Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
What Motivates You?
As an entrepreneur, small business person and professional entertainer, one of the hardest things to do for me is to not let complacency and mediocrity creep in to my life and my business. There are so many different things to juggle every day, from marketing to creating to performing; it is easy to get lost in it all. Sound familiar?
So how do I keep up with everything? Well…I work hard to stay motivated. Sounds easy enough, I guess. But it’s not, really. It takes conscious effort to stay on top of the game. I thought I would share some of the techniques that I use on a day to day basis that motivate me.
There are numerous authors and subjects that get my creative juices going. Personally, I’m a big reader. I’ve found that when I find an author who challenges me, I read everything that person has written. And if they haven’t written much, I read the authors that that author recommends. By programming my mind with authors who I respect and who energize me, I am able to push myself to new levels.
Lately, I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on by Seth Godin. Somehow Seth is able to write in a style that truly challenges me as a business person, but also as an artist and entertainer. He speaks directly to me and I want to take up his challenges. I’ve not only purchased all of Seth’s books, but I’ve made gifts of several of his works. If you’re interested in his style, check out his blog. And if you like what you see, pick up a copy of his latest book, Lynchpin. It’s excellent.
I also try to immerse myself in communities that can further my education. I’m very involved in the magic community. I attend local meetings of magicians. I attend conventions where I can challenge myself. And I read the latest news, journals and magic magazines. As far as business goes, I am currently a member of an online marketing community specifically for entertainers. By being involved with this community, I am able to share business ideas and learn from others who have already accomplished what I am aiming for.
One of the most useful things I do is the mastermind group. The mastermind group is a technique that I learned by reading Napolean Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. In it, Hill champions creating local groups of like minded individuals to brainstorm ideas together and to hold each other accountable. By being involved with others who have high goals and are high achievers, I am motivated to hold myself to a higher standard. I’m sure my competitive streak plays a role in wanting to be my very best in front of these other people. When I see the others being successful in their businesses, I am driven to push myself harder and to accomplish more.
When I am not feeling particularly motivated, I’ve found that by having others who will hold me accountable for my actions, I can push through the funk and continue moving forward toward my goals. That’s another big one…accountability. By sharing the things that I want to accomplish with others, it forces me to stay focused because I know that these people are going to hold me accountable. Years ago, I used to date a professional dancer who worked in a production show that was in a casino. The company she worked for had weekly weigh-ins of the girls to make sure they were staying in shape. Talk about accountability and motivation!
Speaking of goals…I almost didn’t list that one. I thought it was too obvious and basic. I hear about setting goals all the time. I hear about it so often, it gets annoying. But it’s probably the most important one. How else can you be held accountable? How else can you strive to achieve anything? You have to know what you are aiming for. I have been setting goals for years now and it’s one of the things that I can attribute a huge amount of my personal success to. By knowing what I want to accomplish and then programming that in my mind by reading those goals daily, I have been able to make things happen that I never would have accomplished otherwise.
So, if using these techniques helps me stay motivated and push me to be the best I can be, could they help you? I think they can. In fact, I would say that by applying these techniques, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. So, pick out the ideas that sound new and interesting to you, give them a shot and see what happens. Perhaps you will achieve even more and stay better motivated, too!
So how do I keep up with everything? Well…I work hard to stay motivated. Sounds easy enough, I guess. But it’s not, really. It takes conscious effort to stay on top of the game. I thought I would share some of the techniques that I use on a day to day basis that motivate me.
There are numerous authors and subjects that get my creative juices going. Personally, I’m a big reader. I’ve found that when I find an author who challenges me, I read everything that person has written. And if they haven’t written much, I read the authors that that author recommends. By programming my mind with authors who I respect and who energize me, I am able to push myself to new levels.
Lately, I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on by Seth Godin. Somehow Seth is able to write in a style that truly challenges me as a business person, but also as an artist and entertainer. He speaks directly to me and I want to take up his challenges. I’ve not only purchased all of Seth’s books, but I’ve made gifts of several of his works. If you’re interested in his style, check out his blog. And if you like what you see, pick up a copy of his latest book, Lynchpin. It’s excellent.
I also try to immerse myself in communities that can further my education. I’m very involved in the magic community. I attend local meetings of magicians. I attend conventions where I can challenge myself. And I read the latest news, journals and magic magazines. As far as business goes, I am currently a member of an online marketing community specifically for entertainers. By being involved with this community, I am able to share business ideas and learn from others who have already accomplished what I am aiming for.
One of the most useful things I do is the mastermind group. The mastermind group is a technique that I learned by reading Napolean Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. In it, Hill champions creating local groups of like minded individuals to brainstorm ideas together and to hold each other accountable. By being involved with others who have high goals and are high achievers, I am motivated to hold myself to a higher standard. I’m sure my competitive streak plays a role in wanting to be my very best in front of these other people. When I see the others being successful in their businesses, I am driven to push myself harder and to accomplish more.
When I am not feeling particularly motivated, I’ve found that by having others who will hold me accountable for my actions, I can push through the funk and continue moving forward toward my goals. That’s another big one…accountability. By sharing the things that I want to accomplish with others, it forces me to stay focused because I know that these people are going to hold me accountable. Years ago, I used to date a professional dancer who worked in a production show that was in a casino. The company she worked for had weekly weigh-ins of the girls to make sure they were staying in shape. Talk about accountability and motivation!
Speaking of goals…I almost didn’t list that one. I thought it was too obvious and basic. I hear about setting goals all the time. I hear about it so often, it gets annoying. But it’s probably the most important one. How else can you be held accountable? How else can you strive to achieve anything? You have to know what you are aiming for. I have been setting goals for years now and it’s one of the things that I can attribute a huge amount of my personal success to. By knowing what I want to accomplish and then programming that in my mind by reading those goals daily, I have been able to make things happen that I never would have accomplished otherwise.
So, if using these techniques helps me stay motivated and push me to be the best I can be, could they help you? I think they can. In fact, I would say that by applying these techniques, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. So, pick out the ideas that sound new and interesting to you, give them a shot and see what happens. Perhaps you will achieve even more and stay better motivated, too!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Are You a Linchpin?
I’ve been traveling a lot over the last month. When I travel, I invariably find myself reading a lot more (which is a good thing). Lately, the books that have been catching my eye have been (mostly) about marketing. I’ve caught up on some of Seth Godin’s most recent books and I must say that they have been provocative and challenging.
In Godin’s latest book Linchpin, he says the following:
“One day, people are going to remember what you did. They might remember that you did what you were told, and that you were good at being responsive to instructions. Perhaps, though, we’ll remember that you made an impact, a connection and a difference.”
This quote is from the introduction to that book. He makes the argument in the book that each and every one of us has an inner artist who has certain skills and talents that we can bring to the workplace. He argues that we must embrace our inner artist and become leaders in our peer groups, our workplace and our communities. Part of the reason that the US economy is in such dire straits is because we have been brainwashed, repeatedly, to follow along with the crowd, to be happy stamping out “widgets” on an assembly line and to smother our God given talents and abilities so as to not challenge the status quo.
This book, Seth Godin’s Linchpin, is an important book. You need to read it. You need to hear what Godin has to say. Then you need to decide if you are happy just being one more person on the assembly line of life, or if, you want to embrace what makes you special and begin to lead those around you.
This book challenged me. It made me think about what I can do, both in my show and in my business, to share something special with those around me.
Imagine what would happen, in your life, your community and your workplace, if you fearlessly stopped worrying about the status quo, forced yourself out of your comfort zone, and challenged yourself to be excellent every day. It’s quite a challenge, but I believe that it’s worth it.
In Godin’s latest book Linchpin, he says the following:
“One day, people are going to remember what you did. They might remember that you did what you were told, and that you were good at being responsive to instructions. Perhaps, though, we’ll remember that you made an impact, a connection and a difference.”
This quote is from the introduction to that book. He makes the argument in the book that each and every one of us has an inner artist who has certain skills and talents that we can bring to the workplace. He argues that we must embrace our inner artist and become leaders in our peer groups, our workplace and our communities. Part of the reason that the US economy is in such dire straits is because we have been brainwashed, repeatedly, to follow along with the crowd, to be happy stamping out “widgets” on an assembly line and to smother our God given talents and abilities so as to not challenge the status quo.
This book, Seth Godin’s Linchpin, is an important book. You need to read it. You need to hear what Godin has to say. Then you need to decide if you are happy just being one more person on the assembly line of life, or if, you want to embrace what makes you special and begin to lead those around you.
This book challenged me. It made me think about what I can do, both in my show and in my business, to share something special with those around me.
