A Word About AgentsIn the article ‘How to Plan a Banquet,’ we included a limited discussion about entertainment, and our basic advice was to hire a competent talent agent who specializes in “casuals,” which means one-day or one-night events, such as parties, weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and other
fun events.Some agents represent actors and actresses, and unless they have a department that handles variety acts and bands, they would be of no help to you.Some other agents handle only major attractions and celebrities, and unless you’re working with a serious budget, they won’t be able to help you get a band for Aunt Sarah’s 50th anniversary party.A variety agent is able to help you get that close-up magician, band, and sometimes even name entertainers like Reba McEntire or The Temptations. Those that specialize in variety entertainment are sometimes called “full-service” agencies.How do you tell who is a competent agent? That’s a good question, because if you asked an agent if he’s competent he’d be a fool to say anything but “Of course!”Having been in the entertainment business for over forty years, I’ve seen a lot of people set up shop as agents. Some last, some don’t.A huge percentage of my business comes from people who either have used my services before or were referred by someone who has used my services.Finding TalentFinding your own entertainment can be fun. I have spent years watching other acts, bands and attractions, and I never fail to enjoy it.The internet or the Yellow Pages are a good starting place. Try using a search engine to find what you’re looking for. You’ll find listings in the Yellow Pages under entertainers, party planners, entertainment bureaus, and maybe some other categories.Try a search for something like “bands in los angeles” or “juggler orange county” or whatever is appropriate. See what you come up with.Beware that a beautiful website may not mean the best entertainer. Many website are not built by the entertainer and even it is, a nice-looking website does not translate to great entertainment.Referrals from friends might be useful to you if you follow the reviewing procedures outlined below.Watch your local newspaper for entertainers that are scheduled to appear for other groups in your area, and make it a point to catch their acts if possible. Of course, if you start going to other events, you’ll see some poor entertainment, too. (I guess it holds true that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince!) But even that can be helpful, if you are observant and make a note of what made the act good or bad.Reviewing An Act/BandIf you’re not working with an agent, you will need to review the act yourself. There are three methods of reviewing an act: You can (1) go see the act perform live, (2) watch a video of the act, or (3) have the act come audition for you.By far the best way is to see the act perform under roughly the same set of circumstances as your event. Seeing people perform in Las Vegas to a night-club crowd does not mean they’ll be able to perform for little Gloria’s 10th birthday party (or vice versa).The problem with going to see live performances is that it is certainly very time consuming, and you will only be able to see a limited number of contenders before it’s time to make a decision. But on the other hand, think of the fun you’ll have!Watching DVDs is an excellent method, as you can cover a lot of ground in an evening. Unfortunately, not all acts have DVDs or videos, and it would be a shame to eliminate a topnotch act just because they could not supply one.Another BIG problem with video is that many acts supply a short, edited version of their act. This can be very deceptive. When reviewing an act by video, I always insist on (but don’t always get) an unedited version of the show. I never hire an act based on an edited video. I’ve heard of instances where an act was hired because they had a very powerful video, only to find that in their entire show, the only part that was any good was those few minutes on the video.Don’t be overly impressed by a DVD or video of a movie appearance, guest spot on a TV show, or commercial. That still does not mean they can do the job you want them for.Unless you’re an agent, you can just about forget about having the act audition for you. Maybe an act will drop off literature. In the case of a magician, mime, or similar variety act, you may receive a short demonstration. However, this small segment along with its glib pitch can be very deceiving.Don’t take chances; be sure of what you’re buying!When you talk to an entertainer on the phone, ask him to send his “press kit” or literature and a DVD or video tape.Most variety acts will have printed literature or a complete press kit (which includes a photo, biographical information, letters of recommendation and references or list of past performances).Please don’t be taken in by good printed material. Usually, but not always, you can get a pretty good idea of their level of professionalism by the materials they send you.I do know some really great acts that work all the time and have virtually nothing in the way of printed materials. Of course I’ve also seen some really outstanding printed materials but was disappointed when I saw the act. I have a band that I send out to a lot of small weddings and installation banquets, and it took me almost a year to get a photo from them. (I’m still hoping to get a song list some day.) I’ve got another band that is absolutely tops in promotional material and their band is absolutely tops, too!Some performers no longer use paper press kits but instead prefer an electronic press kit either contained on a DVD they send you or simply up on their website. That’s fine. It’s certainly a more contemporary method of promoting one’s self.ArrangementsIt’s important, once you’ve decided what entertainers or band you’re going to hire, that arrangements be made clearly and in writing. I’ve enclosed a sample letter you may wish to use. Some entertainers have their own contracts, but many do not, making it necessary for you to put everything down on paper and send it to the entertainer. I’m not a lawyer so I don’t know how enforceable the letter is, but at least you have the information down on paper and you both understand and agree to the terms.If I’m serving as Agent, I fill out a contract based on our conversations, and then forward it to my client for a signature. I try to collect as much information as I can about the event so that I can prevent any surprises. The entertainers also receive a binding contract.By the way, this might be a good place to mention that talent agents are like travel agents in that they don’t charge you for their services, but instead charge the entertainers. The agent is really looking out for your interests and can draw from countless entertainers and bands, being reasonably familiar with what each act does. There is an internet subscription service that lists thousands of entertainers, who their personal manager is (if any), and/or how to reach them. All entertainers are available to a full-service agent, rather than just a handful of acts that the agent has been able to put together.When making your arrangements with entertainers make sure that you discuss everything:
Location. Best to send the act a map.
