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Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
I try to do one volunteer gig each month. Usually I get invites regularly, so it's not hard to schedule. Occasionally, I'll have a month with no comp shows, and I'll actually seek one out.
I'm just the opposite of Allan's post: Once I turned full-time pro, that's when it became MORE important to me that I do volunteer gigs on a regular basis. Just seems right. A partial list: The local youth home (orphanage -- all teens) A convent in Guatemala A homeless shelter A maximum-security prison in South Carolina The main charity event I avoid is a fundraising event. I understand their importance in the charity world, but if I'm going to volunteer my time, I'd much rather share magic directly with the people receiving the charity services. |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
When I was working for Westinghouse, they used to have a Halloween party for the children of the employees. Everybody pitched in and did something to help, I did a magic show. (It was fun and got me out of decorating or tending the buffet!)
We also had a raffle for people who had donated to the United Way. I donated a show, the guy who won it asked me to perform at the Lion's Club Christmas Party at the Children's Cancer Ward of Hasbro Children's Hospital. That felt good and got me on television. (I've since lost the tape... ***!) I tried volunteering at a children's hospital in Newport... they told me they didn't "do" performances for their patients, but I ended up with a Christmas party for the children of "their" employees, paid of course!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Allan Elite user 405 Posts |
I have seen several posts above about my stance about free shows. Perhaps I should explain. I still do
no-charge benifits. However, I am making my fultime living as a performer & am running a business. While I am pleased to donate my services, they want a commitment long in advance. I am willing to do that but only if I can pull out for a paid show. Most charitable org. can not deal with that so I offer a discount on my services & can then give a firm commitment. Once booked at a discount price, I then give extra time for free. It has proven to be a win win situation. As far as performing in local hospitals, I have done that for patients, but perhaps not enough. While I don't look for the work, I do accept it when it comes along. AS a fulltime magician, I try to run my business as a business. Donations of time are part of every business. But making a living is also part of running a business. As a charitable person, I not only donate time to worthwhile causes but monetary donations as well. Again, my hat is off to those that volunteer on a more regular basis. |
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Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
Allan,
That's cool. But try to understand that your priorities are only yours, not the consequence of being a full-time professional. I am too, and yet, since I make a good living as a magician, I will commit to volunteer gigs, even though I might lose out on a paid gig. For me, being a professional doesn't mean making the most money is my top priority. It just means I make a living from it. If your priorities are what they are, then trepidation about taking on too many volunteer gigs is a good instinct on your part. I think it would be terrible to commit to a charity gig, and then pull out if you get a paid booking. You are right that it's better not to accept the charity gig in the first place. By the way, ironically, the two major hospitals here have programs that pay professional performers to come in to waiting rooms and patients' room, so hospital work is one of the few places I don't have to do for free. |
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jaxonlee New user Butte, MT 71 Posts |
My gig is an odd bit of 'volunteer' work. I am a Mental Health Worker at a residential treatment center for kids and teens with some startling psychological tangles. I work primarily on the adolescent unit. Well, after so many hours of group therapy there's very little that can put a smile on their faces. So I took to doing wee little miracles every once and again. Needless to say, it was like real magic had hit the unit. A momentary diversion amidst a day chock full of school, therapy, and boredom. Yes, I am getting paid to work there, but the magic is something free and special I bring with me. Not a day has gone by that I haven't had someone beg: Show Me A Trick!!! Besides lightening up the kids' days it also gives me a wonderful opportunity to perfect my sleight of hand and try out new gimmicks and effects. Kind of a 'rehearsal under fire'! Also, though it of course violates sacrosanct rules and tenets, I have taught a few of them card tricks. There is nothing more 'magical' than watching someone with very low self-esteem and confidence learn a card trick and fool 90% of their peers with it. The raise in self-esteem and inter-personal skills is well worth the potential lynch mob! ;-)
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Magic.J.Manuel Special user I have danced upon 663 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-02-22 08:08, kid iowa wrote: VA hospitals is a great venue for doing volunteer magic shows. The guys are often very willing to be entertained, old enough to enjoy advanced routines, but not so old that you have to shout to get the point across. No I don't shout at old people when I do magic for elder care audiences, but the veterans are very glad to have live entertainment and tend to pay attention well. Don't go in unprepared, but they are very willing to see new tricks that need some polish, and may even have good suggestions for improvement. The guys I've dealt with also enjoy small production items like shampoo samples and other toiletries or canteen coupons since they often have to share a common soap bottle.
Nothing would get done at all, if man waited so long that no one could find fault with it.
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-02-20 23:19, Peter Marucci wrote: Maestro Marucci, ALL of those organizations PAY their staff and management. They pay their food service organizations, cleaning services, telephone bills, cable TV services and laundry services as well (some churches don't, but the big ones do). I have no problem with getting paid to work a charity gig. Depending on the charity, I will sign the check back over to them as a donation, like I do every year with Northwestern University's Dance Marathon, where I have done my full stage hypnosis act for the last 12 years. In fact, I will be doing that again on March 6th! But when a charity organization brings in "name" talent, they are paying them in almost every case. Possibly at a reduced rate, but almost invariably, the talent is paid. Sometimes the talent will donate their check, sometimes not. In the majority of cases with which I am familiar, usually a portion of the check is donated. One has to pay the bills and even charities know and understand this. One usually has a better chance of getting paid when working for larger charities, like the Red Cross than a local church, however, as they actually have a budget to PAY talent with as part of their charter dealing with fund raising activities. But, for someone to say that one should never be paid by charities (which is NOT what you said, I know - this is a response to some of the others out there) is just plain wrong. The key is to ask if they HAVE a budget for professional entertainment and decide from there, if it's not one of your own favorite charities, of course! Pros work for pay. Some donate that back in toto, some only a portion and some don't donate at all, but use their drawing power as stars to help the charity that they are working for. Player's choice, IMHO. Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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Stuart Hooper Special user Mithrandir 759 Posts |
Sensai Lee...
