I work as a Magician in the UK and have been working also as a keyboard vocalist recently. I telephoned some of the retirement homes in my area to enquire about work as a musician and was astinished at the low pay rates they were talking about. As a magician I would normally start negotiations at around £100 per hour (depending on how long they want me for etc) but some homes were talking about paying £25 or less per hour and wanted me to audition too For a larger fee with possibility of repeat booking I may have agreed, but for the money they were talking about I feel they can take a chance. How bad can you be. I might add that I am rebooked at the gigs I have done so far (night work paying much more money).