Imagine what would happen, in your life, your community and your workplace, if you fearlessly stopped worrying about the status quo, forced yourself out of your comfort zone, and challenged yourself to be excellent every day. It’s quite a challenge, but I believe that it’s worth it.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Coming to see my show tomorrow? This will be one of the featured pieces - http://ping.fm/DjdNP http://ping.fm/AIvAl
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sideshow Fringe Festival starts today! Excited about seeing Playing By Air's show today at 5 pm. Check it out! http://ping.fm/RQBIV
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
First Impressions
Over the years I’ve read and heard from many sources about just how important that initial first impression is. As an entertainer, I’ve certainly experienced that the first impression is super important. It’s also important from a business standpoint. We make snap judgments all the time. We certainly do it when we meet people. We decide whether we are going to like or dislike someone almost immediately. We make super fast judgments as to whether we want to do deal or do business with someone, talk to them on the phone, or even spend a few moments talking to them. From an entertainer’s perspective, the audience meets us the moment we walk onstage. Managing that initial first impression is incredibly important. I was recently working on a cruise ship and experienced something that made me realize just how important the first impression really is.
So, I was standing just offstage as the show began. I was scheduled to go on after the opening singer. The singer had just gotten onboard the cruise ship earlier that day and this was her very first time on this ship. The cruise director was standing next to me. He made a comment that was obvious to me that he didn’t love her choice of costume. He then started the show and introduced the singer to the audience. She walked out onstage and belted out the first few lyrics to her opening song. I promise you she hadn’t been on that stage for more than two seconds when he turned to me and said, “Man, it’s a good thing she can sing!” And it’s true; she could blow the place up with her powerful voice. I thought that was really interesting.
Now the truth was that her outfit wasn’t inappropriate. It just wasn’t the cruise director favorite’s costume choice. I found it interesting that all was immediately forgiven the moment that she stepped onstage and had a great, powerful voice. And I know that the audience loved her. She is a great singer and very likable performer as well. Think about how this applies to all that we do. Whether you are an entertainer, a business person, or whatever, that initial impression that we make on others is huge!
So, I was standing just offstage as the show began. I was scheduled to go on after the opening singer. The singer had just gotten onboard the cruise ship earlier that day and this was her very first time on this ship. The cruise director was standing next to me. He made a comment that was obvious to me that he didn’t love her choice of costume. He then started the show and introduced the singer to the audience. She walked out onstage and belted out the first few lyrics to her opening song. I promise you she hadn’t been on that stage for more than two seconds when he turned to me and said, “Man, it’s a good thing she can sing!” And it’s true; she could blow the place up with her powerful voice. I thought that was really interesting.
Now the truth was that her outfit wasn’t inappropriate. It just wasn’t the cruise director favorite’s costume choice. I found it interesting that all was immediately forgiven the moment that she stepped onstage and had a great, powerful voice. And I know that the audience loved her. She is a great singer and very likable performer as well. Think about how this applies to all that we do. Whether you are an entertainer, a business person, or whatever, that initial impression that we make on others is huge!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thought I would share my newest magic creation. I hope you enjoy Cootie Catcher Magic - http://ping.fm/tNRqq
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Do you ever find yourself in front of an audience? If so, you should take a look at this - http://ping.fm/07vkq
Making that Connection
Are you a speaker, presenter, or entertainer who wants to connect with your audience? I’m not talking about having your audience enjoy what you do, I’m talking about having the audience totally engaged in what you are saying or doing while you are onstage.
I’ve been watching performers and audiences for years in the hopes that I will learn from them and become a better entertainer, speaker and presenter by doing so. One of the things I’ve been paying particular attention to lately is that audiences respond (and I mean really respond!) when you can make your performance or presentation about them.
Now, you may be thinking, ‘Well, duh!” as this may sound very basic to you, but let’s explore this a little bit through an example or two.
I’ve been working quite frequently on a cruise ship over the last year. I’ve seen numerous singers, comedians, and variety acts perform for the audiences onboard. When the act that is onstage finds a way to engage the audience and make it about them the laughs are louder and the applause they receive is longer.
One of the main comics onboard the ship makes sure that part of his act speaks directly to the shared experience that everyone onboard has had. He talks about the shock of having to adjust to the confined area of the ship, he talks about how small the bathrooms are in the cabins, he talks about the things that every person onboard has already thought to themselves. He finds a way to express through humor and comedy the shared experience of ship life and the crowd gives him huge laughs because he is connecting with them.
When I speak to groups with one of my keynote presentations, I always try to incorporate some of my interactive magic into the presentation. By incorporating something fun, like magic or humor, the speech stays fun and interesting. Furthermore, because the magic that I share is interactive and gets people from the audience directly involved, it grabs everyone’s attention. In a fun way, it forces them to be engaged and paying attention. It becomes about them.
When you are up in front of a group with a common denominator, such as co-workers or people on a trip together, etc. you should look for every opportunity to use their commonality to personalize your performance or presentation. It will yield a more focused audience as well as much stronger reactions from them.
So, my advice to anyone who gets up in front of a group of people is to find a way to involve and engage them. Make the presentation or performance relevant to them. Make it about them. Speak directly to their hopes and dreams and you will have an attentive, appreciative audience. Until next time…
I’ve been watching performers and audiences for years in the hopes that I will learn from them and become a better entertainer, speaker and presenter by doing so. One of the things I’ve been paying particular attention to lately is that audiences respond (and I mean really respond!) when you can make your performance or presentation about them.
Now, you may be thinking, ‘Well, duh!” as this may sound very basic to you, but let’s explore this a little bit through an example or two.
I’ve been working quite frequently on a cruise ship over the last year. I’ve seen numerous singers, comedians, and variety acts perform for the audiences onboard. When the act that is onstage finds a way to engage the audience and make it about them the laughs are louder and the applause they receive is longer.
One of the main comics onboard the ship makes sure that part of his act speaks directly to the shared experience that everyone onboard has had. He talks about the shock of having to adjust to the confined area of the ship, he talks about how small the bathrooms are in the cabins, he talks about the things that every person onboard has already thought to themselves. He finds a way to express through humor and comedy the shared experience of ship life and the crowd gives him huge laughs because he is connecting with them.
When I speak to groups with one of my keynote presentations, I always try to incorporate some of my interactive magic into the presentation. By incorporating something fun, like magic or humor, the speech stays fun and interesting. Furthermore, because the magic that I share is interactive and gets people from the audience directly involved, it grabs everyone’s attention. In a fun way, it forces them to be engaged and paying attention. It becomes about them.
When you are up in front of a group with a common denominator, such as co-workers or people on a trip together, etc. you should look for every opportunity to use their commonality to personalize your performance or presentation. It will yield a more focused audience as well as much stronger reactions from them.
So, my advice to anyone who gets up in front of a group of people is to find a way to involve and engage them. Make the presentation or performance relevant to them. Make it about them. Speak directly to their hopes and dreams and you will have an attentive, appreciative audience. Until next time…
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Do you plan events? Great tips here if you have something coming up and are looking for entertainment. http://ping.fm/QFuNK
The Most Important Things You Must Know Before Booking Entertainment For Your Next Event – Part 6
Over the last several months, we’ve been exploring the most important things you need to know in order to successfully find and book the very best entertainment for your next special event. I created this guide from my experiences over the past ten years as a professional entertainer. I know that if you follow each of these steps you will have a massively successful event. Enjoy the last part, part #6!
9. Payment
Some entertainers and speakers request that you pay up front before the show begins. Others are comfortable accepting payment at the end. Refer to the contract for guidance on what you agreed to. If the entertainer doesn't specify which they prefer, then do whatever is comfortable for you. Some people and many corporations choose to pay in full up front before the actual show date. One of the advantages to paying before the show is that you won’t have to tear yourself away from your guests in order to deliver a check to your entertainer while he or she is trying to pack up or meet people after the program.
10. The Follow-Up
After a program and before they leave, most entertainers and speakers make a point of touching base with the person who booked the event in order to thank them. Also, don’t be surprised if you hear from them again several days after the program to thank you once more and get feedback. Take this opportunity to share your thoughts. You may also wish to discuss other possible entertainment or speaking opportunities you have in the future.
The best way to show your appreciation for an excellent program is to pass the entertainer’s name and contact information along to friends and fellow business associates. Offering to write a letter of recommendation about your experience with an entertainer is also a huge compliment. Letters of recommendation are very powerful tools that entertainers and speakers rely on for booking other events.
Wrap Up
So there you have it. In this blog series, I have compiled the most important tips and techniques I have learned over the past decade of speaking and entertaining at private and corporate events. I hope this information will help you in your quest for the perfect program for your special event. With these tips in mind, go out there with full confidence that you know what you’re doing, and book yourself an outstanding program! Best wishes and good luck!
To start at the beginning of this series, click here.
To contact me directly, click here or give me a call at 888-212-2863. Blessings!
9. Payment
Some entertainers and speakers request that you pay up front before the show begins. Others are comfortable accepting payment at the end. Refer to the contract for guidance on what you agreed to. If the entertainer doesn't specify which they prefer, then do whatever is comfortable for you. Some people and many corporations choose to pay in full up front before the actual show date. One of the advantages to paying before the show is that you won’t have to tear yourself away from your guests in order to deliver a check to your entertainer while he or she is trying to pack up or meet people after the program.