Date of performance.
Time and duration of performance. Bands usually work 4 hours, with a 10-15 minute break each hour. Talk to them about their breaks and how much overtime will cost. Some bands supply recorded music during their breaks.
Put the fee down in writing. I would hesitate to pay the act a deposit, although some entertainers and bands require it. I’m a licensed agent, so an act knows that once I send the contract their pay is guaranteed. Both you and the entertainer are acting on a trust not yet demonstrated. The entertainer wonders if he’ll get paid, and you wonder if he’ll show up! It’s the only system we have.
Method of payment. Acts always expect to be paid in full following the performance. If any other arrangements are to be made, please not only discuss it with them, but put it in your letter of agreement.
An act will want to know your time schedule… what time is the cocktail hour, dinner, etc. and this brings up an interesting subject: feeding the act. Usually, if you have only one individual doing a show after dinner (e.g. a magician or a singer), you should invite him to join your group for dinner. However, it would not be expected of you to feed the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Even bands are seldom fed. If you use the band for the cocktail hour, during dinner, and then have them take a break while you give out awards or conduct other business, then
it would be appropriate to feed them during that hour. It’s not mandatory, however. (Keep in mind that a meal is a nice consolation for the act if they are giving you a special break on the fee.)
Who supplies the public address system? Bands usually have their own equipment; other acts may not. A guitar player who sings may require two microphones. Four singers might require microphones and expect you to supply them. If you’re at a hotel or other banquet facility, you may be able to get everything you need from them. Extensive sound systems will have to come from a professional sound company. Make sure you discuss this with your performer and put it in writing.
Lighting. Again, your facility may have what you need. Spotlights with an operator can be rented for around $350. Big concerts will require the services of a professional lighting company.
Stage? A banquet of fewer than 50 people may not even need risers, but when you start getting up in the numbers, you’ll need to get your entertainers up to where the audience can see them. A catering facility or hotel will usually have 4′ x 8′ risers at various heights so that you can build a platform or stage for your entertainment.
Is it outdoors? What if it rains? You should really specify what you will do. Will you then hold it indoors? The act or entertainer has blocked out that day for you and perhaps turned down other work. They are really entitled to their fee even if the program is rained out, unless you’ve made other arrangements.
Seating. It’s very difficult for an entertainer to have a dance floor between himself and the audience. If you’re having a dance after a comedian or other entertainer, talk with the act about how close the seats or tables need to be. Maybe he/she can work on the dance floor.
Does the act need a place to change clothes or set up equipment?
Does the act sell albums or other merchandise at the performance? Some musical acts offer albums after the show. Is this all right with you?
