We are planning on doing three dates every year which will be a full day hands on lecture/workshop all over the UK. We are open to suggestions on venue's but thought that Banstead, Birmingham and Leeds would spread things around.
We will start off this year with a basic day explaining all the twists and what they can be used for with hints and tips thrown in throughout the day so hopefully giving everyone a good basic knowledge to help everyone progress in this amazing twisted world of ours
Then next year we will run the intermediate day with three dates and then finally the advanced day the following year.
Any ideas and thoughts on where to have the days and what to include are all greatly appreciated and we are planning on having the first day in Birmingham on Wed 22nd July but this can be flexible if others have any better ideas.

Roadshow...it to US.. Michigan... HOLLAND... that is.. *S*.. would be a dream come true.. LOL

If you can find someone to sponsor us for airfare we'd be more than happy to spend a few days in the USA

Not sure who your target market is Graham, but looking at your 3 year plan then I won't be coming this year (Basic), may decide to come next year (Intermediate)... but will definitely come in 2011 (Advanced...if I'm still around).

Thinking about the day you had in Leeds with Danny, then I think there were only about 2-3 people at the 'basic' stage.

Maybe I am missing something but wouldn't you get more people attending if you try to widen the experience scope of the days?

Thelma and I discussed this at great length as to what may be the best way to run the days, either as a generic all in one day or even split into two etc. The problem with this is that if we try and start with the basics at 10 am and are then into advanced at 3 pm I feel we will loose a lot that may have only been twisting for a short while and they will quickly get dis illusioned with what we as an industry have to offer. We talked about having a basic, intermediate and advanced days all in the same year but at different venues but then people would need to mix and match all over the UK so we thought that with just a basic day we could concentrate on a specific area as with the intermediate and advanced the following years.
Some people call themselves an experienced twister as they have been twisting for many years but only the same 5/10 models so it's difficult to judge where any one is in there development.

I still attend basic classes when I go to conventions and still pick up useful information.
The day will be going through all the basic twists and terminology and what they can be used for, a good selection of one balloon models, infact all that will be coming out on the one balloon wonders DVD shortly and plenty more and then moving onto some basic hats later in the day. With plenty of tips and tricks of the trade to help everyone out. We want to move at a steady pace but wish to spend some time with those that need a bit more help so with both of us there we hope to achieve this. Thelma will also be doing her fair share at the day as well, can't comment at the moment as it's a bit of a secret as she hasn't even told me what she will be doing yet. Mind you that’s only because her computer has crashed and she is without any internet access for 7/10 days.

We are hoping to attract some of the regulars who come to the care & share days but also some face painters, clowns, magicians etc.

With the day being part sponsored by Sempertex there is only a small charge being made of £10 which we like to think is a bargain and I'm sure you'll pick up 2/3 good tips and plenty of great usable one balloon models as well.

Hope that helps but if anyone has any more questions about these or any of the other days that we run then please fire away, we appreciate all comments on how to improve and make the days more fun for everyone

Hello from poor crashed Thelma
I am having a quick go on Mike's Laptop before he chucks me off it. My laptop is going to laptop hospital. So I can't post pictures or get any work done. However it does mean I can get on with other stuff including making decisions about what to show. I do have to agree with Graham on the matter of never being too advanced to learn something new from a beginner. I have had many an enlightened moment when twisting with someone new and enthusiastic. I consider that these road show days for beginners will be a big learning experience not just the them but for Graham and myself. You know the saying "the simple things are the best" Hey, I'm simple!!! does that make me the best.

I personally happen to think with all that knowledge and experience you are sharing and teaching that the price you are looking at charging Graham is way too cheap even if it is party sponsored by sempertex.

I know they want to get the name of their balloons out and get twisters using them but this knowledge and some experience will give someone who is at the day the ability to go our from it and charge anything between £50 to £150 an HOUR.

What do others think?

Pam

The first date is all booked up and confirmed for the 22nd July in Birmingham with other days booked for Banstead 21st October and then Leeds 25th Nov.
Trying to spread the days around a bit so that hopefully everyone will get a chance to come along and please dont be put off just because it's a basic day as I'm sure everyone will pick up one or two great tips and a few new models as I'm going to be covering the new one balloon wonders that I've not shown at any of the days yet and Thelma will be showing what can be made with all the twists & terminology tht we show and explain in the morning.
More details and to book;
http://sempertexballoons.co.uk/index.ph ... &parent=12

Thelma and I have just started to plan this day and along with explaining all the basic twists, moves etc I'll be showing some new one balloon models that are coming out on a dvd called one balloon wonders which need a few more twists than normal but are very impressive, well I like to think so
Thelma is designing some new sculptures from just two balloons that will be premiered at the day and will be ideal for quick, easy and impressive designs that can be used for line work. So even more reason to attend the very first "Levett & Lee Roadshow"

If you do decide to make that trip extend to the US some day, you MUST include beautiful South Carolina in that trip! Preferrably upstate / Piedmont area to be exact! Or at least make it Charlotte, NC (that's only about a 30 minute drive & they have a major airport - HINT HINT )