In the groove... or so I thought

Interesting week for me. Last Wednesday I was at one of my favorite high schools; Douglas High. This show was my 10th show for this school. I started out doing fundraising for the baseball team. Then the coach took another job and the fundraising went to the student council. Now this show fund raises for the all night graduation party.

Anyway the show was a fun as any I have performed there. We had some wild volunteers (I won't mention Brandon by name ;-) and as he screamed afterwards about being terrific, "THANKS, I KNOW !!!! The photos were fun to look at. And I want to thank the many that came up to me after the show to say how much they enjoyed themselves. I hope to see all of you again next year. Tell your friends what they missed and next year we can have a much bigger crowd. I am working on many new routines you won't want to miss.

Thursday was a show for a Rhode Island middle school. No photos were taken but I can assure you, those that came out were treated to a really fun night. I really like how the younger kids interprets each routine. From the smiles I saw coming from our clothes designer (um... I mean school principal), I think she had a great time as well. Not a big student turn out but many families. I hope we can do this again next year when the kids that didn't show up realize what they missed by not coming out.

I love perfoming night after night as I can get into a groove and the shows seem to get better and better. Most performers will tell you how they into the zone night after night and EVERY show is better than the last. But that is not always the case, as I will tell you. I am going to keep the details completely anynomous because I am sure other entertainers of all kind might have better success than I did. Okay here goes...

I booked a show Saturday night at an upstate New York Comedy Club. Someone there had seen me perform at Bayley's Camping Resort in Maine many times and thought this would be perfect for this venue. I thought so as well. Anyway, I get to the club early, as I was going to get something to eat before the show. I pull up at the address given me and all I see is a restuarant. I go inside and ask for dirction to the club and was told this is it. They hold shows in the back room (they call it a banquet room but my living room was bigger). I set up my sound system, set up the chairs for volunteers. I only had room for 5 chairs. The rest of the room was set up with those big round banquet tables and 10 chairs to a table. Not much room to breathe in there. I hope you get the picture.

As the 8:00PM show time was approaching I was getting worried as no one was seated yet. I thought maybe they were in the bar waiting for the start time. 8pm came and went. 8:10, 8:20, 8:30, no one. Then a group came in. 14 people to be exact. Then a server came in bringing 4 buckets of beer. The club owner came up to me and said I could start the show now. I asked if more people were expected and he said this was a big crowd for him. I started my intro and then I asked for volunteers they looked at each other, then me, then laughed. They must have thought this was the comedy routine they came in to hear. I assured them that without their participation there could be no show. Well guess what happened next... nothing! Not one person wanted to do this.

As I started to pack up, the owner came in and gave me hell for not doing a show. We discussed that without volunteers, what was I to do. He said this was a comedy club and go back and be funny. Those were his words... go be funny. I won't repeat what the converstaion was next. But after pointing out that my contract for the evening was for a hypnosis show and not a stand up comedy show, I fulfilled my part. He reluctantly paid me and I couldn't get out of there any faster. I later found out he never advertises but as he books an act he tell his patrons that this coming Saturday night there would be some kind of entertainment. Hellova way to run a business. He must make his money on his restuarant because dinner was delicious!

Here are some photos from Douglas High School:

I haven't had this much fun in a long time!

After each performance I usually receive a lot of comments about the show from those that attended or volunteered. Comments are left on my web site guestbook, my facebook page or directly with the photographs that were taken during the show. I also have people come up to me after the show to say how much they enjoyed it. The other night was no different... except....

I was packing up my sound equipment after the show and these 4 guys came up on stage. They all reached out to shake my hand and said the typical "great show!" Except for one of them. He held my hand just a little bit longer than most guys would do while shaking hands. He looked me directly in my eyes and said, "I haven't had this much fun in a long time!" Wow! I usually never get this kind of statement from a guy and he had such convictions in his voice. This made me feel good knowing he definitely did not look the type to put his true feelings on the line.

We all talked about their favorite moments from the show and all 4 said they would like to try to volunteer next year. It was a wonderful conversation. They offered to help me pack up and load the equipment into my car. All this is not what I expected from this group. I guess the old saying is true; you can't judge a book by its cover. They made my night.

Anyway, I had three shows this past weekend, a high school fundraiser, a Catholic school lock-in, and a fun night for a middle school PTA (where entire families were invited to attend). It always amazes me that in these shows, I say the same suggestions during the show but get such different interpretations some of the time. And after all, the volunteers are always different so I should expect such.

Case in point: One of the routines I enjoy is when the volunteers don't remember a particular number. (See my video of this special routine on my web site). They count their fingers and end up counting eleven fingers. The look on their faces are always priceless. Then they count again, but this time they have 12 fingers. In my show last Thursday night, I had one of the volunteers stand up next to me and count her fingers. She got the same results, first 11 then 12. Yes she was dumbstruck but then boldly claimed she had "a friend with only seven fingers" The laughter from the audience was deafening. And she said this with such a straight face. I love when things like this happen. Not planned by any means but purely ad-libbed on the part of the volunteers.

