For transparency sake, the following covers Bailonga’s policies regarding payment of teachers, DJ’s, musicians, and organizers, as well as other money-related topics.
Bailonga’s payment policies are currently in the process of revision. We are aiming to increase the amount we pay teachers, as well as offer payment to organizers. Look for more updates in this section soon.
Teachers
The default payment for Bailonga teachers is $10. All local teachers are offered this amount when they begin teaching. A large portion of the teachers at Bailonga volunteer their time or volunteer on nights that attendance is low, but they are not obligated to do so. Teachers may switch from volunteer to paid, or vice versa at any time. Teachers are also given free attendance the night they teach.
If a teacher is from out of town, or otherwise focuses their career in teaching tango, a higher payment can be negotiated. In town instructors are usually paid $20-30, out of town instructors are usually paid $50-100, depending on the instructor’s rates and how much flexibility they want to offer Bailonga in order to invest in the community.
DJ’s
The default payment for DJ’s at Bailonga is $20 for the full evening, regardless of whether there is live music or not. All DJ’s are offered this amount when they begin DJing. Some DJ’s volunteer their time as a donation to the community. DJ’s may switch from volunteer to paid, and vice versa at any time. DJ’s are also given free attendance the night they DJ.
Out of town DJ’s are paid based on the rate negotiated with each individual DJ.
Musicians
By default, Bailonga offers musicians the ability to name a minimum payment for their services, and Bailonga will guarantee that they be paid that amount. Bailonga will then pay musicians any additional income made the night of the performance after expenses are paid. Musicians are informed of the small size of our community and relatively low budget but encouraged to name a price that they are comfortable with and that appropriately values their work. Musicians regularly offer discounted rates to Bailonga as a result.
Musicians are also given free attendance the night they perform and the ability to bring a plus one guest if approved by Kella first.
Amount paid to musicians varies greatly. In town musicians are usually paid between $40-$100. Out of town musicians are paid anywhere from $200-$800 depending on the size of the band and the distance they’re traveling.
Organizers
Bailonga is currently run by two organizers, Ellen and Kella. Organizers are not paid for their work and are exclusively volunteers. Organizers are offered free attendance at all times. Organizers are reimbursed for any expenses made for supplies.
Regular Costs
Bailonga pays $90 a night in rent and $300 a year for insurance, which averages out to $6 a night. Bailonga also pays for desk supplies such as fliers and breath mints, and special event supplies like decorations, food, drink, and cutlery.
Donations
Bailonga regularly receives donations from attendants who have been offered free attendance but choose to pay anyways, or from attendants who pay significantly more than the required entry fee. Bailonga also occasionally receives larger donations from community members to put towards live music and out of town instructors.
Free Entrance
DJ’s, teachers, and musicians receive free entrance on the nights they perform their service. Bailonga organizers receive free entrance at all times. Anyone who works a 30-minute desk shift (or 45-minutes during the lesson) receives free entrance for that evening.
Bailonga has an agreement with the Crossroads Blues/Fusion community that all Crossroads organizers are given free entrance to Bailonga, while Bailonga organizers receive free entrance to Crossroads dances.
Kella will occasionally offer free entrance to individuals on a case by case basis.
Profit
All “extra” money left over at the end of the night once expenses have been paid is later invested into Bailonga. The majority of Bailonga’s “profit” goes towards future live music or is otherwise saved towards a larger expense. Regardless, all the money stays with the dance event and is not taken for personal use.
Last updated: 5/14/18