Interesting! I chair the Thursday Night Dance Committee of NEFFA, which runs a weekly dance at the Concord Scout House, in Massachusetts. I would characterize our pay as good. Here are the basics:
1. We expect equal shares for all performers (musicians/callers). In only very unusual circumstances will we pay different amounts. 2. Guarantee (per performer) is dependent on # of performers. 3 => $155; 4 => $145; 5 => $125; 6 => $104; 7 => $89. 3. Performers who travel a distance (say over 1 hour) to get to the dance get $15 extra. 4. Bonus *is* dependent on attendance. We assume that if people came out in droves to dance, the performers probably had something to do with it, and they should be rewarded. For a well-attended night, it is not unusual for performers to make around $200 each. For an exceptionally well-attended night, they might make $300 each.