10. The Follow-Up
After a program and before they leave, most entertainers and speakers make a point of touching base with the person who booked the event in order to thank them. Also, don’t be surprised if you hear from them again several days after the program to thank you once more and get feedback. Take this opportunity to share your thoughts. You may also wish to discuss other possible entertainment or speaking opportunities you have in the future.
The best way to show your appreciation for an excellent program is to pass the entertainer’s name and contact information along to friends and fellow business associates. Offering to write a letter of recommendation about your experience with an entertainer is also a huge compliment. Letters of recommendation are very powerful tools that entertainers and speakers rely on for booking other events.
Wrap Up
So there you have it. In this blog series, I have compiled the most important tips and techniques I have learned over the past decade of speaking and entertaining at private and corporate events. I hope this information will help you in your quest for the perfect program for your special event. With these tips in mind, go out there with full confidence that you know what you’re doing, and book yourself an outstanding program! Best wishes and good luck!
To start at the beginning of this series, click here.
To contact me directly, click here or give me a call at 888-212-2863. Blessings!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Are you a magician or other performing artist? You should be collaborating with others. It's an amazing experience. Check this out - http://ping.fm/wYMHW
Saturday, June 4, 2011
I know it's crazy, but...have you started thinking about entertainment for your company Christmas party yet? You should see this - http://ping.fm/e2edR
The Most Important Things You Must Know Before Booking Entertainment For Your Next Event – Part 5
Over the last several months, we’ve been exploring the most important things you need to know in order to successfully find and book the very best entertainment for your next special event. I created this guide from my experiences over the past ten years as a professional entertainer. I know that if you follow each of these steps you will have a massively successful event. Enjoy part five!
7. The Day of the Event
As far as the program goes, you should have had several discussions with your entertainer by now which would answer any and all questions that either of you may have had. It should be clear, because of the previously agreed upon details in the contract, what time your entertainer will arrive, when and where they will set up, and what time the program will begin. Be sure that you or the main contact person of the event is carrying a cell phone in case your entertainer runs into any last minute issues and needs to contact you.
Depending on your event, you may wish to build excitement about the program. Having appropriate signage -- such as a large poster on an easel, a photograph with a bio, or even a promotional video playing on a television for people to see as they arrive -- are excellent ways to build a buzz. Your guests should be looking forward to the exciting program you have planned.
8. Last Minute Details and Showtime!
You’ve done your research and selected the best program for your event. At this point, there should be nothing for you to worry about. One of the last things you may be asked to do is have someone introduce the entertainer or speaker. If that is the case, the entertainer or speaker should have a note card with a brief introduction for you to read. While you might want to review the information briefly beforehand, this shouldn’t be hard.
In addition, some entertainers will ask you prior to the show if there are any particular guests you might suggest who would be good for them to interact with. They are looking for people who will be comfortable if called upon in front of your other guests. Have several men and women in mind who have good senses of humor and who might enjoy being part of the audience participation aspect of the show.
You may also want to ask your entertainer about any good photo opportunities they might suggest. Some programs have funny moments or especially visual moments built in that lend themselves naturally to taking a photo. Making memories in this way by knowing the perfect spots to pause long enough to get a good shot is another way to maximize the fun and success of your entertainment.
At this point, you’ve done all the work and should kick back, relax and enjoy!
Wrap Up
Keep your eyes on this blog for next month's entry when we'll wrap up the most important tips and techniques you must know before booking entertainment for your next special event. To start at the beginning of this series, click here for the first entry. And to receive a free copy of my brand new book (where most of this information is coming from), visit my website, fill out the webform, and I'll rush you a copy today! Blessings!
7. The Day of the Event
As far as the program goes, you should have had several discussions with your entertainer by now which would answer any and all questions that either of you may have had. It should be clear, because of the previously agreed upon details in the contract, what time your entertainer will arrive, when and where they will set up, and what time the program will begin. Be sure that you or the main contact person of the event is carrying a cell phone in case your entertainer runs into any last minute issues and needs to contact you.
Depending on your event, you may wish to build excitement about the program. Having appropriate signage -- such as a large poster on an easel, a photograph with a bio, or even a promotional video playing on a television for people to see as they arrive -- are excellent ways to build a buzz. Your guests should be looking forward to the exciting program you have planned.
8. Last Minute Details and Showtime!
You’ve done your research and selected the best program for your event. At this point, there should be nothing for you to worry about. One of the last things you may be asked to do is have someone introduce the entertainer or speaker. If that is the case, the entertainer or speaker should have a note card with a brief introduction for you to read. While you might want to review the information briefly beforehand, this shouldn’t be hard.
In addition, some entertainers will ask you prior to the show if there are any particular guests you might suggest who would be good for them to interact with. They are looking for people who will be comfortable if called upon in front of your other guests. Have several men and women in mind who have good senses of humor and who might enjoy being part of the audience participation aspect of the show.
You may also want to ask your entertainer about any good photo opportunities they might suggest. Some programs have funny moments or especially visual moments built in that lend themselves naturally to taking a photo. Making memories in this way by knowing the perfect spots to pause long enough to get a good shot is another way to maximize the fun and success of your entertainment.
At this point, you’ve done all the work and should kick back, relax and enjoy!
Wrap Up
Keep your eyes on this blog for next month's entry when we'll wrap up the most important tips and techniques you must know before booking entertainment for your next special event. To start at the beginning of this series, click here for the first entry. And to receive a free copy of my brand new book (where most of this information is coming from), visit my website, fill out the webform, and I'll rush you a copy today! Blessings!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Controlling Your Environment
As a performer who received much of my initial training in a theatrical setting, I have always placed a high importance on creating a mood. It’s one of my goals to create a mood from the moment someone walks into a theatre to see one of my shows until they leave. I think that proper pre-show music as well as proper lighting can build anticipation and get your audience excited about what is to come.
Some of my favorite moments when I attend shows are when you file into the theatre and feel the ambience. I believe that getting an audience into the right mindset to enjoy the upcoming show is just tremendously important.
I recently performed for a very high end corporate function and was immediately reminded why it is so important to control all elements of a production, especially the environment.
This specific event was lavish. It was in a beautiful hall that had been exquisitely decorated with the finest linens, flowers, stage settings, etc. Everything had been thought of and prepared perfectly.
I had been engaged to create an original, themed five minute sequence of magic that would add to the atmosphere. It really wasn’t a situation where I had very much control. I was a guest in someone else’s home, so to speak. I was supposed to come in, do my act, and that was that. Unfortunately I didn’t get to call the shots.
So, I arrived, set everything up, and waited until I was on. When I got my cue to take the stage, I took my place and executed my act. Everything went flawlessly. Unfortunately, nobody cared. Only a tiny portion of the five hundred guests paid any attention to what I was doing. It was painful.
Please understand this; I’m a very dynamic performer who commands the stage. I also have worked numerous events. I have had great success entertaining groups exactly like this one. This was an anomaly. But it’s the type of thing that drives me crazy and I just have to figure out what happened so it doesn’t happen again.
I’ve thought a lot about what happened and I have a few ideas on why it went so poorly. There were two major issues here. The first one was that I took the stage at the exact same time that the food was served. That one is really my fault. I shouldn’t have agreed to start the show when there was such a massive distraction. Honestly, I know better. I’ve known not to do that forever. Why I let it happen this one time, I’ll never know. Well, actually I do know, but I’m not going to lay the blame on other people. I’ll take the blame here. Chalk one more up to experience and things that I won’t let happen again.
However, in my opinion, the main problem here was that the environment was not controlled. If the environment had been properly focused on what was going on, this performance could have been a major hit. I really believe that it was as simple as dimming the lights. That’s it. If the lights in the main hall had been dimmed down to about 25% and the lights on the stage had been brought up to full intensity it would have been obvious that the program was beginning and everyone would have quieted down and started watching the program while they ate. You know, this one simple thing would have helped me, but it also would have helped the program chairs who went on immediately after me and were somewhat ignored for the first few minutes of their speech as well.
I really believe that it is as simple as that. If you work in corporate settings, please take a lesson from this. If you want to focus people’s attention on a show or a speaker, you must control the environment and give your program or speaker every chance to succeed.
Some of my favorite moments when I attend shows are when you file into the theatre and feel the ambience. I believe that getting an audience into the right mindset to enjoy the upcoming show is just tremendously important.
I recently performed for a very high end corporate function and was immediately reminded why it is so important to control all elements of a production, especially the environment.
This specific event was lavish. It was in a beautiful hall that had been exquisitely decorated with the finest linens, flowers, stage settings, etc. Everything had been thought of and prepared perfectly.