Parking and unloading. How nice it is for an entertainer to pull up in front of the YMCA and find a sign “Reserved for Entertainer.” You can’t always do that, but remember that some acts have a lot to carry in. If the only parking available costs money, you should reimburse the entertainers. Talk about it and include your decision in your letter of agreement.There are plenty of things to inquire about. Take time to picture in your mind exactly how things will be. If there is a question in your mind about anything, ask. Ask the hotel, the band, the act, the agent.ConclusionWell, really, that was easy. Just spend months looking at acts and days negotiating and a few weeks wondering if you blew it. (Or give a call to a competent talent agent and let him worry about the hard stuff!)Perhaps a good rule to remember is “You get what you pay for.” A friend called me and wanted Mariachis for a Church Mexican Fiesta. I quoted him a price for five Mariachis for two hours, but he went out and hired his own for less. He called me up later just sick about it. He had called a group advertised somewhere and got a low price…and low quality. It’s not a new story.Don’t look for the lowest price; look for quality. If you can’t afford top quality, it’s probably better not to have entertainment at all rather than to hire an act that makes you and everyone else squirm in their seats.—–Sample LettersPRINCESS WANTA COMPANYMakers Of The Unbreakable Widget1842 Los Albany Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023312/555-2345February 31, 2009Freddy the Magic Man1234 Count Me Out StreetPasadena, California 93345Dear Mr. Magic Man:This is to confirm our arrangements for you to entertain at our annual installation banquet to be held October 32, 2009 at the Rancho Cucamonga Holiday Hotel, 2345 Hotel Ave., Cucamonga,
California.The banquet will begin with the cocktail hour from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at which time we will sit down for dinner. We would be delighted if you would join us. Please let us know if you would prefer the fish or the steak.We have a deejay who will provide you with a microphone on a microphone stand and the hotel has arranged to put up a 8′ wide by 6′ deep by 2′ high platform, with stairs at one end, for you to perform on. Your 30 minute performance of comedy and magic should begin after dinner, approximately 8:15pm. I will have a $750 check ready for you at the conclusion of your performance. Please also bring me your parking ticket for full validation.Please sign a copy of this letter and return to me to solidify our arrangements.Most sincerely,Marta Stuart—–From: Freddy The Magic ManTo: Marta StuartEverything looks great! I’ll be there. I’d prefer: Steak ______ Fish ______X_____________________________________—–LIBERTY AWARDS FUNDINGHelping to improve life through investing2356 Nobody StreetLancing, Ohio 98823912/555-3456February 31, 2009Leon HugeBig Band From Cleveland1902 Go Jump StreetPine Grove, Pa 69903Dear Mr Huge:Thank you for agreeing to have your 8-piece band play for my daughter’s wedding on July 14, 2008 at the Forrest Glen Country Club, 2323 Country Club Drive, Lancing, Ohio from 8:00pm to midnight. As we discussed, the band is to complete their set-up by 6:00pm and you will play recorded music through your sound system from 6:00pm to 8:00pm for the cocktail hour and dinner.You also agreed to act as the emcee introducing the bride and groom and the entire wedding party as they enter the room at approximately 6:30pm. I will e-mail you the line-up at least a week before the event. Please kick off the dance set at 8:00pm with the Father /Daughter dance “Isn’t She Lovely” and then invite the entire wedding party to join them on the dance floor at the end of that song and play “Celebration.”I understand that the band will play four 45-minute sets each hour and you will provide recorded music during your breaks. I will have a check for $2,450 ready for you when you arrive. I will also obtain full validation for all of your musicians if you will collect their parking slips. I will have sandwiches, sodas, coffee, iced tea and fruit juice in the break room at 7:00pm for you and the band. Please check in with Diane at the Country Club and she will show you the break room.Please sign below and return a copy of this letter to make sure we’re on the same page.Thanks.Sammy Claws—–Sammy:Everything is as agreed. We will be there.X________________________________© 2007 by Al Lampkin

I am sure you have heard this axiom: If you don’t know where you are going, you will get there. Many folks investing today are on that path: they are investing without proper knowledge of the stock market, of investment basics, and lacking simple, concise, written goals. Later, these folks will experience great challenges.Among other things, the Federal Reserve’s Quantitative Easing program, a euphemism for pumping money into the economy, is fueling rising stock markets. This could entice even more folks to invest in stocks because they might see opportunities to ‘make money.’ Beware; before investing, at least, ensure you dispel three popular investment myths, and understand the potential investment’s opportunity cost.
Investing in the stock market is gambling
Low priced stocks, especially those at 52-week lows are worth buying
Investment analysts and advisors know how investments will perform
Investing In The Stock Market Is GamblingSimplistically, investing is just another spending form. You buy a book, a car, a house, and you buy stocks, bonds, or other investment instruments. The key is to develop a solid process to follow instinctively before spending: a spending decision process. Your attitude will decide how you behave, and so, you could choose to spend on stocks and bonds – invest – with a gambling motive. That’s why I advise folks never to invest unless they fulfill specific prerequisites, such as being debt free with an established process to replace major assets for cash, and having clear, concise, written investment goals.Then again, even with clear goals, individuals need to know that consistent, solid earnings is the key sustainer of a business’ value, and ultimately, its stock market price.Low Priced Stocks, Especially Those At 52-week Lows, Are Worth BuyingHere is a trap to avoid. A stock is trading at its 52-week low, falling over 50%, and you think it presents a buying opportunity. Maybe; on the other hand, maybe not! Likely, that business’ products and services no longer have the capability to produce previously perceived earnings. Alternatively, investment analysts and others may have promoted this business because of some fad or other irrelevant reason. Yahoo! and Nortel are examples of companies whose stock prices traded at unsustainable levels; after the expected collapse, their stock prices did not recover. Many other examples exist, particularly on the Japanese stock exchange.As I mentioned above, as with all spending, we need to follow a spending decision process before investing. This will allow us to use a fall in stock price as a trigger to identify business’ fundamentals and potential investment opportunities.Investment Analysts And Advisors Know How Investments Will Perform When you listen to these folks, you might forget that they, like you and I, have no clue about the future. Some are in conflicts of interest, blinded, and pushing particular products. Others might be sincere but are relying on the past. And we know, the past might not be a good predictor of the future.Can these folks help? Certainly, but each client must try to understand whom his or her advisor represents, and accept that advisors do not know the future. Accordingly, folks receiving investment advice must be fully aware that they, not their advisors, need to decide when and how to act from advice they get.Before you start investing, dispel the above three myths, learn key investment basics, and learn and make sure you fulfill specific investing preconditions.This final point is obvious but often folks overlook it. Investing in the stock market has an opportunity cost; it reduces, by amounts invested, funds available for other purposes. Ten thousand dollars invested in the market could buy a car, pay a portion of a college semester’s fees, or be donated to charity. Therefore, as part of your spending decision process, ask these three questions before deciding to invest:
What other alternatives exists to use funds you are about to invest?
Given your present and expected situation, is this the best use of funds today?
Will you need to replenish these funds to carry out other specific goals in the next three to five years?
© Copyright 2013, Michel A. Bell

If you are trying to find a place to go to for a summer destination that is going to be unlike any other place you have been to, then you need to choose the country of Wales. The town of Rhyl in north Wales offers some of the best in accommodations, dining, and Welsh hospitality you will find. Check online for making your reservation now in the town of Rhyl – Denbighshire.Rhyl is a restful town that is on the shores of the Irish Sea. You can walk the beaches in late afternoons and watch the gulls fly about. You might like to take in lunch of seafood and take in an evening of seaside shopping. You can do all this and more in the town of Rhyl.Rhyl is the place in Wales to visit with your children during the summer. The beaches have two miles of family attractions that will keep your children busy for a couple of days. They will love a Rhyl tradition that has been around since the 1880s and that is donkey rides. You can still ride the donkeys today.There are many kinds of places to visit in Rhyl and to have a blast whilst there. The Sun Centre is one of these places. Here you will be able to enjoy a cool surfing wave pool. This a great place to practice riding those waves before you get on the real ocean. The kids are going to love the Sea Aquarium where they can see the kind of marine life that lives there. From eels to dogfish, this aquarium is a fascination for the young and old alike.These are only a few of the kinds of attraction you will find in seaside Rhyl, Wales. On top of this great fun you will be able to also enjoy awesome accommodations and great food, served with the finest kind of hospitality you will find anywhere in the world. The Welsh are some of the finest people to visit and once you go there, you will see why this is so.

Recovering from an illness or injury can be a stressful time for both the patient and the patient’s family. That stress is compounded when chronic illness or disability is involved. Research has consistently shown that, when at all possible, recovering at home is the best option for the patient’s physical and mental health. Unfortunately, when the patient is elderly or too injured or ill to care for themselves, recovering at home is sometimes not an option.Finding friends or family members to assist with daily tasks is not always feasible. Even when family members are in a position to assist, the burden placed on them often puts a strain on their other family relationships, as well as their career and personal life. The alternative to home recovery-having their loved one leave their home to life in a medical facility or nursing home-is often a last and regretful resort.Luckily, there is another way for patients to remain in their beloved homes while receiving quality health care assistance: Home Health Care. Recent technological advance such as the internet and home infusion have made home health care available to many more patients than in the past. According to the National Association for Home Care, there are approximately 20,000 home health care providers today. While almost two-thirds of home care recipients are seniors over 65, home health care can assist anyone who requires some assistance while recovering from an illnesses or suffering a disability.Here are some benefits of home health care:o Seniors can continue living in their own familiar, comfortable environment
o Dignity and independence is maintained
o Patients receive one on one attention and care from the home health caregiver
o Home health care is often less expensive than care in nursing homes / assisted living facilities
o It relieves the burden placed on adult children to provide care for their aging parentsMost people prefer receiving care in a familiar setting where they are surrounded by love, patience and understanding people. Home health care providers help strengthen and increase the patient’s ability to care for themselves in their homes. They can also have a positive impact on a patient’s hopes and aspirations.