Olivia sleeps with the snake again.
Carefully guarding his master.
Chnl 6 News let me be his camera man. I was in the fair office when Doug Short the newsman came in wanting an escort to point out the high points of the fair. I volunteered.
Me and Doug Short.
Miles being filmed.
Now it's my turn.
Doug Short trying to eat fire.
Me the teacher.Below is the photo and story (and link) to the front page coverage we got from the local paper.
By WILLIAM J. KEMBLECorrespondentVictor Kent, of the Kent Family Magic Circus, breathes fire at the Ulster County Fair on Wednesday. His advice to spectators, not surprisingly: Don’t try this at home. Photo by William J. Kemble
NEW PALTZ — The Kent Family Magic Circus proved on Wednesday that, at the Ulster County Fair, it isn’t necessary to be involved with agriculture to be corny or on a Ferris wheel to be over the top.Victor Kent and his seven children kept the Libertyville Road fairgrounds charged with a combination of illusion and time-honored stagecraft during two shows at which fair attendees became participants in the entertainment.“When I was a kid, I was influenced by (Harry) Blackstone Jr., and he always had people come up on stage to help throughout the show,” Kent said. “I always like that whole idea of connecting with the audience.”With downpours beginning just before the Kent's’ first show on Wednesday, a crowd of about 70 people grew at the indoor Entertainment Area on the fairgrounds grew to about 80 as the Kent family had a snake appear on stage, then to about 100 by the time they made a woman disappear. And by the time flaming batons were being thrown in the air, the crowd had swelled to about 120.“I would prefer it not be raining, because last year we filled the tent every show with every seat taken,” Kent said, alluding to the fact that attendance at the fair is better when the weather is nice. “This show it was raining ... and it wasn’t filling every seat. So it’s nice in the sense that we get a captive audience, but it’s better when there is a big, big crowd here at the fairgrounds.”
We also made the Paper today in Middlebury, CT on our impending show in CT.
A beautiful day....not too hot and no rain!!
All three shows had full capacity seating and standers all around.
It was Seniors day so the annual seniors idol and singing seniors were hosted on our stage. It was very charming to see them perform. It also meant that our first audience was nearly 100% seniors. They loved the little ones performing. We had to run a shorter first show to make room for the seniors events.
The two other shows were also shorter, but only by 5 to 10 minutes. The "big stage" sound/lights guy wanted more time to run sound checks for the evening's bands. He made a stink to the fair manager and exaggerated our show length...and even though the manager was on our side and told me to just do our thing. I felt it would be better if I just capitulate and give them the extra time. ....to keep the peace. The audience didn't know the difference so all is well. Though I really would prefer to do our full set....but that is show biz!
One other interesting incident that was a pain but funny too. Right before the second show I was found chatting with a few folks in the front row. An older couple was sitting furthers front....in fact, they had pulled their chairs forward and sideways to watch the big stage do their sound check...it blocked the walk way, but it didn't seem to bother them. But this wasn't the cause of the "confrontation". The woman asked if we had animals in the show. I said we did and she then asked what kind. I told her she would have to wait and see....I never tip them to what's coming. She then asked if I took care of my animals because she was a member of PETA. She asked if I knew what PETA was...I said sure I did "People who enjoy tasty animals". Her husband was visibly uncomfortable with my answer. She asked me again that she wanted to know how I treated my animals because as a member of PETA she had to know. So I told here I would beat one of the animals with one of the other animals. And then I said I treat them the way I wanted to because they were my animals. (By the way I treat them very well and all of my animals have outlived their wild counterparts and their pet counterparts....they are spoiled!). But it was none of her business nor PETA's. Her husband looked at me side-eyed as he told his spouse it would be better if they just walked around the fair rather than attend our show. I told him he would miss a great show but "enjoy the fair". They stood and walked out....I moved their chairs back...unblocking the walk way. The man disappeared but the woman watched the show from the sidelines. By the way, the folks around them within hearing distance gave me smiles of agreement and a couple rolled their eyes at them as we spoke. Those two need a hobby that requires them to mind their own business and doesn't include being busybodies.
By the way, in our opening sequence, the parade, most particularly the "O" Box, right before I produce Olivia from the box I pull out a "spring bunny" a fake bunny that looks real. In the sequence I pull it out moving it like it's alive. Then I shrug and toss it over the back drop. Then immediately I produce Olivia. The shock of the bunny toss is out weighed by the production of Olivia. It's funny.....I am sure the PETA lady found it very funny from the sidelines.
I have to tell you these crowds are fantastic audiences. I love these crowds! And the fair folks are awesome.
The kids are having a blast. They have gotten a bunch of vendor provided freebees. Candy, platics swords, toys, lemonade, dough, etc. They have also made a bunch of friends.
I met the manager of another NY Fair. Hopefully we can work with him in the future.
Got an email from a Texas Fair for a late Sept fair for this year. I will keep you informed.
No comments:
Post a Comment