Hi guys,

Just got contacted by Metta School ( ok that's a lie. They contacted in February but I forgot about it ) and they're looking for magicians to perform at their event on the 27th of May.

'Greetings from Metta Welfare Association!

Metta Welfare Association is organizing the annual Metta Charity Walk cum Family Carnival on 27th May at Metta Buidling/Metta School (32 Simei Street 1 Singapore 529950). All funds raised during this event will be used towards the operational costs of Metta's nine centres. This event is held annually at promoting fun for the whole family. We will be expecting over 20,000 visitors to the event with over 100 stalls comprising food, games and trade. Besides the stalls, the carnival also includes a kids' zone, stage activities, a Charity Walk, Roaming Buskers and many more.
The Guest-of-Honour for our carnival this year is Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo - MP for East Coast GRC and Advisor to East Coast GRC'

There you go. There are going to be 20000 visitors so it'll be a great place to network. Metta school is completely fine with us passing around namecards and chasing after the girls.

Ok so here's the basic gist of it.

Venue: 32 Simei Street 1 ( walking distance from Simei MRT )
Performance type: Walkaround/Street/Stand-up magic (whatever you want to call it)
Time: 9am to 6pm
Date: 27th May

They're looking for magicians who are willing to perform for 2 hour slots. Also, depending on the response, I'll try to increase the number of magicians to 20 or more.

Put your name down today!

Heya. I'm interested. :) Put me in for the moment. But I can only take the morning cause I need to book in for NS on Sunday night. :)

Hey man, I'm interested in performing for charity too. Keep me updated. ^_^

I'm interested as well. Keep me informed?

"Roaming Buskers" - Are we allowed to keep the takings or performer being paid?

-Alan-

I'm interested too. But I cant guarantee becos of NS commitments.

Hey bro, im interested in perfroming for tis event. keep me updated of the details.

Is there anymore updates on this? Or is it called off already?

I'm so sorry everyone, I've been busy lately. Anyway the event is still on.

Multi Talent, the performers aren't actually allowed to busk like what we see on Orchard Road and all that. I guess that was a mistake on the organisers part. They should have named the 'Roaming Buskers', street performers.

Anyway guys, the event is next Sunday. I'll be there throughout the entire event. A couple of my friends are helping out at the food stalls and all that.

Sorry Blackwing but I still don't get it...Buskers and street performers are the same, they both collect $ and keep whatever they earn, do you mean roaming performers?

If it's roaming performers they're usually being paid for their work, so which are they looking for? I'll be free on that day and might be able to help but I need to know which is it - Busking or performing?

P.S. please don't tell me I have to go for free and give them whatever is collected on that day.

-Alan-

Alan, I suppose you did not read properly for the description on the first post "All funds raised during this event will be used towards the operational costs of Metta's nine centres."
It's suppose to be a charity event of course it will be a free service.

ok, what I normally do is I'll still charge a charity rate, then all $ collect will go to them. (think about it, if the sponsor can sponser the event why can't they sponser your performance as well?)

I use to perform for free untill people take me for granted, free shows after free shows all in the name of "charity", then once a layman ask me why can't the sponsor sponser my show? I was stuck, i can't answer him.

The least we need is transport and a little token of apprication, charity event does not mean you go performing for free unless you're just trying out (you're new).

In case you're wondering, organiser will get a pay cheque to organise a charity event, so if they're being paid why not you?

Last but not least, it's because many people thought that charity means "go for free" thats why they go for free and cause many "we can get people to perform for free, don't get professional..." attitude. That is why people keep pressing down performer's rate.

Above is my view, my apologize if I offend anyone, of course I'll love to know what the rest of you think as well so feel free to give me your opinion.

-Alan-

Actually, I kind of agree with Alan. If the the MC is paid, if the sound system is paid, if the decorations are paid, if the waiting staffs are paid, if the....... you get the idea, why shouldn't magician get paid?

Sometimes, I feel that these organisations take magicians for granted. They engage performers on stage, some celebrity to perform and they expect magicians to perform for free.

Its still up to the individual to decide if they want to perform for free or for a token or even for a discounted rate. Sometimes, these organisations are tight on budgets and they might not have the extras to engage magicians.

I feel most people feel that magicians are not a necessity, it'll be good to have them but not a must.

It'll be good to do charity once in a while but please do not let others take advantage of us. In the long run, people might think of us as some cheap entertainment.

Having said all these, I hope it'll not deter some of you from performing for charities. Some people look at things differently, if you think that you want to do it, by all means go ahead. Just remember when to stop if they take advantage of you.

Mr Blackwing,

i do agree with Magicdow and Multi-Talent, may be you can help us to voice up to them. Thanks.