I had been engaged to create an original, themed five minute sequence of magic that would add to the atmosphere. It really wasn’t a situation where I had very much control. I was a guest in someone else’s home, so to speak. I was supposed to come in, do my act, and that was that. Unfortunately I didn’t get to call the shots.
So, I arrived, set everything up, and waited until I was on. When I got my cue to take the stage, I took my place and executed my act. Everything went flawlessly. Unfortunately, nobody cared. Only a tiny portion of the five hundred guests paid any attention to what I was doing. It was painful.
Please understand this; I’m a very dynamic performer who commands the stage. I also have worked numerous events. I have had great success entertaining groups exactly like this one. This was an anomaly. But it’s the type of thing that drives me crazy and I just have to figure out what happened so it doesn’t happen again.
I’ve thought a lot about what happened and I have a few ideas on why it went so poorly. There were two major issues here. The first one was that I took the stage at the exact same time that the food was served. That one is really my fault. I shouldn’t have agreed to start the show when there was such a massive distraction. Honestly, I know better. I’ve known not to do that forever. Why I let it happen this one time, I’ll never know. Well, actually I do know, but I’m not going to lay the blame on other people. I’ll take the blame here. Chalk one more up to experience and things that I won’t let happen again.
However, in my opinion, the main problem here was that the environment was not controlled. If the environment had been properly focused on what was going on, this performance could have been a major hit. I really believe that it was as simple as dimming the lights. That’s it. If the lights in the main hall had been dimmed down to about 25% and the lights on the stage had been brought up to full intensity it would have been obvious that the program was beginning and everyone would have quieted down and started watching the program while they ate. You know, this one simple thing would have helped me, but it also would have helped the program chairs who went on immediately after me and were somewhat ignored for the first few minutes of their speech as well.
I really believe that it is as simple as that. If you work in corporate settings, please take a lesson from this. If you want to focus people’s attention on a show or a speaker, you must control the environment and give your program or speaker every chance to succeed.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Adventures on the High Seas-Days 7, 8, & 9
Here are the last few days from our adventure at sea last December.
Day 7 - We spent the day in FL today. Most of my days spent in FL are used to catch up on email, phone calls, etc. Today was no different. We found a cool little Starbucks and I took care of some emails and made a few business calls. Afterwards, we had lunch at a fun Mexican restaurant and headed back to the ship early to prepare for that night’s show.
One of the fun parts of working on a ship is getting to know the crew/staff. Kristin and I found ourselves hanging out at the onboard piano bar/pub several nights after our shows and we befriended the bartender Dedi. Dedi is a huge fan of magic and we enjoyed hanging out with him.
Day 8 – Today we were back in Freeport for our final day in the Bahamas. Kristin and I decided to head into town and do a little souvenir/Christmas (remember this was back in December) shopping. I met a cool lady in the straw market who wove a bag that I bought for my sister. We finished our time off at the Our Lucaya Resort beach working on our tans.
We had a great final show tonight and got everything packed up and ready for an early disembarkation.
Day 9 – So we got off the ship nice and early, made it through customs and waited for our show props to arrive. We waited, we waited some more, and then we waited awhile longer. After waiting for an hour and a half, I finally discovered that our props had been delivered about an hour and a half earlier but were just sitting in the customs area waiting to be claimed. I must give a really nice lady customs officer some serious thanks for locating my equipment and then helping me get everything through the system so I could pack it up in the cargo van. After Kristin and I finally got everything loaded, it was pretty uneventful. We drove fourteen and a half hours back home to Nashville from FL. The next day I returned the cargo van to the rental company.
That pretty much wraps up my very first cruising adventure. I’ve found that every time I perform in a new setting there is a new set of challenges to overcome. That’s one of the major challenges of being an entertainer. At first, it was totally stressful and overwhelming, but I’ve come to enjoy it. In fact, I would say that I’ve learned quite a bit about dealing with the challenges of life from the challenges that I face as an entertainer. I hope that you too are able to embrace all the challenges that life throws at you and come out as a conqueror with some fantastic adventure to share.
If you just joined this little adventure, click here and start the journey at the beginning.
Day 7 - We spent the day in FL today. Most of my days spent in FL are used to catch up on email, phone calls, etc. Today was no different. We found a cool little Starbucks and I took care of some emails and made a few business calls. Afterwards, we had lunch at a fun Mexican restaurant and headed back to the ship early to prepare for that night’s show.
One of the fun parts of working on a ship is getting to know the crew/staff. Kristin and I found ourselves hanging out at the onboard piano bar/pub several nights after our shows and we befriended the bartender Dedi. Dedi is a huge fan of magic and we enjoyed hanging out with him.
Hanging onboard with Dedi, the bartender.
Day 8 – Today we were back in Freeport for our final day in the Bahamas. Kristin and I decided to head into town and do a little souvenir/Christmas (remember this was back in December) shopping. I met a cool lady in the straw market who wove a bag that I bought for my sister. We finished our time off at the Our Lucaya Resort beach working on our tans.
We had a great final show tonight and got everything packed up and ready for an early disembarkation.
Bahamian strawmarket shop owner who wove a cool little bag for my sister.
Day 9 – So we got off the ship nice and early, made it through customs and waited for our show props to arrive. We waited, we waited some more, and then we waited awhile longer. After waiting for an hour and a half, I finally discovered that our props had been delivered about an hour and a half earlier but were just sitting in the customs area waiting to be claimed. I must give a really nice lady customs officer some serious thanks for locating my equipment and then helping me get everything through the system so I could pack it up in the cargo van. After Kristin and I finally got everything loaded, it was pretty uneventful. We drove fourteen and a half hours back home to Nashville from FL. The next day I returned the cargo van to the rental company.
That pretty much wraps up my very first cruising adventure. I’ve found that every time I perform in a new setting there is a new set of challenges to overcome. That’s one of the major challenges of being an entertainer. At first, it was totally stressful and overwhelming, but I’ve come to enjoy it. In fact, I would say that I’ve learned quite a bit about dealing with the challenges of life from the challenges that I face as an entertainer. I hope that you too are able to embrace all the challenges that life throws at you and come out as a conqueror with some fantastic adventure to share.
Photo from the Our Lucaya Resort-Freeport, Bahamas
If you just joined this little adventure, click here and start the journey at the beginning.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Adventures on the High Seas, Day #6
Kristin and I finally made it into Freeport! The first time we were here, not only was the weather totally sucky, but I also had the show on my mind and just didn’t feel like being distracted. The second time we were supposed to be here, the ship got stuck out at sea! I guess the third time really is a charm!
So, Kristin and I got off the ship today and took a bus into Freeport. The bus driver was quite the showman. He told us stories, history of the area and plenty of jokes. I think he figured out that providing entertainment on a twenty-five minute bus ride will get you a lot more tips than doing nothing at all. No doubt!
The resort we went to was called Our Lucaya. It was stunning. The water was blue, the sand was white and as I looked around I felt like I was looking at images from postcards. Boy, let me tell you, the sun down there is intense. The actual day spent at the resort was sort of cool, but that sun is no joke. Spend more than a couple of hours out there when you aren’t used to it and you will get baked! Luckily for us, we didn’t get baked. We had a great time at the beach.
Tonight’s show went fantastically. You know, I am totally fascinated by how audiences react to certain magic pieces better than others. One of my strengths, by far (in my opinion), is performing slightly dramatic, usually a little artistic type of material. I have a routine with a rope that is about five solid minutes of magic that has been choreographed to a piece of music. When I first started performing it, I was freaked out because I wasn’t sure that audiences would be able to follow it for five minutes if I didn’t speak at all. I have found though, and my experiences on the ship back this up, that the rope routine is one of the stand-out favorites. I guess audiences really do like the slightly artistic type of magic that I personally love. That makes me very happy to know that my gut instinct is right!
Check out the photo below. It is a photo of a ghost ship that is docked at the Our Lucaya resort. Very cool!
Click here and enjoy the last few days of my little adventure. If you just joined this little adventure, click here and start the journey at the beginning.
So, Kristin and I got off the ship today and took a bus into Freeport. The bus driver was quite the showman. He told us stories, history of the area and plenty of jokes. I think he figured out that providing entertainment on a twenty-five minute bus ride will get you a lot more tips than doing nothing at all. No doubt!
The resort we went to was called Our Lucaya. It was stunning. The water was blue, the sand was white and as I looked around I felt like I was looking at images from postcards. Boy, let me tell you, the sun down there is intense. The actual day spent at the resort was sort of cool, but that sun is no joke. Spend more than a couple of hours out there when you aren’t used to it and you will get baked! Luckily for us, we didn’t get baked. We had a great time at the beach.
Tonight’s show went fantastically. You know, I am totally fascinated by how audiences react to certain magic pieces better than others. One of my strengths, by far (in my opinion), is performing slightly dramatic, usually a little artistic type of material. I have a routine with a rope that is about five solid minutes of magic that has been choreographed to a piece of music. When I first started performing it, I was freaked out because I wasn’t sure that audiences would be able to follow it for five minutes if I didn’t speak at all. I have found though, and my experiences on the ship back this up, that the rope routine is one of the stand-out favorites. I guess audiences really do like the slightly artistic type of magic that I personally love. That makes me very happy to know that my gut instinct is right!
