Westchester, New York City,

Fairfield County, Connecticut

Birthday Parties

Robert The Guitar Guy

Cost:

*$300 for

45 min. show

**$250 for 

45 min. show 

only in 

Wilton, Westport, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Redding, 

New Canaan

** if I can bring business cards.

* More in NYC.& beyond

1) The content of what I do at a birthday party does not differ much from what I do at other

 performances, unless most of the attending children are younger than three.  (In that case, scroll

 down this page for a description.) You may want to browse the variety of shows I do before

 you continue. 

2) A birthday performance is unique in that  I am especially interested in enchanting one member

 of the audience, the birthday child.  Some birthday children crave my attention and the attention

 of their friends, and others don't.  Before I begin to perform, I've already received an intuitive

 sense of how extroverted the birthday child feels on this particular day, and also what mood of

 performance might fit this group of children.

3) Unless the birthday child has given me clear signals that she/he is shy or emotionally

 overwhelmed, I will call the child by name often and make frequent eye contact.  Obviously, if I

 get signs that this is uncomfortable for the child, I back off and treat him/her as just another

 member of the group.  There are certain magic tricks which call for the party to raise their voices

 in "Happy Birthday _______!"  Again, I omit these if I feel that they would not be welcome.

4) I am often asked when to schedule the 45 minute performance in the course of a 2 hr. party (or

 more if it is an adult/child party).  My preference is to schedule my performance near the

 beginning.  However, I've done performances after children have been hanging out at a party for

 four hours and still gotten wonderful results.  (That's my job.)  If you are inviting children at

 noon or 12:30, it's a good idea to feed them first.  I recommend scheduling the performance early

 because children are less likely to run roughshod through your house if it is clear to them from

 the beginning what fun is in store.  Also, I get them wide-eyed and fresh.  Anywhere from 20

 minutes to a half-hour after the starting time of your party is ideal.  Earlier can be problematic

 because some children are bound to arrive late.

5)  I do not mind starting a show up to fifteen minutes after we agreed I would start.  But after 15

 minutes, I charge $25, after 30 minutes, $50, etc.  Most of the time, I am not committed to do

 another show directly after yours, but sometimes that is the case.

6) For children turning 4 and older, parental participation in the show is unimportant.  However,

 if a party is made up of mostly 1's, 2's, and children just turning 3, the participation of the

 birthday child's parent(s) really contributes to a great experience.  The invited parents look to

 the host parents to assess what level of  participation is encouraged.  If you are making a

 toddler party, but know you will be too pressed to participate, don't worry, I am there to give a

 great performance.  But I encourage you to see what it feels like for adults and toddlers alike to

 be singing and moving together under your roof.  It's a good idea to have someone present to

 sit with each very young child.

7) My performance for very young children has a good deal in common with a toddler music

 class, but includes more humor and silliness.  My repertoire is vast because I teach and perform

 for babies and toddlers practically every day.   Typically I'll begin with puppets, then lead some

 rhythmic lap riding with parent and child.  After that, it's time to get the children's hands

 clapping or rubbing to a comic chant usually involving body parts:  nose, cheeks, ears, knees,

 etc.  Now, I'll say "Hello" in song and greet everyone.  I've developed an ability to remember

 their names, but name tags are always nice.  By this time, I can usually feel that the kids want to

 get up and move, but if the children are mellow or space is very tight, I'll do some dramatic

 pieces based around songs.  "Itsy Bitsy Spider" is the catalyst for one of these.  On our feet, we

 march, jump, dance, shimmy, or sometimes walk, all to catchy songs specially tailored to these

 movements.  Then there's instrument time and fun with other props, not to mention simple magic

 tricks that even a two year old enjoys.  There's an idea of what goes on, but  it's not so much

 "the what" but "the how."

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2) PLEASING THE BIRTHDAY CHILD

3) HOW MUCH ATTENTION?

4) WHEN TO SCHEDULE ME?

5) STARTING LATE

6) PARENT PARTICIPATION

7) SHOW FOR BABIES & TODDLERS

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties

RobertTheGuitarGuy

Birthday Parties