Hey fellas,
Just returned from a birthday party gig for two young boys (brothers). One boy turned 6 and the other turned 4 today. I charged $100 for a half hour show with the understanding that there would just be 12-15 children. Normally if they want a 45 minute show or there is going to be closer to 20-30 kids I charge a tad more.
I arrived about 20 minutes early as I normally do to set up my table, props, etc. I was given a teeny tiny corner of the living room and had to have a small couch and end table moved. I felt bad but there was not near enough room. The client agreed that it was too crowded and gladly moved the furniture a bit. Oh well. No big deal.
4:00 - Showtime. I'm ready to roll and the 15 kids are all seated nicely on the floor ready as well. Here's where the problem began and this is a first for me. The kitchen was right off the living room and was connected with no barriers or wall. All of the parents who I thought were going to sit and enjoy the show decided that they would much rather drink and talk LOUDLY and laugh among themselves. I was very angry that the parents had the audacity to cause all of this commotion during the show while the kids were trying to have a good time with me. I did not want to cause a scene and thus tried to talk over the adults. Man...should have brought my new Happy Amp and cranked that sucker.
Many of the kids were young...I mean...like 4 or 5. Trying to keep attention span was quite difficult. Juice boxes flying, kids getting up to go pee, you know the scene if you've done these shows before. Oh well. I did great, actually ran long (40 min) and received an extra $25 from the client on top of the $100. I was happy that I had put in the extra time for the kids and did not cause a conflict with the adults but as I drove away I still felt angry at the parents for being so disrespectful during a show.
One thing I did notice that made me smile was one father actually did sit through my entire performance and I over heard him tell his young daughter, "That magician was outstanding....I'm getting his business card". Needless to say he came and grabbed one and I left a pile on the counter as well.
I just thought I'd share today's gig story for some of you who are almost to that point of getting out there and doing this stuff. Be prepared because anything and everything will happen.
Next Gig: Wednesday Night for 80 Amish People ( Should be interesting ) Ha Ha. They are paying $500 for a half hour of walkaround and a 45 minute Parlour show. I better give them one heck of a show.
I'll give a full report that evening or the following day.
Just returned from a birthday party gig for two young boys (brothers). One boy turned 6 and the other turned 4 today. I charged $100 for a half hour show with the understanding that there would just be 12-15 children. Normally if they want a 45 minute show or there is going to be closer to 20-30 kids I charge a tad more.
I arrived about 20 minutes early as I normally do to set up my table, props, etc. I was given a teeny tiny corner of the living room and had to have a small couch and end table moved. I felt bad but there was not near enough room. The client agreed that it was too crowded and gladly moved the furniture a bit. Oh well. No big deal.
4:00 - Showtime. I'm ready to roll and the 15 kids are all seated nicely on the floor ready as well. Here's where the problem began and this is a first for me. The kitchen was right off the living room and was connected with no barriers or wall. All of the parents who I thought were going to sit and enjoy the show decided that they would much rather drink and talk LOUDLY and laugh among themselves. I was very angry that the parents had the audacity to cause all of this commotion during the show while the kids were trying to have a good time with me. I did not want to cause a scene and thus tried to talk over the adults. Man...should have brought my new Happy Amp and cranked that sucker.
Many of the kids were young...I mean...like 4 or 5. Trying to keep attention span was quite difficult. Juice boxes flying, kids getting up to go pee, you know the scene if you've done these shows before. Oh well. I did great, actually ran long (40 min) and received an extra $25 from the client on top of the $100. I was happy that I had put in the extra time for the kids and did not cause a conflict with the adults but as I drove away I still felt angry at the parents for being so disrespectful during a show.
One thing I did notice that made me smile was one father actually did sit through my entire performance and I over heard him tell his young daughter, "That magician was outstanding....I'm getting his business card". Needless to say he came and grabbed one and I left a pile on the counter as well.
I just thought I'd share today's gig story for some of you who are almost to that point of getting out there and doing this stuff. Be prepared because anything and everything will happen.
Next Gig: Wednesday Night for 80 Amish People ( Should be interesting ) Ha Ha. They are paying $500 for a half hour of walkaround and a 45 minute Parlour show. I better give them one heck of a show.
I'll give a full report that evening or the following day.
