Murphy.

I am interested in the Cane 101 DVD, but a friend told me that this DVD does not have standard menus to go directly to the desired parts.
Is this right or am I just badly informed?

Well, mine does.

Yes, David Mann's does have the chapters with direct play to each chapter.

James Adamson
http://www.seam2006.com

I've performed the cane on a full stage with good results. The lighting was arranged with trial and error in the technical rehearsal. Unfortunatly, people at the sides on the front row were able to see flashes of the gimmick.

The routine was however, well received by these people. Apparently the flashes did not spoil their enjoyment of the illusion.

I would like to improve on my staging of the effect though. I was wondering if anyone could help by giving me what the lighting arrangement should be? I will know then how far off the mark I was. You can be reasonably technical in your responses, I would like to know specifics (gel colours, lamp types and levels, positioning etc.)

Also, a question for David, is your cane (with the special gimmick) in stock currently and are you able to ship to the U.K.?

My routine involves some portions which do not involve the gimmick (mime etc.) and your development would be most useful to me.

Yours'

Alexander

Some general ideas on lighting:

1. Try to avoid lights from the back.

2. Try to have lights only from the front of the stage directed to you, and ditsributed evenly across the stage, avoiding side lights. Why this? This way, the gimmick will look the same from any seat of the theatre. So if it is flashing, you can see it flashing and adjust.

3. I always was very comfortable with blue and red light gels.

4. Stay centre stage, a bit off more to the back.

These are my personal findouts. They work for me, but they are by no means a 100% fix for all situations.

All products of mine are ready to be delivered.

Thanks for the help MopKrayz.

Thanks David, this is good news!
I have some specific questions about your product, I will PM you.

Alexander.

Thanks for all your questions Alexander. I hope you like your Cane and DVD.
Dave

I havn't heard from anyone who has my products in a while and became curious as to whether or not anyone had come up with any new moves? I love to talk about Dancing Cane, so feel free to contact me.

Hey Dave,

I was playing around with the hook up we have talked about, and almost by accident I found an intresting move that I am trying to perfect. It is very similar to the around the body moves with no hands, except it is more dancy, and you can do it all day if you want. The cane never loses momentum. I will have to PM you with details. It's rather fun and kinda knacky. It works somtimes, other times, it just becomes a mess.

-Jacob

You keep at it Seeker! I think your one of the best thinkers when it comes to Dancing Cane.

The best? O boy...I don't know if I would go that far. Thanks for the compliment though.

-Jacob

You suggested on another thread to learn some basic cane handling Techniques with a ordinary cane. Now most wouldn't think of that. Ok, maybe a few. But I think that is a good idea.

Thanks, Its part of the reason I found the dancing cane. I was creating a stage character that was very flashy and uses a cane. I spent a lot of time learning how to twirl the cane on my hand(palm up), how to roll the cane like a coin roll, sliding the cane down my shoulder, ect. I like to try to mix them into my routine I am making. It seems to add some flare, if you will.

Now that is excellent!

Not only does it add flare, it makes sense to the character you are creating and to the routine you are putting together. Just having a cane dance for an extended period of time with no rhyme or reason just tends to bore audiences very quickly. We as magicians want to dance the cane too much because we want to show all the great moves we learned. We forget that we need to always keep the audience in mind and use the best moves and tools to create the most entertaining magic we can. Often the most entertainment value in the dancing cane is to minimalize the use of the moves you know. This then starts to create a routine that is not only enjoyable, but fun to watch.

Kyle

According to Finn Jon, to use thread on stage, do not dim the lights. Just use bright FRONT LIGHT ONLY! No side, no back, no top lights.

Yah, yes, lighting. This is the one part that I haven't worked with yet. I also read you should perform it up stage and try to stay centered. How close is too close? I mean, yah, if they are standing between me and the cane, I may have an issue.

Pete is right about front lighting only is prefered but if you use back lighting make sure it is much dimmer than the front lighting.