A question about cancelling a party

[Zoey]

About a week ago I accepted my first birthday party and made the mistake of telling them a price (25 dollars) before finding out all the details (there's gonna be 50 kids, its about an hour away from me at 7pm and in a pretty undesirable area) I was fine with it all although I did kick myself for my rookie mistake. But yesterday my mother was talking to a sheriff in the area and he told her that if it was his daughter he would have her cancel. After hearing this of course I got a little worried (I'm 20 years old, I tend to get a bit worried being young still) and am wondering whether or not I should cancel. The Party is next Friday so I know if I am going to cancel I need to do it now, but I am just afraid to do so. Obviously I don't want to put myself in a bad area of town that I have never been to, not to mention it being an evening party. I just hate to cancel with it being my first party and I don't want any negativity. I'm just looking for some advice and how I should handle this situation. Has anyone ever had this issue? What should I do?

[pixcoco]

Do you have a guy friend who can go with you? Or even another girl. There is always safty in numbers.
Was it the Mom who booked you? You could tell her you are nervous or that you Mom was frightened for you. She would understand and might could put your fears at ease.

I have done a lot of parties in undesirable areas of town. Many times the people were even nicer than those in higher income areas. Economic status does not always mean people are not nice. I have had the person booking insist on escorting me once. He met me in the parking lot and walked me up, then walked me back out when I was done. I have to say the kids were wonderful. I think they get less such treats and were so thrilled.

There are ways to make you safe so that you can stand up to your word. Don't let it be because you under quoted yourself. That will just be a learning experiance for you. Instead of worrying about not making as much money as you want, make it about the children who will have the treat of a clown of their own at their house.

[Lolly Plop]

The first three questions you ask before you commit to a party are.
1. Where is party?
2. How many kids will there be?
3. What is the date?

This way if party is in an area or a distance you don't want to go, you can just say you are already booked.

Between gas and supplies you are losing $ before you even walk in the door. If you're putting yourself in danger too, I'd say cancel, and chalk it up to experience. If a sheriff warned me to stay out of a high crime area, and I was young and unfamiliar with the area I would take the sheriff's advice. My daughter was killed when she was 22. Do not put your mother through that because, you feel some obligation to honor your commitment. There will be plenty of clown jobs, there's only one of you. A mime is a terrible thing to waste.

[Chance Marmalade]

I wouldn't want to suggest that you are guaranteed safe on any gig but I imagine that with 50 children in a house nearby you are probably pretty darn safe. If you're worried about leaving you can always ask the mom to walk you out because you'd like to thank her for giving you the shot to perform there. A resident of the neighborhood walking you to your car is good protection I think. And remember you wont be spending more than a minute or two out on the street, mostly you'll be amidst a bunch of noisy fun loving kids!

[Sir Toony Van Dukes]

If there are 50 kids, is this at a church or school? That is too many for a typical home party (especially in a city). Definitely bring a parent or friend along as your "helper".

I wouldn't cancel over the money. One cheap gig isn't going to break the bank. It will give you some experience and confidence at your next gig.

[BlossomTheClown]

Personally, I believe in listening to your intuition. If it's telling you to cancel out of fear of the area then cancel. Clowning when you're scared probably won't be too much fun anyway. The fear may not be worth the $25.

[Zoey]

I feel I should clarify. I in no way, shape, or form want to cancel because of the money, I know the looks on the children's faces will be priceless and will more than make up for not charging much to do the party. I honestly don't want to cancel at all but I in no way want to put myself in harms way either. The father is the one who called me to book it and I have not spoken to the mother at all. The party is in a trailer park to answer your question Sir Toony. I have a family friend that works as a police officer in a different area but I will speak with him tomorrow and see what he thinks. If he says the same thing then I will make a decision. My mother is more than willing to go with me even if the area is not the best, but refuses to go if its going to put either of us in a bad position. I agree that with the number of children, it probably isn't as bad as this cop made it out to seem, which is why I am getting a second opinion from someone I know. Thank you all for the suggestions.

[Scruffy]

Is it during daylight hours? I'd feel safer that during daylight than in the dark.

[Zoey]

The party is at 7pm scruffy, so it will be darkish at that point.

[Bumbles]

I would call the parents and speak to the mother, you could be checking on arrangements ect. If its a bad part of town do all that you can to safe guard yourself. What is the age of the birthday child, 7pm seems like a strange time to have a kids party, all the ones in our area are usually during the daylight hours.