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lhughes Regular user Canada 151 Posts |
I was recently asked to perform for a "Midnight Madness" event in my town. In a four hour period, I was to move and visit 24 stores performing magic inside and outside the stores and act as a good will ambassador. The temperature outside was -26 degrees Celsius with a bit of a wind. It was at night time.
I had to figure out how I could dress appropriately (ie. not freeze) and still wear something that would attract attention and would be easy to go from inside to outside. I also had to consider tricks that would work well in warm or cold weather and would be visible with little light. In the end, everything worked out well. I had a blast. I ended up wearing a regular snow jacket with a elf hat on my head and I placed a Hoberman sphere over my head to draw attraction. It really worked! People were laughing at the sight of me, and even little kids who might have been scared of a stranger, would reach to touch the Hoberman sphere to make it bigger. I performed a sponge ball routine, pyro-perception, a ring on rope (man,does a metal ring get cold!), a rainbow streamer from a thumb-tip, and d'lites. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Sleightly yours,
Lorne |
Jim Wilder Special user Birmingham, AL 954 Posts |
Work inside, or in the doorway as much as possible.
You are quite a trooper.... down here in the South, we turn in after it drops below 70. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Malini's Ice block production.
Snowstorm in China Mugged (ski mask) Just kidding... Fire book.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Man that is a way to get Old fast.
Move to Sandeago. Mario |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
I did a little busking over the summer. One day it dipped below 60 degree F - my hands began to get stiff. I won't do that again!
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Laird Regular user Kansas City 124 Posts |
I'm a firm believer that busking is a seasonal profession. Which is why I have a real job as well.
It's never to late to have a happy childhold!
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lhughes Regular user Canada 151 Posts |
Alan mentions that his hands got a little stiff below 60 degrees, try temperatures way below zero. Your hands not only get stiff real quick (they actually freeze), but you also have the problem that the humidity is so low that your hands are slippery and dry even if you go out for just short periods.
Fire book would be great if you could use it over and over. I don't see using snowstorm in China. You wouldn't go into a business and use it and outside...well, they might not even notice it. Now that idea of moving....now why didn't I think of it?
Sleightly yours,
Lorne |
Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
A bit of the subject but is snowstorm in China the better product for this effect?
Mario |
BAH1313 Elite user Ohio 445 Posts |
If your hands are dry and slick try using Sort-Qwik on your finger tips. I get mine from the local office supply. It works really well! And use a good moisturizer!
PS It's the stuff bank tellers use to count money.
I am truly blessed to have a job where people are laughing all the time and everyone believes in magic....Come to think of it, I'm blessed to even have a job.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Try dressing in a Santa outfit. Underneath have on a lot of warm material. It will make a good reason why you are also wearing gloves.
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Working at what amounts to -14.8F is pretty daunting. Were the sponsors a bunch of sadists? "With a bit of wind" could take the wind chill factor down into the ranges of -24F (which is about -33.33C) and, at those temperatures, frostbite can set in in a matter of seconds on unprotected skin.
In Chicago, we have had about a week at around -7F to -9F with winds running from 10mph to 25mph, giving us wind chill factors in the -20F ranges and below. Frostbite can lead to gangrene and loss of fingers, toes and even major limbs. The sponsors of this event should have their heads examined. Examined to see if there is anything inside of them! It sounds like the planners of this event are yet another proof of Darrrow's Second Maxim: "The only element in the Universe more common than hydrogen is Stupidity." Frankly, they put you at serious risk, in my humble opinion and that is not a Good Thing at all. Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
lhughes Regular user Canada 151 Posts |
Actually, I was not at risk. This is probably difficult to understand if you're not from Canada, and expecially northern Canada, but my body has adapted to cold weather. The majority of the time was spent in doors, however you have to move from place to place (usually by walking). Often the distance was only a few feet, sometimes half a block, and any longer distances, I drove. The problem is that you needed to protect yourself from the cold, but at the same time you had to be able to perform shortly after entering a place. I found I did not need gloves (I kept my hands in my pocket unless I performed something outside - and if I did, it was something very short). Removing gloves, and putting them back on would have slowed me down too much. Similarly, you wanted to wear clothes with pockets so that you could access your magic and also clothes that were warm and yet not too bulky.
I like the idea of dressing as Santa, except the big guy was showing up later, and I wanted kids and adults to know that I was an entertainer not St. Nick. My final outfit worked well.
Sleightly yours,
Lorne |
Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Okay, I understand now. Your original description of the gig gave me a very different idea of what they were having you do. Now that I have a better picture, I can see that this was merely challenging, not potentially damaging.
Thanks for the clarification - even a Chicagoan could have handled THAT! In fact, about two years ago, I handled a gig almost exactly like it! Happy New Year! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
Paolo Venturini Veteran user Lucca (I.) - New York City 385 Posts |
That's a problem I try to solve in NYC, winter is freezing!
The problem is to keep your outfit (jacket with pockets) and your look, and don't freeze at the same time, so I'll receive (in few days) a cap (as Mandrake). I had the idea from the italian police corp (Carabinieri), that they use in winter: it's a long cap of fabric (impermeable to water), black outside-red inside, with two holes for the hands. When you walk out you're covered (you won't need gloves), inside you've a cap. Also imagine what you could appear/disappear with a topit like that... Paolo Venturini |
Matt Malinas Inner circle Transylvania 1367 Posts |
-26 degrees C ?! I don't think I couldn't even move my hands at that temperature.
-Matt
The masters make the rules, for the wise men and the fools
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