It was announced last week that organised outdoor activities can commence from May 10th – This is fantastic news, because it means I can resume “Guerrilla Gigs For Kids”

What are Guerrilla Gigs?

A Guerrilla Gig is when I pop up in a secret location to sing songs and perform musical puppet routines for a small group of parents and toddlers/babies, before quickly packing away and moving on to the next location – I would love be able to just announce where I will be and invite everyone down, but for now I have to be responsible for keeping the groups small… plus it’s kinda fun doing it this way!

How does it work?

If you think you are up to the challenge of joining Rainbow Phil’s elite task force of Guerrilla Gig Goers then you will need to join one of the Top Secret Guerrilla Gigs For Kids Whatsapp groups. Each week I go incognito and scout around looking for exciting new locations, I keep an eye on the weather forecast and then announce to the group roughly in which locations I will be on which days. Since I first announced that I will be doing Guerrilla Gigs For Kids, things have evolved rather quickly and we now have a number of Regional WhatsApp groups as well!

Unfortunately at the moment it’s a case of “fastest fingers first”, so whoever replies first will be allocated to the task force, with up to ten households per squad. I’d like to come up with a fairer system, because a good Rainbow Phil never leaves a child behind… but for now this is how it will work. The regional groups are managed by Guerrilla Gig Coordinators, who have kindly agreed to manage bookings from week to week.

Due to the nature of this fieldwork I may need to cancel a gig on the day due to poor weather, if this is the case I will try to give as much notice as possible. Similarly due to the nature of caring for our youngest comrades, you may need to abandon mission also. This is not a problem but please let the group know as soon as possible if you can’t make it, even if it’s only half an hour before, as somebody may be able to fill in for you at short notice.

How do I join the Whatsapp group?

To join the main group, simply tap on the Top Secret Whatsapp button below and send me a message with your name and the name(s) of your child(ren) along with a made up codeword of your choice. Once I have the information I will add you to the group. The ‘Main Group’ is for Guerrilla Gigs which do NOT take place in an area covered by one of the regional groups. To join a regional group, simply tap and the button and you be able to join automatically. I have included the name of the group manager just below each buttons.

Please be aware that there are number of other agents in the group so keep chit chat on topic and to a minimum. I don’t expect absolute radio silence, just be sensible about it!

What is the Cost?

I have decided to keep the cost the same as it was for my Saturday mornings in the Red Stables (remember those?), it’s quite simple, it avoids fiddly amounts of money and the loyalty scheme makes it quite good value money.

The cost is €10 per child, HOWEVER, younger siblings and babies under 12 months are half price and there is no charge for baby siblings under 9 months. For each Guerrilla Gig you attend you get a stamp on a card, you only need FOUR stamps on the card and your FIFTH Guerrilla Gig is absolutely free – Hurrah!!

For example;

• You have a two and half year old with an 18 month old younger sibling – €15
• You have a toddler and a baby under 12months – €10
• You have a baby under 12 months old – €5
• You have just one wobbler/toddler over 12 months old – €10

Any other Rules?

The first rule of Guerrilla Gigs For Kids is you don’t talk about Guerrilla Gigs For Kids. The second rule of Guerrilla Gigs For Kids is to ignore the first rule – please tell your friends, tag me in pictures you take and use the #guerrillagigsforkids hashtag! (Please be mindful of including other peoples children in your pictures if you plan to post them on social media)

The serious rules are;

1. Wear a mask before during and after. Restrictions are easing but are all still at just as much risk as we were this time last year.
2. Maintain social distance from members of other households before during and after.
3. Please, only one adult per household (if this isn’t possible for you, just let me know and we can work around it)

I know the risks are lower when we are outside, but I would hate for my activity to be the cause of an outbreak – lets all be responsible and take these steps to take care of each other.