Hi all,

I'm looking for some simple street magic routines which can be performed surrounded by large crowd. Of course it's more fun to watch if you're able to participate so it would be nice if there's any audience participation involved.

For example I read at Lance Burton's site a cool effect in which audience members call out different items which are all noted on pieces of papers. From all those papers the magician (or an audience member!) draws one and the item on that piece of paper appears.

Of course the twisting arm is a good one here too.

Who can tell me more of such tricks?

Your input is appreciated,
8BG

This is called busking. And a rope trick may do.

Also you could do ACR and have them place the card in the deck.. or rip a card... or have one spectator send you thought signals etc...

Any kind of mentalism. Of course any card trick. Another of my favorites is the crazy man's handcuffs.

Thanks for the tips.
Since I'm not familiar with all those names (I'm a juggler from origin) can you explain how these tricks look like?

I think card tricks are difficult because of the large crowd. They won't be able to have a close look on what's happening.

Thanks anyhow!

8bg

Probably one of the best ways to keep a large crowd involved is by calling up spectators to interact with you. These spectators can work with and see smaller details and therefore demonstrate the reaction the rest of the audience should give. To the rest of the audience, your show does not necessarily become a display of your great skill, but rather your ability to get great reactions from anyone in the crowd. The audience thinks "Wow, if I were up there, I'd have the same reaction!"

I agree that mentalism will work in these situations. Also look into the jumbo version of the ID. I saw a magician perform this using someone's cell-phone speaker phone to reveal the card thought of by someone that the volunteer knew and wasn't present. It received a great reaction! You might also want to try a bill/card to lemon (or cantaloupe), very visual and you could incoporate some good humor elements.

-Eric D.

There are some card tricks that work fine, although they may not often be done for a finale of a busking show. You can do card to pocket, or a cards across routine, or a rising card effect.

But the best routines to do in a large groups are the ones buskers do--ropes, rings, cups and balls.

How large do you want the crowd to be?
card effects are fine up to 50 people. if you can have them up close.
more than that.. its nt really that manageable.