January 2005

In This Issue:

Featured Event Idea - Couples Outreach & Fundraiser

Real Stories - Case Study: Comedy Dinner Theater

Performer Profile - Dana Daniels & Luigi: The Funny Side of Magic

Special Promotions - InviteCards ~ Referral Rewards Program

Effective Resources - Fundles!

Event Planning Tip of the Month - Create an Event Identity

News & Updates - Team & Performer News

Joke of the Month - "Nine, nine, nine..." Featuring Dana Daniels

Couples Outreach & Fundraiser

What better way to attract and entertain couples in your community and raise money for your ministry?! Offer refreshments, comedy and auction off date packages to attendees! Perfect for Valentine's week or anytime throughout the year to reach couples in your community.

Target Audience

Location

Theme Ideas

Volunteers Needed

Event Schedule

• Doors open and refreshments served a half hour before festivities begin.
• Ensure each guest is given a program outlining the packages up for auction.
• Start the comedy and auction after dessert is served. You may also choose a comedian that can double as your auctioneer.
• Wrap up with the end of the evening with a thank you

Auctioning Date Packages

Offer several different categories to bid on, here are some examples...

• Romantic Dates - limo and dinner, horse drawn carriage and waterfront picnic, etc.
• Adventure Dates - horseback riding and picnic, sailing & SCUBA day, lift tickets & ski/snowboard rental, etc.
• Cultural Dates - museum and theater or opera tickets, classic car with driver and concert tickets, etc.
• Unique Dates - offer unique packages donated by different ministries or church members.
• Vacation Date - if possible, offer one weekend getaway.

Ideas & Tools to Get the Word Out

Budget Booster Ideas

Added Outreach Impact

Case Study:

Comedy Dinner Theater

Event Basics

Customer Interviewed: Pastor Ron Cooper

Organization Name: First Church of God

Event Name: "Comedy Dinner Theater"

Event Type: Comedy Dinner Theater

Event Dates & Time: Saturday, October 2, 2004, 6pm - 8:30pm

Event Location: Held in the church's Fellowship Hall

Location Profile: The church is located in the suburb of Munster, IN - approximately 30 miles outside of Chicago.

Attendee Type: Target audience was general--all ages admitted.

Price per Attendee: $15

Total Attendees: 60+

Behind the Scenes Efforts:

Publicity Tools Used:

• Direct Mail: Postcards were mailed out to the community featuring the performer.
• Flyers: Left over postcards placed on cars in parking lots of local businesses.
• Press Release: Placed in local paper.
• Sunday Services: Performer video clips shown 3 times. Members were encouraged to invite unchurched guests.
• Other: Posted announcement on Christian Happenings website, email blitz, fax blitz.

Cutting Costs:

• Ticket Sales: Printed their own tickets on cardstock.
• Food Donations: Solicited local grocery stores for food donations.
• Door Prizes Donated: A Performer DVD, a light fixture from The Home Depot®, a kit of bottled water, and several other prizes were donated by local businesses and given as door prizes.

Team Efforts Included: 6-8 volunteers

About the Event

Event Purpose:

Outreach Event with the purpose of inviting unchurched neighbors and introducing them to the church.

Event Content Included:

A full dinner was served by the youth, a warm-up comedy performance was given by the pastor's son, and featured an Outreach Comedy performer.

Site Set-Up :

The site was set-up for a coffee-house feeling with a stage, card tables and house-lights dimmed after dinner for the performances.

Capturing Visitor Information & Visitor Follow-Up:

Hosts roamed the audience looking for visitors and collecting information. After the Event, visitors were sent a letter and called by the church, and were invited to The Passion of the Christ showing at the end of the month.

About the Comedy Performance

Performer: Leland Klassen

Type: Stand-up performance.

Results

Total Visitors: About 10 visitors came to the church that evening (about 20%). 1 or two visitors returned.

Response to Performer: The audience responded very well. People are still telling the pastor how much they enjoyed the evening.

Additional Comments

Biggest Concerns Heading into the Event:
"Selling tickets."

How These Concerns Were Addressed & Resolved:

"We sold tickets when the event was first announced, but really picked up the week before the event."

How This Compares with Past Events:
"This event shows a different side of the church--that Christians can have fun. It wasn't quite as serious--very lighthearted in comparison with past events."

Would You Do This Event Again?

"Yes. The Comedy Dinner Theater was a successful way to get people to visit our church. One of the families had a different opinion of the church--so to come on a comedy night bent their impression of church. The event was very well received by all--a fun night."

What Would You Do Differently Next Time?

"Try to gain more financial support from local businesses. Perhaps print a program and sell advertising spaces."

What Would You Say to People Planning a Similar Event?

"Go for it! It's worthwhile. It's a great thing to invite someone who doesn't go to church to experience a fun night--to relax and have fun at church."