I think two things you sort of *miss* are that, A.) if you get paid, then it's not charity, or volunteer work (but it is if you donate your check). It's fine to do paid shows for charity, for sure, but it's not charity. Also, those organizations have paid staffs, but a great deal of people volunteer for churches, salvation armies, seniors homes, all kinds of things... :stout: |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Mithrandir, how did you know I hold a 3rd dan? I don't think I've mentioned it, so, I'm guessing that you are a mentalist - or you read my bio!
My response was really specifically aimed at maestro Marucci's comments about charities, that's all. Sorry if I was unclear. As to volunteering, oh I do a few here and there - Leukemia fundraisers being my pet charity as I lost my Dad to that nasty little killer a few years ago, Dance Marathon at Northwestern, Starlight Children's Foundation and a few others, including some anti-AIDS groups. Volunteerism is a great thing, but one should be careful not to cheapen the art by working for free too much or one will be EXPECTED to work for free. I volunteer and I strongly urge others to volunteer as well, but to do it in a manner that is professional, that's all. Thanks for helping me clear up my thoughts on this (and I hope I did!). Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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themagicofjoseph Loyal user 214 Posts |
I do it at nursing homes and love it....I'm looking into hospitals now...also food for thought..people that need physical therapy may benifit from simple hand and arm movements and by learning some simple hand moves and center line crossing magic (if that is where the difficulty lies), makes them feel special...like they know and can do what a non-handicapped person does. What's nice is if there are a few patients, have them do a simple show for their caretakers toward the end of therapy.
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Ollie1235 Special user England 533 Posts |
I haven't yet done any volenteer work but in a few weeks I'm going to do some tricks in an olds people home
(im quite new to magic) it will give me a chance to try some tricks out because (no offence) older people tend to be a little slower |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
The IBM has something called Project Magic, if I recall correctly. Check with their website or your latest issue of Linking Ring.
It's a whole program for using magic as an adjunct to physical Therapy and, from personal experience, I can say that magic is a lot more fun than the programmed torture that they have you go through! I had pretty severe frostbite when I was about 13 - both hands. They thought I was going to lose the left one and probably the right as well. According to the neurologist, I supposedly only had about 30% functionality in my left and about 45% in the right. I now can do a 5-coin rose (left hand only) and the steeplechase with both hands, simultaneously with SuperSoft spongeballs, so I guess they got THAT wrong! Actually, the doctor, after he'd seen that, took me up to see another kid on the floor who was in the same condition that I had been in (which was also about 5 years before that, learning that stuff took time and effort). I showed him what I could do and he started working on magic himself and kept both his hands as well! It's a great idea to do! Check with the IBM as they have some materials that can help you start the program in your area. Best of luck to you on it! Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
I'm only 17 so I cant really add to this post?
I have performed in Bimingham Childrens Hospital twice, and have just read an advertisement about performing for the elderly in my area. might give them a call! |
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JEFFC New user RI 70 Posts |
I volunteered (not as a magician) at a local childrens hospital for a few years in the ER and with child life. I always carried a Svengali (I've just recently been learning sleights and more difficult stuff) and juggling balls, but didn't usually have time to use them.
This post was a nice read, good to see people helping kids and others. After some practice (weeks, months, years;)?!!), I may try going back just to do magic. |
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Chris Thibault Elite user Massachusetts 469 Posts |
I've volunteered at Hasbro Children's Hospital. The kids love it. I've also volunteered for a company called Children for Children. You get a nice feeling when you help out like this.
-Chris
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Oz Fan Loyal user 277 Posts |
I have never done a voluntary show. I'll have to try that sometime.
Blake S.
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JEFFC New user RI 70 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-03-09 14:46, quickerthantheeye wrote: I was there time and again from about 1999-2001. |
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ykstem New user 38 Posts |
I volunteer twice a month at a local hospital. I do a 25 minute show, and usually have an audience of 10 to 20 people per night (the room can't hold more than 20). Most of the patients are adults.
This is the second year I am performing here. It is an invaluable way for me to hone my performance skills, as I am hoping next year to begin trying to get some professional work if all goes well. I couldn't get to that point without a regular way to perform publicly with an audience, and volunteering has been a perfect way to gain this expereince. On top of that, the patient's spirits soar, if even for a few moments, when a trick lifts them out of their current circumstances. Its a great feeling for me. With regard to issue of "if they have paid staff, they can pay me...", I couldn't disagree more. Depending on the institutuion, lots of non-profits are stretched thin and suffering through layoffs and cutbacks. They couldn't afford to pay for what I do, based on their bare bones fiscal situation, but that doesn't mean there isn't a need for it. |
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Adammcd Regular user Greensburg PA 132 Posts |
Ykstem,
Coming I have worked for Non profits for 13 years now. 2 different ones. They have an entertainment budget. I volunteer because that's what I like to do. It makes me feel good to give back and you guys could argue that I should be getting paid. I like to volunteer and really it makes me and my clients happy. I am allowed to pass out flyers and business cards and have earned business that way. It also looks good on a resume. I also try to get letters of recomendation to give to restaurants and stuff. JMHO Adam
The last thing you ever expected, should have been the first.
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Steve Friedberg Inner circle 1402 Posts |
Lee:
Project Magic is actually a Copperfield-inspired organization; more information is available from 785.270.4613, or on http://www.davidcopperfield.com.
Cheers,
Steve "A trick does not fool the eyes, but fools the brain." -- John Mulholland |
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