Vox Pop is an occasional feature of the Magic Messenger. Vox Pop! From the Latin phrase Vox populi that literally means "voice of the people", Vox Pop is a place for random member submissions. If you have something you would like to share, submit it in the form of an email to annarbormagicclub@gmail.com.
This month is a submission from member Mike Thornton. Mike presented an educational section on Strolling Magic at our February meeting and these are some notes from Mike with some judicial editing by Karl based on Mike's lecture.
Strolling Magic - By Mike Thornton
Why Strolling Magic
Strolling magic is one of my favorite types of magic to perform for a number of reasons.
- Opportunity - I find that the market for Strolling Magic is very strong. Restaurants, home parties and company events all are opportunities for strolling magicians. Those types of events are happening all the time.
- Satisfaction - I personally find that the working intimately with a small crowd is very rewarding. I like it! If you are doing what you love, it shows.
- Repetition - You get the opportunity to perform individual effects multiple times. You can break in a new effect in one night because you will have the opportunity to perform it over and over. Each time you get feedback and can fine tune what works best.
- Multiple Audiences
- You get more than one shot to do a great show. You might not connect with one group, but you might hit it out of the park with the next group.
- You pick your crowd, if you are working with a group that is unresponsive, you can elegantly shorten your set and move on to another group. You can't do that with a stage show.
Recommended Books
These are books I would recommend for anyone interested in getting into Strolling Magic.
Recommended Reading
Hygiene Bag
If you look good you will feel good. If you feel good you will perform well (famous quote from Mike Thornton).
Good hygiene is important. People will notice. I keep a small zipper pouch with care products. And it gets used before every show.
- Nail Clippers and Nail Buffer - Nails should be clean and trimmed. This is close up magic. People will notice your hands. Especially dirty ones or ragged nails. I keep a multi-sided nail buffing block/sponge. It only takes a few minutes to polish your nails until they shine.
- Lotion for dry skin if needed
- Breath fresheners
- Tooth Picks / Dental floss
- Comb/Brush
- Band Aids
- Small mirror
What Groups to Hit and When
Opening groups can be your most important, they set the tone although not so much in restaurants.
I like a large group to begin with. Condition them to respond, because it helps you with other groups and the client knows they are getting great entertainment. You need applause cues, basic showmanship. As the thunderous applause echoes through the room. You may need to prompt them… "I do that trick two ways, the way we just did it or with a huge round of applause at the end…."
- Learn which groups to approach and which groups to leave alone. Are they talking business? Are they having a serious conversation? Or are they laughing and jovial? Is it a closed or open group.
- In your first 10 seconds decide whether they want you there. If they are not interested, move on, don’t push it.
- Don’t open with “can I show you a trick?” They can say no.
- Instead, open with confidence and humor. Leverage the hosts' names… "John and Betty asked me to amaze you!"… “I promise two things: I’ll be fast, and you’ll like how it ends.”
- If they like you, they’ll like your magic. If they don’t like you, the magic doesn’t matter.
Types of Tricks-
What types of tricks should you perform?
- I like to mix up mediums; cards, coins, silk handkerchiefs, sponge balls.
- The best is strong visual magic- sometimes you are in a loud atmosphere and will be competing with the DJ or Band. Sometimes the lighting won't be too god.
- Long tricks die in walk-around. Choose quick, straight to the point effects. Avoid long, counting piles of cards type tricks.
- Always strong is tricks that work in their hands, with borrowed objects. Use as may people as you can in the group. When performing the Invisible Deck for example, don't work with one person. Get multiple people involved. One can take the cards out of the box, one can shuffle and spread, one can choose, etc.
- Look for tricks that are angle-proof and can be performed surrounded.
- Have many effects that you do not need a table. Or bring your own like I do. Does not mean that you work behind the entire time. Use spectator’s hand as table or to hold something.
- Reset Speed is important. If you need a quiet corner and a few minutes alone between every group, that’s not strolling material. That may not as important in restaurants on slower nights.
- Reset as you are performing the trick or while walking to the next group. Fast resets win gigs.
- If you have strong tricks that need a long reset prepare in advance multiple copies of the same trick and just grab the next unused one instead of trying to reset. -This is how I do my Gypsy Thread, Razor Cards and Ring in Wallet.
Building Sets
I like to put together 2-3 effect mini-sets and do not just perform individual tricks for the most part.
- Three tricks feel like a show.
- It seems like you have a real act.
- I like these types of trick in this order...
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- Something fast and visual to hook them
- Something with audience Interaction to build a connection. Maybe a personality piece.
- Finally a Strong Closer that will be memorable.
Be ready to make a quick exit if food comes, the CEO starts speaking, or if they are simply not interested. It happens.
- Never hijack attention from speeches or presentations, take a break.
- End Clean so you can immediately move to the next group.
My Routine for a Gig
- I always make sure I arrive at least 30 minutes prior to get the lay of the land. I don’t want to feel rushed.
- I find my spot. I find a home base, in the corner, behind a wall, but close to the action. This is where I keep my consumables, other tricks, something to drink. Something like a tray jack works great for this.
- I personally use a small rolling box; I have 45 minutes available to me. I can pivot my material at any time.
- Most of my material is in my pockets. You need to learn pocket management. .
- I'll do several regular sets (as described above) but then I do an extended set each hour I am there. If it’s just one hour, usually it’s my last set. It has my best tricks, and it’s performed for the client or the most important people in the room and/or the largest group; Bill in Lemon, Mentalism, Newspaper Prediction.
Misc Thoughts
- I only work up to 3 Hours, and 90% of my gigs are 1-2 Hours.
- I usually stay an extra 10 to 15 minutes on 1-hour gigs. I want to make sure everyone sees me. But I also make sure that whoever hires me subtly knows I stayed extra too. This becomes a selling point… "Mike did a great job and he even stayed an extra 15 minutes…"
- You must make a decent dent in the crowd. It is not good if the host asks his guests, "how was the magician?" and guests say, they never saw the magician.
- If it’s a small group, consider a closeup show or stand-up show. Your strolling gig can turn into a show where everyone is watching at once. Be prepared. This is one of the reasons I have a box of tricks with me. If the host looks brilliant for hiring you, you’ll get hired again!
- Make sure you have cards to hand out.
