I'm saving up for the Stupid bean trick.....wanted to find out from you what you consider hard hitting effects that are big on presentation more than slights....I'm not a professional but have been in magic 30 plus years...as I get older and busy in job and parenting I don't practice as diligently as I'd like but I am a naturally humorous guy...wanted to develop an act that I can invest some time but try to be flexible in going off and on. Ideas? Btw I recognize that if I don't practice regularly, nothing will stick but wanted to get you thoughts. Thx guys!

Are you wanting to specifically develop a busking performance?

Good question...I used to work a restaurant in college...I like the idea of busking for the sense of adventure and not having to do the marketing and all...just fun performing and making money on the side....I've thought about different "sets"...close up set, stage, etc....I'm 43 and like Kozmos style from his busking DVD so naturally I thought the bean trick fit like that...just wondering other effects with more fun in performance than knuckle busting.

I have had lots of fun with a egg bag and that pretty starigth forward. Also stiff rope can be fun.

Hope this helps.

Thx for that...got one

I've always had good luck with needle thru balloon. Saw a routine many years ago wear guy drew a face on the balloon and talked to it. I've adapted and expanded and changed it over the years to have a fun little routine with a trick that's pretty self working.

Look at the classics. rope routines - egg bag - linking rings - card in balloon - misers dream

Except for the "Super Needle & Balloon" and the Pom Pom Stick, EVERYTHING in my 60 minute family show is a "CLASSIC".

I really don't consider ANY trick as "self working". Even a breakaway wand needs a bit of practice! --and, PRESENTATION!

The PERFORMER and his PRESENTATION is ALWAYS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PROP!

PRACTICE does not "make" PERFECT! --P R O P E R PRACTICE CAN "MAKE" PERFECT!!

Fail to PLAN, and you PLAN to fail.

>>>>>Unless you are willing to PLAN, PREPARE, and PRACTICE A PRESENTATION, you should not PERFORM in PUBLIC!!!<<<<<

Good friend Robert has suggested several classics. Although he didn't mention it, I KNOW that he spends many hours, PLANNING his PRESENTATIONS,and then PRACTICING!

An egg bag, for example, is a PROP. It's a little bag, and an egg. I have seen (many times) a PERFORMANCE of the egg bag, BUTCHERED!!! by a "performer" who has no idea of the ENTERTAINMENT POTENTIAL of this simple prop. (A STRADIVARIUS is just a hunk of wood, catgut and horsehair, until an ARTIST "picks it up"!

A BASIC PRINCIPLE in PERFORMING is KIS-MIF. (Keep It Simple--Make It Fun) I have noted that many who suggest tricks, say that, "I have fun with (this of that trick)." --And, I, personally, have fun performing every trick that I perform. (Here comes the "BUT"!!!) BUT, (to quote AL BAKER) "It's OK to do tricks that YOU like--i.e. tricks that YOU have fun performing--but, be sure the audience likes them too! --Or,you may have to enjoy them by YOURSELF!"

MAKE IT FUN for the audience, not just yourself! (I have seen Robert perform the egg bag. His presentation is LOADED WITH LAUGHS! He knows that MAGIC is NOT INHERENTLY ENTERTAINING! So, he keeps it simple, and makes it fun.

Dick is right on all point. how can I argu with somebody that has performed so much. he is a nice guy to. here my egg bag routine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6akKM5W1nc it is in the duch language but you see the fun and the laughs. personal story: it took me more then 15 years to understand the egg bag. it was love and hate. now I can't without it. I have done the egg bag in street shows /close up / stage / kids shows / trade shows everywhere. I still am working on the routine. I like the ken brooke ending where the ladies hold your wrists.

Magic Brent we gave you some thoughts and ideas build on that.

Really enjoyed the egg bag routine, Robert. Wish I could have understood the patter as everyone liked it and it seemed pretty funny. Thanks for posting it.

Your welcome.