Next year, I have now decided, my mailers will go out in December! I can't believe some of the calls I have had... I probably cost myself 5 or 6 parties this year by not reminding my clients early enough.... they had already booked some April and May entertainment.... fortunately I am getting them for July and August, but it makes it less likely that I can get them for 2 parties, now.
The Official Bubble Party Thread. Join in! :)
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
- Start date
What are you guys using for sound? I was mostly using my Fender PD 250, but I think I am going to use my Berhringer 212.... with just an iPod.
I'm also going to try to build a podium like setup made from PVC this week.... I have it all drawn out, and I think it will work just fine. Then I will have a fun fabric cover made for it. Or possibly a vinyl banner with my logo....
I am really trying to minimize what I bring this season.
I'm also going to try to build a podium like setup made from PVC this week.... I have it all drawn out, and I think it will work just fine. Then I will have a fun fabric cover made for it. Or possibly a vinyl banner with my logo....
I am really trying to minimize what I bring this season.
I have 2 JBL EON G2's 10" with one of my industrial carts. I just wheel it out of the back of my trailer, throw up the speakers and plug in the power. I put my bubble machine on a speaker stand. I retrofitted a shelf for it so it's up over the kids heads. No sticking their face in front of the machine.
Geez! That is what they want!
Grinch! Regardless, if you ever take a photo, I would like to see it.
I wish I had a trailer, or at least a pickup truck.
I'm very safety conscious. Or lets say I don't trust parents. Parent: My kid came how with a rash on his face because he stuck his face in front of your bubble machine. My kid is allergic to soap. Or, your bubble machine irritated my kids eyes because you let him stick his face in it. Who's your insurance company?
I'll look and see if I have any picks. I've got them somewhere but I'm on my laptop right now. You see, I'm on the couch watching the game and it's very warm sitting on my lap, if you know what I mean?
I'll look and see if I have any picks. I've got them somewhere but I'm on my laptop right now. You see, I'm on the couch watching the game and it's very warm sitting on my lap, if you know what I mean?
I use one Gemini GX350 with a CD Mix 2 on a 4 foot table with some funky tablecloth. Considering the constant exposure to the elements (well, really only wind and sun) and more importantly, the bubbles, I wanted something that was fairly inexpensive yet still a decent piece of gear. I have yet to have a four old complain that I'm using hack gear.
No speaker stand. Speaker right on table. Bubble machines are on the flipped over plastic tubs that I transport them in (the big ones, 30 gallon size I think). You can fit two machines in one of those tubs and then stack that one tub into the other to save space when transporting.
No speaker stand. Speaker right on table. Bubble machines are on the flipped over plastic tubs that I transport them in (the big ones, 30 gallon size I think). You can fit two machines in one of those tubs and then stack that one tub into the other to save space when transporting.
Oh sure Wayde,
the 4 year olds might not be complaining to you about using hack gear but I can only imagine what they are saying to each other back in the sand box once you leave.
Hey Johnny, did you see that bubble dude try and pull of that Radio Shack set up as pro gear? My Fisher Price record player sounded better than that.
Dude, I know. He would have been better off with an iPod and my moms Bose radio. Johnny, did you eat the blue glue during craft time.
Yes I did.
Cool!
the 4 year olds might not be complaining to you about using hack gear but I can only imagine what they are saying to each other back in the sand box once you leave.
Hey Johnny, did you see that bubble dude try and pull of that Radio Shack set up as pro gear? My Fisher Price record player sounded better than that.
Dude, I know. He would have been better off with an iPod and my moms Bose radio. Johnny, did you eat the blue glue during craft time.
Yes I did.
Cool!
Bad News.....
I lost the contract to 17 parties for the 2009 year - all from the same chain.... I still have some of the ones I booked. They had a cancellation clause in our contract that stated that they could back out if I was notified prior to March 1st, 2009. They are claiming economic factors as the reason.
They asked me if I would honor my pricing for them for 2010 if times get better. I will.
With one certified letter, I just lost 35% of the parties I had booked for 2009.
I lost the contract to 17 parties for the 2009 year - all from the same chain.... I still have some of the ones I booked. They had a cancellation clause in our contract that stated that they could back out if I was notified prior to March 1st, 2009. They are claiming economic factors as the reason.
They asked me if I would honor my pricing for them for 2010 if times get better. I will.
With one certified letter, I just lost 35% of the parties I had booked for 2009.
That's business. Sometimes it sucks. That's why I like to teach CPR to these daycares. They have to provide it every year in this state. What I might loose in Bubble Parties I can make up for with CPR classes.
Keep blowing Chuck, there's lots more schools out there.
On another note I found some really cool Hula Hoop songs. I need to change up the music a bit and these are going to help. Just do an Amazon search of MP3's and you'll find them.
With the help of Hank here's my new logo for a banner I'm working on.
Attachments
Papa....bummer, pal...I've lost a chain, also (only 5 gigs)but with the Karaoke/DJ/wedding gigs coming to skretching halt, also....It's back to a regular job for me...no more full time entertainer...I've invested over $10K this past year in my business only to go back to the ol' grindstone...and that aspect looks quite dim!!!!..better luck to ya.......
So, today, I got a call from one of those "exclusive" ritzy daycare centers, and the woman asked me if I could come over and talk about what we do... Well, I told her that I usually just book these parties over the phone, but she really wanted to meet, she said, as she was looking at multiple bookings.... possibly up to 10 events for this year - spread across the whole chain.
