Where in the world am I today?: North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Prologue: Roll the wheels of time back to the 1995 Kingston Buskers Rendezvous and you’ll see me watching this guy starting his show with a tug of war contest where each contestant had to stand on a milk carton. The one to come off of the milk carton first looses. This was my first exposure to Bob Cates and the memory stuck for what ever reason. Perhaps it was because it was such a playful and fun way to start a show that invited the audience into his world of play and encouraged them to be a part of it, or perhaps it’s because I wanted to try it out myself to see if I could beat him… Hard to say, but Bob’s gone on to great things and his show still invites the audience in to come along for a ride in his world.

Stats:

Name: Bob Cates
Birthday: Nov. 11
Place of Birth: Sarnia, ON, Canada
Started Performing/Working in the Industry: Full Time in Summer: 1993, Full Time Always: 1995
Discipline: Comedy Juggling, Pate Spinning, Unicycle, Dance Dance Revolution Expert
Website: www.comedyinmotion.com
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiY_762AufA
Venues Worked: Cruise Lines, Corporate Events, Festivals, Churches or Para-Church Ministries, Private Events

Hot 10 Questions:

1. What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream and why? • I don’t really eat enough ice cream to have a favourite – I’m more of a salty crunchy chip kind of guy. Salt and Vinegar Chips or Ketchup chips are my Kryptonite.
2. Name one movie that would make it to your Top 10 all-time great films • Any Pixar Movie could make it. But I’m going to say “Chariots of Fire.” I remember seeing as a kid when it came out with my parents and being completely bored. But now I’m inspired by the true story of the talented Eric Lidel and his commitment to his faith at the Olympics
3. What was your favorite toy from childhood? • Lego, definitely. I liked to build and create a lot with Lego.
4. Who were your biggest inspirations when you got started? • In the very beginning, after I’d been juggling for just a year or two, I was encouraged by the late Michael Carl O’Neil. I also saw Greg Tarlin at a busking festival, as well as David Cassel at another festival. I couldn’t believe that you could make money doing something that looked so fun! Going to the IJA festival in Montreal in 1992, and having a 3 day workshop with Kitt Summers exposed me to not only to all kinds of amazing juggling but many performers and performances which kick started me very far. I still remember seeing your Checkerboard Cab there Dave!
5. From the world of animation what one character do you most identify with or see yourself in? • Wall-E. I’m just a simple dude doing my thing, and It’s taken me to some pretty cool and unexpected places.
6. Name something that scares you. • Even just the thought, of Hell. (kind of makes spiders seem tame)
7. Apart from the entertainment industry, name one other job you’ve had. • I was a teller at the TD bank for several summers.
8. What’s something you haven’t done yet that you’d like to try? • Kite Surfing is on my life To do list.
9. What’s your least favourite thing about being a performer? • No Benefits (like Dental/medical etc), No Paternity (or maternity) leave, no unemployment insurance. UI really gets me. I mean, if I don’t work, I don’t eat. As a self employed person, the concept that I can get free money because I don’t have a job doesn’t really compute.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? • “Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy prepared for you.”

The Nugget:

Pick one nugget of wisdom you’ve picked up from your career in Show Business to share with the World.

“Get Really good at something. Become an expert at least one thing that you can call yours, and that people will come to you for help or info. And if could add one more: Raise your prices! You may have heard “double your price and work half as much.” The bonus is, if you’re actually REALLY good at what you do, you can double your price and NOT lose half your work. I under charged for YEARS. Heck, I probably still do!”

–Bob Cates

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