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Jaxon
Inner circle
Kalamazoo, Mi.
2459 Posts
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Posted: Dec 30, 2004 4:14am
If you're at the age where you can start going to bars (21 here in the states). You might discover that some bars, clubs and restaurants are great to perform in. You might even get booked to do strolling in them. Not only that, they can be a great way to practice and get use to performing in different situations for all kinds of people.
I'd like to share a couple of warnings on this though. First of all, you can really get hooked on having that drink while you perform. It could even get to the point where you'll need that drink in order to get yourself psyched up to perform. in other words, you can in fact become an alcoholic. After all you are an addict when you "need" it. For whatever reason.
How do I know this? I know because I got hooked into it. For me it was only in a bar though. If I was performing in a bar I needed that drink to get in the mood to perform. I didn't need it every time I performed. Only when I was in an atmosphere where everyone is drinking. This included private parties too. I'm not saying you can't have a drink and have a good time in casual performances. It's not a good idea to drink while you're being paid to perform though.
I still have a drink from time to time but I don't need it to perform and I'm more responsible about how much I drink. A perfect example is New Year's Eve that's coming up. I'll be performing at a big party. After this party I'll be going to another party at my friends house. This is the house I'll be sleeping in that night and I won't have a drink at all until I get there.
So be careful not to get hooked in the bar scene. the desire to perform in front of people is the drive in this case. After all, there are people in bars every night so you know you'll be able to find an audience.
Another warning about bars is something that's a little more obvious. That is that people can get pretty mean when they're drunk. An entertainer who is getting a lot of attention could unknowingly push the wrong buttons with a drunk and become a target of there anger. Especially if you barrow an object from such a person and the trick goes wrong. Borrow a ring from someone and accidentally drop it (perhaps because you yourself has had a few drinks) could really get rowdy.
So enjoy it but be careful and stay in control.
Ron Jaxon
"The map is not the Territory"
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BerkleyJL
Veteran user
Chicago, IL
397 Posts
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Posted: Dec 30, 2004 8:51am
Ron,
The amount of wonderful advice you have to offer from your own experience seems out of proportion to your apparent age...or are you the next Dick Clark? 
Great advice once again. I don't think I'll be doing bars anytime soon. Alcoholism runs in my family, so I steer clear purposefully.
Joe
I need a stage name.
Joe Berkley
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Eirik
Special user
Oslo
879 Posts
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Posted: Dec 30, 2004 10:10am
Great advice Ron,
I work as a bartender and I see drunk people every day.
When performing in bars there are many obsticles you will have to face.
Staying sober and on top of "your game" is very important, especially when covering issues like: Audience management, Technique, Presentation, and last but not least knowing when to quit..
-e-
...As long as i`m not a world-champion at anything, the great reactions of doin` magic will do just fine.....
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RonCalhoun
Special user
Independence, KY USA
564 Posts
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Posted: Dec 30, 2004 11:14am
Thank you for sharing the story of your experience.
Number 1 Winner of the Café Search Engine Trivia Contest.
http://sos.ky.gov/executive/kentuckycolonels.htm
Member Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
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Lee Darrow
V.I.P.
Chicago, IL USA
3594 Posts
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Posted: Dec 30, 2004 6:41pm
If you are going to work in a bar, have the bartender keep an empty of your favorite high octane drink and fill it with something that looks like it, but is non-alcoholic, like apple juice in a tequila bottle. Then, when someone offers to buy you a shot, the bartender knows that it should be poured from YOUR bottle, the bar gets paid for a full shot of premium booze, you stay sober yet appear to be drinking and joining in the fun.
It's also a lot easier on your liver and makes driving home a lot safer! 
This is solid advice that came to me by way of Heba Haba Al (the Great One at the now defunct new York Lounge in Chicago), Doc Eason, Eric Mason and a great guy named Skeets, all of whom tend bar and do magic for a living (or did when they were alive - Heba Haba passed away quite a while ago).
So, if you see me drinking in a bar that I'm working in, you can bet long odds that I'm drinking either apple juice or tea, even if it's poured out of a bottle of Tullamore Dew or tequila. Note: I like Tullamore Dew - I am not all that fond of tequila. I'm more of a Guiness man!
Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
"Because NICE Matters!"
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Steven Steele
Chief of Staff
Hesperia, California USA
1775 Posts
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Posted: Dec 30, 2004 9:53pm
I've performed in bars as a magician in the past. I've also performed in hospitatlity suites with a no-host bar. My rule is I'm paid to perform not to drink; so if I get thirsty, I drink water. No exceptions, ever. It's a rule I adopted over 25 years ago and it's served me well.
By the way, I've had women try to pick me up at corporate parties I've performed in and the same rule goes (besides, my wife wouldn't appreciate it).
The rule is always act as a professional and you will be treated (and paid) as such.
Coram Deo
The Magic of Steven Steele
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zur
Special user
California
671 Posts
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Posted: Dec 31, 2004 12:08am
Performing in bars seems ideal, but hey, if we are brave enough we should even perform at the Starbucks we are ordering coffee from.
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paisa23
Inner circle
3 years no smoking. And counting
5226 Posts
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Posted: Dec 31, 2004 12:10am
I too use to have that same problem I'm just glad that I never use to do it at a performing gig.
"GIVING YOU GUYS A HEADS UP, IM ENGAGED TO BE WED IN SEPTEMBER!"
http://twitter.com/paisa233
http://www.facebook.com/people/Wilder-J-Rua/505202382
http://www.myspace.com/wildrua
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Jaxon
Inner circle
Kalamazoo, Mi.
2459 Posts
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Posted: Dec 31, 2004 4:13am
Quote:
| The amount of wonderful advice you have to offer from your own experience seems out of proportion to your apparent age...or are you the next Dick Clark? |
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LOL.. Well, I'll be 34 in a couple of months. Dick Clark. He's about 70 now isn't he? That guy never ages..
Well, I was married for almost 2 years. Not a long marriage but I had 5 step sons. That might have added some years to my age...
I just feel that we learn something every day. Even when we don't realize we are. So I figured I might as well share what I've learned. Not everyone will see it that way and the lessons won't apply to everyone. but if by sharing my experiences with someone allows them to learn the lessons I've learned without having to learn them the hard way like I did. Then I might just be able to be proud of the things I've been through and learned. even if it only effects one person out of the hundreds who might read about it.
Thanks, and here's a "drink" to you..
Ron Jaxon
"The map is not the Territory"
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Jaz
Inner circle
In the Shadow of Greatness, NJ, U.S.
5805 Posts
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Posted: Dec 31, 2004 4:03pm
Good advice.
I've seen friend's livers fail and kill them at age 35, 40 and 49 all due to excess.
Those spirits will sneak up, ruin you and then kill you.
Be careful all the time.
Jaz' Magic Art Collection
Magic Wallpaper
IMP Forum added.
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Daniel Santos
Special user
Naugatuck (moved from Bpt.), Connecticut
559 Posts
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Posted: Jan 1, 2005 4:22pm
There is nothing more valuable and precious than one's life. You, by sharing with us, will be saving the lives of many. Thank you.
Daniel
If it is to be, it is up to me.
Il cocodrillo come fa?!
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TaylorTheGreat
New user
37 Posts
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Posted: Jan 1, 2005 8:05pm
Good message man! (of course I won't have to worry about bars for six years 'cause I'm 15) but still! Your messages are all totally great. Keep it up.
Cheers.
-Taylor M
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BlackShadow
Special user
London UK
666 Posts
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Posted: Jan 2, 2005 8:31am
It's a good idea to be careful about alcohol but I think bars have other hidden dangers for performing.
Jaxon mentioned the point about people who have had some drinks being aggressive. For this reason be careful to avoid the "I'm cleverer than you type routine" Eg chop cup where you always "know" where the ball is and they don't. It's much better to present this in a way where you are just as suprised where the ball keeps going. For example "Darn, I'm sure I put a ball under here a moment ago, I wonder if it's in my pocket?" rather than "Is it under the cup or in my pocket? Haha, wrong again!"
Another point to mention is it's easy to get pulled into the "lets see that again situation," especially if just performing for a couple of mates at one table. This is even more true if you all had a couple of drinks. Then you are in danger of exposing the workings so always have some different effects ready.
