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1906Alpha1906 Special user North Cacky Lack 516 Posts |
Just a quick question to see if this has ever been requested by others:
Has anyone ever been asked to perform a solemn dove act at a funeral? And if you weren't comfortable doing so, how did you politely turn it down without adding to the pain of a lost one? (Keep in mind that a loved one has just passed away and the family is already hurting from the loss so 'rejection' is a harder thing to take). I know it sounds strange, but just wanted to see how others have actually handled the situation. |
RJE Inner circle 1848 Posts |
Hi Alpha,
I haven't been asked to do this type of show and I'm not even sure I would except under very special circumstances, however there is one idea I would consider. Living not too far from us is a breeder of white homing pigeons. They use the birds for releases at special events like weddings etc... as long as they are within a certain distance (60 miles I believe) of their home. We have approached them with the idea of doing a release during some of our outdoor shows. It has been agreed upon, but not acted on. The idea is that we would produce the pigeons and throw them up into the air. It would make for an "aah" moment for sure. Just a thought. Rob |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
I would begin by asking the person who made the request a lot of questions, such as:
What is it that you have in mind? What is your concept of what I should do? Have you ever seen a magician do this before? How do you think the mourners at the funeral will react? And so on. A LOT of questions may give you answers that show you a possible way to comply with the request, and if the family of the deceased is behind this or if it is just one person's strange request.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
1906Alpha1906 Special user North Cacky Lack 516 Posts |
Good answers from both, but if the request was from the immediate family member of the deceased, and enough questions were asked to justify it, would it be appropriate? Lets say the deceased was a person who loved magic and it was a request for a magician to perform at the funeral. Does one pass this one along to another, or actually go through with it?
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RJE Inner circle 1848 Posts |
Well, there are broken wand ceremonies at magicians' funerals, so why not a solemn dove act?
Some funerals are really celebrations and not morbid at all. I have been to a number of services where the feeling of being there was quite uplifting. The clergy, the friends and the family all spoke about celebrating the life of the deceased as opposed to promoting mourning. They told jokes and stories relating to the deceased that made people smile. So, I guess it is possible to do a tasteful dove act to music at a funeral. It all depends on the circumstances and how comfortable you feel with it. Have you been approached to do a funeral or are you just being inquisitive? Rob |
Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
The idea of a dove act, or even a magic show at a funeral can be a lil strange. Or maybe its jus my culture...
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
The Broken Wand Ceremony is a good option. There is a cheat sheet for that available too!
For a little more exposure to that ceremony search "Matilda" or SEAM 2006 topics here on The Magic Café. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
At my funeral, I want my corpse to sit up suddenly and scare the yell out of everyone. Of course, that would be my own last magic trick, not some poor schmuck trying to entertain at my funeral. Maybe I could just float away.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
1906Alpha1906 Special user North Cacky Lack 516 Posts |
RJE: That is the way funerals should be be - celebration of life. As for being asked - It was more of being inquisitive rather than anything else (but, I was "potentially" in this situation recently.)
Spellbinder: LOL Bob: Wouldn't a broken Wand ceremony be for someone who is involved in the art rather than someone who just likes to watch? Thanks for the sugestions! |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
We do really expect them to be more than audience. However, how many members of every magic club actually seldom or never perform once admitted to the club? Also collectors and historians are not rare.
I even know some very outstanding prop builders who are not considered performing magicians. As in most arts, some of those most involved are the supporters. Where would you draw the line? Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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