http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/rss_10.xml Zing Productions provides hilarious stage hypnotist shows, stand up and improv comedy for your company, college or charity fundraising event. http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/rss_10.xml http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/images/rss_channel_img.jpg http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P88 Sometimes a letter arrives in my email box that makes me smile. Here's one of those letters, printed in its entirety: <i>Hi Rusty-- In the fall of 2002 I met a guy named John. On our first date we went out for drinks and didn't hit it off particularly well. But it had been a long week and so we decided to give it another try. On our second date we went to a movie, which isn't a very social thing to do. Plus it was 'One Hour Photo,' starring Robin Williams as a psychopath.... http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P87 The question I hear most from prospective company party planner clients is: "How much do you charge?" When I quote my price I can sometimes sense their shock and surprise, even over the phone. Most people have no idea how much to budget for live entertainment. That's because most people rarely hire live entertainment, except maybe a harpist, pianist and/or DJ for a wedding. But what party goers remember most about the party <i>is</i> the entertainment. So it pays to... http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P86 Looking at some stage hypnotist's websites is an amusing excursion through a wonderland of hyperbole and self-aggrandizement. From what I know, there is no governing body, contest, competition, poll result, election or jury of their peers process giving anyone the moral privilege of using any of the above claims. But some stage hypnotist do. What they're doing is called The Big Lie. The Big Lie is a propaganda technique. It was defined by Adolf Hitler in his 1925 autobiography Mein Kampf... http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P85 So, in addition to the usual games and activities, you've decided on a stage show or live band for your company picnic and you need a stage. Preferably a covered one to shade the performer(s) from the sunshine or rain. Also, make sure the cover is easy to take down in case of wind. Tents tend to blow away fairly easily. Have tarps handy to protect electronic equipment from possible rain. Well before your event scout out the venue and figure out the stage up and time of show so that... http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P84 Here's Angelo, a Basset Hound who lives with his owner (who is also one of my booking agents) in El Paso, TX. Angelo is one of my favorite dogs and we're always happy to see each other.<img src="http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/images/uploads/Angelo.jpg" border="0" alt="image" name="image" width="384" height="257" /> http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P83 George Carlin, May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008. http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P82 It's natural to think about entertainment when planning your big, yearly company party. But most companies don't think about entertainment when planning a company picnic. The planners assume the volleyball net and horseshoe pit will keep everyone happily diverted. Not usually. Especially most company picnics are different from more formal company parties in a very important way; kids are there. With their parents or parent. Keeping the kids entertained so the parents can still have fun... http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P81 A month and a half ago an old comedian friend, who I hadn't talked to in a couple of years, called. He said, "James, it's Don Becker. I'm writing a book about my life and would like your consent to quote one of your jokes." That, by itself, is an unusually respectful thing to do, especially in the world of comedy where stealing happens every day. (I've even had jokes ripped off by Carson's writers.) We talked, caught up a bit, and I said, "Sure, Don, use the joke in your book.... http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P80 Here's stage hypnotist Rusty Z with his friend and <i>brilliant</i> stand-up comedienne, storyteller and polka band leader <a href="http://www.marymackcomedy.com" >Mary Mack</a> posing in front of Pete Contos' photo at <a href="http://petesrestaurants.com/universityParkcafe.html" >Pete's University Park Cafe'</a> in Denver, Colorado. If Mary Mack ever comes to your town to do her comedy show, go see her! And if you're in Denver, stop... http://zingproductions.com/pmachine/weblog.php?id=P79 Normally I write my own articles. This time I didn't. Posted with permission from its author <a href="http://www.escamoteurettes.com/blog/" >John LeBlanc</a>. If I posted this without permission, I'd be stealing. People do things for one of two reasons: to gain pleasure or to avoid pain. Another golden nugget is this: you get more of the behavior you reward -- the carrot part of "stick and carrot." When that doesn't work, revert to pain -- the stick part...