I have a spinning gig!

Yesterday I was supposed to meet a friend at a little shopping street in Schenectady, NY. She ended up getting in a minor car accident and the cops took her keys and wouldn't let her drive because she doesn't have a license. Since I wasn't getting picked up by anyone I started looking through the stores. They have alot of interesting shops on the street there is a couple head shops and a bunch of natural health food stores and little cafes. I walked into a magic shop cause this guy had a cat that had leopard markings on it that I thought was cool. I started talking to him about spinning and he told me that there is a folk lore shop down the street that is looking to hire people to perform on the street Tuesday afternoons. I went and talked to the lady and she said in the next couple weeks she would want me to spin for a couple hours or so. I don't know if I will get paid or just put out a tip hat but I'm really excited about this. I was wondering if any of you guys have any experience with this kind of thing and could give any advice. Like things people liked when you spun for an audience or anything really. Any input at all will help. And if this goes well I have another lady I could call too that might pay bucks to spin at partys then i can collect whatever tips I can get after I perform. This is so exciting I'm gonna practice non-stop for the next week. Sphism/gigglesmiley

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Sphism/gigglesmiley

Sounds like fun - good luck! What a dream come true to make $$$ doing what you love.

congrats!

fire or regular performance?

ok, a little tip, try gathering friends and family to watch you during practice so u won't get stage fright.

Good Luck,

asaf (poiboi).

I've performed in front of a whole bunch of different people just never on the street. I might be using fire but I might not be, gotta go talk to the fire department about that one. I was wondering more about like things to get the crowd going i don't know something along those lines. Any suggestions?

I read a thread - I think it was on HoP - that had a good idea ... the're troupe would start by spinning non-fire things - glowsticks and what have you - until there was a decent sized crowd, and then move on to fire. They also said they liked having more than one performer, because peole aren't going to sit around and wait for you to re-fuel .... you could also combine the "show" with something else - do you have friends who dance or juggle or something for in between fire spins?

just ideas - just thinking out loud ....

also from being out in bristol i know they're were some spinners who occasionally hit the streets with some african drummers accompanying them! Get someone selling sweets and you've got all 5 senses of your audience catered for! Sphism/winksmiley

if you have a second set of fire poi, have a friend prep them for you every time the set you're using starts going out, then it's a matter of quick quick swap and carry on!

best of luck man, getting a gig like that is wicked!! the only thing that widened my eyes was she wants you to spin for a few hours!!! personally i find the concentration i need to spin fire leaves me after about 3 burns, and the third is usually hard work. maybe she doesernt want fire, but be careful if you feel nacked about going on anyways unless your used to spinnnig for long periods of time.

the advice about getting other performers is well good,as is the african drum idea. id say that its her responsibility to sort out things with the fire dept and any other performers. its going to be outside her shop after all.

from a purely capatilist view, id ask her to at least pay for the fuel you use.

to get the crowd goin, well, it helps if youve got a few mates there to start clapping at impressive moments Sphism/winksmiley cheating a bit i know but.... also make sure you have a saftey who is well preped. check out where she wants you to spin etc.

good luck man! peace

Congrats man!! Sorry no major tips here, I'm needing them myself

Hi ya everyone. Long time no seee. Did anyone check out the date for my first post? lol You are all a bit late but thank you. Sphism/gigglesmiley I actually have alot more events to spin at. I'm performing at 9 festivals this summer and teaching some workshops. I am also going to start spinning with a local band. This is going to be quite an eventful summer and if any one is anywheres near central New York this summer pm me on here or on HoP and maybe in my travels we'll cross paths.

shiiii*****it, fair point. so ya got any advice for us then? Sphism/gigglesmiley

Dance, smile, and don't burn yourself. Also interact with the crowd especially if your not spinning fire. Also it's a good thing to get paid too. Sphism/gigglesmiley I'm still working on that bit but it's worth the fun having people cheer you on and making your audience's day a bit more pleasant. I had my first experience spinning for children today but that story deserves it's own thread which I'll start now.

I leave at 6 tonight to go on the road for my first performance at a real event ever. I'll be teaching workshops and performing at 3 different festivals for the next three weekends. I'm so psyched. My girlfriend is also going to be peforming with me. Getting paid to spin and watch live music. I can't think of a better way to spend summer. Talk to you all in three weeks. I'll let you know how it goes. Peace! Sphism/gigglesmiley

Fantastic- enjoy yourself Rovo- Sphism/gigglesmiley

Sweet! Sphism/gigglesmiley

nice one rovo, that's great news, have a blast.

m