Check out the photo below. It is a photo of a ghost ship that is docked at the Our Lucaya resort. Very cool!
Click here and enjoy the last few days of my little adventure. If you just joined this little adventure, click here and start the journey at the beginning.
Adventures on the High Seas, Day #5
Today Kristin and I found a Panera Bread in a shopping area of West Palm Beach called CityPlace. CityPlace is a really nice outdoor area that has restaurants, boutiques, department stores, movie theatres, comedy clubs, bookstores, etc. It’s a perfect place to go to hang out and grab a good cup of coffee and check email. It was an added bonus that when we sat down at Panera with our breakfast and coffee, I found out that their internet connection is free. Sweet!
I think that tonight’s show was definitely the strongest one yet. It became rather obvious to me that I had found my comfort zone. You know, sometimes it takes me a little bit of time to get comfortable in a new performing space. After performing for the audiences that are on the ship for the last few days, I had a good feel for how they would respond to the different jokes, etc. It also took me a little bit of time to get totally comfortable doing magic on a stage that was surrounded by an audience.
So, at this point in the ballgame I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. Shows are going great and I’m stress free. I haven’t yet made it off the ship and into Freeport, but that is my plan for tomorrow.
Stay tuned for my report on Day #6. We finally make it to the beach at the Our Lucaya resort!
If you just joined this little adventure, click here and start the journey at the beginning. Read about finally making it to the beach on Day #6 here.
I think that tonight’s show was definitely the strongest one yet. It became rather obvious to me that I had found my comfort zone. You know, sometimes it takes me a little bit of time to get comfortable in a new performing space. After performing for the audiences that are on the ship for the last few days, I had a good feel for how they would respond to the different jokes, etc. It also took me a little bit of time to get totally comfortable doing magic on a stage that was surrounded by an audience.
So, at this point in the ballgame I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. Shows are going great and I’m stress free. I haven’t yet made it off the ship and into Freeport, but that is my plan for tomorrow.
Stay tuned for my report on Day #6. We finally make it to the beach at the Our Lucaya resort!
If you just joined this little adventure, click here and start the journey at the beginning. Read about finally making it to the beach on Day #6 here.
Kristin poses after a show with impressionist Wes Epae.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Magic Words
Magic has quite a rich history which includes different words that have been said to “invoke” magic happening. There has been much study in magic’s history by its scholars as to where magic words originated, who originated them, etc. It’s interesting from a historical perspective. As a professional magician, I find such historical reports fascinating. Some magic words have a rich history, other magic words are completely made up and non-sensical.
On another hand, the words “Please” and “Thank You” in the English language are often taught to children as the magic words. By saying these words, we teach our children to be polite and respectful. They, in turn, learn that with the right attitude and politeness they can often get exactly what they are requesting. Magic words, indeed!
Currently, I’m entertaining nightly on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. I have found that the magic words that work best for me are, “I’m the magician!” I find it funny how these specific words allow me to do many things. For instance, when I first got on the ship, before the crew knew me and recognized me, I would be walking through a “crew” area and would have crew members direct me back toward to the main areas of the ship. By saying the magic words, “I’m the magician”, they immediately knew it was okay for me to be there and let me go about my business. Every time I have to go through customs, my magic words, gain me nods and looks of acknowledgement as they look over my passport. When I’m just walking around the ship, after I have performed, I often get people looking at me as if they aren’t sure how they know me, but they are sure that they know me from somewhere. My magic words set them at ease and give us something to talk about.
Off the ship, I have been part of numerous touring productions. For some strange reason, our battle cry has always been, “We’re the magicians!” For some strange reason, when I/we say that with authority, people just tend to let me do whatever it is that I want to. Go figure.
Maybe these magic words will work for you, too. Give them a shot. Just be sure that if you decide to use them, you can actually back up your claim of being a magician:) Until next time…
On another hand, the words “Please” and “Thank You” in the English language are often taught to children as the magic words. By saying these words, we teach our children to be polite and respectful. They, in turn, learn that with the right attitude and politeness they can often get exactly what they are requesting. Magic words, indeed!
Currently, I’m entertaining nightly on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. I have found that the magic words that work best for me are, “I’m the magician!” I find it funny how these specific words allow me to do many things. For instance, when I first got on the ship, before the crew knew me and recognized me, I would be walking through a “crew” area and would have crew members direct me back toward to the main areas of the ship. By saying the magic words, “I’m the magician”, they immediately knew it was okay for me to be there and let me go about my business. Every time I have to go through customs, my magic words, gain me nods and looks of acknowledgement as they look over my passport. When I’m just walking around the ship, after I have performed, I often get people looking at me as if they aren’t sure how they know me, but they are sure that they know me from somewhere. My magic words set them at ease and give us something to talk about.
Off the ship, I have been part of numerous touring productions. For some strange reason, our battle cry has always been, “We’re the magicians!” For some strange reason, when I/we say that with authority, people just tend to let me do whatever it is that I want to. Go figure.
Maybe these magic words will work for you, too. Give them a shot. Just be sure that if you decide to use them, you can actually back up your claim of being a magician:) Until next time…
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Don’t Forget Your Passport When Traveling Abroad
So, I did a last minute cruise ship gig back in December for a week. It came up rather suddenly and I viewed it as both a fun getaway and an audition for this cruise line to hopefully work more for them in the future. Well, my plan worked! My “audition” paid off and I received an email a few weeks ago to come back onboard the ship and entertain for two weeks.
Today, I find myself writing this blog entry from The View Showroom on the ship during a day at port in the Bahamas. I just got onboard yesterday and am still recuperating from a slightly stressful trip down to FL. Why stressful, you ask? Well, let me tell you.
When I am on this ship, I perform two unique 20 minute acts. Each day is a different act. So, on Monday I perform my first 20 minute set, then on Tuesday I perform my second, different 20 minute set. We do two shows an evening and it’s really a great time! The challenge is that I am performing on a stage that is completely surrounded 360 degrees. As a magician, it’s somewhat difficult to find material that is easy to see and still do-able in an environment where the audience is completely surrounding you. It can be a real challenge.
The last time I was onboard, I brought an assistant with me and she and I were able to do some really great magic that absolutely floored everyone. Unfortunately, this time circumstances dictated that I had to come on the cruise alone. So, I spent the last couple of weeks making sure that I had enough magic that would play on a 360 degree surrounded stage.
I spent all day Friday packing the show and making sure I had everything. Because I had been on this ship before, I was prepared with the knowledge of knowing what to expect and was focusing mainly on the new magic that I had added to my repertoire. I wasn’t thinking too much about the cruise itself. I finished packing my car in the evening and was able to relax before I drove down to FL.
Saturday morning I woke up, got in the car, and took off. I got just south of Atlanta, about five hours into the drive, when I realized I had royally screwed up. All of a sudden, I realized that while I had everything for my show, I didn’t have my passport. DUH! I couldn’t believe it!
So, I started thinking about it and I remembered that in some circumstances you don’t have to have your passport. All you need is two forms of identification. I started feeling better, but something kept nagging at me. After about an hour of trying not to think about my screw up, I realized that I was wrong. It’s not two forms of id, it’s a birth certificate and a state issued driver’s license. Well, even if they would let me on the ship with a birth certificate, I didn’t have mine with me. My heart sunk.
So, here’s my situation. I absolutely have to have my passport in order to get on the ship on Monday, and it’s currently Sunday. It’s the one day of the week that FedEx and UPS don’t do any shipping. I feel like a total idiot. And I realize that the entertainment director who booked me to come back is going to think I’m a total idiot as well.
Now, one of the things that I have learned after all these years of working in the entertainment business is that there is always a solution for every problem. So, I go about trying to figure out what this solution is.
After several phone calls and a lot of frustration, I learn that you can ship on Sunday via air freight. In other words, if there is a flight going where you need your package to go, the package can hitch a ride and fly down with all the other passengers. At this point in the story, I would like to thank both my Mom and my friend Nelson. They worked hard on this and helped me figure it out.
So, my Mom is able to get my passport and both she and my dad take a trip down to Nashville Intl. to the Southwest Freight office. They are able to get it on a flight that evening to Orlando, where I have stopped to visit my friend Aarron for the evening. I think a big shout out is in order at this point of the adventure to both Mom and Dad for taking my passport to the airport and saving my butt!
After I have dinner with my buddy Aarron and his fiancée Tammy in Orlando, they insist on taking me to the Orlando airport so I can pick up my passport. How lucky am I?! I mean really. Aarron and Tammy basically tell me to relax and let them take me to the airport since they know exactly where they are going. Many thanks to the two of them as well!
