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Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
Just feel like sharing some fun moments from my show today...
I did a festival today in NY - two 30 minute kid's shows, performed under a tent. I've done this gig for 3 years now, and the setup/location is slightly different each year. This year they had a nice spot for me on one end of the festival ground where I hadn't performed in the past few years. First of all, it was about 90 degrees today - glad I opted to leave my bunny at home. 5 minutes into my first show, the large freight train comes barreling by, no more than 50 yards to my left. My audio is completely drowned out over it's whistle. I laugh it off and wait 30 seconds while smiling and shrugging my shoulders. 10 minutes after that, the Helicopter arrives! Each year, a helicopter lands on the grounds for the kids to have a good look at. Well, perfect, it chose to land exactly at the halfway point in show #1, and it is landing in the field I am on the edge of. Well I guess the pilot didn't like his first approach, so after dropping to about 100ft in altitude, it goes back up, circles around, and comes in again, this time landing literally 200ft from my tent. Always an adventure, huh? This is one of the only outdoor shows that I do, and I am keeping it that way!
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Danny,
Sorry to hear of your bad experience. However my wife and I thrive on outdoor shows. It certainly is not for everyone and you do have to learn to adpat to the conditions. It becomes a personal thing as to what you feel works best for you and the shows you present. With my wife and I specializing in festivals, carnivals and fair magic gigs, we have learned a lot in regards to handling outdoor performances over the years. In fact our show has changed considerably in what we do and what we bring just due to the outdoor environment and learning to adapt to it. If you or anyone have an outdoor event and can't or don't want to do it, just PM me. My wife and I would be happy to asisst. =) Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Danny
Years from now that festival will become one of your favorite stories. Like the time I did a show in a driving rain storm, and my wife was the only one in the audience that stayed for my show.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Danny:
Things do happen and you just have to laugh it off. Believe it or not, I also had a helicopter land about 150 feet from where I was performing. I've also had marching bands pass right in front of my show while I'm trying to entertain a group of children. Gerry |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Yep...that's a great story you now have to tell. You'll be talking about it for years.
You also know the spot where you do NOT want to be stationed at next year! Mark. |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Indoor shows are no safer. I was once performing at a banquet for an Asian trade delegation. My set went off without a hitch but the act that followed me had the misfortune of having the entire room simultaneously, and without notice get up en-mass and leave.
The event had started late and they were scheduled to get on their tour busses and leave at Nine O'clock. So that's what they did. It was one of the strangest things I've ever seen. An entire room of a couple humdred people without a word get up in an orderly fashion and walk out of a room without a word.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Wow! That would be a bummer.
Mark. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Once I did an indoor show, and an Elvis impersonator followed me. About half way into my show the lady who hired me asked if I would stop my show, and let Elvis perform first so he can make it to another engagement, so I stopped my show, let Elvis go on, and he stunk so bad that he cleared the room like a skunk. When Elvis left the stage there was no one left in the auditorium except my wife and me. What a night.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
I had a show going and it was hitting on all cylinders, this was at a large church festival. It ran beyond the 40 minutes I was slotted for and I heard a noise and turned and the freakin' guy who was to sing stupid songs with his guitar (you know, the Barnie Song, that stuff) figured I was stepping on his time and started his show! I just closed and left and so did about 90% of the audience.
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Outdoor shows work when you use tricks for the great outdoors that arn't affected by heat, light, wind, an unlevel surface and the ability to be seen surronded.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-03 13:45, MagicSanta wrote: I'd have done the same thing. There's a reason festivals have schedules and it is a sign of a professional to stick to that schedule no matter how good your show might be going.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Majestic12 Special user Maryland 643 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-03 15:54, Payne wrote: Excellent post! |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I think that Payne, and Magestic12 have the right idea because the brooding musician is best left alone.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
If it's a particularly hot day or hostel crowd I'm more than willing to have the act ahead of my set run over. Less work for me as I'll cut my act short to get the performers back on schedule.
I get paid the same amount so why not let the guy in front of me work for free?
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Rock_Slatestone Regular user Been Here A While But My Post Count Is 120 Posts |
The only thing worse then performing a magic act in 90 degree weather is being a clown at a company picnic in 90 degree weather.
This was the case for me fifteen years ago. Not only that, but being in the Chicago area there was plenty of asphault to soak up the heat and give it back to me. Clown Omelette anyone? Digitally yours, Steven |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
I'd like to know who thinks it is a good idea to have a helicopter at any festival? About two months ago I had the exact same thing happen to me at an outdoor event in Savanah, TN. It was dry as a bone and about 85 degrees. I was scheduled to perform several shows throughout the day. As I started my first show, the helecopter landed, which put a heavy coating of dust all over my props and sound equipment. The helecopter took off and landed every hour on the hour, blowing dust all over everything all day. I was never so happy to finish a gig.
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Yeah Payne, I don't blame him, neither do I blame everyone for walking out because he was just plain bad. In my defense I was told I had an hour and someone else told the guy I had 45 minutes, I had scheduled 45 minutes then 15 to get cleared out. So up his.
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Jay Buchanan Special user New Jersey 512 Posts |
Lol great stories all!
I once did an outdoor show on a little league field for a fair. We closed the show with the sub trunk. I end up in the bag, in the trunk, in a 7 foot gorilla costume that is about 2 inches think of hair all over and it was 98 degrees that day in August. I almost kicked my way out of the trunk! I was fading to black at they pulled me from the bag. Soooo close to passing out. I fell from the bag, out of the box and onto the field where I pulled myself up, climbed out of the costume and realized I was soaking wet with sweat and suddenly the crowd went nuts! That ovation lasted an easy 8 minutes and was one of my best shows as far as repeat bookings from the onlookers.
Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. ~ Shakespeare
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
At the Santa Clara County Fair (sadly it no longer exist as it once did) a magician, I don't know who it was, was getting ready to perform when across from him a band with a horn section started playing and drowned him out completely. I still remember how frustrated he looked.
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kimmo Inner circle Sheffield 1193 Posts |
I have been booked at Dronfield Flower Festival for several years now and have yet to perform!!
I'm always scheduled to go on last. Every single year the other acts (Many of whom are school children and not getting paid) over run their timeslot. I wander round, have an ice cream, check out the stalls and then the organiser apologises to me and says that the event is coming to an end and there is no time to put me on. I smile, say that's fine, pack up and go home. A couple of days later the fee arrives, along with a note thanking me for my participation in the event and asking if I'll return next year!! I've even had very positive write-ups in the local paper! I'm doing it again on the 8th of July - I can't wait!
VISIT MY ONLINE STORE!: www.kimmomagicshop.com
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