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Daniel J. Ferrara Jr. Regular user Long Island, New York 182 Posts |
I have a couple of block parties coming up this summer. I am trying to figure out what to wear to the shows. My usual Tuxido vest and bow tie are too heavy. What do you guys wear when you are doing an out door show in the summer?
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Daniel:
This is an interesting post and question. I think there are two factors involved. 1) You want to be cooler so that you are not sweating and 2) you must still look good and professional no matter what you end up wearing. Perosonally, I always make sure I stand out at my shows. I want to look professional in every way and I want to make sure that people know me as the magician and entertainer at every event. I usually wear a light white short sleeved tux shirt and a simple full back vest. This makes you look professional and keeps you fairly cool. You do not have to wear long sleeves or a jacket unless you need the jacket for some sort of steal etc. I would not wear a bow tie unless that matches your style and you feel you need it. some people wear black shorts as well, but I stay away from this. I am rather a thin build type of person and the last thing my audience needs to see are my boney white legs. haha I guess the main thing is to be omfortable but in keeping in mind that you also need to look professional as well.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Good question. When I used to work otdoors in the summertime I went for the vest with an open collar tux shirt. Still too hot.
You might try a really colorful hawaiian shirt or a sharp looking silk bowling shirt. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat. Actually a good panama hat can really make you stand out from the crowd. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Jim:
Good advice and I like the idea of the colorful shirt. It will make you comfortable but still make you stand out from the crowd so that the people at the event know that you are the magician.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Good advice from Kyle: The vest, I assume, is necessary just for carrying things.
For the same effect, but equally cool, you might try wearing a guyabera shirt -- cool, roomy, comfortable, lots of pockets, and still dressy. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Peter:
Yes, the vest is used to carry things so that my hands are free. Especially good for use in summer, outdoor walk-around events. Also, the vest looks good and professional if it is a full back vest. I also like your shirt idea as well. I think with anything, you want to be comfortable but make sure people know you are the magician.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Summer time is the time I really regret having Tattoos. Because of the tattoos on my arms I can't wear short sleeved shirts.
I wear my normal Waistcoat and tie as in my picture, but when it's really hot I arrive in the tie so I give that all important smart first impression, The Waistcoat is in my box ready to put on once I'm setup. I then ask the booker if they mind if it gets to hot if I remove the waistcoat and/or tie off. They are always pleasently surprized that I went to the effort to ask. This way I stay a bit cooler and they know it's only due to the heat. Living in the UK means it's only rarly this happens.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Emazdad:
Rarely gets hot there? Man I am on the next plane out then. hehehe In Philadelphia it has been in the 90's for most of 2 weeks now. Any ways, I LOVE your respect that you give to your audience and the client. You present a great image and make a very good lasting impression in their minds by doing what you do. Asking the client if it would be alright is professional and I am sure they enjoy the fact that you asked them. I would do what you do in regards to having your coat near you and then place it on just before the performance. You could also carry a small fan with you to use before the show and always make sure to drink plenty of water when the temp rises.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
It's not just our dress we may need to consider when it's hot, the kids welfare is important as well.
Another thing I do at outdoor children's parties, is strongly suggest to the booker when they book me that if they're having the party outside that there is some shade for the kids to sit under during the magic show, as an hour sat in the sun is a long time and the kids can burn. Most times the kids end up sat under a tree or a gazebo is put up for them to sit under, I end up performing in the sun and get burnt. Also although I reccomend that the kids do not have access to food and drink during the magic show, (it avoids spillages and sticky fingers on props etc) When it's really hot I let the booker pass out cartons of drinks to the kids at the halfway point. I tell them in advance at what point to do it, and ask them to pass the drinks out while I'm making the balloon model for the 2nd assistant. This way the kids get a drink and it doesn't disturb the show too much. There is some stuff on the market called Magicool, it's an aerosol tin of scented cold water. A quick spray on your face cools and refreshes you in the heat. you should find it in your local chemists.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
HI,
I turn up for kids shows in black tee shirt and black trousers /shoes even in the winter and in the summer I have totaly sleevless shirts. I wear a wizards costume which I put on last minute for perfomance. I never wear a tie even for adult performances I wear Pure silk shirts with the neck unbutoned in a bright colour (blue, red, grey) and a modern cut suit/ Jacket/trouser. Yes I sometimes get hot but never overly so. Actually I think I get hotter at stage gigs with big lighting than the sun. When working streets where I could be outside for many hours I carry my baloons in a cooler bad along with several cold drinks like Locazade Active (water with added minerals and vits) I also carry sun block although I would normaly use bronzing oil factor 2 at home because I am already fairly brown. I carry a factor 15 to street performances where I do not know if I can avoid the sun. I also have a hat Phillip |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Clive:
Excellent post once again and i am so glad you brought up about the safety of children in the summer and rtimes when the sun is out. That really is so important. I also have the kids try and sit in the shade and I limit my outdoor shows to 30 mins. if i know it is going to be on a hot day and in the summer months. Of course the client knows the show is 30 mins prior to me booking it. Also, another factor to consider is to make sure that if your outside and it is bright and sunny, please check on the angle of the sun and where the sun will be during your show. Often times it is very hard for the kids and audience to see you if the sun is directly behind you and they are squinting.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I have worn vest since the 60's and 70's.
I grew up (well older) on James Vest er James West of the wild wild west. Most of my programs are inside. (my choice not to take too many outside venues) Light and bright colors are the way to go. My puppets are also come in handy for outside walk arounds. Friday we will be taking a break from the IBM convention to share at KC's Big July Fourth Spirit Festival. It is nice to be invited back for the 2nd year. Outside events usually have music and Pervis the Nearly Normal 50's Rock and Roller is great to have to dance to the beat of about any style music. We will be in traditional Red, White and Purple. (or was that blue - Mini LOL) Harris Deutsch Laughologist and Nearly Normal Puppets
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Harris:
That sounds great and good luck with your gig. I think two things that you mentioned are important here. 1) that you are standing out from the crowd so people know who is the performer. 2) that you still dress professionally but are comfortable at the same time.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I have added a little more "MUGIC" to my nearly normal programs.
The Yamaha electronic Drum(a $5 garage sale find 3 years ago) keeps a great beat and I do the gag where at first I play some simple beat then turn on the automatic beat. It has 4 tuneable heads. I also have been using my harmonica with songs such as Summertime (Bluesy for the older crowd) Take me out to the ball game for everyone. I modified an old gag where (Harry Anderson?) Played his recorder with his nose. I do the last note with my nose. We packed in about 250 people in the libraries program room this morning. It was inch to inch wall to wall fun After the show it looked like those clowns getting out of that little car. I am glad a long time ago to forgo the tux or coat for my family programs. That is one thing that I appreciate Doug Henning for wearing the clothes of the day. In fact I think that is how the top hat and tails started. It was the clothes of that period's magician. Just my 2 Liberty Halves worth. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
Four words: breathable fabrics, seersucker shirts.
The first thing is natural, breathable fabrics: cotton, linen or silk. I wear cotton or linen shirts, which I have in bright colors, and a vest. My outdoor vests are custom-made by a costumer here in Laurel, and are cotton lined with Chinese silk. If you buy a cheap vest it'll be lined in acetate, which is exactly like wearing a plastic trash bag! (Even men's linen suits are lined in acetate, which makes NO sense.) You can even wear black if the fabric breathes. But "everything old is new again," and the past few years I have been enjoying unparalleled comfort AND getting compliments on my look with a fabric common in the American South: SEERSUCKER. Seersucker is cotton specially quilted to soak up moisture and dry very quickly. In addition to the tradition seersucker suit (which I was able to snag from Jos. A Banks in PURPLE!), you can buy seersucker SHIRTS from LL Bean and other vendors online, even in big & tall sizes. Mine are in fairly bright colors, such as green, orange, blue and a blue/yellow stripe. Worn with a black vest and black twill pants, it looks fun yet put together. This is now my standard summer kidshow outfit, topped with a Panama hat or a black bowler. Hope this helps. |
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