Hey everyone,
Haven't posted on here in a while - sadly magic has taken a back seat since university started, but hopefully that should be changing soon I've been called upon to perform some walk around magic at a ball we're hosting on 9th Feb. Experience wise, I did some "shows" at a hospice last year, and attempted some restaurant magic which totally failed - field reports were posted on here at the time. So since this is my first time doing something big, I'm pretty worried, and was hoping some of the seasoned pros over here could give me some advice
1. What to perform. This is always the big question. 3 things on my list for sure are invisible deck, french kiss and stand up monte. I'm proficient enough with a deck of cards to be able to do any and all of the basic tricks that everyone learns too (acr, sloppy triumph, 2cm etc), but tbh they're not really as hard hitting compared to ID and french kiss. Definitely something to fall back on though if necessary.
I'm considering adding a sponge ball/sponge bunny routine to the list. I can do all the basic moves etc, and have done enough variations of sponge balls at parties for little kids, so in that regard, it shouldn't be a problem. The thing I'm concerned about is not actually having a proper routine devised. In my head I've got an idea of a flash production of the first ball, magically "split" that into two, do the usual "one in my hand, one in your hand, oh look, they're both in your hand" thing... but where do I go from there? It would be nice to end with the "2 balls in the hand, one in the pocket, how many in the hand" thing ending finally with all of them vanishing, but there's that bit in the middle where there are 2 balls in play and I need to introduce the third somehow in a reasonable fashion - if anyone does the sponge balls, any help would be much appreciated
NB: I also have a set of sponge bunnies with their babies. Never really used these, but some people say that they're better than sponge balls, and if that's the case it shouldn't be too hard to perfect a routine in a month. What do you guys think?
So that's 3 card tricks and possibly a sponge ball routine. Is this enough? I had entertained the thought of learning gypsy thread in a month because that's awesome and seems easy enough from watching Wayne Houchin's DVD - would this be worth it?
2. Performing style and character: There have been so many posts on here, and on every other magic forum, about a performing character and creating a style for yourself etc. Sadly, I have no idea what my performing style would be, or even how to approach people at this sort of event - I was thinking something along the lines of "hey guys, hope you're all having a good time? well, we had hired a magician for the evening, but he couldn't make it, so I'm filling in doing magic tricks instead, wanna see something cool?". Sounds awful, I know, but it gives the impression that I don't take myself too seriously, and also the safety net that I'm not calling myself a "magician" in case they really don't like the magic... this isn't really a coherent question, but any help on this matter would also be lovely
More info: It's a fancy black tie event, people will be between ages 18-22 mostly, with a couple of adults and children sprinkled throughout. I'll be doing walk around in the side-hall after dinner - main hall will be cleared for dancing, side hall will have chocolate fountain, drinks, snacks, sheesha, that kind of thing, for people to take a break from dancing.
If you guys have any tips on performing, character, style, approach, what tricks to do, any new tricks worth learning in a month, or anything of the sort, then it would be wonderful to hear your thoughts.
Cheers
Haven't posted on here in a while - sadly magic has taken a back seat since university started, but hopefully that should be changing soon I've been called upon to perform some walk around magic at a ball we're hosting on 9th Feb. Experience wise, I did some "shows" at a hospice last year, and attempted some restaurant magic which totally failed - field reports were posted on here at the time. So since this is my first time doing something big, I'm pretty worried, and was hoping some of the seasoned pros over here could give me some advice
1. What to perform. This is always the big question. 3 things on my list for sure are invisible deck, french kiss and stand up monte. I'm proficient enough with a deck of cards to be able to do any and all of the basic tricks that everyone learns too (acr, sloppy triumph, 2cm etc), but tbh they're not really as hard hitting compared to ID and french kiss. Definitely something to fall back on though if necessary.
I'm considering adding a sponge ball/sponge bunny routine to the list. I can do all the basic moves etc, and have done enough variations of sponge balls at parties for little kids, so in that regard, it shouldn't be a problem. The thing I'm concerned about is not actually having a proper routine devised. In my head I've got an idea of a flash production of the first ball, magically "split" that into two, do the usual "one in my hand, one in your hand, oh look, they're both in your hand" thing... but where do I go from there? It would be nice to end with the "2 balls in the hand, one in the pocket, how many in the hand" thing ending finally with all of them vanishing, but there's that bit in the middle where there are 2 balls in play and I need to introduce the third somehow in a reasonable fashion - if anyone does the sponge balls, any help would be much appreciated
NB: I also have a set of sponge bunnies with their babies. Never really used these, but some people say that they're better than sponge balls, and if that's the case it shouldn't be too hard to perfect a routine in a month. What do you guys think?
So that's 3 card tricks and possibly a sponge ball routine. Is this enough? I had entertained the thought of learning gypsy thread in a month because that's awesome and seems easy enough from watching Wayne Houchin's DVD - would this be worth it?
2. Performing style and character: There have been so many posts on here, and on every other magic forum, about a performing character and creating a style for yourself etc. Sadly, I have no idea what my performing style would be, or even how to approach people at this sort of event - I was thinking something along the lines of "hey guys, hope you're all having a good time? well, we had hired a magician for the evening, but he couldn't make it, so I'm filling in doing magic tricks instead, wanna see something cool?". Sounds awful, I know, but it gives the impression that I don't take myself too seriously, and also the safety net that I'm not calling myself a "magician" in case they really don't like the magic... this isn't really a coherent question, but any help on this matter would also be lovely
More info: It's a fancy black tie event, people will be between ages 18-22 mostly, with a couple of adults and children sprinkled throughout. I'll be doing walk around in the side-hall after dinner - main hall will be cleared for dancing, side hall will have chocolate fountain, drinks, snacks, sheesha, that kind of thing, for people to take a break from dancing.
If you guys have any tips on performing, character, style, approach, what tricks to do, any new tricks worth learning in a month, or anything of the sort, then it would be wonderful to hear your thoughts.
Cheers