So I agree with the sentiment said at the beginning; I haven't had this much fun in a long time! Anyway, not since my last show. I can't wait for my next one.

I hope I have the pleasure to entertain you soon

Steve

PS... And to Alan Brackett, the newspaper photographer at my Thursday show, many thanks for your kind words after the show. I never compare myself to other entertainers as we all are different but what you said to me was very much appreciated. Very much!

Here are a few photos from the last weeks' shows.

On the road again...

On the road again...
Just can't wait to get on the road again...
The life I love is laughing with my friends...
And I cant wait to get on the road again.

These lyrics from a Willie Nelson song and many lyrics like this from other singers and groups have never held so true. I live in West Hartford but on any given weekend I jump in my car and head out for another set of shows. I travel constantly and love every mile of it; whether if it is to Maine or Massachusetts, New Hampshire or New York or any place in the northeast United States including my home state of Connecticut. I love to travel. On a good year, I can end up putting 35 plus thousand miles on my car. My car; sometimes it seems like it is my second home but I'm comfortable in it. I have my sunglasses, a cooler with cold drinks (even in winter), I have my XM radio and my iPod. What else do I need for my travels.


And the best part is I know where my destination lies. In a school auditorium, a VFW hall or outdoors in a family campground and many many places just like these, I know when I reach my destination soon I will be putting grins, smiles, giggles and laughter in the heart of my many audiences. What a great way to earn a living. Everyday I feel blessed that I can do what I love; entertain. And I love what I do.


Thanks to all that came out this Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights...

And here's to you...
I hope I have the pleasure of entertaining you real soon.

signing off... on the road again,
Steve

Respect is what it boils down to...

I have to write this follow up to my last blog. Last night I received a phone call from a high school parent who was looking to book my show. It seems this school had hired hypnotists (that's plural) in the past and was very uneasy with the show some of these hypnotists presented. The complaint was the show was not appropriate for high school students. She asked if my show was any different.

I asked her to describe the routines the adults didn't care for and if the students found it offensive as well. She said the students thought the routines were very funny but the teachers and chaperons didn't. She singled out a few specifics: one routine had a male volunteer give birth. He had his legs up in the air and the other volunteers were cheering him on to 'push' and 'breathe'. The adults thought about the epidemic of teenage pregnancy and thought this was entirely wrong. Another routine, used in the guise of prevention, had the volunteers drink imaginary beer and become quite drunk. The hypnotist said this was to demonstrate what an idiot looks like with intoxicated and you should not do this.

After hearing these and a couple other stories, I said that sometimes it is hard to imagine what will happen during a show. Yes I did say that my show guarantees not to embarrass, humiliate or degrade any volunteer. Those 3 words I use extensively in my advertising. I also said in my 22 years of performing I have always kept my promise. She said that is what "they all say". I told her I was very proud of my reputation and she could call any past client and ask for herself. I suggested she do a google search for Steve Wronker and look at past reviews. I also suggested to search YouTube and look at the videos. This is a great way to see what you might get as far as routines go from all entertainers you might want to hire.

Most hypnotists are tried and true professionals. But there in an influx of younger or inexperienced hypnotists out there. Although they are not all to be lumped into the same category, most just don't have the knowledge to understand what is expected of them from the client. They do the show for themselves, not the client. Do you homework. If a client wants an entertainer that performs adult shows (R & X-rated or suggestive material) than that is their decision to make. If you want a performer who who can distinguish when and where to interject adult material, then you should hire that one. Now I know I am going to sound egotistical but if you want a hypnotist that has never done any show but a clean show you should hire me. Yes there are others out there that fit this bill as well, but I want you to hire me not them.

Tonight I am performing at a local university. They have had many hypnotists in the past. One just a few weeks ago. But I was hired to perform a clean show. Not everyone wants to see an 'R' rated show, some just want to have good time, an old fashioned fun filled evening. I know that's exactly what they are going to get. No embarrassment... no humiliation... no degradation. And I bet I get a lot of volunteers who would never dream of participating in those other shows.

Remember, as the client, you dictate what you want out of the performer and the hypnotist should always respect your wishes. Anyway that's all for now. I hope I have the opportunity to entertain you soon.

Still ranting on... sincerely
Steve

And here they are... the stars of your show !

