Make it easy on yourself…use this free
Birthday Party Planner
Print this page for some tips on having a good party…
Then CALL ROSS at 703-000-0000 to arrange the entertainment!

My "Top 10 ^{(well, 7)} Birthday Party Tips":

HOW MANY CHILDREN SHOULD I INVITE?
If you’re doing this alone, multiply your child’s age by 1 to 1½ (example: invite 10 to 15 children for a 10-year-old's birthday).
Some of those you invite will not be able to come. (By the way, nobody seems to RSVP anymore).
If some of the other parents can stay and help, you could easily have more children.
You don't need to invite the entire school class — and don't let the school tell you that you must … it's YOUR party!

BUT SOME KIDS CAN'T COME SATURDAY, OTHERS CAN'T COME SUNDAY!
There will always be someone who can't come regardless of the day & time you set.
Plan your party when it's convenient for you, and enjoy it with whoever can attend.

HOW LONG SHOULD THE PARTY BE?
Unless you’re having an all-day or all-evening event for families, I find that 2 hours is the ideal for most children.

ALL BOYS, ALL GIRLS, OR BOTH?
I find that children get along better when there are both boys and girls at the party.

WHEN SHOULD YOU START THE SHOW?
Allow time for everyone to get there — there will always be a few who come late and others who never show up at all.
For the usual two-hour party, you might start my show 15-30 minutes after you've told them to arrive.
While they're arriving, they can just play (after all, they're all friends already.)
For an all-day or all-evening event, plan to start the show MUCH later - nobody's going to get there before dinnertime.
Note: I cannot "come back later" if no one is there yet. I can usually (not always) wait up to 15 minutes before we must begin.

SHOULD I PLAN GAMES AND ACTIVITIES?
Not unless you want to. See this page for more details. I think my show is all you need.
I have them pretty well occupied for the full length of my visit. After that, there's usually just enough time
to feed them cake and let them go home (Doesn't that work out nicely?).
Even at a longer party, after my visit they’ve usually enough structured activity — they’d rather just run and play some more.
Opening presents at the party? Not necessary … Miss Manners would be horrified!
(And the children get bored or jealous!) Save that for later.

HOW DO I KEEP FROM GOING CRAZY?
Stop fussing, relax and have some fun! My job is to make it possible for you to enjoy your child’s special day!
Your child will never be this age again, and the day will be full of special moments you can share if you're not so busy.
YOUR PRESENCE AND ATTENTION is much more important to your child than anything else you could be doing.

About the Show:

WILL MY CHILD BE IN THE SHOW?
Your child (3 or older) will be our "special guest star magician" if he wants to be, and he will make the most exciting magic happen!
If he’s shy, I have some good ways to help him feel more comfortable "on stage."
And if he really doesn’t want to be "in the spotlight", we’ll let him enjoy the show in the way he feels most comfortable.

DOES YOUR MAGIC REALLY FOOL PEOPLE?
My magic is VERY magical!
Of course, anyone of reasonable intelligence can make pretty good guesses as to how tricks are done.
But if you choose to enjoy the magic, you’ll be enchanted by the stories, charmed by the children, and maybe even fooled!
If you decide to play "catch the magician", you'll "win"…but you'll miss the real fun.

CLOWNS MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY, RIGHT?
Only in fairy tales and movies.
One-year-olds will pay no attention at all.
Twos and threes are usually afraid of strangers, especially a clown in very bold makeup
(that’s why I keep my "look" low-key and simple).

IS YOUR SHOW EXACTLY 30 OR 45 OR 60 MINUTES LONG?
Each performance is a live, one-of-a-kind event.
The time listed is the average time to complete the set of features. You will get every feature promised!.
Sometimes it takes longer, and sometimes when there’s "good energy" all around, it goes more quickly.
A half-hour show usually runs almost exactly 30 minutes, a 45-minute show can run 40 to 50 minutes, a 1-hour show 50 to 75.

DO YOU NEED TIME TO SET UP?
No!  I will need a little help getting my equipment in the door, then I’m ready to go right away!
It would help if you didn't let the children run outside to my car before I've made a few "secret" last-minute preparations.

CAN YOU PERFORM OUTDOORS?
Gladly (weather permitting)!
BUT that means:
level ground dry enough to sit on, comfortable temperatures,
& GOOD SOLID SHADE both for me and the children!
There are good reasons for all three requirements.
If temperatures are in the 90’s or more, we need to be indoors.

HOW SHOULD I ARRANGE THINGS BEFOREHAND?
All I need is room for the children to sit on the floor, far enough away that I couldn't kick anybody.
You should plan for them to sit in front, not behind me or too far around the sides.
If you're videotaping, your picture will be better if there's not a very bright window at my back.

DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?  HOW DO I PAY?
Payment may be made by cash or check made out to "Blue Ridge Entertainment" on the day of the show
unless (as I may in certain periods of high demand) I have asked for a deposit and/or cash payment.

MAY I PHOTOGRAPH OR VIDEOTAPE THE SHOW?
Yes! And, by the way, tape is cheap … keep the camera running or you'll miss some precious moments.
At the end of your child's star turn, he'll take a big bow … don't miss it!
If you're taking photos, I’ll be glad to pose with your child for some special pictures after the show.

HOW DO I KNOW YOUR SHOW IS REALLY THIS GOOD?  DO YOU HAVE REFERENCES?
Yes! And I don't have a "canned" reference list like some magicians.
I’ll gladly give you the names and numbers of my two or three most recent hosts whose parties were similar to yours.
They’ll give you up-to-date and unbiased information.

HOW DO YOU KNOW PEOPLE REALLY ENJOY YOUR SHOW?
Because I hear their children telling them so, because families and schools often have me back again,
and because some of them even say a special "thank you" with a tip after the show.

CHECKLIST:

I hope this makes your job easier …
and DON'T FORGET to
CALL ROSS at 703-000-0000
for your party entertainment!

See a FREE VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE SHOW:

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