Comedy Illusionist

Dana Daniels & Luigi

The Funny Side of Magic

Where are you from, and what was it like growing up there?

Long Beach, CA was where I was born & grew up. It was your typical suburban middle-class neighborhood. I grew up with a lot of friends on the block, and I used to be the "activities director." I had a great experience growing up. And while we never went to church, my mom would pray with me every evening. I was always curious about church as a youngster, and my parents encouraged me to seek these things out on my own when I grew older.

Your stories of how you became a stand-up comedian and how you came to know Christ follow a similar path - what changed your life?

I was in a car accident when I was 10 and broke both my legs. I was in the hospital for several months in traction and a body cast - I had to go to physical therapy for several months. A magician came to the children's ward-it was the first time I ever saw a magician in person. At the end of the show I noticed that he had a handkerchief sticking out of his pocket that he'd never used-so I asked him what it was for. As he walked out, he took the handkerchief and turned it into a cane-it was amazing. I told my mom that I wanted to learn how to do that too. So she took me to a magic shop and they said it was a fairly advanced trick. They suggested taking magic lessons-so I signed up for them. I also joined a juniors magic club that competed and helped each other learn.

By the time I was 12 I was entertaining at kids' birthday parties and did that all throughout school. When I got old enough I started doing night clubs and cruise ships-then started doing it full-time professionally in 1983 (I was 22) at Disneyland. I performed strolling magic tricks and entertained for private parties-this is also when I started performing with a parrot. Later on at Disneyland I met my wife who also worked there (she drove the floats in the parade). She is a beautiful Christian woman who brought me to know the Lord.

Your act is incredibly unique - what elements make it so unique, and how did you discover them?

I bought Luigi, my parrot, as a pet. One day he was sitting at my desk as I practiced my card tricks. He took a card out of my deck and started chewing it to pieces. I thought it was so funny and that I might make a bit out of it. I could have someone pick a card that I don't see, and have Luigi bite it--thereby "marking" the card so I know which one they picked. I was planning to entertain at a club meeting and wanted to do something unique. My mom said I should do something with the parrot-but I told her "Funny in the living room, not on stage." Remember-always listen to your mom. So I went ahead and tried it. It was the best laughs I'd ever gotten. My other magician friends told me I needed to do more with the parrot. So I went home and wrote more bits and developed the routine with Luigi the "psychic" parrot. The current parrot, Luigi that I have has been with me since 1983-22 years.

I developed my own stage character over the years by watching my favorite comedians on TV - Groucho Marks, Johnny Carson, Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Bill Cosby. I would pretend to be those comedians delivering a given joke-and eventually developed my own stage persona. I'm more sarcastic onstage than off-but do it in a likeable way that I can get away with - I know when to back off and when to have fun with it.

What's your favorite thing about being a comedian?

It allows me to be in charge of my own schedule and have more time with my family. I can also bring my family with me on certain jobs - ie. cruise ships, etc.

What are some of your current struggles and triumphs?

Both my parents passed away this year, which has been very difficult. They both lived long and happy lives-very full. I feel so fortunate to have had such great parents.

How do you see the Lord moving through your Comedy?

Doing these outreaches. I find church audiences to be my favorite venues. They are the most positive, upbeat audiences you could ask for-always a delight. I used to struggle with how to incorporate my show with a message while keeping the show's integrity--I'm used to getting so many laughs per minute, that something tugging on the heartstrings kind of scared me at first. But now I feel like it adds such an incredible depth, and people get to know me now a little bit too. It has turned out to be a really fulfilling experience. The last church I went to the pastor mentioned that they had a lot of non-believers there who commented that they didn't know Christians could be so funny. Then they show up to church the next Sunday. If it changes one person's life, it's well-worth it and so fulfilling.

Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?

Fifty-four years old.

What's your favorite Bible verse and why?

Proverbs 16:9 - We can make our plans but God directs our lives. I think it kind of encapsulates my life and how I came to know the Lord. I didn't plan any of this, but the way it happened was such a design. And to be doing shows for churches and giving a message - I never thought I would be doing any of this, but God had other plans.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Spending time with my family. We have annual passes to Disneyland and go there when we can. Our kids try to entertain us with little shows they put on-lip synching, dancing, magic and things like that. My son likes to run the technical aspects and magic-my daughter likes to sing and dance. Being an entertainer you hear these family horror stories-so I try to keep my life balanced. If I'm gone on too many shows I try to back it off a little so I can spend time with my family. I have different priorities now than when I was young and single.

What's you're all time favorite gig?

I've had so many different experiences and great shows-there are always so many fun stories. There was one time I opened for Amy Grant and Vince Gill at this mountain retreat in Oregon. I brought my wife with me who's a huge Amy Grant fan. It was so much fun. Vince and Amy were these superstars, but so down to earth sharing stories at dinnertime. Vince and I realized we had some mutual friends as well. It was such a great time spent with them and my wife.

Anything else you'd like to share?

A lot of people ask me how I travel with the parrot. And I say well, I fly on a plane, he flies on his own. No, actually he comes on the plane with me and travels under my seat-there are only a few airlines that allow this. One time I had to travel with an airline that didn't allow it, so I had to sneak him on because I had to get home. I was flying out of Columbus, Ohio, wearing a huge trench coat with these big pockets--so in went Luigi. As I was going through ticket check-in, the ticket agent asked me, "Are you checking in just one bag?" I answered, "Yes." "Are you checking in the parrot?" I was thinking... "How did he know about the parrot, did he see my show or something?" So I said, "What parrot?" He said "The one that's sitting on your shoulder." I looked over and there he was-while I was talking to the agent Luigi had crawled out of my pocket and climbed up my back and onto my shoulder and I didn't even notice it. So I said, "No he's just here to see me off." The guy kinda chuckled and said "Ok!" And let me go, and somehow they just allowed me to board the plane with Luigi.

Click here to read more about Dana Daniels & Luigi and watch their video clip!

Monthly Website Promotion

Receive 400 FREE DIY InviteCards!

Receive 400 FREE DIY (Do-It-Yourself) InviteCards when you book an Outreach Comedy Event before January 31, 2004!

Equip your Church
If you equip your regular attenders with the motivation, knowledge and materials they need to share their faith, they'll prove to be your most powerful outreach tool. By providing them with high-quality outreach resources, you'll make it easy for them to invite their friends to church.

What are InviteCards?
Give members a great way to become active in your community outreach. These business card-sized invitations can be used to promote your Outreach Comedy Event, special Events, or regular Sunday services. The reverse side is blank for easy customization. InviteCards are an ideal resource to equip small-group members to invite neighbors and acquaintances or to promote special events and message series.

Features:
. Over 60 designs available
. 32 lb. Paper, 4-color graphics
. Business card-sized 2"x3.5"
. Four per sheet-8.5"x11"
. Perforated for easy separation
. Coordinated products available
. Easy to personalize. Compatible with most laser printers, photocopiers and quick printers
. In-stock orders ship out in just one business day

How do I choose a design?
For a selection of DIY Invite Cards available, click here or visit www.outreach.com to view all Invite Cards and products available.

*Booking minimum required. Offer good on new Events only. Not valid with any other offer. Must mention offer to Event Coordinator at time of first contact.

Referral Rewards Program

*Qualifying Referrals must book an Event, valid on referral's initial Event only, new clients only, with a minimum Event price of $1000.

Fundles!

Outreach Comedy Top Talent
+
Outreach Communication Tools

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A Successful, Cost-Effective Outreach Event

Outreach Comedy's top-quality talent, combined with the best Outreach communication tools available, provide the essentials for an effective and successful Outreach Event. Capture their attention with Outreach communication tools, then capture their hearts utilizing a hysterical and entertaining Outreach Comedy Performer.

Now specifically bundled together, "Fundles" combine both these essential elements into one strategic and specially priced package for a complete, effective and successful Event. Ask your Event Coordinator about Fundles and pricing!

Fundles Include...

Attracting Visitors

Your Event Identity

• Target Audience is Key: Always keep your target audience in mind when choosing your parts and pieces for your Event. What speaks to a Christian may not appeal to an unchurched person. Meet your visitors where they're at with culturally relevant terms and images.

• Name & Theme: Name your Event and choose a theme (ideas outlined in the December 2004 eNewsletter, click here or visit the eNewsletter Archive), then choose images & words that compliment your theme.
• Quality Counts: Avoid clip-art style text and images. High-quality pieces will help you obtain the results your looking for.
• Caution with Words: Images and minimal text capture attention. Limit descriptions to 4 lines and use bullets where possible. And remember to keep "Christianese" to a minimum (click here for more information).
• Name & Face Recognition: When hosting a comedian or other performer at your Event include a performer picture and name a few of their most secularly recognized credits--these pieces lend credibility to our performers and to your Event.

Event Planning Guide

It's here! When you book a new Outreach Comedy Event, our Outreach Event Planning Guide will be yours FREE!* Take advantage of our combined 15+ years experience of creating effective Events, and utilize 100 pages of brainstorming guides, budget saving tips, promotional helps, checklists, timelines, team building tools, visitor connection strategies and more! Our gift to you when you book an Outreach Comedy Event. The Event Planning Guide is also available in the Outreach Spring 2005 Catalog.

*Limit one per customer.

Featuring Dana Daniels & Luigi

When I first met Luigi it was in a pet shop. He was sitting there on his perch saying one word over and over again. " Nine, Nine, Nine." I thought great a parrot that speaks German. I went to pet him and he bit my finger. Then he said " Ten, Ten, Ten."

Click here to read more about Dana Daniels & Luigi and watch their video clip!