|
|
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
I’ve just had 5 bookings cancel in the past 2 weeks, and no new bookings are coming in, aside from my summer work. I'm having flashbacks to March of 2020. And for what? A viral infection which symptoms range from a mild case of the flu, to the common cold, to no symptoms whatsoever. Just when I thought the world couldn’t get any crazier.
January through March are always my slowest months. Now it appears they will be as slow as the spring of 2020 was, which was $0 income. And unlike 2020 there is no stimulus money, no federal supplement to unemployment, and no government funded forgivable loans. Add onto that the fact that everything is more expensive! The current administration seems to have a single-minded solution: Shame and scorn the unvaccinated! That ship has sailed! For whatever reason, there is a certain segment of the population that has decided not to get vaccinated. That will not change no matter how many times our leaders vilify them. Furthermore, it seems the vaccine is not as effective with the Omicron variant. All viruses become less sever with every mutation. What’s next, the Sigma variant? The pandemic of the sniffles! Sickness has always been with us and always will be. There has always been risk in life and there always will be. Lets get on with it! Take care of yourself, eat healthy, exercise, live life without fear!
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Well this thread won’t last lol.
Power grabs always take time. In Branson we had the best season for winter that anyone can remember. 2022 has shows opening up earlier than ever. January/February reservations are very strong. I’m not an infectious disease expert nor an economist like everyone on Facebook. I am just a guy who was fortunate enough to still own a house in a city that this is possible.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
I'm glad to hear you're doing well...and a little jealous.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
bunkyhenry Special user NYC Metro 828 Posts |
ALL my January jobs cancelled
|
danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
Things have slowed down quite a bit for me though I did just do a few shows and I have stuff booked. Like Ken, Jan-March are the slowest for me but I'm guessing they will be quite a bit slower than usual. The 2 parties I just did were all masked up which is understandable, though my ventriloquism is less impressive! It is what it is. I was hoping not to do Zoom shows any more. I'm going to FL tomorrow so I'm guessing I'll come back with Covid, but all the cool kids are getting it, haha.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
Fedora Special user Arizona, usa 746 Posts |
I've mostly heard cancellations recently from the north east and
west coast. it seems to be largely regional, I hear it less often from the south and Midwest. |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
I'm glad to hear not everyone has lost their minds.
I've heard talk of mask mandates in any public place in Delaware. Also, talk of a mask mandate for any Broadway show until April 30th!
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
New York is way different. Folks right on top of one another and all that.
There is no one size fits all solution. And THAT is the problem with a federal response.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1337 Posts |
Not worthwhile arguing mandates, vaccines, etc. But the fact hospitals are seeing their highest admittance numbers and overflowing ICUs, means there will continue to be actions taken to mitigate the virus. So the question for this forum is how are you handling it business-wise?
You can get on a forum and grouse about cancellations, bemoan lack of aid, whine about politicians, and give dubious lifestyle advice? Or you can offer advice and ideas on how to deal with the situation at hand. Perhaps discussing ideas like: - Convert to virtual magic shows. - Offering online magic lessons - Create products, tricks, or writing - What does it take to move to a different area such as Branson? - If you can survive with what you have, what can you do the help in the future? Redo outdated website. Create new routines. - Are there profitable side gigs that could help? - Can you pivot to another job for the time being? Magicians are performers...so are trainers, instructors, and teachers. Public speaking (virtual) has seen an uptick in interest. Can you leverage skills used in building your magic business such as Marketing, Sales, Communications, or Public Relations? I am not a full-time magician. But the field I work in has changed dramatically in the last two years, and so I asked myself similar questions as those I just posted above. It's led me to a new job making 40% more. Also, I use to guest lecture online for a friend at a major university. With COVID they were forced to move online, and I leveraged that to become an online professor last year netting me an additional $12K. Also, with less commuting (use to be up to 3 hours a day) I have time to volunteer to give webinars to various professional organizations and help mentor military members transitioning to civilian life. It's a strange time...but don't merely wish for things to go ahead and return to normal. They won't. I once heard, but cannot verify, that more millionaires came out the great depression than any other time until the dot com bubble. It's about asking yourself the hard questions...
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
|
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Amen! I have been trying to have more such discussions here since this all began, March 12, 2020 for me. "Pivot" is the word I stated using here and on other entertainment and business forums and has now been used more widespread. As with my coaching students and consulting clients this has been the start (pivoting) to the "new deal" for many of our entertainment businesses.
Like your example of millionaires coming out of the Great Depression, I have seen several performers make changes to their business and have had their best year ever. I still say virtual entertainment shows are not the answer. But I can understand why some find them appealing temporarily. Good post! |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Imagic,
I like your post also and you make some excellent points. As the title of this thread suggests, I am questioning the validity of this being a pandemic that should warrant the actions you are suggesting. I see the positive tests coming back at an incredible rate, but by all accounts most people are having much milder symptoms and many have NO symptoms. In recent days I have seen the hospital rate increase also. So, maybe I'm wrong. Once again, it depends on the 'science' you believe. There are many doctors that think this milder, more infectious strain marks the end of this virus being a serious threat. I vote for that theory. If I am wrong, I will pivot once again as did in spring of 2020...and maybe take some of your suggestions as well.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 11, 2022, imgic wrote: Complaining is not Worthwhile no doubt. But don’t encourage everyone to move here! There is an odd dichotomy happening. Not being political but there is a definite divide as to where most of the mandates happen. But if you look at New York for example they were hit hard! Probably the epicenter. So if they are a bit gun shy I see the reason! It will leave a mark for quite a while. At the first sign if anything happening they will react and I don’t blame them one but. Here in Branson it simply wasn’t scary at all. So the reaction will not be nearly as bad as other states or cities. This is based a lot on folks personal experience. I am not arguing mandates at all. I’m not arguing this because it has become a political issue and a power grab, right smack dab in the middle of a possible world changing almost ending event.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Fedora Special user Arizona, usa 746 Posts |
Here's a thought, for those not a fan of virtual magic,
there is a live event that's predicted to be big in 2022, Weddings, the forecast for weddings in the us is 2.6 million for 2022, the highest since 1980 or so. Although the wedding market hasn't been big for magicians in the united states for some reason historically, it seems like it could be the largest live gatherings this year. For those with strolling skills, it might be worth looking into. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » The Pandemic of Positive Tests (5 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |