As a bellydancer myself I would have to agree with you that bellydancing is a great hobby.

For anyone planning to do any paid work to subsidise the hobby, I would recommend you check the current performance rates in your area to ensure you are charging a sufficient amount. (Check with your teacher or another professional dancer).

You will also need professional level costumes, dance skills and experience.

Even when you charge professional fees, it is still pretty hard to earn a living though.

I used to take Japanese classes for fun & I am now a part time Japanese teacher

Its true that there are a lot of mystery shopping scams out there, but there are a lot of legitimate companies – I also shop for about 12 companies. The simple way to tell the difference is that legitimate companies never charge you anything, they pay you.

[...] Become a mystery shopper. Not only can you make some extra money, you might get some free stuff as well. [...]

The blog in my comment link is, in large part, about “belly dancing” (known in it’s native culture as raqs sharqi) and the larger social and monetary issues surrounding it. I did a post on dancing and money, All The Myriad Ways (to make money as a raqs dancer), and I think you might find it interesting.

For cheaper costumes, get together with your local studios and organize a costume swap or costume garage sale. Used costumes are just as beautiful the second time around, at half the price.

When I stopped performing, I started teaching, and between classes at the local community college/rec centers and my “belly dance aerobics” at several gyms, it provided me with a nice side income for several years.

@ Gwyn: I think it would have to be “Mystery Belly Dancing”, since “Belly Dance Shopping” would definitely mean I’d spend more than I could possibly make!

@ DonB: Yes, excellent low-cost hobby (and cheaper for me than going to the gym, plus I actually stick with it!). The costumes are expensive, and I’m really glad I found a way to at least subsidize them.

To Adam: I would LOVE to combine the two. If only I could figure out a way to do it!