1st B-day party at Chukee Cheeze location HELP

Kwayzee the Clown · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 10:15 AM

Hi just got my first birthday at a Chuckee cheeze. If there is any advice about working these venues and any pitfalls that I should avoid please let me know. I was planning to doing balloons and a magic show but I may not have the room(I have not acquired any close up magic yet) The routine I was planing was: meet & greet, coloring book, Some sight gags, Scarves to balloons using change bag, Balloons, Vanishing ketchup bottle, more balloons, more gags, more balloons, Cake production. About 12 kids in all. I think I can circle the table as I give each child a balloon, interspersing with magic and gags. hard to say without knowing the set up of the venue. thank you to all ideas in advance
Kwayzee

pixcoco · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 10:31 AM

I have always been able to squeeze in a magic show while standing at the end of the table. This might change some of your patter and tricks so consider the space between you and the children. Watch for the timing on thier load music show.

As for balloons...there will of course be a lot of kids not with your party. It might be a good idea to talk to the mom about this in advance. You will have an easier time if she fends off children from other parties. You don't want to be the bad guy. And she is paying you to entertain the kids SHE brings in. A simple sticker on the participation children can let you know who is part of your group. But I would still rather not have to tell a child no.

Kwayzee the Clown · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 11:26 AM

Thanx Coco. I was going to explain to any other children that I only brought enough balloons for the birthday boys party, but I would have plenty of stickers to give out. My fear about magic is that they may be sitting at a round table with no end. I am only comfortable enough to do those 4 tricks at the moment, although I have a bunch more. I am pretty new to the magic side of clowning and it is the part that i find the hardest to get my head around.
Kwayzee

Scruffy · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 12:00 PM

Other idea. They sell hand stamps at most party supply places or at craft store. Have the Mom stamp the kids hand and she can tell them be careful the clown has suprises for you so don't wash it off!
This eliminates you from being the bad guy. In case a member doesn't get a stamp. It's the moms responsibility. And they will go looking for the mom with the stamper! Also, If a kid comes up and claims to be part of the group say, sorry, You have to show me the Secret signal in order to prove that you are with the group. No signal, no suprises, Sorry, but this time it's just how it has to be.
Then you can give them a card and tell them you would love to be invited to come to their next party Talk to mom, dad, gramma, whoever, and they can invite me. then all this fun stuff will be for you and your friends.

pixcoco · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 12:44 PM

I really think they use rectalge tables. But yours could be different. The answer is just a phone call away.

Bonkers #361 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 11:34 AM

Good luck I was contacted by a Mom doing a friends of my daughters Birthday at CEC and when I got there they refused me entry even with mom telling them he is with me. The manager came out and talked with me and informed me that they take care of the entertainment. That I was not welcome there and to please leave. You might want to call ahead of time and make sure you are welcome.

Kwayzee the Clown · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 01:22 PM

GULP!! Thanx for the heads up, Bonkers. Calling now!
Kwayzee

pixcoco · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 02:09 PM

Any time you are going to be at a resturant or bowling alley, skating rink, ect... You should give a courtesy call to the establishment. Or if you are sure the mom has had that discusion with the manager. I would never want to be a surprize to a public place of business.

I have never been turned down, but I like to make sure.

Jolly Well · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 07:02 PM

I personally dislike performing at establishments such as Chuckee Cheeze (Showbiz Pizza, Dave & Busters, etc). It's just as often as not that they have issues with performers coming in that aren't part of their staff. Occassionally you'll find a manager who doesn't have a problem with it, but at I've found that it's the exception and not the norm.

Also, the kids are generally wanting to get away from the table and onto the arcade which offers quite a bit of distraction (along with the in-house stage entertainment). You'll definately need a quality routine to keep the attention of the table and make the customer feel satisfied. I never understand why parents book out-of-house entertainment in places like these, and if I don't neccessarily need the cash at the moment - I turn the gig down or discuss alternatives to them (doing a ''pre-party'' gig at a residence, park, etc)

In the end, it's like every other performance once you get past the roadblocks. Be confident and just toss your routine out there and you should do fine.