Why DO events hire strolling entertainers?

Stretch · 01-21-10, 12:22 PM

Occasionally I find a terrific event, and when I approach them, they are unfamiliar with the very concept of strolling or atmosphere variety entertainment.

Or the event is very familiar with balloon twisters, or face painters who collect from/vend to the public, but can not imagine why the festival should hire a stilt walker, juggler or other strolling entertainer.

Since I am so close to the forest, I can't see the trees, how about some help here. Why DO events hire strolling entertainers?

Strolling entertainers can/do :
flag traffic, draw attention, show the way, act as ambassadors of good will, act as a landmark, entertain those waiting in line so they don't get bored and leave, keep the kids out of the (paying) adults hair, keep the kids out of the venders hair, advertise/give recognition to event sponsors . . .

What else?

Lee Nelson · 01-21-10, 01:44 PM

they make it an event

Evan Young · 01-21-10, 02:32 PM

In my opinion, the best thing about strolling entertainment is that they give you something to take pictures of/with. It gives media something to take an interesting picture of.
Find some good images of you on the front page of a newspaper and put them next to some boring fair images in newspapers. I've always thought that would be a good marketing idea for strolling entertainers.

gav · 01-22-10, 04:28 AM

Strollers fill the gaps between the 'set' attractions making an event more full of entertainment. They help create a more festive atmosphere within the whole area.
I've noticed that in the case of shopping centers, strollers are the best form of entertainment as people seem less willing to gather in a crowd and hang around to watch a 'set' performance.

Stretch · 01-26-10, 06:16 PM

Gentlemaen! Thank you! All VERY good points. I know Art and/or Craft Festivals are always looking to boost their attendance, AND attract quality exhibitors. And wouldn't ya know it, we can help them attract media attention!

Kate Awesome · 02-07-10, 09:56 AM

We keep people on the grounds so they don't wander off after the shows.

martin ewen · 02-08-10, 05:31 PM

media magnetic

lubricate the overall atmosphere

provide non specific additional mini-shows.

Personalise the event for patrons, photos, one one one interactions.

Stilt specific, gives the event an added visual spectrum

can aid in crowd flux between set pieces.

just top of my head stuff.

Schuyler · 03-06-10, 11:47 PM

Would anybody mind if I use these ideas on a webpage?

martin ewen · 03-07-10, 01:17 AM

mine are given freely.

Knoxious · 03-13-10, 08:39 PM

People will also gladly take *anything* from a stilt walker be it a flyer, bit of festival promo garb or if you're slightly cheekier and a little bored; toilet paper, used bus tickets etc... But seriously, the power of stilt walkers to distribute promo material for an event is completely underestimated by most!

magic_fella · 03-16-10, 11:31 AM

I spend about half of my performing life strolling.

There is no better way to put a smile on an event, to interact PERSONALLY with the audience, to send them away with special "something" they will remember forever than what a strolling performer gives.

It's magic...real magic.

David

01-21-10, 12:22 PM	#1
Stretch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 601	Why DO events hire strolling entertainers? Occasionally I find a terrific event, and when I approach them, they are unfamiliar with the very concept of strolling or atmosphere variety entertainment. Or the event is very familiar with balloon twisters, or face painters who collect from/vend to the public, but can not imagine why the festival should hire a stilt walker, juggler or other strolling entertainer. Since I am so close to the forest, I can't see the trees, how about some help here. Why DO events hire strolling entertainers? Strolling entertainers can/do : flag traffic, draw attention, show the way, act as ambassadors of good will, act as a landmark, entertain those waiting in line so they don't get bored and leave, keep the kids out of the (paying) adults hair, keep the kids out of the venders hair, advertise/give recognition to event sponsors . . . What else? __________________ Walking tall and stretching imaginations! Bill 'Stretch' Coleman http://www.stiltwalker.com/ http://www.bubbletower.com/ http://www.youtube.com/stiltpro http://stiltpro.blogspot.com/

01-21-10, 02:32 PM	#3
Evan Young Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mid Atlantic (PA) Posts: 976	In my opinion, the best thing about strolling entertainment is that they give you something to take pictures of/with. It gives media something to take an interesting picture of. Find some good images of you on the front page of a newspaper and put them next to some boring fair images in newspapers. I've always thought that would be a good marketing idea for strolling entertainers. __________________ --EvAN-- ka-pow! www.globalevan.com www.showoffshow.com www.evanshotme.com

01-26-10, 06:16 PM	#5
Stretch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 601	Gentlemaen! Thank you! All VERY good points. I know Art and/or Craft Festivals are always looking to boost their attendance, AND attract quality exhibitors. And wouldn't ya know it, we can help them attract media attention! __________________ Walking tall and stretching imaginations! Bill 'Stretch' Coleman http://www.stiltwalker.com/ http://www.bubbletower.com/ http://www.youtube.com/stiltpro http://stiltpro.blogspot.com/

03-06-10, 11:47 PM	#8
Schuyler Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 176	Would anybody mind if I use these ideas on a webpage? __________________ ~ Schuyler

03-16-10, 11:31 AM	#11
magic_fella Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edmonton Canada Posts: 15	I spend about half of my performing life strolling. There is no better way to put a smile on an event, to interact PERSONALLY with the audience, to send them away with special "something" they will remember forever than what a strolling performer gives. It's magic...real magic. David __________________ > Always speak the truth...and leave as soon as possible afterward.

01-21-10, 01:44 PM	#2
Lee Nelson Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: departure lounge Posts: 334	they make it an event

01-22-10, 04:28 AM	#4
gav Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: zagreb Posts: 839	Strollers fill the gaps between the 'set' attractions making an event more full of entertainment. They help create a more festive atmosphere within the whole area. I've noticed that in the case of shopping centers, strollers are the best form of entertainment as people seem less willing to gather in a crowd and hang around to watch a 'set' performance.

02-07-10, 09:56 AM	#6
Kate Awesome Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: anywhere I lay my head Posts: 51	We keep people on the grounds so they don't wander off after the shows.

02-08-10, 05:31 PM	#7
martin ewen Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Trapped-Please send money Posts: 1,660 Blog Entries: 12	media magnetic lubricate the overall atmosphere provide non specific additional mini-shows. Personalise the event for patrons, photos, one one one interactions. Stilt specific, gives the event an added visual spectrum can aid in crowd flux between set pieces. just top of my head stuff.

03-07-10, 01:17 AM	#9
martin ewen Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Trapped-Please send money Posts: 1,660 Blog Entries: 12	mine are given freely.

03-13-10, 08:39 PM	#10
Knoxious Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23	People will also gladly take anything from a stilt walker be it a flyer, bit of festival promo garb or if you're slightly cheekier and a little bored; toilet paper, used bus tickets etc... But seriously, the power of stilt walkers to distribute promo material for an event is completely underestimated by most!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode