It’s been five months, long, unusual and difficult months, since I last performed to a live audience. This weekend just gone (beginning of August 2020) I performed again!
It was a very sunny and especially windy day on Hastings Pier. There were lots of people out and about. I had prepared my kit to cope with the new rules for covid-19 performances. Hand sanitiser for myself, I stripped all unnecessary bits of equipment away and what was left was able to be wiped down. I also needed security barriers to ensure distance was kept for my own safety but also I didn’t want small children touching my balloon kit, freshly filled with an abundance of colours and shapes – all enticing to small excited kids!
Having been on the pier the day before, I decorated the security fences with a few balloons to attract people, state what I did and bring a little fun. “Would you like a free balloon? It’s free!” and so began a steady socially distanced flow of families wanting a balloon. After five months of very little live contact with people I really enjoyed joking around, creating balloons, telling people my stupid jokes and even discovering new ones.
I met many types of people and asked them if they were local or just visiting and there was a huge mix of locals, visitors from East Sussex and surrounds and a few from London too. I want to thank Special thanks to @raffandridge for their photo! I met families who had heard of me through The Best of Hastings and social media, which is nice to know its working! And families that had seen me Bannatynes Hotel Hastings at the vintage car rally last year.
Next Saturday I will be there, weather permitting, 2-4pm bringing joy to kids who would like a balloon. Keep an eye out for events by following me on my facebook page Danny The Idiot as I will be creating an events page. Come and have a chat!
Contact Danny for prices and availability for small events or balloon deliveries by calling 07947 013178 or email danny@dannytheidiot.com