2020 Year In Review

2020 is over…FINALLY.

Honestly, it started off strong for me - I had a ton of gigs in January and February all over the map. I was on track to have my best year of shows ever, along with some special projects and opportunities on the horizon. And then, in March, it all came crashing down. I’m sure it did for you, too.

Within 48 hours my entire schedule of events was gone. I refunded clients, cancelled flights, and contemplated unemployment. But then, my agent said “Send us a reel for a virtual show as soon as possible…” and I said “Okay! But what is a virtual show exactly?”

Since then I’ve performed close to 200 shows for clients from all over the world. I’ve done shows for events on three continents and 40+ states, all from the comfort of my studio here in Chicago. I worked for a bunch of major corporations including Quaker, PepsiCo, Marriott, HLTH, Podium, and even Zoom itself.

As campuses shut down across the country, many schools turned to online entertainment to give students something to look forward to. As a result I was able to give thousands of college students a momentary escape from the misery of the pandemic with my online entertainment.

Additionally, I also wrote two completely separate virtual shows and sold tickets to them through my mailing list. (If you aren’t a subscriber go here to sign up!) The show back in July had such great reviews that I worked on another one for four months which is set to debut tomorrow. It SOLD OUT within 24 hours of being announced and I’m stoked to finally share it with people this weekend.

Being stuck at home so much this year gave me time to work on other interests. I got back into drawing and piano. I watched a ton of classic films. And, I’ve been working more on my writing and filmmaking than ever before. As always, I kept up with my “One Second Every Day” video project. So, here is my annual year in review video - a second of video filmed from every long, miserable, exhausting day in 2020:

Okay, enough about 2020. Time for a new year and a fresh start. And oh yeah, the blog is back.

See you tomorrow.

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About Mark Toland

Mark Toland is an award-winning mind reader and two-time TEDx Speaker. His mind blowing skills have been featured on NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, NPR, WGN, Sirius XM, and more. Mark’s blog is a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a professional entertainer, full of creative thoughts for creative people. Sign up below so you’ll never miss a post.

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Out Of My Mind

I’m excited to finally announce my 2018 summer tour dates!

This summer I’m taking my show to Ontario, San Diego, Kansas City, Alberta, and New York City for the “Out Of My Mind” tour.

I’ll be performing shows at the following festivals:
• London Fringe
• San Diego International Fringe Festival
• Kansas City Fringe
• Edmonton Fringe Festival
• United Solo

You can buy tickets to my shows at each of the above links. For the specific dates and times at each festival, check out the tour page!

Clearly, this summer is shaping up to be busier than ever. One of the best parts about doing fringe festivals is taking risks and pushing yourself to improve your work. So over the past four months I wrote a new show and set some new goals for myself. And now, it’s time to set the plan into action and hit the road.

Don’t worry, though! I’ll still be making trips back to Chicago for MIND READER every Wednesday at 8pm at The Greenhouse Theater Center in Lincoln Park. (Shameless, I know.)

But if you aren’t in Chicago I’d love to see you on tour! To stay up to date on my travels follow me on Instagram or subscribe on YouTube for a behind-the-scenes look at where I’m performing and the process of taking a new show from the page to the stage.

The new show is all about positivity, connections, and hope. I can't wait to get it out of my mind and into yours.

That’s it for this week’s Thursday Thoughts. See you on tour!

My Favorite Travel Gear

One of the best parts about being a full-time mind reader is that I’m constantly on the go. Every week I get to travel to exciting new destinations for my shows.

I still remember the first time I walked through an airport alone, navigating security and check-in so I could make my flight on time. Hundreds of flights later, I still get excited every single trip.

After many trips around the world I’ve gotten pretty good at packing efficiently so I can make traveling enjoyable. I have a show bag full of props and a small suitcase with clothes and running gear. But it’s these essentials that matter most:

If you’re considering traveling somewhere new or pursuing a life on the road, here is a list of My Favorite Travel Gear - the stuff I never leave home without:

1) Laptop - As a self-employed entertainer and writer, my life is on my computer. I keep all of my accounting, e-mail, website, writing, and photo/editing software with me at all times. You’d think it was obvious but I still run into a lot of people who aren’t equipped to do business on the go. 

2) Bose Headphones - Tired of babies screaming on your flight? Wish you could block out those annoying Southwest Airlines announcements? These are a must-have. A little expensive, yes, but I promise they are worth it. Once you try a pair you’ll wonder how you ever flew without them.

($329 on Amazon)

3) Hard Drive - I document my travels at all times with photos and videos. I also film my shows, work on writing projects, and take movies with me to watch during flights. All of these files are stored on my hard drive so they won’t slow down my computer. It’s compact, affordable, and resistant.

($78 on Amazon)

4) Uniqlo Jacket - This is genius. A rain jacket that rolls up into a nearly weightless bundle. I slip it in my backpack for hiking outings and keep it in my carry-on for longer trips.

($40 from Uniqlo)

5) Wallet - The key with traveling is to only take what you need. The same logic applies for my wallet. This wallet has minimum pockets and a unique credit card holder. It forces me to only carry the cards I need and leave those pesky punch cards and coupons back home. Plus, everyone loves the cool trigger feature!

(Many styles available from Secrid)

6) Travel Steamer - Some days I’m short on time and need to get my suit ready in a matter of minutes. This steam is a life-saver. It’s lightweight and easy to use.

($22 from Amazon)

7) Luggage Scale - I check two bags for every trip and they have to be under 50 pounds. This scale ensures that I never get charged for extra weight. I especially like that it’s not electronic, so no batteries needed!

($7 on Amazon)

8) Portable Charger - This charger gives me about 2.5 charges for my iPhone. It’s great when I’m stuck on the tarmac or have a rental car without a charging option.

(Similar option on Amazon)

9) Outlet Adaptors - For international travel, you’ll need some outlet adaptors. This comprehensive set has you covered! I also appreciate that there’s a USB wall charger included so it will work for some of your existing devices in America, too.

($45 on Amazon)

10) Canon Powershot G7X - This is my go-to camera. It’s a compact point-and-shoot, perfect for vlogging and street photography. I take self-portraits for my blog and behind-the-scenes shots at my gigs. A phone is good for some pictures but if you want better photos/videos I highly recommend this camera. (For a more budget conscious version, try the Canon Powershot G9X.)

($679 from B&H Photo)

11) Electronic Toothbrush - I know I’m an adult now because I freaking love this toothbrush. 1 out of 1 of my dentists highly recommend it.

($190 on Amazon)

What is your must-have travel gear? Let me know in the comments!

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Real world tips, tricks, and techniques straight OUT OF MY MIND and into yours every Monday.