- Location:
- San Diego, California
- Travel Radius:
- Will travel up to 3000 miles from San Diego.
- Pay Range:
-
$200-$2000 per event
- Member Since:
- 2008
- Primary Category:
- Ventriloquist
- Additional Categories:
- Puppet Shows
- Influences:
- Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Paul Winchell (ventriloquist), Jimmy Nelson (ventriloquist), Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy, The Three Stooges, Bill Murray, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Steve Correll. More influenced by comedians than by ventiloquists.
Description
Comic ventriloquist Joe Gandelman does thousands of shows for all ages all over the country at a variety of venues. No venue is to big or too small. He has opened for national music groups, entertained on Navy ships, appeared in stage variety shows, performed at Camp Pendleton before a speech by former President Ronald Reagan and was seen on ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. Joe and his dummy, John Raven, appeared on NBC's hidden camera show "SPY TV." Joe also taught comedian Margaret Cho how to do ventriloquism in a segment on her VH1 reality show "The Cho Show." He does many fairs, festivals, corporate shows, schools (of all grade levels), camps, scout events (such as scout camps and blue and gold dinners), malls plus adult and kids private parties-- including children's birthday parties. He does full shows as well as "walk around" ventriloquism. He does shows for churches and holidays such as Christmas and Easter, as well as shows for Jewish groups such as synagoguges and Chabads for holidays such as Chanuka, Purim and Passover.
His fast-moving show uses a BIG cast of dummy and puppet characters. During summer 2008 he did his family show at fairs and festivals in California, Texas, Idaho Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming and Arizona. Adult corporate show clients fill out basic customization form. Puppets include the wisecracking dummy John Raven, a genie head in a box, squirting elephant, a dragon who has smoke come out of his nose -- and many MORE. NEWEST PUPPET: a SHARK (who is a hit with all audiences). Some shows feature a lip sync where five volunteers put on wigs and lip sync to an oldie while Joe "throws" his voice(s). A how to do ventriloquism bit is offered in some shows. Joe Gandelman is included in The Great Ventriloquists trading cards.
NOTE ON ABOVE DEMO: It shows a few bits from Joe's family shows where there are kids or kids and adults in the audience. Adult audience shows are NOT completely the same since all shows are geared for each specific audience mix. Kid and teen shows are adjusted for each age group. The SPY TV bit was a special TV stunt.
Available For:
Anniversaries, Apres Ski Parties, Awards Nights, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Casinos, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Cruise Ships, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Sorority Function, Studio Session, Temples, TV Soundtracks, Weddings
Feedback
- Our student body truly enjoyed the performances. Mr. Gandelman was able to hold the attention of all students in grades K through 6, not an easy task! -- Tammy B, Bakersfield, CA, 10/23/2009
- Joe made a huge effort to personalize his show for my husbands 50th birthday party. He had a good number of characters, which kept the show very entertaining and interesting. We loved how he brought 5 persons up on stage and interacted with the crowd. It was hilarious. We had a number of different ages there from 3 yrs. old to 60 something and everyone enjoyed the performance.
Thank you Joe for making my husbands 50th party a huge success.
