Talent show ideas for talentless people?
August 28, 2015 3:27 PM Subscribe
A group of friends is having a talent show tomorrow night. The ostensible purpose is to celebrate the marriage and relocation of a couple in the group, so ideally the acts should somehow relate to marriage and/or California (but if you have a great idea that's not related to either of those things, we can be flexible). Can you help us think of a talent that would require minimal time and effort?
The others in the group are all pretty talented singers and musicians, so I think there will be a lot of musical acts. I can sing well enough in a group, but I'm definitely not confident enough to sing in front of everyone.
I thought about doing a dramatic reading about something involving California (maybe something from a John Steinbeck novel?), but I don't know of a good passage for that. Or if there are any good readings about marriage, that could work too.
My husband plays the drums, so we were thinking about doing some beat poetry, but I'm not sure I can write enough to make it a decent act since the show is tomorrow night.
What can we do that's easy to put together, as stress-free as possible (recognizing that public performance isn't either of our forte) and isn't too likely to embarrass us?
The others in the group are all pretty talented singers and musicians, so I think there will be a lot of musical acts. I can sing well enough in a group, but I'm definitely not confident enough to sing in front of everyone.
I thought about doing a dramatic reading about something involving California (maybe something from a John Steinbeck novel?), but I don't know of a good passage for that. Or if there are any good readings about marriage, that could work too.
My husband plays the drums, so we were thinking about doing some beat poetry, but I'm not sure I can write enough to make it a decent act since the show is tomorrow night.
What can we do that's easy to put together, as stress-free as possible (recognizing that public performance isn't either of our forte) and isn't too likely to embarrass us?
Lip sync a song--either one with meaning for the couple or a song with California in the title. No actual singing talent required!
posted by bookmammal at 4:09 PM on August 28, 2015
posted by bookmammal at 4:09 PM on August 28, 2015
I like to use humor to hide my talentlessness and in a situation like this (especially if everyone else is going to be really good at an actual talent thing) I'd just go full ridiculous.
If you're someplace A/V capable, I'd make a powerpoint presentation on the couple. You can cobble something together pretty fast using pictures from facebook and texting mutual friends for quick anecdotes. Make up some narrative to sell it: maybe you're a researcher teaching a class on the mating and migration habits of these strange creatures, or perhaps you're a detective presenting a dossier and profile on a couple on a crime spree. Wear clothing that fits the narrative, act totally serious about it, and open the floor up to questions at the end if you're comfortable improvising.
posted by phunniemee at 4:25 PM on August 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
If you're someplace A/V capable, I'd make a powerpoint presentation on the couple. You can cobble something together pretty fast using pictures from facebook and texting mutual friends for quick anecdotes. Make up some narrative to sell it: maybe you're a researcher teaching a class on the mating and migration habits of these strange creatures, or perhaps you're a detective presenting a dossier and profile on a couple on a crime spree. Wear clothing that fits the narrative, act totally serious about it, and open the floor up to questions at the end if you're comfortable improvising.
posted by phunniemee at 4:25 PM on August 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
Do a demonstration on how to make the best guacamole. Bonus - you then have guacamole to share.
posted by topophilia at 4:29 PM on August 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by topophilia at 4:29 PM on August 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
I would read a Richard Brautigan story or poem about San Francisco. Most people will not have heard of it, he has some good very short stories, and many of them are online.
posted by jessamyn at 8:27 PM on August 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn at 8:27 PM on August 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
For a last minute idea for an open mic night once, a friend and I recited The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" like it was poetry night. It worked because of the juxtaposition of the made up/slang rap words combined with an obnoxious emotional reading. Perhaps you can find something similar or maybe recite the lyrics from a corny love song in an obnoxious way?
posted by NoraCharles at 5:52 AM on August 29, 2015
posted by NoraCharles at 5:52 AM on August 29, 2015
Now that I've had time to assess, I might suggest The Weather in San Francisco (from Revenge of the Lawn, it's in the Word Document linked on that page) or Homage to the San Francisco YMCA.
posted by jessamyn at 8:24 AM on August 29, 2015
posted by jessamyn at 8:24 AM on August 29, 2015
Music Hall Monologue, with your husband doing rimshots on the punchlines?
I recited "The Gravedigger's
Wedding" for a Halloween show last year, and it went over really well. It might work just as well for a party celebrating a marriage.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:33 PM on August 29, 2015
I recited "The Gravedigger's
Wedding" for a Halloween show last year, and it went over really well. It might work just as well for a party celebrating a marriage.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:33 PM on August 29, 2015
Response by poster: Update: We did a dramatic reading of "California Gurls" by Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg. We had a great time and I think people liked it. Thanks all!
posted by McPuppington the Third at 8:48 PM on August 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by McPuppington the Third at 8:48 PM on August 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bunderful at 3:53 PM on August 28, 2015