|
|
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
There was a girl at the Snack Bar who's face was getting all torn up the way kids do just before they start crying. I walked over to her (her mother was near by, so there was no problem) I produced a sponge ball from her ear and performed half of the Mark Wilson sponge ball routine. She laughed and her mother said "thank you."
I haven't been doing as much magic as I should have been, but d$%n-it, I feel GOOD tonight!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
|
Paul D Elite user NY 455 Posts |
I once performed in Walgreens on the vegas strip while on a very long line.Before I knew it at least 50 people were sorounded all around me.I was astonished.
Astonishment as Therapy...?
|
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Wal-Mart has a "senior's day" on Tuesdays where the seniors come in, play some sort of Bingo and get free donuts. I've been considering coming in early on that day and performing a little. I'm not ready yet, and even if I were I'm not all that certain I want to come in to Wal-Mart, perfrom and then go home catch a nap and come back that afternoon to serve people! I might still do it... I'm just still iffy on the whole thing!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
|
dengez Loyal user USA 245 Posts |
Hey, go for it. What do you have to lose? You can bring joy to senior citizens and do what you love at the same time. If one of the managers sees you, they may even want to hire you as a part time magicican if it's bringing in some customers.
|
Phil Thomas Inner circle Newark, Ohio 1117 Posts |
How about getting some yellow sponge balls and paint them up to look like the Wal-Mart smiley face. You can do a routine on "falling prices". Sounds corny, but hey, it just might work.
:cheers: Phil
"If we lose the sense of the mysterious, life is no more than a snuffed out candle."
Albert Einstein |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
I attended a Mark Wilson lecture a couple of months ago where Mark made quite a point about doing this kind of magic. He refered to it as selling magic and yourself as a magician. Doing a trick for the lady at the dry cleaners counter, doing, a bit for someone when standing in line, brightening a childs day, etc. It gets you know in the community as a magician, and brings bookings too. I am a clergyman and started doing such little tricks simply as a means of getting to know people. It works wonderfully. I've entertained waitresses, clerks, fellow diners, others waiting in lines, and it always goes over well and I get to meet a lot of people, and have handed out quite a few business cards. Simple effects work best. Often it is something like color changing knives, or a quick tt effect, or a loop used to float something like a ball point pen.
This past weekend we went to eat in a resturant and it was packed, long waiting line. I was sort of crammed up near the stand where the hostess was taking and calling names. We had only been there about 5 min, and I'd say the average line wait was about 30 min. I simply reached over , picked up her ball point pen, asked her if she thought it was a bit light. She looked at me a bit confused and shook her head no. It then floated up from my hand and flew around a few seconds, then I handed it back to her. She immediately tore her own pen apart trying to figure out how I did it. It entertained her and a lot of others standing there waiting in crowded, cramped conditions. I met a few folks, handed out some cards, and got seated in two more minutes. Certainly worth doing, whether or not Wally World ever shows its appreciation or not.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
|
discjockey Elite user 451 Posts |
Magic is especially good when your spectators take something away from the performance. Like when David Blaine got that kid to get rid of his fear of snakes.
Or you, mandrake, who cheers somone up with magic. |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-30 19:09, Phil Thomas wrote: Funny thing is, I already have yellow sponge balls. I made them myself out of an auto sponge. Didn't think of the face thing, but then I have to be led out of the box most of the time!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
|
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-12 23:38, mandrake01 wrote: Now you got the idea, my man! I have done this often, and it is very fullfilling! it really gives new meaning and purpose to doing your magic. The whole idea is to TOUCH someone else in their lonliness or pain. This is REAL magic, if there ever was such a thing.
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
|
Phil Thomas Inner circle Newark, Ohio 1117 Posts |
WHAT??! THERE'S NOT SUCH A THING?
"If we lose the sense of the mysterious, life is no more than a snuffed out candle."
Albert Einstein |
Spanky New user Oklahoma City 81 Posts |
I love the effect that totally random magic can have on people
|
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
I always carry a bit of magic with me...you just never know when it might come in handy. I'm a serious iced tea drinker...and I hate waiting to have my glass filled & refilled...so I wager the server double his or her tip for my own pitcher of tea. Of course, I always win...then I leave the double tip with my business card...so the server wins. During the meal, the server will come by to ask if everything is alright..I acknowledge the query by stating, "Yes...except, I'm curious why you use so many cards in your recipe" as I perform Bill Malone's cards from mouth bit. Quite often, the server will tell the story to other servers and I'll get a call from the manager asking me to "come talk." In long lines I'll casually find eggs, silks and sponge balls in odd spots...books, candy displays, and so on. Adults chuckle when kids start poking around to see what they can find. Squeakers are also fun. Casually examine a candy bar, magazine or similar item on display...as you open, poke or touch it...squeak. I guarantee that the adult behind you will try to make that item squeak when you're not looking. I habitually wear shirts and jackets with my embroidered logo...it doesn't take them long to figure things out...and remember my name or ask for a card. I'm a magician...magic is expected to follow me.
:o) Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Magnum New user 89 Posts |
I was in a chinese restaurant and I was showing my wife something that I was working on. A little boy and his father were there waiting on their food, and the boy saw me make a card vanish in the middle of my routine. He was absolutely astonished, as was I since I didn't know he was watching. I ended up giving him and his father a little show, and it felt great.
|
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
The "seniors day" idea is going to have to be forgotten. In August, the Cranston, Rhode Island Wal-Mart will close its snack bar to be replaced a few weeks later by a Subway!
Seems running a snack bar is too expensive. Wal-Mart can lease the space to Subway and make money while letting Subway handle the expenses. They're going to be putting me in the electronics department. ...and one last bit of Americana comes to a close.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Street Magic » » Performing in Wal-Mart (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |