that will do contact. I have lots of cool tricks i drum up. My evil woman show in a red devil suit goes over great. I am trying very hard to get my burmese python into a stage show with me. So far to no avail. I do one stage show at a time. I need to change for another, the stage wil be taken by another dancer, so it gives me plenty of time to put hair different, ect. As far as making more money as a feature dancer, i don't know what other girls make. And some ladies will stop and watch, others keep on working. Depends on the person, you are not required to stop your job. I love the attention of the men, so iask the dj to up the music and down the floor lighting a bit. I like it. For me it's not hard. And you have the control over your act. No pressure of the hustling. Ps, there are so many ways to introduce different and great stage shows. I will not do a two girl lesbian act. I do not like sharing the stage.
    Pamela Ps excellent piont Melonie, i do features when asked at the clubs i work. Saves the club money, and i get to be who i want doing a feature! Major fantasy. Yes for me the money is at a comfort level.

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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    Pamela, Maybe you have addressed this before, but why do you only do features? Does that mean you only dance on stage and you never do lap dances? I have never known someone to do that before. Do you travel from club to club or do you work at mainly one club? Do the girls ever give you crap for not doing lapdances?

    And if you ever want to throw in a twist to your "I touch myself" routine...check out the Genitorturers version. When I do an aggressive dance that is really good.

    MissB

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    Veteran Member Theresa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    I used to work at a club that had features every so often, the most famous of which was the porn star, Houston. When she came the place was PACKED like I had never seen it before, but most of the guys just wanted to watch her show and then leave. Houston was a little late in starting her show so the house dancers were doing stage shows until she was ready. The guys were getting anxious and barely tipped at all...girls were making less than $10 per 3 song set. After doing her show, she just hung around the bar for a bit. I dont think she was too worried about doing dances b/c she made so much just to show up. Most girls watched her show while she performed. I don't work at that club anymore, but supposedly Jenna Jameson will be featuring there soon. But they said that when I worked there and it never happened. When I asked the manager why he said that Jenna is unreliable and even if she doesn't show up you still have to pay her.

    I only saw a couple other features while I worked there but they were not nearly as well known as Houston and the customer traffic was the same as any other night.

    On another note, a girl from that club who I was friends with was going to try featuring in Toronto. Now, she was a BEAUTIFUL girl, but she wasn't a very good dancer and had no feature training whatsoever. She didn't even know how to do any pole work. For her sets, she did something any dancer could do. Like, she wore a school girl outfit and played Britney Spears songs. She had a one week contract with the club and I went with her to help her out, and also make some extra money while I was up there. Anyway, her shows sucked, I even heard the house girls talking while she was on stage, saying she was pretty but sucked as a feature. Anyway, she only lasted one day, and that night she decided she didn't like it, so instead of going to the hotel we drove back to Buffalo. And that was the end of her featuring career.

  6. #6
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    Hi MissBehavin,
    Yes, i only do stage and features. I currently work for 3 different clubs. One IS nude. (yes i have gone nude, don't care too much for it, but one club requires it.) When i first started out dancing, i got dragged in by some friends pretty much. The club was very upscale, and at the time i was doing catalog modeling, mainly for swimming pool companies. Yea lots of money in that...duh. I have researched dancing, and knew a few dancers. So....i got hired and did my first lap. Well the guy was trying very hard to stick his fingers inside me. I complained, he was history for me. I have never done another Lap dance after that. So i stayed, and was allowed to be a stage dancer. I learned many tricks, poles, clothing, like i mentioned dildos, (cucumbers, yes,) ect. Alot of toys i have introduced on stage. It is not required i do lap dances. In any of the clubs. All 3 clubs are in my county now. I never traveled out of state. And the girls don't really talk to me much, only to say hello and bye pretty much. But no, they don't get pissed for me not doing laps. They also have a couple other new girls in one club who i never see do laps either. I guess if you learn to do well on stage shows the clubs are happy. Bring them in money, they will not gripe. I do work the floor, sit, talk, flirt then i do what i need to get a good stage performance going with a customer. IT was tough starting out. But for me (this is me) i get good money up my garter, shoe, hair, g-string and yes teeth. I have to realy play it up on stage. I am sooo out of breath when i stop. Guys like the sweating in the hair they say. So there are great things going for stage dancers, if you are willing to put the work into it. The clientel is my key, and most of them i get when i get off stage and go mingle, chat, laugh you name it. It's all clean for me. I don't want to be handled. Thats just not me. I like to be up and on top with lights and music so i can be seen above everyone else, i want to be the whole focus of attention!!! It's a total high! . Oh well i do my best. And it's fun!!!! Guess i will save the handling for my new guy, when i find one who accepts me. Lol I am soon to introduce my snake to the act in one club i hope. Word was alot of girls will leave. Hey i respect that. So i backed off for now.
    Pamela

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    Veteran Member NYCjacqueline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    I had to add something to this from personal experience. I've made great money when features come - mostly because the guys are embarrased and want a distraction and don't want to be "targeted" by the features who venture out into the crowd as a part of their show. We have a feature every other week - from Leanna (sp?) Hart and Erica Eve to Maxi Mounds - and every single week we have a feature, I make at least 3 straight dances during their set - so it actually helps me make cashola.

    I'd also like to say that I love the feature dancers, and find them wonderful and friendly girls- our club offers them a free apt., and I assume a decent pay-out..otherwise they wouldn't return, right? I suppose every club is diff, though, as Melonie says. Only once did we come into contact with a bitchy feature, in which case the girls, management, and customers were so annoyed , that they booted her ass the first night -- rightfully so.
    "You have no idea what a long-legged gal can do without doing anything." -Claudette Colbert

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    Veteran Member hollyday's Avatar
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    we usually have features every week
    i think features are a good thing because they bring guys in that maybe would'nt have come in the first placed...especially if it's a porn star or a big name attraction...more guys , more money!
    blessed be

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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    I love features!! I give them a hell of a lot of credit. I find that many house dancers are very catty towards them. I'll soon be working in a club in South Florida that has features and I cant wait. They bring in the customers. And they also bring in an added boost of sexual energy to the club.

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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    Pamela, I would LOVE to see one of your stage shows! I used to choreograph when I was in Ohio, I worked with Drag Queens (also learned how to sew, and how to do makeup when working with them...tlaking about hiding some flaws!!) and I was trying to get the club I worked at (as a housemom, not a dancer) to let us do something similar to the Pussycat Dolls. Actual DANCING with REAL MOVES. This would have been groundbreaking at this particular club. I had a routine for Lady Marmalade (this is when it just came out) and shit happened, I left before we got to perform.

    I always wanted to choreograph a snake routine to Voodoo by Godsmack or After Dark from the Dusk til Dawn sdtrk.

    Just babbling...

  11. #11
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    Well your babbling helps me! I love advice on how to incorporate more types of stage shows. Sounda like you have the experience to put a performer on the 'A' list! Yea, getting the snake in is a problem. Alot of ladies are afriad of them. I have to respect club rules. But i WILL get him in. It's just a matter of the ladies satying with their customers...i mean after all i will be on stage. And i certainly won't let anyone handle him, because anything with a mouth "can bite" Lol.
    Thanks sweety....lotsa hugz! Pamela
    PS makeup tricks ....oh boy, i need them

  12. #12
    Featured Member TiNi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    So how do you become a feature cause it sounds fun.

  13. #13
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    TiNi, i was asked early on when i started in south Florida. Upon hire. I took a magazine in with pictures of me and my GF's. and they liked the fact i was in a mag, i guess. ...well the pics. ended up in Sweden, so i was told. Lol, i got scammed on that one, no pay, photos gone, except the few i had. Different story, big mess. Anyway, they liked my look and wanted to dress me... what? I was confused. And being new. Asked me if i can do a split ect. It was tough, i am not a porn star or big name, so i had to work hard, and they saved alot of money because of me. I was new, a fresh face and it all worked out from there. (I then tried laps...forget it not for me.) In that club. Then upon moving i told them i had done features, was taught well enough i thought, and the club gave me a chance. You really have to dress! Wigs, extensions, makeup, different clothing, you sweat. A feature does not last long for me. I will go change while another girl stage dances and wait until she is done...Out again. Hard work, I think my snake would help me alot. And they do have other feature ladies come in from god knows where. I like to watch them, i learn. In the clubs i have done features for (only 3) they kinda prep you. And expect one hell of a show. Tough work. more money. However i like being a horny pole/stage dancer pulling my own strings. I just got lucky maybe. I still do some features. But nothing like when a big name comes in. Of course.