Christine -- Christine R, Escondido, CA, 7/18/2009
- Joe's act was a hit at our Community dinner. He had everyone in the audience laughing form the little kids to the seniors. He's interaction with the audience was great and the variety he had in his acts kept everyone entertained. There was not one dull moment in the show. Apart from his act being great. Joe himself is a great person to work with. Very professional and very accommodating with special requests. He keeps you well informed about his show and works with you to make sure you are getting what you want, and he keeps he's word. We definitely will be using Joe for our next event. -- Alex Z, Lemon Grove, CA, 4/4/2009
- I was so impressed with Joe! He was a complete joy to work with. He was on time, very professional, easy to work with and very friendly. I was amazed at how he was able to keep all the kids complete attention from start to finish! He had all the kids laughing so hard with all of his wonderful characters! I had many of our younger kids come up to me and say, "He's so funny, he said the word underwear." I couldn't have been more pleased with Joe.... he hit a homerun with us! -- Vicky L, Las Vegas, NV, 4/12/2009
- Everything went great with John at our family focused fundraiser for the preschool. The children, along with siblings and friends of all ages were very entertained. Most parents and grandparents watched the show also and also had great comments regarding John's show. Thank you for providing an opportunity to hire John Gandelman and recommend him to others. -- Jill B, Ramona, CA, 4/25/2009
- Joe showed up early to set up. Asked if we had any special request. The scouts loved the show. I will use Joe again in the future. -- Mathew M, San Diego, CA, 4/29/2009
- Joe performed his wonderful ventriloquist act for my son's 9th birthday. He was on time and very easy to work with. Children and adults alike enjoyed his act with lot of laughs. We would definitely hire him again! -- Virginia N, San Diego, CA, 2/28/2009
- Joe Gandelman made my daughter's birthday special. Kids had a blast. Adults enjoyed as much as the kids. All the guests who attended the party said that the show was excellent. I would highly recommend the show to anyone. From water coming out of elephant to smoke coming out of dragon to drawn picture starting to talk to teaching the kids to do ventriloquism were all outstanding. Overall, it was a great show. -- Bharathwaj V, San Diego, CA, 4/25/2009
- We had a party for almost 20 kindergartners and I wasn't sure if they would be able to sit still for an hour long performance. However, Joe really held their attention, made them laugh and even taught them a few things!
Joe was easy to work with, professional and talented. I would recommend him for your next event. -- Monique D, Irvine, CA, 3/14/2009
- We had Joe come in for a performance in our summer camp, the kids were on their feet throughout the show!
The counselors were even laughing!
I can say that this hour was a quite short one!
I highly recommend Joe! -- Leah G, North Hollywood, CA, 6/23/2009
- Joe was great. He really knew how to relate to the kids and to our community. We had a large age range and all had great laughs. Thanks! -- Jose M, San Diego, CA, 6/29/2009
Click here for more feedback
- Joe Gandelman's Family Show
Photos
(Click to enlarge)
Upcoming Appearances
- Saturday, November 21, 2009
- 4:00PM - Birthday Party - Children
- San Diego, CA
- Tuesday, November 24, 2009
- 7:00AM - Family Thanksgiving
- Hamden, CT
- Wednesday, November 25, 2009
- 7:00AM - Family Thanksgiving
- Hamden, CT
- Thursday, November 26, 2009
- 7:00AM - Family Thanksgiving
- Hamden, CT
- Friday, November 27, 2009
- 7:00AM - Family Thanksgiving
- Hamden, CT
- Saturday, November 28, 2009
- 7:00AM - Family Thanksgiving
- Hamden, CT
- Sunday, November 29, 2009
- 7:00AM - Family Thanksgiving
- Hamden, CT
- Monday, November 30, 2009
- 7:00AM - Family Thanksgiving
- Hamden, CT
- Friday, December 04, 2009
- 3:00PM - Grossmont Gardens
- La Mesa, CA
- Saturday, December 05, 2009
- 2:00PM - Birthday Party - Children
- Escondido, CA
Click here for more upcoming appearances= Booked through GigMasters
Past Appearances
- Tuesday, November 17, 2009
- 1:00PM - Foster Elementary (After School Program)
- San Diego, CA
- Tuesday, November 17, 2009
- 3:00PM - Valencia Park Elementary PT
- San Diego, CA
- Sunday, November 15, 2009
- 12:00PM - Blackout Day
- Billings, MT
- Saturday, November 14, 2009
- 8:00AM - Blackout Day
- Billings, MT
- Friday, November 13, 2009
- 8:00AM - Blackout Day
- Billings, MT
- Thursday, November 12, 2009
- 8:00AM - Blackout Day
- Billlings, MT
- Wednesday, November 11, 2009
- 8:00AM - Blackout Day
- Billings, MT
- Tuesday, November 10, 2009
- 8:00PM - Blackout Day
- Billings, MT
- Saturday, November 07, 2009
- 5:00PM - 13 Year Old Birthday Party
- San Jacinto, CA
- Thursday, November 05, 2009
- 1:00PM - Dingeman Elementary School After School
- San Diego, CA
Click here for more past appearances