I am getting quite a few parties held in other venues, like hotel pool areas and indoor climbing centers. I've also seen more parties where, while the party is held at home, the parents have splurged on other pricey entertainment devices, such as elaborate bouncy houses. I did one party where the parents had a complete exotic animal petting zoo in their yard! Personally, I find it odd that parents would want or need a magician/clown if they already have a pool or climbing equipment to entertain the kiddies. In fact, I find it much harder to maintain the kids' attention with these distractions. I'm not really complaining -- I appreciate the business -- but I think some parents are trying to do too much at their children's parties. My most successful parties are always in the client's homes.

Mostly in homes...maybe 30% spread over restaurants, halls and banquet rooms. But the larger ones are usually only using the birthday party as an excuse to show off the grandness of the event...or for huge extended families.

David

Again 50/50 split Halls and homes

90% Homes 10% school, church, community rec. center.

I'm split 50% homes and 50% a variety of others (e.g. halls, restaurants, fire houses, community room etc.).

70% Homes & 30% Other places... Hotels are popular these days here!!!

I perform at mostly homes and parks but also work regularly at libraries, pizza parlors, bowling allies,restaurants, Rec rooms, schools, clubhouses, party service rooms, museums, company events, day cares, grand openings, country clubs, amusement parks, zoos, swimming pool centers, YMCA, Pee Wee golf, churches and so on. I haven't notice any drastic change in my clientele.

Maybe the only thing for me there are less company events due to the economy. Birthday parties and children shows have always been my bread and butter.

Everyday UK homes tend to be small - too small generally for whole class parties.

State school class sizes are rising. A few years ago they were around 24 in a class. Today where I live it is closer to 36 and more in some areas.

Private school class sizes are still around 14 or 16.

So we have the old dichotomy where ordinary people can't accommodate big parties at home and use the local, village or parish hall. They always have, ever since I came into the business.

Conversely, those with the money to afford a private education also have the money for big houses and they frequently have their parties at home. Just as they always did.

What has really taken off are activity centres, soft play areas where for two hours the children have free run of the place, are fed and watered and then they go home. No entertainers are booked and indeed, a reason given by parents for booking these places is that the children are occupied throughout and there is no need to spend any more. And prices are very low.

Are these parties indoors year round? Or do they go outside for good weather?

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Most are private homes, 75% or so. The rest at Hotel room, church hall, or some other location where they rented out the hall.

I live in California so the parties I perform at are about 50% indoors/outdoors of course depends on weather. In California, most days are sunny with a breeze all year round.

Event halls very popular during this time in NY

In the UK we tend to perform more larger parties (2 hours) in halls as the avaerage UK home is smaller than in the US. Local village halls, sports centres, school halls, church halls, Pubs are most popular. Companies usually use their canteens for entertainments to save on costs at the moment. Apart from the odd show where we have performed in places like restaurants or cinemas or shopping centres the rest of the smaller shows are in the home.

We always encourage bookers to hire a hall for the larger shows so that we can give them the full show without cutting back on anything to fit in the venue. Never seen a gated community in the UK although they probably do exist.

Smallest show we ever did was for "5" kids !!!! Hard work LOL. When we arrived, we were told that there was a sickness bug !!! Biggest show has been 800 Boy Scouts at Cheltenham Racecourse (UK)+ all the senior leaders and parents. It was outdoors on a beautiful day and an amazing show. The bigger shows always seem easier than the smaller ones, does anyone else find this ???



Regards
Andy & Sue

Pretty much all my birthday shows are in the clients home.

Wolly

Andy & Sue,

I'm impressed!

And I certainly agree. Larger audiences are easier to entertain than smaller ones. Sometimes I think they need each other to have a good time. LOL

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Most of my b-day gigs are in homes. Yes, this doctor still makes house calls! clownybeth, is that one of the exotic critters from a petting zoo that took a liking to you? funnybone, is it true you've been spending time in the Orient recently?

Doc

Razamatazz whatever country you perform in your set-up is primo. I agree about the large the audience the easier and better the show tends to be. When I worked in comedy clubs the hardest room to work was the empty one.