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Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
Thursday Night at The Ha Ha Café
Last night I did a 12 min. guest set at a comedy club. It was fun. One thing that I didn’t expect was how excited I was all day to do it. I felt like a little kid. Sure I work every night at the City Walk, but this wasn’t going to be on the street! So, the notion of working for a sitting audience was something to look forward to. I got there an hour early to set up my headset mic and camera tripod. As I took a look a the layout of the room, I noticed another magician setting up a nightclub table and getting his act set up on stage. After talking to a fellow named Eric who was the booker as well as a comic on the bill, he told me that there would be an MC/Opener, after him was the other magician, then he told me I would go on after him. I told Eric , that while I thought it made more sense to separate us with a few comedians, ultimately, I’d go where ever he wanted to put me. I ended up going on an hour after the other magician. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. André, who worked with Polly on “Dirty, Sexy Money” helped out by taping my set. As he familiarized himself with my camera, he did an interesting thing that only a camera savvy guy would do, he slowed down the zoom to half speed. Everything looked like it was in line to have some fun and get some good video. I had a couple of cocktails while waiting to go on and enjoyed a top shelf Ashton Churchill Cigar. My mind was all over the place and I kept changing my mind about what to open with. My set was going to be either Cups, Coins & Rings or Cards, Coins & Rings. 12 minutes can either seem like a very short time or an eternity. The benefit of opening with a card routine, would be; I wouldn’t have to bring on my table, I could have lost the pouch, worked out of my pockets and only had to bring the rings up. One of the nice thing about being a street performer is, we’re very portable and used to lugging our crap around. At the last minute I opted for the cups over cards. I was introduced, came on stage and realized that the sound man was nowhere in sight and that my headset mic wasn’t on. GREAT! Having been around long enough to know that this sort of **** happens all the time, I had a back up plan. In my back pocket I had one of those things you where around your neck and stick the house mic in. While in the process of getting that together Eric returned and got my headset mic going, all the while feeling like I had brought my act to a dead ass halt. . . before I even got started. I was going to edit this portion of the show out, but decided to keep it in and show, what a real live performing situation can look like. If nothing else, it’s kind of funny. It was real and made me venerable. While the situation was quite out of my control, I made the best of it. The set was. . . what it was. I rushed through my material, stepping on applause and audience reaction. Wasn’t too happy about that, but a great study of what not to do on the tape. I had a good time, learned a lot and will probably do it again sometime. What exactly did I learn? Well. . . SLOW DOWN I’ve always know this, but watching the video really shows me what I’m doing. I love magic and I love performing, what can I say. A good time was had by all. I just watched the tape again and had a few closing remarks. I did something that I shouldn’t have. I switched from the Tayade Style balls for the cups to the larger ones Gazzo uses. Bad call. The reason I did this was the last time I taped my set at the City Walk, I thought you couldn’t see the balls too well. I just hadn’t practiced with the new size and flashed like some old perv in a rain coat. I can fix these flashes, but it didn’t make me too happy to see them. Oh well. Guess I’ll start working with them on the street and keep you posted as to my progress. Another issue, I hadn’t talked during my cups or coin routine in months. On the street, I’ve been doing these routines strictly to music. Certainly was different to go back to my lousy patter. Watch Video • Click here |
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5445 Posts |
Even rushed, I totally enjoyed your performance! I loved hearing the guy in the audience saying that he loved the rings (nice poem!). Good work man!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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John Bowlin Special user Maryland 827 Posts |
Couldn't get movie to play.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24314 Posts |
Working comedy clubs can be a lot of fun, if conditions are right. But if they make it "magician's night," then it's like running a marathon with a 20 pound bucket of sand in each hand.
I can't complain, though. Comedy clubs were very good to me.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Carl Andrews Special user Maui, Hawaii 749 Posts |
I enjoyed it very much but then I always enjoy watching you perform.
Thanks for sharing, Carl |
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John Bowlin Special user Maryland 827 Posts |
Great stuff Tom!
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Am in an airport gate are and little time to view. Will do so tomorrow when i'M HOME. I loved comedy clubs, used to work all the time in L.A. Once you get the rhythm it'ws gas and you learn fast.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Jeff O Loyal user 274 Posts |
Even rushed, I enjoyed your performance as well. During your cups and balls, not to be critical, you flashed, I think accidentally, and it didn't take away from the whole performance because your pace made it look even more magical.
-Jeff |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24314 Posts |
Jeff:
He mentioned that, and he gave the reason that he flashed. Right here. Quote:
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Magikrn Veteran user 333 Posts |
It says I need quicktime 7.2 to watch, which I have and redownloaded again just to be sure, but I still can't watch it.
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kentfgunn Inner circle Merritt Island FL 1639 Posts |
Absolutely stellar.
I loved it all. Never saw the flash, I was too busy being entertained. |
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Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
I used to have signs hidden around my set with "SLOW DOWN" printed in bold letters.
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
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fortasse Inner circle 1201 Posts |
Quote of the Year (so far) : "I.... flashed like some old perv in a raincoat".
Outstanding performance, Frank. Fortasse |
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3094 Posts |
You could tell you enjoy performing. Your confidence shined through as well.
That's what made the show so entertaining. Oh yes I forgot to mention your skill. Top Notch !! Thanks for putting the video up. I really enjoyed it and learned a thing or two. David Paul
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
The rings routine was world class. in fact I'm going to go get a glass of wine, come back up and watch it again.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
You guys are making me blush.
Thanks for all your kind words. TF |
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cpinord New user 7 Posts |
Tom,
That was a perfect example of a working pro. You have teh routines down perfect. Obviously you only need to slow down a bit to let the audience catch up. Don't give up on this. Send out an edited version of that tape to other clubs and get them thinking about bringing you on. I say an edited version since th there is no need for you to give them the whole act all at once. Leave them wanting for more and willing to pay you for it. I have worked many comedy clubs and they are a great source of revenue. One of the poster's here mentioned that it was obvious that you loved performing. That is a key factor to your audience being able to appreciate your act. I enjoyed the video very much. Keep on trucking.
Charlie Cardeen
The Wizard of Ahhh's |
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Tom Fenton Inner circle Leeds, UK (but I'm Scottish) 1477 Posts |
Tom,
You are an ENTERTAINER!
"But there isn't a door"
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tedski Special user New Jersey 792 Posts |
Very entertaining - I was impressed you didn't get completely derailed by the mic isssue. I loved it all, but was really impressed with the coin manip/routine. That takes a lot of ability to keep the adrenaline in check with coins; great job on the steeple chase and coin star!
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R Joseph New user Omaha, NE 1 Post |
I throughly enjoyed the video. Loved the coin work and your energy.
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