Hi All,

I've been thinking about adding the "Vanishing Bandana" to my show, but wondered how it plays to young children? What do you think is the youngest age when this would play well and they would "get it"? Thanks.

Regards, Steve

Do they even know what a bandana is?

LOL When I hold up a silk/foulard/"piece of cloth" (LOL) the younger ones usually yell napkin!

B

Hi Dave and Blair,

Do you have an idea of a minimum age when this would be appropriate?

Regards, Steve

I did it for six-year olds and stopped off asking them what a bandanna was. They knew from watching Cartoon Network, then I did the trick.

Yes they do. I always ask first and see what kind of response I get. But sure there are going to be some 3s that don't get it but they will still laugh at what's going on with the banana.

If it's all particular age I wouldn't go under say 4 or 5. You may wind up wasting a good banana.

j

They know that banana can't be right, and so they laugh from that point on. It is all in how you sell it.

Observation that I have noticed - certain ethnic groups don't get it because the sound track says bandana BUT it translates to bananna in thier mind.

Slam me for profiling but it is what it is.

When the trick is over the concept of a bandana is never a thought the trick was always with a bananna

As for age 3 and up - if it a daycare center I tell the director that I will do a trick with a bandana and if you could share what it is with the children befor I get there it would be appreciated. (I do that to 3-4 year old groups - after that, they will be in the know)

YACHANIN - if ever in doubt - just try it out! then tell us what you think!

I don't think it will change anyone's mind but I really don't like the impression that a Magician would:

A. Buy Magic though the mail. True or not it's not a very magical impression.

B. Do a trick at a show without ever trying it at home.

I know I'm weird.

- Mary Mowder

Hi Mary.
I have often done a trick for the first time in front of an audience. In fact I have won competitions with tricks that I picked up on the way to the competition.
Having said that I would never do the Bandana trick. Pure karaoke, and we can do better than that.

Mary - admitting that your weird is the first step to recovery! lol

It doesn't matter if they understand the confusion of the terms. They LOVE watching the banana get squished!

Hi All,

Thanks for all of your thoughts and comments

Regards, Steve

Kids do understand the word. However, what you can often do is condition them throughout the show. I utilize hankerchiefs and silks through out my show for various effects. I simply call then bandanas.

Early in the show I can do an effect and tell the child, "can you please hold up this bandana nice and high for everyone to see?" Now they hear the word and see the object at the same time. This conditions the children to know exactly what a bandana is.

When the bandana is stated on the recording, they immediately know what is supposed to be there because of the conditioning process early on. It gets much bigger laughs and educates the children who may not know.

it is a very easy thing to do. try it and you will see what I mean.

Kyle

Hi Kyle,

Good idea... I'll give that try.

Regards, Steve

My pleasure. It is a really simple thing, but it works out really well.

Kyle

To me the bandana trick is more of a gag than magic and if you take it serious you are missing what it suposed to be.. a comedy bit.

That is my personal opinion.

Of course I have my own method of presenting it... as we all do.