The thing is, the few times I have performed for people have been great and I had sort of forgotten what it was like to perform for others. The thing is, I also don't like the sort of "street magic" approach of just asking people if they want to see magic. I always feel like I'm interrupting or invading their space.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had ideas for me to get out and perform more. This could be anything from potential venues, events, or specific situations.
Thanks guys!
If you are performing street magic then you are interupting people...but interuptions are not necessarily bad. This just means you have to respect peoples time as you go fishing for some people with a spare few minutes, so get to the point quickly!
In addition to what Scodischarge said, let them know something along the lines of "I do 3 things and it takes 10 minutes" ...hopefully something catchier than that though. Chris Randall says "I do something sleight of handy, something impossible, and something gross". If they are interested then its a green light on the magic!!...if not you only slowed them down about a minute or less and you can both turn your attention elsewhere.
If approaching the unsuspecting is unsettling to you still you could try 'senior centers' and the like. Places like that sometimes have open time and welcome people coming in to provide activites....sometimes its watercoloring or other paintings, or a reading, just a social and so on.
Is there someplace you frequent often like a coffee house or deli? Make some magic thats specific to those places so it appears impromptu when you are there. Stir sticks, the bags they use, sugar packets,salt n pepper shakers, straws, (straw through dollar) there are lots of potential props to use of gaff. Hows your torn and restored napkin?
Since youare at college...have a Svengali notebook?