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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Since I started busking over 1 year ago I have worked my regular 9-5 Mon-Fri and busked every Saturday, most Sundays, and some weekdays when I was off work. I have worked some paid gigs I got from festivals. I have been learning some new effects.
I went out to busk today. It was busy and the crowds were good, the hats were good, the shows were great... and all I could think about was going home. It was just like I was at work. I don't know when this happened but I used to love busking and the time flew by. Recently it's been like work. How long can someone do 7 days/week working before it kills them? Any suggestions on making it fun again? This happens to everyone at some time. How do you get through it? |
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MR Effecto Inner circle 2836 Posts |
Well that's just it. You work and also you work busking. You love it so much you will do it on your days off from work. But its still like working 7 days a week. I know how you feel. I also do the same thing. I only busk on sat and sunday. Its hard for me to quit my job because I do make a lot and I have have 7 kids to support. But one day I will only be busking for my income. I also make a very nice hat.
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gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hey Gr8,
enjoyed your Post, and observations, as usual. You see what´s going on,... quick! (in fact, I wouldn´t be surprised if you already have some solutions,...) In anycase,...."Change". As a free-walking-hat-dropper, you know Flexiblity is your blessing above the rest. Flexiblity,.... Change. ,but Security comes with Success. ,....and where Security sleeps, Fear is often under the bed. Fear to change Pitches. ,.. Lines. ,... Effects. annnd, thru the Security,... the Grinds starts. If it helps: everybody has it, everybody confronts it, ....or denies it.,....drugs help. I think, knowing the problem is the biggest step in fighting it. AND, allowing ourselves to fail,... eat a hat. Through my years of Miss-fortune, Mrs.-fortune, Ms.-fortune, ...and occasional Luck; I´ve noticed, the really good ones, I mean the calm, pleasant, funny, nice-guys,... who even have enough to pay for YOUR beer(!); they can always talk and smile about the Shows that got away! Change. The COURAGE to Change. It´s hard. It never ends, but the day comes when you´ll be buying someone a beer, with a smile. cheers, gallagher. |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
I think going to the same pitch, because it's the best pitch, is part of the problem. I need to find a place that's as busy as my standard pitch but different. Not sure where to go.
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TheMag1cian Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1274 Posts |
You can't taste the sweet without the sour!
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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1337 Posts |
It's like running (which I hate doing but plug away anyways in attempt to keep heathly). Was told early on that every third run will feel like crap. Just to realize that and plod through and look forward to next time when it feels good.
Found this applies to many things; work, magic, exercise, school. Sometimes it's great, sometimes not. Just work through it.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
Well of course it's like work, it is work! That's what us old timers keep trying to tell you guys. You've been at it a year and you're bored ... I've been doing some of the same tricks for over 20 years now - how do you think I feel !!!
You just gotta bite down and do it, put your mind in a zone that says this what you have to do and do it. -JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Yeah! Joe Joe!
I've been doing some of those same tricks since 1945! --Those tricks added lots of coins to the piggy bank! If you like doing what you are doing, IT AINT WORK!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Thinking back on it a bit, it was more the down time in between shows that was getting to me. Once I started a show, everything was great and I didn't think of anything else. While standing there building a crowd, my mind would wander and that was the tough part. I do think a change of location would do me good though. Maybe meet up with some other busker or buskers for a weekend share a pitch and try to have some fun.
Anyone anywhere near Atlanta so we could meet up? Anyone ever busked Asheville NC? How is that? Its about 3 hours from me. I think a weekend trip for out of town busking would be great. |
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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1337 Posts |
Too bad but I left Georgia last year.
If looking for change if pace, Athens might be good. Big college/touristy area with pedestrian areas. Not too far from Atlanta. Know they have a music festival that brings in big crowds. Also remember cute town square in Marietta that could have been good place to busk. Also there's magic shop there. I never made it to Stone Mountain but any chance there? Longer trips could be Gatlinburg or Asheville in Blue Ridge Mountains area. Or other direction: Savannah or Charleston. Saw a few acts in Savannah but understand they're a bit squirrelly on soliciting for tips.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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gary31525 Regular user Building a fence with 158 Posts |
Gr8gorilla, Sorry I missed you at the Peachtree Arts Festival. I haven't busked yet, been thinking about it though. If I made the 'leap' we could meet up.