Anyway, when I got there, she asked me if I have a video of what it is I do. I do not, and likely never will, as so many parents are skittish about having their offspring taped or photographed. ( though I am thinking of getting one done by using my relatives as guinea pigs )......
Anyway, she then said, that without a video, all she wanted to commit to was 1 party at first, and possibly more based on how much she likes what I do. BTW, I found this somewhat strange because when I asked her how she came to call me, she said the her best friend had me at her daughter's birthday party, and in the words of the lady from teh daycare: "My friend said you were awesome, and her daughter and her friends still talk about that party".... which was now well over a year ago.
On another note, my wife and I were discussing bubble parties today and all she could say is "I can't believe YOU get paid to entertain kids". :sqerr: Admittedly, kids are not something I normally do well around, yet when doing these parties, it is kind of like being an actor, and I am playing a role.... plus, I get to go home after an hour.
Anyway, when I got there, she asked me if I have a video of what it is I do. I do not, and likely never will, as so many parents are skittish about having their offspring taped or photographed. ( though I am thinking of getting one done by using my relatives as guinea pigs )......
Anyway, she then said, that without a video, all she wanted to commit to was 1 party at first, and possibly more based on how much she likes what I do. BTW, I found this somewhat strange because when I asked her how she came to call me, she said the her best friend had me at her daughter's birthday party, and in the words of the lady from teh daycare: "My friend said you were awesome, and her daughter and her friends still talk about that party".... which was now well over a year ago.
On another note, my wife and I were discussing bubble parties today and all she could say is "I can't believe YOU get paid to entertain kids". :sqerr:
Admittedly, kids are not something I normally do well around, yet when doing these parties, it is kind of like being an actor, and I am playing a role.... plus, I get to go home after an hour.Any ideas on how to spruce this up? I really like the guy for the most part, but I don't know about the colored bubbles.
Maybe you could get a purple dinosaur right next to him and make it look like he's stuffing the mic in his.......did you try using a different bubble background. Kind of like the one I use? Maybe some musical notes? It seemed to work for the one Hank did for me. Try putting him in a real picture with some of the kids at a party. Just to see how it looks.Any ideas on how to spruce this up? I really like the guy for the most part, but I don't know about the colored bubbles.
And we don't use the term "colored bubbles". They are Rainbow American Bubbles.
Gonna give you folks something I did at an indoor party this week.... no bubble, but at a daycare, nonetheless..... The Kids LOVED it!
The game is called "No Snakes in My Yard!"
1. In some fashion, create a long line on the ground, about 10' - 15'.... I used thick rope..
2. Have PLENTY of pool "Noodles" cut up in different sizes. I use about 30 pieces of "noodle"....
3. Place an EQUAL number on each side of the line.
4. Place an equal number of kids on each side.
5. Start the music and have the kids throw the noodles on the other side of the line. The side that ends up with less noodles on their side when the music stops playing is the winning side. I let the game play out for 2 -3 minutes at most.
The game is called "No Snakes in My Yard!"
1. In some fashion, create a long line on the ground, about 10' - 15'.... I used thick rope..
2. Have PLENTY of pool "Noodles" cut up in different sizes. I use about 30 pieces of "noodle"....
3. Place an EQUAL number on each side of the line.
4. Place an equal number of kids on each side.
5. Start the music and have the kids throw the noodles on the other side of the line. The side that ends up with less noodles on their side when the music stops playing is the winning side. I let the game play out for 2 -3 minutes at most.
That's a great idea especially with the noodles.
You do know that game is called clean the yard? It's done in phys. ed. using balls. I did this last year with about 2 dozen beach balls. Either way it's a lot of fun. I personally think the noodle pieces are easier for the little ones to pick up and throw. And they don't go rolling all over the place like the balls.
I'm working on a new game called spank the teacher.:sqerr:
You guys and gals all ready to go? I just booked an unexpected one for mid April for my local library.... then went out and spent $125 on bubbles.... 
... and I will probably need more than that for the season.
... and I will probably need more than that for the season.
I've got a few booked and waiting for more. I'm in the process of building my website. I just don't have any pics to put on it just yet. Anyone have some spares?
I've still got some bubbles left over from last year. Got to go hit Walgreen's and see if they've got their stock in yet.
Here's a good idea I had for the bubbles. you can either get a new gas can with a funnel so it's easier to poor the bubbles. Just put "bubble juice only" all over the damn thing. Or you can get a 5 gallon pale with a lid. It's easier to dump the bubbles back into the pale and snap on the lid for storage.
Keep the ideas coming.
I've still got some bubbles left over from last year. Got to go hit Walgreen's and see if they've got their stock in yet.
Here's a good idea I had for the bubbles. you can either get a new gas can with a funnel so it's easier to poor the bubbles. Just put "bubble juice only" all over the damn thing. Or you can get a 5 gallon pale with a lid. It's easier to dump the bubbles back into the pale and snap on the lid for storage.
Keep the ideas coming.
Wayde,
I took you up on your offer and borrowed a few pics. Just until I can get a few of my own this year. If you have any issues just let me know.
Thanks
Wayde,
I took you up on your offer and borrowed a few pics. Just until I can get a few of my own this year. If you have any issues just let me know.
Thanks
No issues, that's why I posted the offer, glad I could help.
Would you rather have the original file, without the bubble background and bent polaroid effect?