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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    Just this customer's story regarding feature dancers:

    I once went to a club an hour out of my way once just to see a feature. I had never been to the club before and not knowing the tipping protocol, etc. I decided to bring plenty of money, (or at least what I thought was plenty) I had to use the club ATM and get more.

    Nonetheless, I spent about $195 that night, which for me is rather extreme.

    - $15 on cover (which included two non-alcoholic drinks)
    - $30 on a signed polaroid and two signed 8 x 10's from the feature.

    Guess who got the remaining $150. Don't get me wrong, the feature was great but some of the house girls were irresistable!

    But if there had been no feature, I would never have gone to the club to meet them. So yes, they can be beneficial in some instances.
    Former SCJ now in rehab.

  15. #15
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    Tini, there is actually a feature agency pretty close to you, in Manville, NJ. Basically, to make enough money as a feature to make the effort worthwhile, you have to be considered a "major league" feature these days, a listing which I dont quite reach myself. To be considered a "major league" feature, you need to have a promotable name or a promotable image which clubowners know that when they advertise that name or print the feature's picture in an advertisement in the local newspaper or on the club's website or on a local TV channel, that guys will sit up and take notice. After all, this is the whole reason that clubs pay a feature fee these days, to draw in new customers who wouldn't otherwise come to the club.

    The #1 way to become a "major league" feature is to rack up a bunch of mainstream XXX video work with major XXX producers, so that your face and body can be seen on box covers in Adult Stores and in Adult magazine ads all over the country. This way guys remember your name along with the body and face and the fact that you give a phenominal blowjob or gang banged 10 guys in a row on video tape.

    The #2 way is to rack up high profile magazine appearances like Playboy or Penthouse, to compete for well known titles like like Miss Nude USA or state contests, to work a high public profile job like NFL cheerleader or "Juggy" on the Man Show, to make appearances on widely viewed TV shows like Jenny Jones or Jerry Springer etc. This way guys take notice of what you have done professionally in the ad i.e "Penthouse Pet Appearing Live Next Week" - and even though they have never heard your name before they know you must be something extraordinary in order to have been able to do these famous things.

    The #3 way is to have some unique physical characteristic which will make guys sit up and take notice of your picture in the advertisement even though they've never heard your name before. Here I'm talking being 6'2" tall without heels, having a competition level female bodybuilder's physique, having a cup size in the second half of the alphabet, etc.

    In my own case I refuse to do #1, I've got a few credits under #2 in that I've appeared in magazines (Hustler, Score & others) and on the Jenny Jones show and have won a title or two, and I'm definitely in solid on #3 because of my breast implants. Even so, without #1 the feature money being paid these days is hardly worth the time and effort to travel all over the place.

    As I've posted before, because of today's lower feature fees (it not just the house dancers that have seen their incomes reduced) many of today's "major league" features earn a good portion of their income outside of the clubs they are featuring at - see if you haven't looked already.

    Pamela is also correct that a few clubs will employ "mini-features" or will encourage one of the best local dancers to put on a "feature show". The tradeoff for the club is that they don't have to pay out what the club considers major money to have "feature entertainment", but on the other hand the "mini-feature" doesn't have the promotable credentials for the club to advertise in order to draw in first time customers from far and near. Clubs that do this are usually found in small and medium sized cities where "major league" features don't appear regularly (there usually isn't enough potential extra customer base to justify the clubowner paying out feature fees) but where a club wants to improve its image. The "mini-feature" fee is usually on the order of an extra $100 tops $200 a night in addition to the girl's tips and private dance money.

    As far as I know, there aren't any clubs in the metro NYC/North Jersey area where you live which do "mini-features" since there are at least two or three or four "major league" features working somewhere in that area every single week. Scores basically tries to corner the "mini-feature" market customers in NYC in that every girl that goes up on their stage is pretty much stunning and dressed to the "10"s. Of course Scores doesn't pay the dancers, they make the dancers pay them $200 a night in stage fees!

