Today we’d like to introduce you to Mundi Silvers.
Hi Mundi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Back in 2008, I was a manager for Honeybaked Ham and decided to take belly dance classes. I became good enough to start performing for events and eventually met other performers. One happened to spin LED poi, and I started hounding her to learn more about it and how to do it.
Through this, I met several people in the performance industry. I realized that many were not great at providing professional communications or for pricing their talents at a fair wage. Since Honeybaked Ham often caters but also sells large quantities of hams to businesses as gifts, it came pretty easily for me! I began booking myself along with other performers and got them better rates while also providing the client’s professional communications, contracts, and peace of mind. In 2011, I built a website, filed incorporation paperwork, and began Mesmerizing Arts LLC.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I likely haven’t struggled as much as other businesses, but we have had some bumps along the way. Our first website was built with Flash and didn’t work on mobile devices. We (a web designer and I) ended up going through three different variations, and we are looking at possibly creating version 4.0 soon! Also since Mesmerizing Arts inception, there have been a few competing companies providing the same service as either a part of what they do or all of what they do. However, Mesmerizing Arts is still alive and well, and a favored choice by both performers and clients!
Covid had a huge impact on our bookings last year since people weren’t gathering for events and seeking entertainment. We did manage to provide some services virtually. However, some of the magic is lost with this!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Me personally? I’m a Multi-unit Retail manager by day and a performance booking agency owner all the time! I belly dance, Hawaiian dance, fire dance (staff, poi, fans, and fire-eating). I’m also an employer of an awesome booking agent (Katja!) and about 35 different performers! I love talking to people looking for entertainment and running them through some of our options (Magic, fire, face painting, stilt walking, aerialists, tarot card reading, etc.) because there is always that point of excitement and awe. We have booked at a ton of places! Some that make me most proud include – Aerials for Paul Van Dyk (a lot of rules with that one including no one allowed on the stage with him including the aerialists), and a snake charmer for Seghesio vineyards in San Francisco (snakes can fly Delta! Belly dance swords are another matter entirely).
I’m known for being fair, very “businessey,” and knowing the magic of getting gigs to my performers.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We are always accepting submissions from performers that wish to get booked! We do not require anything besides talent and professionalism when at events. Collaborations are a ton of fun and we have done several in our long history! Just reach out and shoot us your ideas even if you’re at the infancy stage! We have done a bunch of work with Circus Spark for example. One year we played a major role in assisting in fundraising by partnering with some other local companies and putting on a ridiculously awesome event! Support us by booking through us! If your having an event and want to wow, we are here to make your vision a reality!
Pricing:
- $150 – face painting, balloon twisting, tarot card reading (per hour)
- $275 Stilt walking, belly dancers, Hawaiian dancers
- +$300 Aerials, fire performance, magicians (stage show)
- $350 Fire eating, fire breathing
Contact Info:
- Email: mesmerizingarts@gmail.com
- Website: www.mesmerizingarts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mesmerizing.arts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MesmerizingArts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgblG4RC6HHbITFML0FSuzg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mesmerizing-arts-creedmoor