Boy was this a busy weekend for me. 5 shows. A really fun show Friday night that had all 17 volunteers remain hypnotized throughout the show. There are some photos on my web site. I had 2 Sweet-16 parties and they are always a blast to do. But the one I really got into was for the Water-Oak VFW. These type of shows are usually a hit or miss but this was a bull's eye. Bob and everyone at the VFW did a great job in getting people to this show. This was a fundraiser to help restore the VFW for the returning American Soldiers from Iraq. Well done Bob! Although the show itself was a lot of fun it was what happened after the show that I will always remember.
I was approached by one of the audience members after the show who, as we spoke about the show, gave me the ultimate compliment. She said she had always enjoyed watching hypnotism shows and went on to name a few other hypnotists that she had seen (all of which I know or know of). She had said she had seen me several times at a local campground and what made me stand out over all the others was that I was entertaining.

She went on to say that most hypnotic routines are very funny, some more so than others, but it is what goes on from the hypnotist between the routines that distinguishes one hypnotist from another. She said most hypnotists try and be funny but at the expense of the volunteers and/or the audience. Also, she went on, that a lot of the hypnotist believe they are the stars of the show. They take the applause for how the volunteers followed the suggestions. She felt the true stars are the volunteers, not the hypnotist. I could not agree more. If you have seen my show, you know the way I acknowledge the volunteers at the very end. Anyway, to sum up her humbling compliment, she finished by saying she enjoyed the way I treated the volunteers and the audience; with respect. And then she made me laugh by saying that I was 'a really funny guy.' I hope to see her at many of my upcoming shows. Thanks for the kind words.

On my way home from the show I started thinking about what she had said. I have heard these compliments before, in fact many times before. It made me think about my philosophy about my performances. I have always felt that since there are so many other hypnotists available (plus many other performers in other fields), I had to seperate myself from the rest. The basic concept of a hypnosis show is the same no matter who the hypnotist; we get volunteers to do silly things (or R-rated things if that is what the client wants).

So when I starting doing these shows 22 years ago, I decided to have a few ground rules for myself. I want to give a great show at a competitive price, and then give them a little more. I decided that since I come from a background as a family-friendly magician, that my hypnosis shows would be family-friendly as well even if the audience is entirely adults. I believe most people would like to experience hypnosis but have the fear of embarassment or in some cases total humiliation. I know there is a place for adult-humored shows and I have no problem with that. But I have always wanted the people that come to my shows to have no trepidation about volunteering for my show. So I have promised never to embarass, humiliate or degrade any volunteer. My show has been and always will be one you can count on to be fun without the typical misconceptions about a hypnosis show, whether you want to watch the show or be the show.

So I want to end this rant by again saying thanks for the compliment and please remember that at the end of my show I want you applaud really load because...

... here they are, the STARS of YOUR show !

please comment about my rant. What are your feelings?

until next week.. We'll do this again ! Steve

5 minutes to hide the money...

This was a great weekend for me. I had to rearrange the date from my Thursday night show and then the phone rang. It was someone looking to replace a hypnotist they hired who wasn't going to show up. I lose one show and gain another. WOW... even-Steven (if you know the expression). This show a private gig so I am going to let the details slide. Let's just say it was way cool.

Friday rolls around, I pack my bags and head out for Long Island. I took the ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson. I really look forward to these trips to the island because I was born there and spent the early part of my childhood in Levittown. So anywhere on the island is home for me. Plus I'm hooked on White Castle hamburgers and have been since I was a kid. Before settling in my hotel I had lunch at a new BBQ place in Port Jefferson Station; Rib City Ale House. I highly recommend the baby back ribs. They were cooked to perfection. Stop by and tell'em Steve the Hypnotist told you to go.

Show time... This was my forth year fundraising for the lacrosse team at Comsewogue High School. Another great turn out and some really animated volunteers. But the highlight of the show just had to be this... (if you saw the show, you will know what I'm talking about). It comes time to hide the money. I say you have 3 seconds, that's THREE SECONDS to hide the money somewhere on you. So what does this guy do; he takes a real long time, approximately 5 minutes hiding what must have been to him ten thousand one dollar bills. In his shirt, in his shirt sleeves, in his pant legs, in his socks, his shoes and of course... in his... well, just look at the photo.

In all my years, all my shows, this was the longest anyone has ever taken to hide the money. And with each passing moment it got funnier and funnier and funnier until finally all his money was safely tucked away. I really hope someone in the audience got this on video. Please please let me know if you did. Anyway here are 2 other photos from the show. All 90+ photos that I took are on my web site http://www.swfb.net/ . I really hope to see you all again next year. A big shout out and thanks to Maryellen and all the volunteers who keep bringing me back. I do appreciate it and love coming out.

Saturday night I had the opportunity to perform at Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island. For my first performance in a school the turn out was impressive. This was a fundraiser with the profits going to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). I got a very enthusiastic group of volunteers and we had a blast. There are lots of photos from the show, again on my SWFB web site but here are 3 of the images I like a lot. From the responce I have gotten on my Facebook page it looks like and sounds like everyone had a great time. I hope I get a chance to do it again next year. Props to Laura and all her volunteers and to John for recommending me. Thanks all ! You were TERRIFIC !

TTYL...Steve