Frequently Asked Questions
WHY SHOULD I BERKLE-IZE MY CHILDREN?
Children growing up in today's world spend far too much time watching
characters that are seven inches tall who exist in a digitally created, fantasy world leaving little to the imagination. Furthermore, children miss the thrill and excitement of interacting with a live performer.
I believe that direct interaction with real people fosters the development of a strong and healthy imagination while establishing highly effective
communication skills. My comedy magic and buffoonery are extremely interactive and are specifically designed to spark the imagination. From the show's beginning the audience is immediately drawn into my world of make-believe where they can't wait to help create the magic!
DO YOU ONLY PERFORM AT BIRTHDAY PARTIES?
Of course not. Wherever there is a need for entertainment I try to fill that
need. I am available for corporate events, store promotions, street fairs,
church and school fundraisers, carnivals, block parties, weddings, restaurants,
classrooms and anything else your imagine can conjure up. When in doubt, call me
and fill me in on all of the details and I will adapt to whatever your needs may
be.
HOW DO I PAY?
To make sure you are completely satisfied, I accept payment at the end of the
party. I can take checks and cash but I do not accept credit cards.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?
Emergencies happen. Please call me as soon as possible so that I can use your
time slot to book another party. If you call with less than one week's notice I
charge a $25.00 cancellation fee.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT BIRTHDAY PARTIES?
To ensure that your child has the perfect party, I like to work with the host
to make sure all the bases are covered. Since I believe that the entertainment
for your child's birthday party should never be a hassle, I work my magic by
drawing upon my creativity and fun activities so I can do all of the work while
you can sit back and enjoy the "Berkle-ization" of your child and
guests.
When I am invited to any birthday party I become the life of the party
bringing lots of fun and excitement to a special event where the guest of honor
becomes the star of the show.
For additional information regarding what I do,
please take a look at the various services that I have to offer.
WHAT CAN YOU DO AT MY SPECIAL EVENT?
When I'm doing balloon twisting only, I add color to an already exciting
event. Unlike other clowns I do not simply crank out the balloon animals like a
quiet robot. I love to have fun by interacting with the people as I make their
requested balloon sculpture. Telling silly jokes, funny stories, or performing
quick and simple magic tricks in between my balloon twisting is my forte.
The way I see it, entertainment MUST reign supreme. Having been sufficiently
entertained the children usually run off with their balloon to enjoy the rest of
the event.
For larger events such as block parties, picnics, family reunions corporate
events, etc. I can entertain small groups for a few minutes at a time while
moving through the crowd. In the world of clowning we call this "Strolling
Entertainment". Here I perform small magic tricks that I carry in my pockets,
tell silly jokes and perform goofy site gags all of which lead to some very
interesting and funny ad-lib situations. Strolling Entertainment is an ideal way
to keep people of all ages smiling without causing any sort of distraction from
the primary event. It is also a great way to keep your guests happy while
standing in those long food lines.
How Do I Prepare to Have a Live Performer at My Child's Birthday Party?
Many parents really have no idea of what to expect when they
are planning a child's birthday party and having a live performer entertain the
guests. This is simply due to the fact that parents have not had much experience
with this sort of thing. They are not aware of the unexpected details or
distractions.
Here is some advice that helps to remove some of the
"unexpected"
Parents Party Tips
There are two types of parties, indoor parties and
outdoor parties:
A. Indoor Shows are always much better than outdoor shows
because there are fewer distractions and the children are sitting in a confined
area. Ideally the children should sit on the floor. The fewer the obstacles
between them and the entertainer, the better. All toys and games should be
picked up and put out of view. All breakables should be put in a safe
place.
B. Outside Shows tend to have many more distractions for the
children (An airplane, noise from cars driving by, a passing train, the neighbor
cutting grass,etc.). There is also the tendency for children to want to run
around.
For an outside show, please provide a shaded area for the
entertainer to do his/her show. The entertainer will be using a lot of energy
during the show and in the extreme heat and humidity this is not an easy thing
to do under the blaring sun. Also keep in mind that your party might not be the
first party the entertainer had to perform outdoors that day.
There should be blankets or chairs for the children to sit on. The children should
also be wearing sunscreen and a hat for their own protection. Having a can of
bug spray nearby is a good idea as well. Toys should be picked up and out of
view, and the children should sit facing away from any swing
set.
The day of the party finally arrives and you're going crazy with all the
last minute details. The invited guests start to arrive, hosting duties begin
and your entertainer arrives. Some entertainers will have to arrive early in
order to set up for the party. If possible, try to keep the children in another
room while the entertainer is setting up. When he/she is all set up, the
children can be brought in.
Children have a very short attention span.
The best way to keep the children's attention is by keeping distractions and
disruptions to a minimum. A few simple rules will help the entertainer
greatly.
1. At least one adult should be be present in order to control any children
that may be misbehaving or causing a distrurbance.
*Remember that you have hired someone to perform not baby sit.
If the entertainer has to continually ask the children to sit and be quiet,
then he/she is no longer an entertainer. They become a disciplinarian and the
entire flow of the show suffers. Sometimes the birthday child's parents cannot
be in the room where the entertainment is taking place. In those cases, they
should ask one of the other parents to watch over the children. The children
should not be allowed to touch anything belonging to the entertainer. Some
things break easily. Some are expensive and in some cases other items may be
dangerous for them to touch.
2. Please don't give the children food, snacks or drinks during the show
because it is a distraction, their enthusiasm may suffer and could create a
mess.
3. Noise is also a major distraction for the children. Music and TV should be
turned off during the show. In addition, cell phone conversations should take place in another
room.
4. Adult background conversation should take place in another room. For an
entertainer to try and talk louder than 30 talking adults is very difficult. If
the children can't hear the show, they will not enjoy it.
Together with your help, your child can have a most memorable
party!
