Your First Performance

[Tower of Lunatic Meat]

So I'm back from vacation and reflecting back on my very first time performing for those other than friends and family (namely, Anna and Elsa at Disneyland) . So with that, I feel compelled to ask:
Your first time performing; what tricks did you do? Where was it? How did it go?

DETAILS!

How was your first magic performing experience outside of friends and family fare up?

Or if you are really new and just started to perform for friends and family, how did that go?

 

[TylerScottIllusionist]

My first "performance" was at a park performing for some kids that my mentor was entertaining by doing a painting (he's into sketchboard art as entertainment). The only thing I remember doing was $5 to some larger amount of money( I think all I could do was $68 at the time) and it going over fairly well. The first lesson I learned is that even when performance is "over" you are always still "performing" and to not flash anything even when I don't think anyone is looking. Overall, I think it was a good experience.

 

[DominusDolorum]

My first performance was with my (former) mentor. It was after hours in his restaurant, and he was sitting with some of his extended family members when he called me over. We sat there for over an hour entertaining them with card tricks and some coin magic. I was nervous at first but after my first card trick, which was Play it Straight Triumph by John Bannon, I felt so at ease with performing it was like I had been doing it for years.

My first solo performance was at my mothers company party at her boss' mansion (maybe 2 years ago?). The whole company and their families were there so I was doing walk around performances. All I had on me was several decks of cards, a couple of packet tricks and some balloons. I will probably be doing it again this year (with an expanded repertoire). As always, the first trick or two is always nerve racking. But once I see that look of astonishment of their faces, or screams, or any kind of positive reaction, then I know I have them and I begin to loosen up and have some fun.