So, the embarrassment didn’t stop after I realized I had shown up on THE WRONG DATE! To my credit, at least I was EARLY. I haven’t been late to a party since my Going Into Business Sale four years ago! The universe was reflecting back to me that I was really interested in this event, and I had extra time to prepare for it. However, I didn’t have a good plan about how I would prepare.
I’ve been showing up at events, uninvited, for a while now. It’s good gonzo clowning, but it takes its toll. [see blogs about Lakefair parade, Sand in the City, etc.] I had considered coming to the showcase in clown. After all, I’d like to have some assembly gigs. The extra day gave me time to run this idea by Trish. She talked me out of it. “It would be unprofessional. Like showing up at a trade show where people have paid for booths and trying to sell stuff out of your coat.”
Oh, yeah. I could see that. She continued, “Go. Watch the show and learn from them. Make connections and hand out your card… as Justin.”
So I did… with Orion. Kids were free. [Actually, it was free for me, since I RSVP'd]
I was, at turns, astounded, inspired, and underwhelmed.
I counted a room off approximately 40 with seating for an additional 20. So, we’re talking intimate. Jeff Evans later sent a spreadsheet with the breakdown of attendees. He said there were 28 attendees, possibly a dozen of them kids. There were about 14 performers, and each group was given about eight minutes on stage.
We arrived just as Buck & Elizabeth took the stage. They have a country themed act that plays well in the East part of the state, but they’re trying to book more shows with the city folk. Elizabeth sings and does ventriloquism. Buck sings and plays the guitar. I liked their professionalism, attitude, and humor. See for yourself at http://www.cowboybuck.com
The finale (he’s pulling the tablecloth off the table while 9 bowls spin)
Then we saw Rhys Thomas do an amazing 7 minutes and 59 seconds of juggling, humor, and science. Definitely one of the highlights of the showcase. His site is http://www.jugglemania.com/ We saw him a few weeks later at the Portland Juggling Festival, and he excelled even more with a longer set and a much larger audience. In the parking lot he stopped me to say that he used to have a gag about a Bi-Polaroid camera that works much better now that he put in a Lithium battery, but the camera is obsolete, so he’s not doing that one anymore.
Rick “Mr Toymaker” Hartman took the stage with a huge wooden box from which he produced a clothes-pin man that can amuse kids without batteries! http://www.toyworkshop.com/
Rick Huddle came on stage, and his deal is all about storytelling, writing, and music. He brought a guitar, but he didn’t play for us. http://www.putthebookdown.com/
Then, my old boss, Sherril Stead came on representing Mad Science of South Sound. She later told me that she’s getting her teaching certificate, and when the franchise expires she does not plan to renew it. She also offered to bring me back on for a few gigs. She loaded up a bag of great Mad Science toys, but I set it down to take a group photo and forgot it! Very embarrassing. http://www.madscience.org/locations/southsound/
Another guy I would recommend unreservedly was Charlie “The Noise Guy” Williams. He produced the most laughter and best audience participation of any presenter. His website is good for 10 minutes of laughs even if you don’t click anything. http://noiseguy.com
He’s a former children’s librarian with a background in radio. Completely inspiring!
Then we had more jugglers. The guys from W.E. C.A.R.E. Sports did a wonderful routine. Their message is “The Most Fun Wins”. http://wecaresports.com I saw Mag Hughes a year ago at West Linn’s Art in the Park, but this time he had two other members of the group.
Don Fogle did most of the talking during the presentation, and they ran a tight show. I’d love to see their staff development workshops. Orion and I took the How to Juggle class with Mag at the Portland Juggling Festival a few weeks later. I don’t think I’d ever take another class held in a racket ball court, but it was great to have a gentle and familiar face around when Orion got frustrated with himself.
Clinton and Megan represented the Pacific Science Center’s assembly program, and Clinton demonstrated the effects of liquid nitrogen on a variety of objects. His best line was to a boy in the front row: “Sit down, energetic friend.”
http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/
Pulling a live rabbit out of the hat
The show’s MC, Rick Anderson (Yes, that’s THREE guys named Rick we have to keep straight) concluded with his magic act. He is also Jeff Evans’ business partner over at http://www.edumazement.com/ He knew enough to pick Orion from the crowd to be his assistant. How did he know? Because his dad was the one in the front row taking so many pictures!
On the way home we stopped at Cabella’s.
And the sea lion laughed and applauded: “Aaarp! Aaarp! Aaarp!”