We make it to the cargo office and after a brief wait, all my fears are wiped away when they hand me my package, I open it and inside is my passport!
Now check this out. My Mom puts my passport on a plane in Nashville at 5:30 on a Sunday afternoon and I am able to pick it up at 8:45 that evening in Orlando! Absolutely awesome! So, what is the moral of this story…don’t forget your dang passport in the first place, moron!
I guess that is one moral of the story, but the one I prefer to remember is this…every problem has a solution. It’s up to you to figure out what that solution is.
Oh yeah, one other thing…It’s good to have people who will go the extra mile for you when your back is up against the wall. Many thank you’s go out to everyone who helped me get out of a major jam!
So, here I am sitting on the cruise ship on Tuesday. I was able to board yesterday and had two great shows last night. I’m so thankful to be this blessed. Until next time…
Today, I find myself writing this blog entry from The View Showroom on the ship during a day at port in the Bahamas. I just got onboard yesterday and am still recuperating from a slightly stressful trip down to FL. Why stressful, you ask? Well, let me tell you.
When I am on this ship, I perform two unique 20 minute acts. Each day is a different act. So, on Monday I perform my first 20 minute set, then on Tuesday I perform my second, different 20 minute set. We do two shows an evening and it’s really a great time! The challenge is that I am performing on a stage that is completely surrounded 360 degrees. As a magician, it’s somewhat difficult to find material that is easy to see and still do-able in an environment where the audience is completely surrounding you. It can be a real challenge.
The last time I was onboard, I brought an assistant with me and she and I were able to do some really great magic that absolutely floored everyone. Unfortunately, this time circumstances dictated that I had to come on the cruise alone. So, I spent the last couple of weeks making sure that I had enough magic that would play on a 360 degree surrounded stage.
I spent all day Friday packing the show and making sure I had everything. Because I had been on this ship before, I was prepared with the knowledge of knowing what to expect and was focusing mainly on the new magic that I had added to my repertoire. I wasn’t thinking too much about the cruise itself. I finished packing my car in the evening and was able to relax before I drove down to FL.
Saturday morning I woke up, got in the car, and took off. I got just south of Atlanta, about five hours into the drive, when I realized I had royally screwed up. All of a sudden, I realized that while I had everything for my show, I didn’t have my passport. DUH! I couldn’t believe it!
So, I started thinking about it and I remembered that in some circumstances you don’t have to have your passport. All you need is two forms of identification. I started feeling better, but something kept nagging at me. After about an hour of trying not to think about my screw up, I realized that I was wrong. It’s not two forms of id, it’s a birth certificate and a state issued driver’s license. Well, even if they would let me on the ship with a birth certificate, I didn’t have mine with me. My heart sunk.
So, here’s my situation. I absolutely have to have my passport in order to get on the ship on Monday, and it’s currently Sunday. It’s the one day of the week that FedEx and UPS don’t do any shipping. I feel like a total idiot. And I realize that the entertainment director who booked me to come back is going to think I’m a total idiot as well.
Now, one of the things that I have learned after all these years of working in the entertainment business is that there is always a solution for every problem. So, I go about trying to figure out what this solution is.
After several phone calls and a lot of frustration, I learn that you can ship on Sunday via air freight. In other words, if there is a flight going where you need your package to go, the package can hitch a ride and fly down with all the other passengers. At this point in the story, I would like to thank both my Mom and my friend Nelson. They worked hard on this and helped me figure it out.
So, my Mom is able to get my passport and both she and my dad take a trip down to Nashville Intl. to the Southwest Freight office. They are able to get it on a flight that evening to Orlando, where I have stopped to visit my friend Aarron for the evening. I think a big shout out is in order at this point of the adventure to both Mom and Dad for taking my passport to the airport and saving my butt!
After I have dinner with my buddy Aarron and his fiancée Tammy in Orlando, they insist on taking me to the Orlando airport so I can pick up my passport. How lucky am I?! I mean really. Aarron and Tammy basically tell me to relax and let them take me to the airport since they know exactly where they are going. Many thanks to the two of them as well!
We make it to the cargo office and after a brief wait, all my fears are wiped away when they hand me my package, I open it and inside is my passport!
Now check this out. My Mom puts my passport on a plane in Nashville at 5:30 on a Sunday afternoon and I am able to pick it up at 8:45 that evening in Orlando! Absolutely awesome! So, what is the moral of this story…don’t forget your dang passport in the first place, moron!
I guess that is one moral of the story, but the one I prefer to remember is this…every problem has a solution. It’s up to you to figure out what that solution is.
Oh yeah, one other thing…It’s good to have people who will go the extra mile for you when your back is up against the wall. Many thank you’s go out to everyone who helped me get out of a major jam!
So, here I am sitting on the cruise ship on Tuesday. I was able to board yesterday and had two great shows last night. I’m so thankful to be this blessed. Until next time…
The view from the Our Lucaya Resort in Freeport, Bahamas.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
The adventure on the high seas continues! Click here and read about what happened when we were stuck out at sea...http://ping.fm/J72FG
Adventures on the High Seas, Day #4
The fourth day of our adventure on the high seas was an interesting one. Today the ship was supposed to port at Freeport early in the morning. When I got up and got going, I realized that we were still moving. That seemed a bit strange.
I quickly found out that there were numerous storms in the area and the seas were just way too choppy. Apparently the port authority wasn’t allowing the ship to come in to port.
As the day continued, the ship stayed out to sea. It became increasingly obvious as the day slipped away that there wouldn’t be a day in the Bahamas.
Kristin and I were playing cards with our new friend Karina Skye, an amazing singer that was on the show with us, when I heard my name being paged over the ship’s speakers.
I met the assistant cruise director and was asked if it were possible for me to do a show of close-up, sleight of hand magic. What a great idea! It sounded like an absolute blast and I agreed quickly. We set a time for the show to begin and then the assistant cruise director was off to publicize the show.
Showtime rolled around about an hour and a half later and the ship’s lounge was quite crowded. For the next forty-five minutes, I had a great time! I was able to share some of my favorite routines as well as a few original pieces with my audience. The show was a big hit!
Afterwards I was speaking with the cruise director and he mentioned how much he enjoyed it as well. SCORE! Yes! That’s exactly what I was hoping would happen. I pride myself on being able to come through in a pinch and I know that by doing that close-up show it really helped relieve some of the strain off the cruise staff.
Because there was a new act onboard, I was given the night off from doing the show. That was nice. It was really cool to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the evening’s dinner and entertainment.
I received many nice compliments from all the folks onboard that they really enjoyed my show. In fact, here is a clip of me performing one of the mysteries that I performed on that day’s close-up show. This specific clip is from an appearance on a news channel in Nashville, TN. Watch close, you don’t want to miss a thing.
By the way, if you just joined this little adventure and want to start at the beginning, click here. And click here to read the continuation of our little journey on Day #5.
I quickly found out that there were numerous storms in the area and the seas were just way too choppy. Apparently the port authority wasn’t allowing the ship to come in to port.
As the day continued, the ship stayed out to sea. It became increasingly obvious as the day slipped away that there wouldn’t be a day in the Bahamas.
Kristin and I were playing cards with our new friend Karina Skye, an amazing singer that was on the show with us, when I heard my name being paged over the ship’s speakers.
I met the assistant cruise director and was asked if it were possible for me to do a show of close-up, sleight of hand magic. What a great idea! It sounded like an absolute blast and I agreed quickly. We set a time for the show to begin and then the assistant cruise director was off to publicize the show.
Showtime rolled around about an hour and a half later and the ship’s lounge was quite crowded. For the next forty-five minutes, I had a great time! I was able to share some of my favorite routines as well as a few original pieces with my audience. The show was a big hit!
Afterwards I was speaking with the cruise director and he mentioned how much he enjoyed it as well. SCORE! Yes! That’s exactly what I was hoping would happen. I pride myself on being able to come through in a pinch and I know that by doing that close-up show it really helped relieve some of the strain off the cruise staff.
Because there was a new act onboard, I was given the night off from doing the show. That was nice. It was really cool to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the evening’s dinner and entertainment.
I received many nice compliments from all the folks onboard that they really enjoyed my show. In fact, here is a clip of me performing one of the mysteries that I performed on that day’s close-up show. This specific clip is from an appearance on a news channel in Nashville, TN. Watch close, you don’t want to miss a thing.
By the way, if you just joined this little adventure and want to start at the beginning, click here. And click here to read the continuation of our little journey on Day #5.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Need help finding quality entertainment for a special event? Great advice here - http://ping.fm/oqqO9
The Most Important Things You Must Know Before Booking Entertainment For Your Next Event – Part 4
Well, it’s that time again! This is the fourth part of several earlier blog entries on how to successfully find and book the very best entertainment for your upcoming event. As a professional entertainer, I have dealt with numerous meeting and event planners that have planned all sorts of amazing special events. This series of articles is intended to make your life (as someone looking to find entertainment) easier. You might even find the whole process fun! Enjoy!
5. Deposits
The deposit is basically a protective monetary agreement that demonstrates you are indeed serious about hiring a particular entertainer or speaker for your event. Once a date has been booked, the entertainer or speaker cannot offer his or her services to another client for that same date and time. The deposit guarantees that you will not cancel at the last minute, costing the entertainer both your event and other potential events that he or she didn’t book out of deference to you. Upon receiving your deposit, he or she is committed to you.
Not all entertainers take deposits. It often depends on the norm that entertainers and agents set in certain areas. Truthfully, I don’t think deposits necessarily indicate one way or another just how professional an entertainer is. I know average speakers who always take deposits, and I know top-notch professional entertainers who never do.
6. Contracts, Confirmation Calls and Letters
Once all the details have been decided on, you should expect to receive a performance agreement/contract from your entertainer or speaker. This is not something to worry or stress over. It is normal operating procedure for any professional entertainer or speaker. In fact, if you don’t get a contract, you should start to wonder.
The performance agreement/contract basically spells out all the details that have been agreed upon when discussing your event. You should take the time to review all of the details, including type of program, start and end time, venue address, price, etc. The performance agreement should set you at ease because you now know that your entertainer has all the details correct and can prepare to deliver a dynamic, appropriate program.
Within one week of the show, usually a couple of days before, your entertainer should call or email you to confirm that he or she will be there. It is just a courtesy to contact you to be sure that the directions and details are correct. If you don't hear from them and it's the day before the event, you may want to place a quick call, on the outside chance that they had the phone number wrong or simply couldn't reach you.
Wrap Up
Click here to read Part 5, where we discuss what to expect the day of the event. To start at the beginning of this series, click here for the first entry. And to receive a free copy of my brand new book (where most of this information is coming from), visit my website, fill out the webform, and I'll rush you a copy today! Blessings!
That's me entertaining onboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas!
5. Deposits
The deposit is basically a protective monetary agreement that demonstrates you are indeed serious about hiring a particular entertainer or speaker for your event. Once a date has been booked, the entertainer or speaker cannot offer his or her services to another client for that same date and time. The deposit guarantees that you will not cancel at the last minute, costing the entertainer both your event and other potential events that he or she didn’t book out of deference to you. Upon receiving your deposit, he or she is committed to you.
Not all entertainers take deposits. It often depends on the norm that entertainers and agents set in certain areas. Truthfully, I don’t think deposits necessarily indicate one way or another just how professional an entertainer is. I know average speakers who always take deposits, and I know top-notch professional entertainers who never do.
6. Contracts, Confirmation Calls and Letters
Once all the details have been decided on, you should expect to receive a performance agreement/contract from your entertainer or speaker. This is not something to worry or stress over. It is normal operating procedure for any professional entertainer or speaker. In fact, if you don’t get a contract, you should start to wonder.
The performance agreement/contract basically spells out all the details that have been agreed upon when discussing your event. You should take the time to review all of the details, including type of program, start and end time, venue address, price, etc. The performance agreement should set you at ease because you now know that your entertainer has all the details correct and can prepare to deliver a dynamic, appropriate program.
Within one week of the show, usually a couple of days before, your entertainer should call or email you to confirm that he or she will be there. It is just a courtesy to contact you to be sure that the directions and details are correct. If you don't hear from them and it's the day before the event, you may want to place a quick call, on the outside chance that they had the phone number wrong or simply couldn't reach you.
Wrap Up
Click here to read Part 5, where we discuss what to expect the day of the event. To start at the beginning of this series, click here for the first entry. And to receive a free copy of my brand new book (where most of this information is coming from), visit my website, fill out the webform, and I'll rush you a copy today! Blessings!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Adventures on the High Seas, Day #3
Day #3 started off with us getting off the ship and going through the disembarking process. Basically you just have to make it through customs. No big deal there.
Today my goal was to find a place where I could get on my laptop and try to reach out to a few business contacts and make a couple of personal phone calls. (You know, I didn’t realize how much I used the internet, or how much I enjoyed talking to my friends, until I got on a ship and didn’t have access to either phone or internet except when we were in port in the US!)
We found a great little Starbucks and hung out there for awhile so I could take care of my emails. Kristin was still cracking up over her David Sedaris book the entire time I sent emails and made phone calls. She’s quite a little bookworm! After Starbucks, we found a great little Mexican restaurant and enjoyed tacos for lunch.
Day #3 is the day that I was going to meet the cruise director and he was going to see our show for the first time, so there were a few loose ends I still wanted to tie up with the show. We went searching for some fabric and had to go to a Michael’s and a Wal-Mart before we finally found a Joann Fabric store and picked something out.
I think the best part of today was that I had finally found my comfort zone with the show. My stress level was non-existent. The past two days I had been totally stressed out which completely exhausted me. To have the experience of the two shows under my belt helped relax me and made the rest of the week a lot of fun.
The show that night was super fun and easy. I knew what to expect, Kristin and I did our thing, and the audience responded very well.
At this point what I realized was that we had gone through the cruising cycle once and we just had to go through it several more times. Since it was only a two day cruise, we now knew exactly what to expect for the remainder of the week.
Well, that’s what I thought at the time. Wait until Day 4’s report when everything gets turned on its ear because of some pretty bad weather.
If you just joined this little adventure, click here and start the journey at the beginning. To read Day #4's adventure, click here.
Today my goal was to find a place where I could get on my laptop and try to reach out to a few business contacts and make a couple of personal phone calls. (You know, I didn’t realize how much I used the internet, or how much I enjoyed talking to my friends, until I got on a ship and didn’t have access to either phone or internet except when we were in port in the US!)
We found a great little Starbucks and hung out there for awhile so I could take care of my emails. Kristin was still cracking up over her David Sedaris book the entire time I sent emails and made phone calls. She’s quite a little bookworm! After Starbucks, we found a great little Mexican restaurant and enjoyed tacos for lunch.
Day #3 is the day that I was going to meet the cruise director and he was going to see our show for the first time, so there were a few loose ends I still wanted to tie up with the show. We went searching for some fabric and had to go to a Michael’s and a Wal-Mart before we finally found a Joann Fabric store and picked something out.
I think the best part of today was that I had finally found my comfort zone with the show. My stress level was non-existent. The past two days I had been totally stressed out which completely exhausted me. To have the experience of the two shows under my belt helped relax me and made the rest of the week a lot of fun.
The show that night was super fun and easy. I knew what to expect, Kristin and I did our thing, and the audience responded very well.
At this point what I realized was that we had gone through the cruising cycle once and we just had to go through it several more times. Since it was only a two day cruise, we now knew exactly what to expect for the remainder of the week.
Well, that’s what I thought at the time. Wait until Day 4’s report when everything gets turned on its ear because of some pretty bad weather.
If you just joined this little adventure, click here and start the journey at the beginning. To read Day #4's adventure, click here.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Ever been in charge of finding entertainment for a party? There are some good tips herehttp://ping.fm/IVSUk
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Adventures on the High Seas, Day #2
Well, I slept like a rock after the stress of the first day onboard. Day #2 was relatively calm in comparison. We got going and grabbed some breakfast. Because Day #2’s show was a completely different show than Day #1’s show was I still was feeling a bit apprehensive. Day #2’s show was a bit more artistic and not quite as much what I would call “commercial” magic. And we still had to go through a quick tech rehearsal and sound check. Luckily, we had planned that for late morning, so all my stressing would be over once I knew we were good from the technical side. We took care of the sound check without any issues and were free for the rest of the day.
You know, I just realized that I didn’t explain the most challenging part of this gig in my first blog post the other day. Part of the reason for my stress level being high was because I was performing on a stage that was completely surrounded by seating. Yes, the stage was surrounded 360 degrees by people. Now I knew this coming in, so I was prepared. It’s just that magic can sometimes have angle issues or lighting issues and performing with people surrounding you adds to the difficulty level. Not only do you want to amaze everyone, you have to make sure that you perform in a manner so that everyone will be able to see what you are doing. I think it’s natural to be a little stressed until I had actually performed each of my shows at least once in front of a real audience. Day #2’s show would be yet another test of both my planning skills and my performing skills.
The day was spent in Freeport, Bahamas. It was actually quite cool and a little bit rainy, so Kristin and I decided to spend the day exploring the port area and not go into the city itself. Unfortunately that was a short lived plan. Because the weather was so sucky there really wasn’t much happening in the port of call. We explored several local arts and crafts and souvenir vendors and ended up stumbling into a local bar that had a really good wi-fi connection. We made the decision to just hang out there for much of the afternoon and I fetched my computer from the ship so I could get caught up on some emails. I took care of some business on the computer and Kristin read a book by David Sedaris that kept cracking her up. It was a pretty tame day in the Bahamas. In fact, if we hadn’t known that we would be back several times later in the week we would have definitely made more of an effort to see some things. As it was, we knew we would have time to explore later.
