Saturday Evening Post

After a lack luster Friday due to rain and threats of rain today was pretty awesome.  We ranged from 150-250 people per show (our Pavilion is pretty tiny so that's pretty good.) We are pulling in more folks then the regular shows at the park. But I suppose since we are a special treat for two weeks that is to be expected since folks can come anytime to see the other acts....that and the other acts haven't changed much over the years.  I don't mean to sound mean toward the other acts, the performers are in fact nice people. But over the past five years we haven't seen much change in their shows. I take it as a compliment that the things that have been added to our show are things from our show they've copied.  And isn't that the highest form of flattery.  But that type of behavior is pretty common in magic and variety arts. The goal is to always come up with something new for them to copy next year.  Or make up something so difficult to copy that they don't.

The girls' respective hula hoop routine and trapeze acts are off the charts.  Victor's escapes, tight wire, and machete ladder are pretty hard to top.  Though Victor did take a small spill yesterday when he decided to shift his leg a different way while doing a trick on the wire to compensate for a sore knee....he met the ground.  He bruised his foot but he is OK.  He is still doing the wire and not making any changes without lots of practice. ...live and learn.

Tator Tot has become a thing of his own.  He casually walks out on stage anytime he wants and draws aws and ooos.  He runs a muck during Belle's routine trying to steal Belle's reward.  it all has become very funny, very cute.  So instead of training him out of it we are letting it stay...it plays like the show is going to the dogs.

Our Newest mind reading or prediction stunt gives the audience a chance to win $20.  Our Psychic Circus trick has three folks from the audience come up. We dress them as clowns and give them each a dart. They each pop one of four balloons.  Their choice of the color of the dart and their choice of the balloon.  The balloons are clear and inside a key or coin envelope can be seen.  Each one pops their balloon of choice and gets the envelope.  The last one is for me. When the envelopes are opened the clown (spectator, helper) reads what is written in the envelope, " Johnny, who is wearing red shorts, used the green dart to pop the first balloon" (remember the envelope have been in the balloons since before the trick started and before we knew who was coming up. The red shorts or flower dress or whatever is their own clothes not our clown get up we put on them.) Naturally the last envelope....mine...has the $20 bill.    I played really well.  I will post a video soon.

Brandon (cousin) and his sister, Jessica joined us yesterday. Brandon broke four toes in the show last year. But he is back and will start full performing tomorrow.  Today he assisted in the last show.   His sister hasn't any skills developed yet so she will help with sales and stage hand stuff.

Also new is the great balance challenge. For a video series we are making we have people bring or suggest challenges for Jim to balance on his face.  Today he did a microwave oven, a penny farthing Bike, a tire, and a cheer leader.  video of this also coming.

A group of 45 cheer leaders came down from Louisville today.  Thursday the group was just about 7. The group's leaders follow us on facebook and timed their trip to coincide with our time at the park.  Turns out we are responsible for well of 150 people coming to the park so far just because we are their. Very humbling.  They are a very modestly dressed group and very talented.   They do cheers as a way to worship God.  S o we had them perform for us a few times at our show. Video to come.

I am sure I am leaving out a lot of stuff but I will try to recall it and add it to the next posting.

This girl had a mustache
shirt and a purple bow tie....instant Jim-friend.