Two more shows under our belt! Georgia finished without a hitch and not a day too soon. Don�t get me wrong. We like the show but the weather sucks! It�s even more humid than Florida! By the end of the show it�s so humid we have to towel off 10 seconds after getting on stage. But then again, the fans are wonderful and loyal and that counts for a lot.
Right after finishing the�Georgia show�we finished another installment of the�Council Bluffs�show. We�ve been doing the show for a few years now and the people really love us there. I even made the front page of the local newspaper last year. They�ve got to be pretty desperate to put my ugly mug on the front page!
This year the Council Bluffs show was moved to a new location. It�s only a mile or so from the original site. Since it�s not on the college campus anymore, we decided to get a hotel. (Much nicer than the dorms) This way we don�t have to bring bedding or towels and we have a nice clean room to come home to each day. Plus, we have our own private shower/bathroom instead of the community shower/bathroom at the dorm.
The show runs Friday thru Sunday. We had a nice turn out on Friday even though the show only runs 6-9pm. After our short but sweet festival day we found ourselves in a quandary. We were all hungry but where should we go for dinner? Hmmmmm...I know! Let�s go to Harrah�s! They have a great buffet! He He He
At Harrah's
At Harrah's
The�Harrah�s in Council Bluff�s�is one of my favorites. It�s smaller but has a great buffet and the casino has most of the games and slots I like. Plus, the people are always nice and the drinks are cheap. Let�s see, cheap drinks, nice people, great buffet, and gambling! It sounds like heaven!
Anyway, the next day we headed out for our big Saturday. It was sunny and beautiful. Our first show was packed! We didn�t even have to gather a crowd. Poof! Instant audience! The show went well and we sold a few DVD�s afterward. We were really excited about the rest of the day. Little did we know what Mother Nature had in store for us.
As we prepared for our second show on Saturday, we noticed this long band of dark clouds approaching quickly from the NW. Just as we started the show it started to sprinkle. Of course, as usual we gave our blanket "If you stay we�ll stay" speech. But very shortly after it started to rain so hard we had to call the show on account of inclement (crappy) weather.
We were told to take cover in nearby buildings used by the fairgrounds for exhibitions. Apparently there were potential funnel clouds in the area and a tornado warning had been issued. So, they started hustling everyone - cast and patrons - to the shelters.
The wind came up so fast no one had time to react. Gusts went from 5 to 45 MPH in a matter of minutes. Shops were blowing over left and right. Even structures more solid than tents were being wiped out by Mother Nature�s fury. The shade structure for our audience was also one of the first casualties. It was blown aside like a pig�s house of straw. (see�Riki�s journal�for more storm pics)
Meanwhile we were rushing to shelter like the rest of the cattle. Before we even made it to the building it started to rain. But, we managed to get indoors before looking like drowned rats. Once there, we tried to figure out what our next move would be. It was obvious that the day was shot but the powers that be hoped to continue the day after the storm had passed.
Stocking up at Wal Mart in costume
Stocking up at Wal Mart in costume
Different acts started to peel off into opposite corners of the building to entertain the huddled masses. It was a great idea to keep the "captive" audience happy but with so much going on it was hard for anyone to keep focused, not to mention the amount of acts trying to play over each other and 1000 patrons under one roof.
Someone came to us and mentioned that there was another building filled with people as well but with no entertainers. There was our chance! A building filled with patrons hiding from the rain just waiting for us to entertain them. We figured we could make it to the other building without getting too wet so... off we went!
We were smart enough to bring our swords with us, both to keep them out of the rain, and to have in case we wanted to do the sword show. Riki also brought the�DVD sales�bag just in case someone wanted a DVD. We figured that even though we were screwed for tips at least the biz could make a few bucks.
Luckily there were some chairs in this building so I started moving them in a crescent around our makeshift "stage area". Once we got a handle on seating and moving people around I explained to the crowd that even though the rain killed the show outside, it didn�t have to spoil all our fun. They seemed pleased. We also noticed a large amount of children in the group so we opted for the clean version of the sword show.
The show went off without a hitch. Kids and adults alike loved it! After the applause died down we decided to tell the crowd that due to the nasty weather we wouldn�t be passing the hat but if they were interested in a DVD or two we�d be happy to oblige. I walked some around the room while Riki hung out by the door. WE SOLD THE ENTIRE BAG OUT! We had to send Riki back to the stage in the rain to get more.
We decided to check out the other building again but it was just to manic to steal focus. Shortly afterward they made an announcement that another storm cell was on the way and that the fair was called for the day. Some people hung out but most decided to leave including us. All that was left to do was head back to the buffet! We drove back to our hotel to change and go back to Harrah�s.
After another enjoyable meal the boys decided to get desert. They asked me if I was going to have anything. I�m not a desert eater so, I told them "The only desert I�m gonna have is some steak!". So, I got a steak and put candy sprinkles on it for desert. I�m such a dork! After some light gambling and girl watching in Harrah�s nightclub, we returned to our room to get rested for our last show day. We hoped Sunday would be more "weather cooperative". Only time would tell.
goofin' off at the buffet
goofin' off at the buffet Meat Cake Dessert
Meat Cake Dessert
Sunday started off well enough. If my memory serves me, we got through our first two shows all right. The first was a little light since it was early on a Sunday. The second was a little better, but guess what happened as we started our third show? Here come those damn dark clouds and rain again. After the terror that was yesterdays storm, everyone was a little gun shy. People started to scatter and some even left. The rain passed quickly but the damage had already been done. Most of the patrons and some of the crafters headed for the hills.
We did a little something for the few people that showed for our last show and then headed over to the main tent for the "Last Huzzah" so we could get our check. Believe it or not we actually went to Harrah�s for the buffet one more time. The food is so good and we�d end up spending just as much for crap food somewhere else. The next morning we split up and headed home. Ronn and I were off to Florida and Riki was headed to Pittsburgh and then to Ohio where our next show was. As for me...upon arrival in Florida I was to start getting my house ready to rent and put most of my stuff put in storage... only to head to Ohio right after as well. Oh Joy! But, that�s a story for my next journal.
