Here is a video that I made in 1993 or 1994 to help promote my balloon centerpiece business. I never made any copies of this video so this is the first time anybody has seen it outside the family. This digital remastered, ok who am I kidding - I transferred it for VHS to a DVD. Back then I thought I was clever and videotaped my computer monitor. I used a simple Power Point presentation for the graphics. If you look closely you will see the video monitor refresh line running thought the pictures. Back then I took real pictures on film which meant I had to videotape pictures.
You could be wondering why some of the figures, like the reindeer is yellow? When this video was developed Qualatex only had the standard ten jewel tone colors. Talk about using your imagination.
I did alter the video at the end to include new contact information. Who knows this could start up my centerpiece business all over again.
Throughout the years the Chicago White Sox’s have had parades for select fans to march around the US Cellular infield. For the past 2-years I have been performing my kid’s balloon entertainment at the pre-game activities. Since getting my new digital camera, I have been bringing it with me and at this particular event some parents forgot to bring their cameras. Never fear your favorite Magical Balloon-dude Dale has his camera at his ready. So if you’re one of those parents just send me an email and I will send you a copy.
This is the first season that I’ve been making balloon baseball hats. It’s a quick simple hat that requires 2-260 balloons and a 5 inch round. Then make quick loop hat and attach and uninflated 260 on to the end of the loop hat. Inflate a 5″ round and draw on some laces and attach to the uninflated 260 balloon. I inflate a 260 or 250 balloon and use that as the bat.
Here is a picture of a mom and son standing next a backdrop picture. You can see in the picture the boy is wearing the baseball hat that I made.
I had to take a picture of this young Sox’s fan fingers. Apparently she is in love with third basemen Joe Crede. Check out those nails!
Here is a picture of Joe and his mom. Joe was playing hooky from work … I wonder if he still has a job after this picture? Disclaimer: This is not Joe Crede, but Joe the Chicago White Sox’s fan.
Most people see the field from the stand perspective, but here are a couple pictures from the back of the left field some 330 feet away. When you’re in the stand it doesn’t look that far away, but form the ground - boy that’s a long way.
This past weekend I participated in the Chicago’s Run to Remember, which is a 5K run - walk for police office’s wounded or killed in the line of duty. While walking to the event I passed a series of Chicago Police cars. The 1967 CPD car caught my eye just because of the year. I was two years old when that car was patrolling the streets of Chicago. It reminded me of a car that you would have seen on the Andy Griffith Show - Mayberry USA.
The kids were great and the event was a success, at least from the balloon entertainment
Now this hasn’t been the first time I heard this comment, but I just cannot understand the reasoning behind it. While balloon twisting I get an adult who feels they are superior to others and will request multiple balloon animals for a child that’s not present. They tell me stores like the child just came out of the hospital, it’s their birthday, or they are seeing the child later in the day so they need a balloon for them. This is hardly ever a problem except most these people come at the very end when you just shut down the line or have packed up your supplies and waiting to be paid.
You politely inform them that you’re finished balloon twisting and you’re sorry but you have to get going. They proceed to tell another sob story on why they need a balloon and try their best to persuade you to conform to their wishes. When you don’t give in you hear the remark… “We’ll I was going to hire you, but now… forget it” and they walk way.
What’s the old saying… you catch more flies with honey the vinegar. I find when I’m not pushed into their demands I try to do something little for them if possible. But as soon as they act like a spoiled child who didn’t get their way, I think to myself - I’m glad you don’t want me at your party, because I would rather be at a party that has considerate, kind, and attentive host who makes working for them a treat and therefore I’ll do my upmost to make their event as special as I can. So for all those people who make sarcastic comments about not hiring a performer, you’re not hurting our business, you’re just giving us the opportunity to work with the nice people in life.
I was making balloon animals at a Communion Party and the guest of honor Anthony thought the best place for his snake was on his head. He wore the snake on his head most of the time I was at the party. I guess when it’s your party you can do what you want.
Over the past three years I’ve had the opportunity to perform my kid’s balloon entertainment for the Chicago White Sox. One of the neatest things about being an balloon entertainer is that I get to see things that the general public doesn’t have access too. As an entertainer we check in early and see the pregame prep for the fans. I’ve seen the vendors getting ready, customer service attendants doing bomb checks; athlete’s working out and seen the ball park prior to the fans entering the stadium.
Here are a two pictures of US Cellular prior to the kid’s game. This is a panoramic view from the 1st level.
This view is taken form the bottom of the 5th level. This is the highest level at US Cellular Field.
While performing at this event a loud BANG happened 20 feet from where I was working! I quickly turned to see a mini Pepsi refrigerator fell off the vendor’s display and hit a brick pillar and shattered in to hundreds of pieces. Vendor Services was quick and had the mess cleaned and verified that nobody was injured. I have to admit the Chicago White Sox’s staff works very hard to keep the stadium clean throughout the game. I overheard a supervisor make a call that a bag of popcorn was spilled and requested that it be cleaned and in minutes it was. It is nice to work with professionals who take public safety seriously.
I recently was balloon entertaining at a trade show in Raleigh NC. This was the first time I’d been to Raleigh and was staying in the middle of downtown. It reminded me of being in Chicago’s downtown business district were everything shuts down right after the work day. Here is a picture from my hotel window.
This past weekend I was doing my kid’s balloon entertainment at the Glen Ellyn — Reid’s Ride for Research. The event had a large turnout for a day that was overcast and rainy. The guest of honor Reid wandered over by me so I made him a huge balloon hat to wear.
This is Reid and his hat.
For the bike riders, I was making smiley face bracelets so it would not interfere with them riding their bikes.
The rain held off until the very end of the event which worked out great because it ended at 10:30 am and they need to get everyone out of the park. At 10:10 the rain started and by 10:35 everyone was gone accept the clean up crew.
The following is a review of the book The Art of Balloon Twisting Vol 1. This review is not a reflection of the artist, but a review of the material presented in the book.
This was the first book that Rick Mohr wrote. Ricks’ vision was to write a series of these books, but he’s revised his thinking and is now producing instructional puppet DVD’s. The book size and layout was encouraged by me and I participated as the photographer for this book; with that said, here is my review.
The first three pages explain the basic balloon types and how to mouth inflating along with the basic balloon twisting terminology. The book explains twelve different twists in detail with step-by-step black and white photographs. Rick selected a cloud scene as the background which I find impairs the quality of the photographs. At the time of production we used a 3 megapixel camera which was one of the best - but compared to present day standards is lacking. To create a visual appeal, Rick used vertical lines to show progression between the photographs which in not required and is distracting. The step-by-step pictures are straight forward and easy enough to follow.
For the instructional step-by-step photographs, Rick utilized the same cloud background, but the clouds are hardly noticeable. The book has well written instructions and the step-by-step photographs make it easy to follow. Again some picture lack detail clarity or sharpness.
My overall impression of this book is that it meets all the requirements to be a good beginner’s book. A beginner would find this book useful and with a little practice will be able to make all the balloon animal designs. Intermediate and advance balloon twisters are not going to be wowed by the book, but that is not the market audience chosen for this book.
Rating:
This is my opinion of this book. If your opinion is, right-on or no-way with my rating, you can cast your vote by clicking on the stars above my name. Objective criticism is accepted, as long as, it is not abrasive, rude or demeaning.
National Geographic recently contracted me to work their vendor’s kid’s party and they placed me by a colorful balloon display sign that was 4′ x 8′ tall which I thought read Balloon Animals. I did not pay much more attention to the sign until a little while later when I really stopped and read the sign. It read “Animaloons”.
In talking with one of the marketing reps — she said “the name Animaloons was thought up in a brain storming session and we wanted to have a name for each entertainment stations.”
I found this personally amusing, because earlier in the month the agent contacted me and wanted to know my availability to work the National Geographic event in NY and if I couldn’t, could I recommend somebody. I recommend my friend Adam out of the New York area; and guess what his website is… animaloons.com. I found it amusing, because I had to work next to that sign all day.
Dale is one of Chicago's most requested balloon entertainer's. He'll turn your trade show booth, promotion or party into an event people will remember.
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| Tags: Balloon Animal Centerpieces, Orland Park Balloon Animals
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