Sounds like that was a bit of a nightmare, sorry to hear that.
Well, last night was my 3rd gig in a row for the week (and I am feeling it today), and it was my 3rd good night in a row too. It was an AGM / Party for Waitrose with a number of their top bod's attending. I provided the Disco Entertainment for them for after their AGM. I was booked from 7.30pm - Midnight and there were originally 80 attendees booked. 55 turned up in the end.
I sat there and listened to what was going on (I provided a wireless mic for the people who were speaking. It was a suggestion which they appreciated). The speaking went on until 9.00pm and to be honest, I found it really interesting, especially when they were talking about figures and turnover etc! Blimey! I won't repeat anything on here as I don't think it's the right thing to do but well....they are doing VERY well (and they must be seeing as they all got BIG bonuses).
Anyway, immediately after the speakers had finished, I started playing. I announced that the buffet was available, people ate and then some left and I was left with around 30 people. Venue was great, nice stage, able to use the smoke machine and the lighting effects looked great. Before the attendees arrived I put out request slips (first time in ages) as the last time I did a party for this lot, they loved the idea. Once the music started, people started coming up with them and the tunes on them were varied and ranged from current chart stuff to very cheesy so it was a good mixture.
The organiser said to me at around 9.30pm that a Midnight finish was unlikely, it depended on the few that were left and if they were up for a party what with it being on a sunday night. The organiser herself, danced to nearly everything I played and loved it. At 10.30pm she came over and said "This is great. We'll have a look at how it's going at around 11.00pm and see if it's worth finishing so we all get an earlier night". That was fine with me and I just said "Well, I'm here until Midnight so I'll leave that up to you. I just want you to enjoy yourselves" and she shouted out "I am!!! It's great, thank you".
At one point only did I think "I could finish early tonight"....As soon as I started playing the 80's stuff, cheesiness and action songs, the 20 or so that were left just went mad for it. They danced to everything and were singing along. When it came to the last song of the night, I thanked them for being up for it on a sunday night and said goodbye. They all clapped me and 2 very nice young ladies came over and told me that they wanted to hug me! They thanked me saying that they had really enjoyed the night and hoped that I would do their christmas party. The organiser said "Oh, we'll be seeing Gary again at christmas, don't worry"...so that was cool.
Really enjoyable 3 nights this week but I am knackered now. I ache like an achy thing and I haven't had much sleep either as I never do when I have work on like this.
