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ldl1017 Elite user 476 Posts |
This is a question for all the birthday party guru's out there. I am mainly a library/school/fair/festival performer. In other words, I work family/children events, but not birthday parties. Yesterday was a rare exception for me. I ventured in to the bewildering and oft times scary world of the birthday party magician. Having worked with enough children and children's shows in the past, the show went off w/o a hitch (I even got a sizeable tip from the mother at the end). My thought is this though. While the children were arranging themselves on the floor for the show the B’day boy got edged out by some rather over zealous children. I quickly moved some of the children out of the way so that he would be in front and center stage. While doing this, it occurred to me that maybe a chair or throne would be appropriate for the star of the day…the king or queen of the party. What are some thoughts on this? David Kaye, a.k.a., Silly Billy, says in his book that you make the B’day person the star. Shower them with all the attention and gifts from the performer and other kids will want the same and ask for you to be at their party.
I think the throne would do just that. Lou
“I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.”
Billy Joel |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Skip Way is the man to answer this question.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
After eating all that cake and sugar, they'll be on a throne soon enough!
Lou, Not a bad idea, but as I see it, carrying a special chair along with you to every party might be a bit cumbersome. Most of the time, the kids sit on the floor anyway. How about a special star shaped carpet that the "Star Of The Day" can sit on front and center during the show? It would pack a lot smaller, be easier to carry, and still accomplish the goal of making the birthday honoree feel special! Lyndel |
ldl1017 Elite user 476 Posts |
Lyndel,
That is why you guys do more B'day parties than me. Much better idea. Similar to Barry Mitchell's footprint idea. I used the fopotprints in many libraries. Lou
“I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.”
Billy Joel |
shomemagic Inner circle Missouri 2232 Posts |
I like the Birthday Hat with Candles...Ken Scott has these on his site!
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
It all depends on the children. You can never tell till you get there.
Certainly, many children wallow in being the centre of attention but by no means all of them do. Normally quiet children can become over excited and manic at their party. They've quietly built themselves up all day - maybe even for days. Others can't take it and become tearful having gone over the top. Then you have the big confident birthday child who begins going quiet and withdrawn just as the guests arrive. Again, it's all too much for that person. Takes different children different ways. Some of those sorts of children may well not want to sat in a chair, or on a carpet or indeed, anywhere but towards the back, out of the way with a few close friends. They may well have 20 or 30 children at their party but many of them may not be their close friends. Simply the rest of their class. There's often a social obligation to invite some children Countless times every year I hear myself saying to the birthday child, 'Would you like to sit a little nearer?' Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Much of my show structure is designed to include the quieter birthday child so that they gain confidence and, conversley, to bring the overexcited more into line. Otherwise, wwhen it comes to the crunch, they will not get the most out of their main helping moment - which is usually the most important part towards the end of the show. And you won't get the most out of your special birthday effect, either.
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
Andre Hagen Inner circle 1432 Posts |
I use a red carpet square with a gold star for the birthday child. I mentioned this to Barry Mitchell some time ago. It helps to get the child feeling special right away.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Tony has pretty well described my experience with this too. You get quiet kids who will withdraw all the more at all the attention. I've even had kids who were so excited and all into it and then once the show started it became too much for them and they left the reservation so to speak.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Thanks, Donald. I have two child-size folding wood-&-cloth director chairs. The back of each chair is embroidered with the words "Birthday Star" with a large gold star. The chairs fold flat and attach to my Lefler Table with velcro. Easy in - Easy out. I personally prefer the chair because it places the birthday child a smidge higher than the children sitting on the floor and helps them feel more like the VIP. THe chairs also create a parent-favorite over-the-shoulder photo pose. One of my best word-of-mouth selling points is the child who wants to sit in "the birthday chair" for his/her birthday. It's worked for me for a couple of years, now.
If I were to do it again, I would change the embroidery to include my character name. So many photos are taken of the kids in these chairs that I missed a golden marketing opportunity by not putting my name in each photo. C'est la vie! Oh...I have two chairs for those occasional twin and multiple-child parties.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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