  16. #16
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    Much different criteria here in Canada to be a feature, such as Looks, credentials and third and lastly but certainly not least of all is-- ability to entertain.
    I have seen all kinds come and go and what really works in our clubs is the ability to put on a show. So we invest a great deal of time and money into our performances, every show is a theme show the music coordinating with the theme, we add special effects, from glass bath tubs and bubble machines to intense pyrotechnical displays, we bring our own smoke machines and often many girls have their own light shows. I myself blow out huge fireballs and have electronic pyro--in addition to 40 theme shows and the tub with lights within the glass walls of the tub, BDB uses doves and other magical feats, its crazy and immensley entertaining! Nikki Kruze uses a lifesize ice mannequin of a man in her Ice queen show, lifesize cow cutouts and bales of hay in her country girl show with giant milk cans full of milk that she pours all over her body - oh those full on feature themes shows are THE BEST! We work hard on our stage presence having upwards of 20 minutes to keep the audiences attention. We include games onstage with the audience volunteers to win prizes and to keep the atmosphere lively and fun. We really push these effects for every show to become memorable and get a rebooking and let the word spread we are worth our asking price. Every club that has features --enjoy the diversion and the extra clientele coming in. Some of our features are incredible theatrical performers, memorable and worthy of every cent. Everyone has their niche and the diversity keeps us all in demand. My kick is humor, there aint nothing I wont do to make my audience laugh or have a good time. Some of my theme shows are so OUT there, I think I am the only one with these crazy ass theme shows, but I love the gig, and I'll miss it when its time to step down.
    Fortunately in Canada one does not HAVE to do xxx movies to succeed, talent or ability to entertain will supercede all that kinda stuff up here. We have had a few xxx performers come up here and BOMB because they had no costumes or themes or show to speak of. I know not all but I have seen a number of them. I remember well co featuring with a magazine beauty, many many many mag credits to her name but her show blew. The club never had her back, often other club mgrs will come to a club other than their own to see what kind of draw she is and choose to have or have NOT based on ability to live up to her name. A select few the AMBER LYNN's and the like will always pack a house regardless, but up here if you just have xxx film credits and dance in lingerie (which I have seen sadly enough) it doesnt pan out very well. So much of canada is entertained by their own group (well that and our lousy dollar worth heh heh we call it a peso in comparison to the mighty american buck for real! hard to attract anyone with our dollar) In any event in canada, some nude beauty pageants a couple mag credits and some great shows will open all the doors for you. Quebec is a wonderful place to tour as a feature, clubs always cover accommodation, and free bar tabs, they provide stage assistance for specialty shows and treat you like royalty. They dont like the feature to private dance as they feel it takes away from the stage performance and it's idea of being a special presentation, but polaroids and merchandise move very well. Mind you we dont have the huge population America has to support the Mega Feature acts - and many only come up for a gig or two and go back to the U.S. Clubs up here not having the monetary support to bring in these acts more than once in a blue blue moon. We only have around 28 million in ALL of Canada. I think the city of Los Angeles alone has that beat! ANy way its a wonderful way to spend your career as an entertainer, I LOVE IT! I have made so many friends all over the country with the house dancers, I go out of my way to spend time with them and enjoy their company the best...and house dancers like having features up here, it really boosts the clubs atmosphere, and frees them up to get more dances - the longer we take the less roation they worry about and at the end of the night we are almost ALWAYS used for last show - and thats the BEST time to get a whack of dances - at nights end. So it works well up here both ways!

  17. #17
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    Default Re: Features vs. Strippers

    oops p/s we get paid BY the show - we all have certain show prices. It is arranged at the time of booking and you are paid in full sat nite...all your extras tips polaroids, t shirts key tags etc are your 100% as well. The clubs that DO allow us to do private dancing are more than happy to let you and you keep all of that as well. ALL of it. No house fees no percentage - NADA, all free and clear to you the performer. Tipping is exactly that - a gratuity not a requirement - we do it in responce to great work, a wonderful deejay that hypes you is worth his weight in gold and I ALWAYS reward them handsomely. Okay anyway this is the great white north's way.

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