I have a feeling that this has been discussed before - so apologies if I'm causing duplication.
What PA systems do you use?

I'm looking for something:
portable
cheap! (good value)
with neck mike
can play CD
can attach ipod

any recommendations? (I'm UK based)

thanks

Waldorf

Red nose day seems a good opportunity for novice balloon twisters like me to have a go. People might be more sympathetic to efforts for charity and it will break my public performance virginity.  (??). Anybody up for it? I'm in the Kingston, Walton, Surrey area.

I've seen reference to this in a previous post as a means of publicising contact details.  Once I've mastered half a dozen or so items (beyond the simple dog), I plan to do some busking on behalf of a charity (with an official collector's can).  

The label idea struck me as quite a good one; i.e a small label with contact details stuck on every completed item so there's a guarantee that my contact details are passed on with every balloon.  Do any of you others do this? or do you stick with flyers and business cards? Or maybe all three?

Advice appreciated.  Thanks
Will

By that I mean, what is the minimum you need to start twisting in public?  Lots of these forum stories are dauntingly impressive - people saying how they have responded to audience requests for 'can you make this...?' etc.

I guess a start point for many of us will be to have a set portfolio / routine and maybe just 'busk' for tips. And having the skill to defer requests.

But what would you see as a minimum routine?

I'm thinking of being able to do:

some animals: dogs, giraffe, teddy
3 or 4 flower variations
sword, shield possibly gun
2 or 3 hat variations - incorporating some of the above items

Assuming i get proficient and quick at doing these, do you see that as enough to hit the road?

All advice welcomed.

Cheers
Will

Well, not exactly instant; but you can see the kind of sites I've built for actors, professionals, property rental ... clubs .... (and myself!) at http://www.starterwebs.co.uk.  

Special deal for twisters....

Cheers Will

Thanks for being so helpful to me on my first care-and-share day yesterday.  I had only started twisting three days previously and you certainly cared and shared, most welcoming.  It was a great pleasure to be surrounded by so many pretty ladies..... I had my name 'Will' on my chest but have logged in here using my cartoon name 'waldorf' - have a peek at http://www.waldorfcartoons.com and you'll see some of the things I get up to.

I can vouch for the effectiveness of Graham's DVD; I got it on Saturday morning together with a bag of 260 balloons and a pump and now sit in a sea of latex.

I started dabbling in magic a few months ago and began to incorporate stuff into my training workshops and business speaking sessions.  I've started to do children's entertainment based on cartooning and magic - and will start to incorporate balloons.  I'm also a saxophone player so might have a go at Graham's January competition ....

Thanks again and that's enough about me. Too much actually.