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
We could Gary.
imgic, Savannah is regulated. Takes a permit. They only accept applications on Wed from 9-12. Athens....college kids are broke. I have done Virginia Highlands, timing is crucial and a sidewalk show is the best you can do because, well it's a sidewalk. Asheville, Myrtle Beach, maybe Gatlinburg? My Favorite festival, piedmont park arts festival is coming up. Its first year was 1982 and Jim Cellini there busking. Now 31 years later I'll be busking the same festival... that's kinda cool. |
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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Challenges: Working at a new pitch versus being a better performer at our present pitch
Humans enjoy 'New", often enjoying a change of pace. That's a reason why the word NEW features in so much advertising. On the other hand, being a better performer at our present pitch is a challenge also. We thrive on challenges that we figure we can rise to. Gr8gorilla, I hope you get back into the feel of satisfaction with your performing, one way or the other. Like you, I'm a part-timer and for the first few years in my spare time between customers/watchers I used to have a few circus things I did - Diabolo and chatter rings were a couple of things I used to use. But eventually I thought, "Why aren't I working on improving my magic skills instead?" So now that's what I do in my 'spare' time. Practice moves, practice a routine discretely. And thinking and acting on "What if I try doing ...?" I've written about this somewhere in one of these threads, but off-hand I don't know where. And folk new to threads on this forum might not read that earlier post, so I'm saying it again. I perform my street magic mostly in a small city and usually stay there for a few hours until there's not enough folk around to make it practical any more for that time of day. Maybe if you take a break from working both weekend days, and one weekend work one day, the next two, or something like that it will help you get more interested/involved in the magic. All the best!
The presentation makes the magic.
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Yekrats Loyal user Dayton, Indiana 209 Posts |
Gr8Gorilla, I love reading your posts, because you're farther along the road of busking than me, and are exploring some of the same pitfalls that I will eventually come to. Thanks for paving the way, bud!
But seriously, I think that I would tackle this problem two ways. 1. Focus on one of the reasons that we got into this crazy art - the reactions of the crowds. You've done it hundreds of times, but they are all seeing this for the first time. They've probably never seen magic up close before. You are giving them a special experience they may remember the rest of their lives! That's pretty profound, when you think about it. 2. You have a need to evolve as a performer. Periodically update your show with fresh new material for yourself, to help keep your own sanity. There's no shame in circulating in and out a new repertoire. Good luck, man!
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Corporate or event magic & mentalism: http://WizardoftheWabash.com |
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
Dude one thing you might want to try is become lighter. If my memory serve me right you do cups and balls. So your dragging 3 large metal cups a table some balls and I am guessing a pile of fruit with you. There is a chance that you have a sound system as well. All this stuff I lugged around in between shows.
I would say try taking 4 pack small play big effects with you. Follow all the same rules as for any street show. Carry it in your pocket or a small case. Now go out and move around do shows in place that you never done before. Also do smaller show to smaller audience. The applause might be and hats lighter but your connection with the crowd more personal. The other thing is begin lighter in between show you can go shopping to the museums what ever you want. This might not be your answer but best of luck working it out.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1337 Posts |
Piedmont Art is a great festival. You should have a great time there.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
This will be my second year doing Piedmont.
Yellowcustard, Actually I used to not do the cups and balls or have a table. I worked like for a while. I actually earned the money to buy my cups and the materials to build the table busking. I like where my show is at now. But I get what you are saying. |
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DanielMooncalf Regular user Kansas City 113 Posts |
No, college kids aren't broke... not completely. If you get 30 people to put forth a dollar.
But anyway... The best way to make it seem more fun? Quit your real job. Really. |
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
This guy had a rough day as well, but we keep on 'cause it's what we do. Gallagher's advice to me was to keep it fresh(move to a new pitch, switch out materials etc...). I'm traveling much lighter these days and Jimmy is as well. Hang in there Brother Shawn. |
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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1337 Posts |
Also college towns also have professors, researchers, support folks, etc. and depending on school the kids ain't broke. In Boulder, most University of Colorado students drive better cars than me.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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