Today, we both made the rather intelligent decision to take motion sickness pills before we left port and headed back to FL. And I think that decision was in our best interest. Both shows went well. Actually, I was a little verbose on the first show and went over my 20 minute time limit. I had to make a conscious decision the second show to tighten up the script and make sure the show kept moving so the other two entertainers would also get their allotted time. Overall though, the audiences responded well and I was quite pleased with this show.
Afterwards, we hung out and enjoyed meeting audience members. Then we just took it easy before calling it a night. Click here for Day #3's adventure.
Here's the showroom. As you can see I was completely surrounded by seating on two different levels. On another note, as soon as the show was over the showroom turned into a disco and the stage became the dance floor. Towards the end of the week, I got down and shook my groove thing after the show while Kristin watched me much to her amusement.
If you missed Day #1's entry, click here to check it out.
You know, I just realized that I didn’t explain the most challenging part of this gig in my first blog post the other day. Part of the reason for my stress level being high was because I was performing on a stage that was completely surrounded by seating. Yes, the stage was surrounded 360 degrees by people. Now I knew this coming in, so I was prepared. It’s just that magic can sometimes have angle issues or lighting issues and performing with people surrounding you adds to the difficulty level. Not only do you want to amaze everyone, you have to make sure that you perform in a manner so that everyone will be able to see what you are doing. I think it’s natural to be a little stressed until I had actually performed each of my shows at least once in front of a real audience. Day #2’s show would be yet another test of both my planning skills and my performing skills.
The day was spent in Freeport, Bahamas. It was actually quite cool and a little bit rainy, so Kristin and I decided to spend the day exploring the port area and not go into the city itself. Unfortunately that was a short lived plan. Because the weather was so sucky there really wasn’t much happening in the port of call. We explored several local arts and crafts and souvenir vendors and ended up stumbling into a local bar that had a really good wi-fi connection. We made the decision to just hang out there for much of the afternoon and I fetched my computer from the ship so I could get caught up on some emails. I took care of some business on the computer and Kristin read a book by David Sedaris that kept cracking her up. It was a pretty tame day in the Bahamas. In fact, if we hadn’t known that we would be back several times later in the week we would have definitely made more of an effort to see some things. As it was, we knew we would have time to explore later.
Today, we both made the rather intelligent decision to take motion sickness pills before we left port and headed back to FL. And I think that decision was in our best interest. Both shows went well. Actually, I was a little verbose on the first show and went over my 20 minute time limit. I had to make a conscious decision the second show to tighten up the script and make sure the show kept moving so the other two entertainers would also get their allotted time. Overall though, the audiences responded well and I was quite pleased with this show.
Afterwards, we hung out and enjoyed meeting audience members. Then we just took it easy before calling it a night. Click here for Day #3's adventure.
Here's the showroom. As you can see I was completely surrounded by seating on two different levels. On another note, as soon as the show was over the showroom turned into a disco and the stage became the dance floor. Towards the end of the week, I got down and shook my groove thing after the show while Kristin watched me much to her amusement.
If you missed Day #1's entry, click here to check it out.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Adventures on the High Seas, Day #1
I recently had the opportunity to work on a cruise ship for a week. The opportunity landed in my lap at the very last minute and was kind of a lucky fluke. It’s the type of booking that entertainers love to get, but certainly don’t ever expect to have happen. I had worked all of my holiday bookings in the month of December and ended up getting a phone call to take the place of a magician who had canceled at the last minute for this cruise line. I had a blast on the ship and thought I would share some of my adventure.
Because it was such a last minute gig, I ended up not being able to take my normal assistant Jamie. Fortunately, Jamie’s roommate and close friend Kristin was available and was excited about the opportunity. We rehearsed for a few days and then we took off from Nashville and headed to West Palm Beach.
We took the drive in two days. When we arrived at the port it was time to get down to business. We touched base with the cruise director and got all checked in for the cruise. Kristin and I, along with several crewmembers, loaded our equipment on to the ship and into the showroom. Once that was accomplished, we had most of the afternoon to get comfortable on the ship and get ready for the show.
Now, I’ve worked on cruise ships before, but I had forgotten just how tight it can be in the cabins. Initially, it was a little bit of a shock when I opened the door to my cabin and realized that I was going to be living in this small room for the next week. (Let me say that it was a very nice cabin and I got used to it really quickly. It was just the initial shock of going from living in a house to living in a cabin that caught me off guard!)
So, we ate lunch, explored the ship and I set everything up for the show that afternoon. Somehow I was under the initial impression that we only had one show a night. Imagine my surprise when I was told that it was two shows an evening! It’s a good thing that I’m super paranoid about being prepared. I had actually brought twice as many show supplies as I thought I would need. That ended up giving me just enough to do two shows a night! We had sound check at 6 pm and went through everything with the sound guy.
Our next adventure was dinner. Normally dinner wouldn’t be an adventure. It would be awesome food in beautiful surroundings. However, we had left the port of West Palm Beach and were in some of the choppiest waters I’ve ever experienced. To say I wasn’t feeling well was an understatement. Kristin didn’t look too great either. I ate very little the first night because I wanted to make sure that I didn’t get totally sick during my act.
So, Kristin and I go back to our cabins and get ready for show time. When 8:30 rolls around neither of us feel any better and it’s time to take the stage. I didn’t feel great, but when I took the stage I totally focused on what I was doing and made through the show with no problems (other than sweating profusely).
Kristin had the bright idea of taking some motion sickness medication between the two shows and I followed suit. By show #2, I was feeling much better. Show #2 also went off great. The only thing I was really worried about was during the Metamorphosis illusion. Both Kristin and I have to stand on top of the trunk at different points in the routine and I was a little worried that with the ship rocking back and forth that one of us might lose our balance and fall off the thing! Luckily, that never happened.
After the show, we got a small snack since neither of us had really eaten any dinner and called it a night. The first day onboard was quite an adventure all by itself and we had just started our weeklong run. Click here for Day #2.
Thought I would throw in a picture of Kristin and I standing outside the showroom. Whoa, we look like a couple of bums here! If I remember correctly, this was taken on the first night when we felt pretty rough. Anyway, this photo is proof that we were actually there!
Because it was such a last minute gig, I ended up not being able to take my normal assistant Jamie. Fortunately, Jamie’s roommate and close friend Kristin was available and was excited about the opportunity. We rehearsed for a few days and then we took off from Nashville and headed to West Palm Beach.
We took the drive in two days. When we arrived at the port it was time to get down to business. We touched base with the cruise director and got all checked in for the cruise. Kristin and I, along with several crewmembers, loaded our equipment on to the ship and into the showroom. Once that was accomplished, we had most of the afternoon to get comfortable on the ship and get ready for the show.
Now, I’ve worked on cruise ships before, but I had forgotten just how tight it can be in the cabins. Initially, it was a little bit of a shock when I opened the door to my cabin and realized that I was going to be living in this small room for the next week. (Let me say that it was a very nice cabin and I got used to it really quickly. It was just the initial shock of going from living in a house to living in a cabin that caught me off guard!)
So, we ate lunch, explored the ship and I set everything up for the show that afternoon. Somehow I was under the initial impression that we only had one show a night. Imagine my surprise when I was told that it was two shows an evening! It’s a good thing that I’m super paranoid about being prepared. I had actually brought twice as many show supplies as I thought I would need. That ended up giving me just enough to do two shows a night! We had sound check at 6 pm and went through everything with the sound guy.
Our next adventure was dinner. Normally dinner wouldn’t be an adventure. It would be awesome food in beautiful surroundings. However, we had left the port of West Palm Beach and were in some of the choppiest waters I’ve ever experienced. To say I wasn’t feeling well was an understatement. Kristin didn’t look too great either. I ate very little the first night because I wanted to make sure that I didn’t get totally sick during my act.
So, Kristin and I go back to our cabins and get ready for show time. When 8:30 rolls around neither of us feel any better and it’s time to take the stage. I didn’t feel great, but when I took the stage I totally focused on what I was doing and made through the show with no problems (other than sweating profusely).
Kristin had the bright idea of taking some motion sickness medication between the two shows and I followed suit. By show #2, I was feeling much better. Show #2 also went off great. The only thing I was really worried about was during the Metamorphosis illusion. Both Kristin and I have to stand on top of the trunk at different points in the routine and I was a little worried that with the ship rocking back and forth that one of us might lose our balance and fall off the thing! Luckily, that never happened.
After the show, we got a small snack since neither of us had really eaten any dinner and called it a night. The first day onboard was quite an adventure all by itself and we had just started our weeklong run. Click here for Day #2.
Thought I would throw in a picture of Kristin and I standing outside the showroom. Whoa, we look like a couple of bums here! If I remember correctly, this was taken on the first night when we felt pretty rough. Anyway, this photo is proof that we were actually there!
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