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Irfaan Kahan Veteran user 346 Posts |
Hello
So I had my first "Black Magic Party" last night. I posted a few weeks ago in the "New to Magic" forum asking for some advise for this party. Anyway, the bottom line was that I completely discarded my normal strolling set in favor of a new "dark themed" strolling set. I set it up as follows, each set being for a different group: Set #1: - Voodoo Card (Guy Hollingworth; AOA Vol 3) - Very Quick 2 card transposition (my own - takes 30 seconds to perform) - Bold Business (Larry Becker) Set #2: - Memory Lapse (Jay Sankey; 22 Blows to the Head) - Twisting the Aces (Dai Vernon - Will always be a classic) - Texas Chainsaw Massacre (John Bannon; Smoke and Mirrors) Set #3: - Sponballs (Just bought my first set about a week before) - Dr Strangetrick (Michael Close; Workers Vol1 (?)) - A Little Business Card trick I knew full well that I would probably perform the same set to every group, but as this was my first "Black magic" gig I wanted to trial all the sets to see which effects stood out - this would allow me to select the best three and discard the rest. In my short experience - Three effects is plenty for a strolling gig, with a few more stashed in "reserve" just in case. Needless to say I have now settled on just three tricks - with two "back-ups" for emergencies and special requests. The gig was in a five star restaurant, for an entertainment agency. Anyway, when I got there the music was BLARING!! I told the organizer that this was not good but that I would try my best. Voodoo card literally killed. It left people speechless and with mouths agape. It sparked very strong reactions with very little effort on my part. Reset was always a concern, however I made up a very cool card holder using an old box that allowed me to reset in about 5 seconds in full view. I used this together with a stack arrangement for the gaffed card which allowed me to cut the right card to the right position and load the gaff very quickly. Those who perform this will know what I'm talking about. The spongeballs got some good laughs - so I'm keeping them in reserve. Jay Sankey's "Memory Lapse" was another killer. Even though I performed with a little humor - I became deadly serious during this effect - using this opening patter line: "Do you think it's possible for me to steal your a memory from you?" Very audacious, and very discomforting to the spectator. In this case that was a good thing, it got everybody's attention, things became very quiet, and all round the mood was like a slight electric buzz in the air. The final revelation killed. John Bannon's TCM also killed, but the clean-up was too tedious. I performed this once, killed, and then put it away for good. I will keep this in reserve. I've been asked to perform again at the next party, to do the same strolling magic for two hours. All in all, it was fun. And I've always maintained that if I'm having fun WITH you, then the show was successful - the entertainment is "self working". Thank you all for your advice in the beginning.
I'm a Magician playing the part of an Actor
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Tony Miller Loyal user 232 Posts |
Good job. It takes a lot to get out there and work a new routine because you are leaving your comfort zone.
It sounds like you had a great event and things went well. Really impressed that you are willing to put things aside. Seems too often people will leave a routine in their show that doesn't flow or has tedious clean up because they "really really like it." Always make sure the person that hired you is entertained. You don't have to hover over them, but don't forget about them. Odds are they are busy running the event but if you make a little extra time for them it will benefit you.
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"If you want magic in your life, start thinking like a magician." - Scott Grossberg |
Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
How was this promoted?
I'm curious, since I live in the Bible Belt where anything hinting at 'magick' gets picketed by the local youth ministers.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
Stmarkus Regular user Puerto Rico 131 Posts |
Hey Irfaan, sounds like you did fine...Just curiously, because I'm trying to refine my own act, how many people were at each table or group(approx.) and how much time did you spend with each?
Mark |
Irfaan Kahan Veteran user 346 Posts |
Steve, we don't have much of a "religion" thing here in South Africa - besides the rural communities. We're all pretty tolerant of everybody and everything (again, with the exception of the rural communities). We're fairly fresh out of fighting for our democracy, so everybody is a little wary of judging or otherwise being intolerant of anyone else.
So this was promoted via your standard advertising - fliers, magazine ads, etc. Mark, there were between 2 and 5 people per group. There were one or two very large groups, but I generally avoided them until I absolutely had to.
I'm a Magician playing the part of an Actor
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
I envy you.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Steve, at least you don't have Fred Phelps!
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
Robin DeWitt Regular user 187 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-11-17 10:13, Bill Ligon wrote: Bill, of course, is refering to the "God Hates Fags" guy. Well, as it turns out, Phelps has is wrong. God doesn't hate fags...God hates Figs! To wit: Jeremiah 29:17--Thus saith the Lord Of Hosts; "Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs that cannot be eaten they are so evil." Mark 11: 12-14-- The next day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry; And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might any thing thereon; and when he came to it he found nothing but leaves, for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said to it, "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter fo ever." And his disciples heard it. And again: Matthew 21: 18-20--Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to itand found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, "Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever." And presently the fig tree withered away. When the disciples saw it, they marveled saying, "How soon is the fig tree withered away." Maybe I should have posted this on 'The Good News'.
I am the fakir, you....
<BR>Robin DeWitt |
Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
May Fred Phelps' figs wither!
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
docsteve Inner circle 1831 Posts |
In the UK a fag is a cigarette, so maybe the argument is correct, figs notwithstanding.
And now a prophecy: these posts will dissapear soon! ;-)
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
If I am not mistaken, the word (terminating with "got") originally referred to a burning torch. Thus the cigarette and the flaming "fig" origin of both the US meaning of the word.
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
docsteve Inner circle 1831 Posts |
The erudition on these pages frequently surprises me, and often humbles!
Thanks Bill. Steve
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
I'm glad you understood my incomplete message! I meant to say UK and US meanings of the word.
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
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