Report on Jam in Rockville Md

I just wanted you show you the post regarding the Jam we had at CiCi's on the 6th of April. I wanted a jam that was in Maryland and that concentrated more on Face Painting, but that still included the other entertainment arts. So what we tried was an interactive jam, that included some on Face Painting, Balloons, Marketing etc. The Manager had agreed to feed the first four people who confirmed that they would be there, the rest of us had to buy our food if we chose to eat. Well, I put up signs saying that we would be there, and we had a good customer turnout, and enough kids for us to work with. 10 Jammers showed up, and it was a fantastic Jam. I was tickled to meet some people who live within 5 miles of me, and I hadn't met them before. We learned a lot about each other and are looking forward to May to jam again. The Manager of the Restaurant was happy to have us and said he knows that he is getting a lot from this too, and agreed to feed 10 people in May, (The first 10 that confirm coming) and provide drinks for everyone.

Oh, by interactive I mean that we set up in a corner and then work with the customers...we paint them, make balloons for them, do to them whatever we are practicing at our jam session.

Here is the e-mail that I sent to all the people who were on my list of attendees or interested jammers.

Well, I thought it was time to give my report on the Jam...Since I've talked to most of the attendees, and had some others ask how it went. First I want to thank everyone who came, you made this jam a huge success. The restaurant Manager, Dave, was very pleased with the turn out and how we interacted with the patrons. He asked me to pass on his gratitude and thanks for coming in and making the night so much fun. He said he was a bit nervous about how it would go, but after seeing us in action, that we were welcome to come every month.

We met at Rockville CiCi's and had a great time. 10 people came to the jam, and we did a lot of painting....One of my favorites was Sue McFeeters....Incredible brush control, I couldn't believe the things that she painted. One was a tribal dragon....just awesome. Vicki Younger taught a 2 tone Butterfly with the inside color being Silver. It was just beautiful, and she makes it look so easy. Vicki also did a couple Henna demos, one was a design, the other was a name. Thanks Vicki, I really liked the idea of outlining with pencil first. Then of course there was Kathy Breeze who had everyone doubled up laughing as she showed us what to do with a balloon that just wouldn't cooperate. Customers were picking up their kids so that they could see her with that balloon between her knees. Kathy finally got it, and the whole side of the restaurant screamed, clapped and cheered. You go Kathy! Then there was Virginia, she set up her paints, and painted and painted and painted. Kathy, Mary Melia, and myself did a couple restaurant walk arounds, first with the 'FREE CARD', then with a puzzle card. Both cards were samples of ways to give out your business information on a fun card that people want and ask for. We twisted a bunny using specialty balloons and 260s that was a group follow along led by me. Kids stood and waited while we made the bunny step by step. By the end of the night we probably made at least 20 bunny's. And to keep with the bunny theme, Rita Buccera did a follow along step by step balloon hat. it had 5 bunnies interwoven and was a hit. those who wanted each made a piece of the hat, and then Rita taught us how to weave it all together. The hat uses a total of 15 balloons. Vicki had a couple come in to evaluate the facepainting, and other arts because they were looking for someone to work part of a girl scout program this summer. We may have them hooked up, they were impressed with what they saw. A couple of the ladies, Virginia and Tootles sew. They showed vests and said they do costumes and all. Next month they are showing us more and I'm ordering a vest with lots of pockets. What a night, I hope the same people come next month too. I think Sherry Weiss was the first to leave, and most stayed until about 9 or 9:30. We really did have a great time.

We do have some things that we have to work out, and I'll be approaching the Restaurant for some confirmation of some of the things that we can do. This last time what we had worked out with the restaurant and the 5 confirming attendees was that the restaurant would feed those 5 people, and the tips of the night would be split between those 5. That seemed like a great plan, until we had 10 people show up, and all actively participated with the patrons of the restaurant....We have to find a way to split or use the tips we get during the night. (We received $40 total in tips on Monday) Some Ideas included saving them up for a few month's and then going out for a nice dinner, apply the tips to a formal class, buying supplies to make rainbow cakes and making/sharing the cakes with the attendees, give it to the restaurant in exchange for letting everyone eat and drink, and my favorite one was to give all the money to me. I will talk to the restaurant about providing drinks for everyone who attends (this is assuming that this jam stays around 10 people), and they may even give us food for that number. Suggestions are welcome and wanted.

I'm trying to figure out a way to make a sign for the customers to know that we are a professional group that are sharing new ideas with each other, and would be happy to include them but that we want to paint what we are learning or practicing. That tips are welcome and appreciated. Tips on how to make such a sign is also wanted and welcomed.

This is not the normal jam where people meet in a separate room, this jam is interactive with the patrons. So it will be different from other jams. The main emphasis will be on face painting with other talent included. We will change the guidelines as we go along (Guidelines are not rules....they are guidelines, like how we handle the patrons, or what we do at the Jam). Hope I didn't forget anything important, let me know if I did.

Hope to see you in May, and if you're coming, let me know so that we can have an approximate head count for planning purposes.

Jenny

Focus on what they can have, not what they can't. When I do volunteer work, I will only bring a list or pics of faces I need to practice. If they have something to choose from then they won't go to the old butterfly, tiger, or Spiderman.

Hi Jenny!

I would loooove to make it to one of your jams.

Will you include me on the mailing?

Thanks!!
~Michelle Heffner
Bright & Shining Face Painting
Columbia, MD

I'm know this is an old post, but I've been searching online for Face Painting Jams in Maryland. If either of you hear of anything coming up, I would like to attend. Please let me know. Thanks!

I will suggest you PM Michele Heff.