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ksalaz1 Loyal user 237 Posts |
I need some advice on a show that I have been offered to perform. I have done magic for about 23 years now and the largest crowd I have performed for is about 500. I did some close up mentalism on a plane and the man and his wife are organizing a Harley Davidson Jamboree in Norfolk VA in September. They have repeatedly contacted me about perfoming on stage there. There will be a headliner rock band that is quite famous as well as other acts and myself. It is a two day event and I will perform both Saturday and Sunday, one show each day. They expect the crowd to be from 2,000 to 5,000 daily. It will be an outdoor stage with mic's. I do mostly mentalism and magic mixed with comedy. I do very few stage illusions anymore - floating table, and subtrunk escape.
My Questions... 1. Has anyone out there ever perfomed for such a sizeable crowd following or preceeding a rock band? And how would a mentalist act compare? 2. Pricing. I charge $500 hourly for close up work and for corporate shows of 45 min- 1hr I charge $1000.00 to $1,500. I have never charged for a stage show of this size. Suggestions? 3. Anybody have any routining ideas that could include the Harley theme? 4. If you have performed for a crowd of this size, were there any problems you would like to clue me in on? any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Ken
"Master of the Obvious"
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Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
It's outdoors and you are opening for a rock band. It is likely that some of the audience will be drinking. You need something visual and fast paced. Here are my suggestions:
1) I do not recommend mentalism for this crowd. 2) Use music in your act, alternating talking pieces with music pieces. Audience participation with comedy will work well, but avoid trying to get too many volunteers up onstage. it will slow everything down. Also be careful you don't pick someone who has had a couple of beers in the hot sun. 3) The stage illusions will play well, but make sure you have space in front of the band set-up. A pretty asistant always helps. 4) Keep your act 25-30 minutes in length. 5) Include a "danger" type of trick, i.e. guillotine, head chopper, strait jacket escape. 6) If they want more offer to do strolling magic around the campgrounds. You'll have a blast there. That's all for now. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. Jim |
Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
Great advice from Jim as always.
Whatever you decide to go with, keep this in mind. If you are to do 30 minutes, then do not go over 27. Leave them wanting more, versus leaving them with "when is this guy gonna be done and get off the stage." We had a friend in the music business pass that along to us and it has stuck with us more than anything else we have learned. We play the largest Christian Music Festivals in the country with crowds up to 70,000 in attendance. We have also performed at Loolapalooza. Keep it fast paced and remember you are not the act they came to see...so do something quick that wins them over. Best wishes with the event. Kevin & Kristen
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
ksalaz1 Loyal user 237 Posts |
Kevin, Kristin and Jim, thank you for the suggestions, keep them coming if anyone else has any. I will think about the above posts and put up a few more questions from them.
Ken
"Master of the Obvious"
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g0thike Special user 722 Posts |
KSALAZ,
I have done shows for Harley Davidson before in Southern California. Definately use music such as rock and realise that your crowd might be a bunch of drunk bikers. Most bikers are fun, smart and nice people, only a few of them are the trouble makers. Since it is outdoors your angles might be awful since you might be surrounded, just make some backup plans and arrive a few hours early to avoid any problems. I would peform the current illusions you have since you have already performed them. Also visit your local Bike Shop for ideas. You might consider the clothes that you are wearing, avoid a tux since it will make you look cheesey. Put some taught into it. The Georgia Magnet Act will kill, Fire Eating works great and like Kevin said keep it short. G0THIKE |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Good points Gothkie. I agree with the use of rock music and your comments about costume.
For example, wear a leather jacket. If you want a good laugh, wear a T-shirt under the jacket that has a funny message printed in large letters on the back. Find a reason to remove your jacket and turn around so they can read it for a laugh. I was in St. Louis doing an after dinner program the night before the Rams played the NFC playoff game a few years ago. I had "GO RAMS" printed on the back of my shirt. When I removed my coat to put on the strait jacket, I turned around and got a huge reaction. Something like "Honda Su***" will endear you to the audience. Robert Baxt's Sucker Silk to Soda Can (available at http://www.hocus-pocus.com/magicshop/ ) done with a can of beer should play well. Also, Norm Neilsen's Vanishing Beer Bottle. Don't overdo the beer tricks, but one or two should go over well. Also, cigarette or knife through the coat, done with a borrowed leather jacket will get you a great reaction... or get you killed, but, hey, it will be a show they talk about for years! Jim |
ksalaz1 Loyal user 237 Posts |
G0thike and Jim,
Excellent Ideas! I have been pondering how to modify a show to fit this crowd and what you guys have said has been very useful. I agree with the clothing, and I am still trying to figure out what to wear. I will look up the Georgia magnet act and the other suggestions. thanks again, Ken
"Master of the Obvious"
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g0thike Special user 722 Posts |
Ken,
I don't want to offend you or anything so take this info as suggestions. If you have an assistant make sure she is an attractive woman, "eye candy" or hire one for the show. The crowd will dig her beauty, also if she wears a revealing outfit it will add to your show. Also bear in mind that young children might be in the audience, ask the promoters. G0THIKE |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Gothike is right on the money about working with an attractive assistant. Sex appeal is an important element in any show. Give the guys who could care less about the magic something to look at. And given the outfits I see at my daugher's high school, I wouldn't worry about her wearing a revealing outfit; that's pretty normal fashion these days.
Jim |
ksalaz1 Loyal user 237 Posts |
Desperately seeking sexy...
I just broke up with my girlfriend who used to fullfill that exact role for me. You guys are very correct on this point. In the past when I didn't have the beautiful lady as the assistant, I always chose some from the audience and had them "help" in as many effects that I could place them. Ken
"Master of the Obvious"
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