The Café index defines Street Magic as "Performing Random Acts of Magic for Complete Strangers ..."

Oh, really?

I suppose it depends on where you are. I grew up in a tough neighborhood. It's probably enough (at least for folks in the U.S.) to mention that our telephone area code was 911.

Walk up to a stranger and insist on doing a trick? A person who did that could wind up spending a lot of time in emergency rooms.

I wonder if Mr. Blaine is culpable because there seem to be a lot of simpletons who believe that this is actually what he does?

Have any of you actually done this? To complete strangers? One on one?

Sid

I always thought Street Magic was more like busking or getting a crowd to surround you, like at summer festivals. You can at least make some money doing that.

I have done it at a bus stop downtown. People have nothing better to do if they don't have a book. I usually perform a Two Card Monte and once did "Burned", AKA Satan's Ashes, (I think). Sometimes you run into people that do not want to see your magic. Other times people are like, what the hey. I usually have more takers than evil glares.

What helps is to observe and pick your targets.

Blaine went to Compton. COMPTON! I think it helped that he had a camera crew with him. I mean, not even South Central L.A. gang members are stupid enough to murder someone in front of a camera crew!

I have done some great impromptu effects on The Strip at 2:30 in the Morning and had a great time.

Many people like magic, even the thugs and various other sorts. I wouldn't do a disappearing cigarette trick though, because many of those cigarettes may not be cigarettes.

Giday Sid,

I enjoy this impromptu performing with strangers in my locality, and usually carry about 5 effects with me.

It can be prety rough in some places in Australia. It may help that this is a tourist destination and people are a little more relaxed on holiday. However plenty of locals are happy to be involved and it is not unusual for pepole to greet me in the street and ask me to perform for a friend with them.

I also travel in Third World locations in Indonesia on a regular basis and find that the combination of my serious attmepts at "Bahasha Indonesian" (Indonesian language) and my bag of tricks has resulted in breaking down cultural barriers and therefore enhancing my travel experience.

My general rule is to leave the drunks alone when they are intoxicated.

Troppo Bob

Well, it all depends. "In your face magic" can have unexpected results. I have always gotten on rather well with third world types but I once, with the aid of nothing but some flash paper and a couple of coincidences, got to be an honorary witch doctor of sorts. This was on a relatively uncivilized Caribbean island. Turned out to be a bit scary when the locals didn't want me to leave. I suspect, as has been suggested, that knowing "when" is kind of important.

Sid

I'm from the UK but here I perform to random passers-by. I say to them "Do you think I could show you something I've been working on, please? I think you'll like it" or something along those lines.
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Magic can be so disarming to people. in my experience the last thing anyone wants to do is attack a magician, there usually to busy asking for more tricks. of course some skill in reading people and picking the right situation is necessary.

Not everyone in compton is in a gang, does drugs or is a murderer.

late.
B)

I believe that its the way you present your magic that is gonna get you beat up or accepted by the crowd....or gang for this matter. If you act like your better and smarter than everyone in the audience, of course your going to get your but kicked because they wanna show you that you may be smarter and faster then them, but they are stronger than you. Present your magic like Doc Eason said in his video "I'm just a clever guy who knows a few cool things"

I think the key to choosing a fine audience is to read their eyes. I'm walking down the street, or riding on the bus and I ALWAYS have my deck of cards in my hand, practicing moves, and routines. All though I'm concentrated on my practice I can feel when somebody is looking at me, soo I imediatly ask them "do you like magic", if they answer "yes"... well that's my cue.

That is exactly what I do. You can tell when people are watching you and they will often comment about it quietly to people around them. that's usually a sure way to know they would be interested.

James

I agree with the posts about reading your potential audience to decide on their approachability. I also think that your stage persona goes a long way. In general, my stage persona is relatively laid back and non-confrontational. Other magicians are more "in your face" and pushy. Does that mean that one style is better than the other for street magic? No, it just means that there are people that might blow off Mr Mellow, but react positively to the energy of Mr IYF. On the other hand, other people might find Mr IYF to be pushy, but be pulled in by a more relaxed approach.

Reading your audience is very important. Think of them as an instrument - if you pay attention, you can move from being someone who does tricks to being a great magician.

Jester

Good thinkin firedice27.

You are right. That camera and camera crew he has with him makes all the difference, I would think. , makes it look like he is "official", filming something for TV, (which he is, of course) and not just any old idiot walking up to someone.

I have always thought that if I had a camera crew, people would generally react much better. Of course, on the other hand, if you run into someone who is camera shy, they just might have the opposite reaction.

What do you all think?

From what I understand, Blaine grew up in some rough neighborhoods ... he didn't seem to feel uncomfortable in Compton. They key is to be where you are comfortable. Don't go somewhere you don't belong.

JoeJoe

True. Because if you are nervous the audience will surely pick up on those vibes, eh?

Yeup. An audience can smell fear a mile away.

JoeJoe