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irishguy
Special user
Ohio
629 Posts
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Posted: Jan 2, 2005 3:52pm
Quote:
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Another warning about bars is something that's a little more obvious. That is that people can get pretty mean when they're drunk.
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Agreed.
Additionally, while someone who has imbibed might be less likely to notice your sleights...if you yourself have been imbibing, you are less likely to pull of those sleights.
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Michael Baker
Inner circle
Birmingham, AL
5072 Posts
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Posted: Jan 2, 2005 11:40pm
Because of this particular forum, I can assume that there are possibly many younger readers here. That being the case, file all the above as very important to your career. One ill-timed mistake can really damage your reputation as an entertainer.
For those already of legal age, Lee Darrow's advice about the fake drink is really good. I'd heard that before, I think from John Mendoza, and I use it. A Seven-up with a lime wedge is a real fooler (just another illusion, right?). It's a good policy not only for the obvious reasons, but often a spectator will offer to buy me a drink. That's their way of tipping. Obviously, this could get way out of hand fast. Turning them down is awkward, and can be mistaken for an insult (you can't always read a drinking person's mind!), so work it out with the bartender, the cocktail waitress, or whoever has to be involved by necessity.
We always looked at it like this, a drink bought for the entertainer was just a tip in disguise. The guy makes the offer, an extra five bucks is added to his tab, he's happy as a clam, I don't get wasted, and I split the five bucks with the bartender (usually they just let me have it). Everyone's a winner!
~michael baker
The Magic Company
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Jaxon
Inner circle
Kalamazoo, Mi.
2459 Posts
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Posted: Jan 3, 2005 1:08am
A couple more things come to mind. First a kind of funny story about the fake drink advice.
This happened while I was performing at a private party. I was paid to be there but many of them where friends so it was more like a casual performance. I said I won't have a drink until after I perform for a while. So I'll do the job I was there to do then I'd join as just a friend to those I knew there.
Anyway, when asked if I wanted something to drink I looked at the serving table and just said I'll have some of that root beer. I sat at a table and performed for quite a while. When I finally stood up I felt what had happened. They where giving me root beer that had root beer snaps in it. I think I had about 4 of these and didn't even know I was drinking alcohol. I wasn't plastered but I did feel the buzz when I stood up.
Now for a more serious note. I know a guy who is a musician. He's in his mid 40's now but in his younger years he played with some top bands in concerts and on TV. He was well on his way to going solo and could have really made it.
The last time I saw him was a few months ago and he was doing a one man band show in a local bar that seats maybe 50 people. Now he's an unknown musician except for a few people who've seen him locally. That's a big drop from where he was before he became an alcoholic. And it all started to go down for him while drinking on the road when he played in tours.
So the point is. Habits like this have ruined many lives and professions.
Ron Jaxon
"The map is not the Territory"
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Thirston
New user
54 Posts
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Posted: Jan 3, 2005 12:38pm
That is great. sometimes if I have alcohol I will not do magic. if the people say yes then I leave.
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DAVEC
New user
ENGLAND,MANCHESTER
60 Posts
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Posted: Jan 4, 2005 11:20am
One experience I can share is, once I performed a torn coin routine infront of this one guy in a club.
Not to my knowledge, he was high as kite on drugs and threatened to kick my ass unless I showed him how it was done.
Just goes to show as well as yourself having a drink, just becarefull to who you perform to aswell....Ah well lesson learnt!
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BlackShadow
Special user
London UK
666 Posts
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Posted: Jan 4, 2005 12:37pm
So, did you show him, Trojan, or did you end up with a sore ass?
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Michael Baker
Inner circle
Birmingham, AL
5072 Posts
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Posted: Jan 4, 2005 12:50pm
I had a similar thing happen in a late night club about 20 years ago when I did Bank Night and the guy thought I ripped him off. walk on eggshells around drunks.
~michael baker
The Magic Company
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DAVEC
New user
ENGLAND,MANCHESTER
60 Posts
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Posted: Jan 4, 2005 3:19pm
Neither I just walked off.
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