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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5226 Posts
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Posted: Apr 15, 2012 2:47pm
About a month ago, I receive a phone call from the owner of my weekend restaurant insuring that I would be at the restaurant on April 14th. I had nothing booked during the daytime so I told him that I was planning on being there. He told me NOT to book anything for the late morning/early afternoon b/c he had a group that was booking for the sole purpose to see my act and to make sure I was at the restaurant...that I wouldn't be sorry!
Fast forward to yesterday...I load in and get set up. Right as was we open, about 30+ ladies (between the age of 60 to 80) come struttin' in wearing their Red Hats. Now, I had heard of the Red Hats Society but had never encountered them before.
OMG!!!!
These were the sassiest old gals that I have ever met in my life and BOY! do they know how to have a good time. Once they got settled in their party room, I went back and entertained with some close up and then out to the main dining room with my full act on stage. The entire time, they were yelling and screaming and living it up...and at the conclusion of the show, they booked me for their annual Prom.
Their website is http://www.redhatsociety.com. Check them out as they're a national organization and see about trying to book them in your area. Trust me...you won't be sorry! 
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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Mary Mowder
Inner circle
2004 Posts
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Posted: Apr 15, 2012 5:12pm
I've had some problems contacting local chapters. They don't have any contact info. unless you are trying to join. It's been a while so I guess I'll try again.
-Mary Mowder
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Daz Buckley
Veteran user
Australia
378 Posts
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Posted: Apr 15, 2012 6:21pm
Looks like a great gig !
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Keith Raygor
Special user
Naples, FL
611 Posts
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Posted: Apr 15, 2012 8:52pm
I've had the good fortune of performing for them on 4 different occasions over the last 10 years, and each time was a hoot. I think their purpose is to have fun and pass kindness on to others. You can't beat that combination! Great post, Chris.
Naples Magician
The Musical Mindreader
My Blog
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MickNZ
Veteran user
Auckland, New Zealand
375 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2012 1:53am
Did you get phone numbers after the show Christopher?
Auckland Magician Mick Peck, New Zealand
Visit my regularly updated blog for friends, fans and followers at www.AucklandMagicianBlog.com
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ThatsJustWrong!
Special user
My flying monkeys are perched on
583 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:47am
When I saw the title of this message thread, I thought you were referring to the Shriners but I've performed for the RHS ladies too and they can be a real trip! Performing for them is always, uh, memorable! As for booking directly with them, word of mouth is the secret, but also a problem sometimes. Their membership and chapter contact info is closely protected and every group picks and chooses its own members; the chapter's Queen has to let you in. As a result, you often have several RHS chapters in the same area that do not work together because someone left group A to found group B, etc. They're generally a lot of fun to perform for and these boisterous retirees are probably as close to kids shows as I perform (bring ear plugs); but their "You can't be friends with me if you're friends with B" can be a return to sandbox politics that you should make every effort to stay clear of.
Joe Leo
www.MisfitMagic.net
All entertainers can benefit from some help from an experienced stage director. How about you?
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5226 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2012 10:08pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-16 01:53, MickNZ wrote:
Did you get phone numbers after the show Christopher?
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No...but they got mine! (wink wink)
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5226 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2012 10:10pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-16 08:47, that'sJustWrong! wrote:
When I saw the title of this message thread, I thought you were referring to the Shriners but I've performed for the RHS ladies too and they can be a real trip! Performing for them is always, uh, memorable! As for booking directly with them, word of mouth is the secret, but also a problem sometimes. Their membership and chapter contact info is closely protected and every group picks and chooses its own members; the chapter's Queen has to let you in. As a result, you often have several RHS chapters in the same area that do not work together because someone left group A to found group B, etc. They're generally a lot of fun to perform for and these boisterous retirees are probably as close to kids shows as I perform (bring ear plugs); but their "You can't be friends with me if you're friends with B" can be a return to sandbox politics that you should make every effort to stay clear of.
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Politics like this seem to be the norm in just about any organization nowadays and it bugs me to death. Not to hijack my own thread, but it's another form of bullying. Why can't everyone just get along with everyone. I don't get it...? I won't say more as I don't want this to erupt into a bully thread...but never would have thought it from a society of senior women who base their motto around friendship and community.
With that said, I made nice to the Queen Bee and she was the one who booked me so I guess I'm in like Flynn...at least with this chapter...
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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pepka
Inner circle
Uh, I'm the one on the right.
3797 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2012 1:12am
I've done similar events for a regional Redhat convention. A LOT of fun!
www.forentertainmentonly.com
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ThatsJustWrong!
Special user
My flying monkeys are perched on
583 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2012 12:10pm
Yeah, I know, Chris. There are a lot of organizations out there that publicly promote community and morality and fight like wolves amongst themselves. The sad truth is, though, that we, as people doing business with them, have to be aware of the politics and have to watch how we sail in their waters. I don't want to turn this into a thread about bullying either (although I do have a play on the subject due to open Off-broadway in the late Fall - shameless self-promotion here) and I like the Red hat ladies - they certainly spice up a gig. My point to our fellow performers, however, is that we do need to be cognizant of the politics inherent when an organuzation we want to work with has more than one chapter, lodge, etc. It affects the way we choose to work with the Gatekeepers in booking other gigs for the same organization.
Joe Leo
www.MisfitMagic.net
All entertainers can benefit from some help from an experienced stage director. How about you?
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Dannydoyle
Eternal Order
14056 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2012 4:12pm
They show up in Branson by the busload!
Definitely worth working your way into.
Danny Doyle
Semper Occultus
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell
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Leland
Inner circle
St Louis
1091 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2012 5:26pm
I've done events for them, loads of fun!
Love the hats too! lol
Life of Magic!
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Mary Mowder
Inner circle
2004 Posts
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Posted: Apr 19, 2012 3:05pm
I ran into a "Queen Bee" at a shop one time and she was one of the most toxic people I've ever met. She was bragging to total strangers about how she was the "Queen" and that everyone had to "kiss her "*ss". I wish that were all she said but she went on and on. So that is out there. I had wanted to give her my card when I saw the Red Hat but decided not to based on her sparkling personality.
Fortunately most Red Hats you run into are really fun gals. When I've performed for them (they just happened to be where I was performing) they were a great crowd.
-Mary Mowder
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5226 Posts
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Posted: Apr 19, 2012 7:20pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-19 15:05, Mary Mowder wrote:
I ran into a "Queen Bee" at a shop one time and she was one of the most toxic people I've ever met. She was bragging to total strangers about how she was the "Queen" and that everyone had to "kiss her "*ss". I wish that were all she said but she went on and on. So that is out there. I had wanted to give her my card when I saw the Red Hat but decided not to based on her sparkling personality.
Fortunately most Red Hats you run into are really fun gals. When I've performed for them (they just happened to be where I was performing) they were a great crowd.
-Mary Mowder
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Geeze, the more and more I hear about this organization, the more...
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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ThatsJustWrong!
Special user
My flying monkeys are perched on
583 Posts
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Posted: Apr 20, 2012 11:05am
I think you'll find in any Moral and Fraternal organization that there is a level of politics and cronyism that must be acknowledged, Chris, but remember that the rank and file members are there for a cause they believe is real and to have a good time. Do the show for them, you just need the Queen Bee to sign the check 
Joe Leo
www.MisfitMagic.net
All entertainers can benefit from some help from an experienced stage director. How about you?
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