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Magic Rik Loyal user Eastern Canada 296 Posts |
Hi all
Caveat: - I am a fairly new amateur, not afraid of crowds, not afraid of kids, taught school for 17 years. My grandson is turning 7 (first grade) next week and we are travelling to their city and I am going to perform at his birthday party. OK - I have had two months to practice and get things ready for ten boys of that age group. I have now been volunteered by my son to perform for 30 minutes at their children's small school for grades six to nine combined, about 30 kids. In no order yet: Chop cup slush powder - disappearing water sponge balls (Benson Bowl routine) change bag - silk change TT silk Torn and restored magazine Smokey Mountain Pizza box Maybe some cards tricks I am open to all and any suggestions. Drop some of my list?? Add something that I can get ready in a week? Thanks |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Can't offer any advice because I have no clue what ages grade six to nine are. This is an international forum with contributors from all over the world. We all have different school systems. Give us the ages, and we might have something useful to say.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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RJE2 Veteran user 383 Posts |
Tony, The ages would be about 11 to 15 years old for grades 6 to 9 in Canada. Why can't you Irish just be like the rest of us!
Rik, What you have listed is fine. You don't have to have a honed show yet. You can keep it quite informal and "just do tricks" for this group. I am sure that they will be happy with that. Think of it like a celebrity magician (say Copperfield) going into their classroom. He would not put on a complete show. He would interact with the kids and entertain them by doing some tricks. Stick to routines and bits that you feel comfortable doing and I bet you and your audience will have a great time. |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
For that age I would definitely use some mental magic, and they will enjoy card tricks, particularly the older ones. I am not familiar with the Pizza box routine, but I suspect I would leave it at home, along with the change bag. The rest seems spot on.
Rik, we Irish like to think that the rest of the world is out of step with us! But seriously, all through Europe grade six to nine means nothing. If I said third class or third year, would you know which is older, or what ages they are? One of them falls within the age range in question, one is well outside it. Being specific in your questions allows the rest of us to help. And not being specific gives me an opportunity for being grumpy, which is always appreciated!
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
The key with performing for young children is to involve them. They'll quickly get tired of simply watching you doing tricks. So interspersing your "solo" tricks with routines that use volunteers is crucial. Also, if you can weave intriguing stories around your "solo" tricks, that will help to retain their attention.
Now, about ages 11-15: That is a difficult age group. You're going to hear a lot of "I know how that's done", or "I can do that trick" ... even though they don't know how it's done! Good luck, and as RJE2 suggested, do routines that you are comfortable with ... but do try to involve the kids. |
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Magic Rik Loyal user Eastern Canada 296 Posts |
TonyB.
It's always the bloody Irish. Oh, by the way, before you get offended, my dad was born in Derry. And I've kissed the Blarney Stone and I love the Emerald Isle. :) |
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Magic Rik Loyal user Eastern Canada 296 Posts |
I am pretty sure the Smokey Mountain Pizza Box stays in - it is a show stopper for that age grouping.
http://www.smmagic.com/stagemagic/pizzabox.htm TonyB - you mentioned no change bag. Why? I have a very large lady's scarf load - bright yellow with red lady bugs all over it. I put in a plain yellow one and I add little red puff balls and little black puff balls - requires two "assistants" I give them both their very own tiny magic wands. Plays big, I think. Thanks again. Great advice, even from the grump. |
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Magic Patrick Inner circle Minnesota 1591 Posts |
There is a trick that is really a fooler that goes over well for this group. It is bottled up. You can find this at http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/651. Good luck and have fun.
Patrick |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Rik, I think that a change bag is a bit too obvious for eleven to fifteen year olds. They are brighter than the younger audience. They respond well to good strong magic. I find cards across really works with that age. So does a TT vanish, sponge balls, etc. I have looked at the pizza box trick, and I stand by what I say. It is not an effect that will impress a fifteen year old.
On the other hand, your chop cup will slay them. Unlike what some might tell you, they are a very easy age to entertain. But they want to be treated like adults. If you treat them like adults you will have them eating out of your hands. Is the pizza trick an adult trick? If you feel confident that this is something you would do for a fortieth birthday party, by all means bring it along. Otherwise leave it at home. Also, leave the magic words, etc, behind. Treat them like mini-adults and you will have an easy time. I kiss the Blarney Stone every year. Scary, isn't it? There is a reason why it is so popular in Ireland; we stole it from the Brits. It is half of the Stone of Sconce, their coronation stone.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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Magic Rik Loyal user Eastern Canada 296 Posts |
Thanks Tony - good advice - I'll try and remember what went well and report back.
