hey all,

I have my first 'gig' on Friday at a school fair and am nervous as hell.

I just want to make sure that I have got all the stuff i need as i'm sure I have forgotten something.

Could anyone give me some advice/guidance as what to take, do, and mostly prepare.

cheers

also while i'm here are qualatex colours better or worse than sempertex. i'm using qualatex and not getting the colours i really want

Hey Darren,

First of all congrats for your first gig!

I live in Canada and the only balloons we can get at the local shop here is Qualitex so I can't anser that question for you, all I know is that I can get every colour I can imagine from my local shop, except the metallic colours. As to which is better - I'll leve that question to someone who's used both.

As for what to do to prepare, I recomend doing up a menu of figure you know how to do, it'll give you the security in knowing that the kids are going to ask for things you know how to do. As you get more experience and confidence you can add to it or leave it behind all together. Secondly, relax, most kids are impressed by very simple creations. You'll do fine

When twisting I personally prefer Sempertex. I find the colours are more opaque and they are more resilient to my rough handling

For your first gig I'd sugest taking plenty of balloons, a spare pump incase one breaks, marker pens, water to drink in case your overun with children, scissors/cuter and plenty of laughter and enthusiasm.
Have fun, relax and enjoy the experience as this will be your one and only first gig
And I'd better leave it to others to make comments on what brands of balloons to use, but I use Sempertex. http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk