Back in 1994 I found out that I was diabetic and suffered a heat stroke all at the same time. I was laid up in bed for a couple of months and a friend of mine called me to work with him at one of the riverboat casinos in Illinois. I was slowly getting stronger so that I can be up and about for more than a couple of hours in a day. After I was working in the pavillion hawking the games, there was a balloon person that would come in every couple of weeks and I would get a teddybear from him to give to my wife! After a while, I would be able to get him to teach me the basics of making balloon animals.
After I had mastered the 10 or so basic animals, I got my first restaurant job at Aurelio's Pizza in Oakbrook Terrace at a place that the management was very forgiving or maybe they saw something that would grow in my ability to get me to the level that I am at today!
I have been lucky enough to work with some of the great balloon people in the industry! People like Marvin L. Hardy, Royal Sorrell, John Holmes and others at the International Balloon Arts Convention every year since 1996. Others that I have been lucky to work with include Frank Birdsall, who got me started, Anthony Mackey, who showed me some great business ideas and contacts, Dale the Balloon Dude and others too numerous to mention here.
But it was through all of the people that I have been able to come in contact with that has helped to shape me into the balloon twister that I am. I decided right from the beginning that I just wanted to do the detail balloon designs because of my background as a graphic artist. I wanted the things that I make to look like what they are supposed to be (given the restrictions of the medium). That is why I don't do alot of speed twisting designs, SOME but not alot.
I also offer a menu when I work so that the guest can choose what they want, and in most cases, the color too! And with around 50 items on the menu there is something for everybody! I can also create other things not on the menu, but time restricts what I can do for you!
In 2003 or a little before, I started singing at Karaoke places for fun! But the FUN got me hooked and I decided to get some equipment and start doing Karaoke at different establishments! Sure, I got the job before I got all the equipment, but I was able to rent what I needed at a very low price. As the time went on, I got myself up from around a 1000 songs to over 77,000 song titles today! AND I have my own equipment! No rentals! As with everything I do, I try to be the best I can be. I am constantly thinking of ways to improve the show and the equipment! Now I am very happy to say that I am thought of as one of the best! I thank the guests who come that help to make it FUN!
In the summer of 2007 I was in Ft. Mitchell, KY teaching a class on making balloon puppets at Vent Haven, the one time a year convention for ventriloquists! There, Bob Rumba who was teaching the class with me, showed me the wonders of the room where a lot of the puppet makers were selling their goods. I bought a possum that I call Herschel. He now comes to Karaoke with me from time to time to sing a song or two as does a good pal of his, Kermit the Frog! I work at being good at the manipulation of the puppets as well as control over my lips - so they won't move!!!! I am trying to write some material for them so we can do some shows but that is a long and hard process. I also have two more puppets in the wings so to speak, An Ape called Leonard, and a not yet purchased bird called Darwin. I am hoping to have something for them by summer 2009. (Crossed fingers!) And something just added! Doing TRiViA at restaurants! These can also be adjusted and created for Corporate and private events! Always something new, always evolving! Always Mohr FUN!
I have taught at Twist & Shout in Massachussetts and in St. Louis. For TJam on the road in Michigan with Ken Stillman and David Grist. For IBAC in 2000 in Las Vegas. For DiamondJam in Arizona for pretty much all 5 or 6 years. In the Netherlands for the T.W.I.S.T.E.R. Club and for Millennium Jam in Belgium in 2001. The MBD2 10th Anniversary Bash. And just recently was accepted for the 2010 Twist & Shout. And of course, a lot of private lessons and local jams and conventions.
I have also authored a beginner's book - "The Art of Balloon Twisting" as well as a DVD called "Cornering the Hat Market with the Triangle Hat" and the first in a series of DVDs on making puppets out of balloons called "Finger Puppets Plus" and finishing up the next three on Stadium Puppet, Dragon, and the last on the Ostrich. They are very informitive and great to learn! These last three should be done by Christmas - crossed fingers!
Well, if there is something you would like to contact me about, prices-available dates, please don't hesitate to give me a call at 224-305-2200 or e-mail me at mohrfun1@yahoo.com !