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MagicBrain New user 63 Posts |
Ouch !! Age group 11 to 15 years !! I have never performed for this age group but of what I have read and heard from others that are doing it, I would go with adults magic trick, sleight of hand tricks (or a simulation of it) and with minimal gimmicked props.
Card tricks for sure, Good sucker effects, Gambling effects of some sort, Visual high impact tricks - appearance, disappearance ... I would also go for comedy acting and be very 'loose' and not serious at all... I would probably do and explained one trick of some sort (a card trick would work fine). I think that people of that age would appreciate more if you explained a trick (maybe not a super trick but something that beginners can do). Then I would repeat the trick but fool them using another version. Anyway that was my 2 cents !! |
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bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
Rope tricks work well with that age group also.
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
The problems I have had with that age group is that many have near the intellect of an adult, but the maturity of a young child. By 13, some are ready to hold their own in an adult conversation, but others aren't ready to be left alone! And even the ones that seem "grown-up" can revert in the blink of an eye to join a mob of raving lunatics ready to tear you and your show apart. Or they get bored and dismiss you, and disrupt the show for everyone else by amusing themselves in the middle of the audience.
On the other hand, if you can get to them and grab their attention and respect early on, they will be some of your greatest supporters throughout the show. I spent a day in a 7th-grade classroom (about 12-13 years old) and had zero disrespect. I used Invisible Deck, Twisted Sister, B'Wave, Telekinetic Timber, a spoon bend, and a funny "mentalism" routine called "Pig" (Danny Archer??) throughout the day (mixed and matched three effects for each class period) and had great results. I involved them, asked questions, got them to think about what might happen or how impossible the results could be, and then hit them with the magic. At this age, they do have the power to think and grasp bigger concepts. It's their biggest downfall, because it leads them to believe that they know everything. Therefore, it can be your greatest weapon. Let them think, let them create answers, let them ponder how impossible the answer is - and then slowly show the card or the bent spoon. Young kids can't think into the result, so we need to give them the "funny". Older kids can create the funny, or spectacular, or spooky, or awesome in their minds before you get there. Give them the pieces, let them put together the puzzle - or reject eveything as impossible, and then reveal. Ed |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
One of my favorite cartoons has the caption of parent talking to young teen, "go to your room until your frontal cortex fully develops." For inquiring minds that can be up to age 25 form males and about 21 for females.
Mixture of mental, heavy sleight of hand (coins, cards, ropes) with humor toward me(bald jokes)and vent goes very well. Every once in a while, I run into someone this age, that can do killer magic. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Magic Rik Loyal user Eastern Canada 296 Posts |
I really appreciate the input.
Any thoughts on "paper over head"?? |
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Wow, Rik ... some really good advice here! Some of the tips covered read like the index to a very compelling book on performing.
Regarding your show for the older age group: fortunately, it sounds like you will be in a classroom environment, with teachers present ... so the kids will be more disciplined and "under control." I'd be very interested to hear how it goes ... keep us posted! P.S. Terry Parrett wrote an excellent book called "Magic for Tweens." The subtitle is: "How to Survive (and Enjoy!) Performing for 9-14 Year Olds." Definitely worth a look. |
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
I'd stay withe the Pizza Box. It's a classic sucker trick and so much fun to do for kids and adults. Leave it in. (I know you will anyway
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-04-05 17:31, Bob1Dog wrote: Hardly a classic. I cannot imagine kids that old or adults finding that routine enjoyable. You're talking about an adult quality show once kids are 6th grade. Bringing out a "kiddy" prop might seen as insulting their intelligence. Plus, that routine REQUIRES feedback from the audience. Once they are that old, they are a bit more self-conscious about screaming "No, Mr. Magician, I saw it roll to the other side...Aaaahhhhh!!!" "No, the other side!!!!! Hardee-Harr-Har *scream*... awww... that sure was a swell trick" It very well may be the case that nobody says anything ... then what? Same goes for sneaking an egg under your arm and asking if anyone saw where it went. Adults won't raise their hands. It's an adult level show with adult quality comedy and props required. don't mess it up. please!
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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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
However, any true classic of magic, done well, with a presentation you've used for years, would be VERY WELL RECEIVED
Egg Bag Cups and Balls Rings Rope Paper balls over the head Stand-up quality comedy card trick
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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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
They will love paper over the head, and have the maturity not to give the game away. Most of them anyway - I would try it with this age.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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