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WR Special user Utah 945 Posts |
I love The Bizarre side of magic and have many GREAT effects. Many have been greatly improved by suggestions gain here (Peter, Doug, Clayman, BroDavid, Necromancer (Neil) etc... Sorry the list is Too great to give all credit.) Right now, amd for the last 5 years, I am mainly doing kids shows. I do them around the Harry Potter theme. I do enjoy doing them and make a couple of hundred each month doing them. Now to the problem...I WANT TO DO BIZARRE!!! how does one get into the Bizarre venues? I live in a very religious state (I am also very religious) and am affraid that there may not be a market for such shows. How did or do you get into doing these type of shows?
Most magically yours, (And tired of performing Bizarre only for I.B.M Brotherhood meetings) WR
"Tell Em WR sent Ya."
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3909 Posts |
Bizarre magic is not only a kind of Halloween magic but, at my opinion, a new way to interpret even classical magic. The basic question may be: Are you coming from a "David Copperfield" like world or a "Harry Potter" one? Once you start performing, it's the door you open that's important, the world you're emanating from. If you're a REAL magician, magic performance maybe one of the rare venue you really can use your magic under the disguise of prestidigitation...
Bizarre magic may be initiatic and I think it's one of the real interesting aspect of bizarre magic for kids. |
Doug Byrd Veteran user VA 361 Posts |
Are your own religious beliefs keeping you from finding venues to perform the bizarre? It doesn't matter what kind of town you live in (unless you're in UTAH). One thing I've seen about towns that are extremely religious, they have a real need for REAL entertainment. You need to advertise. Once you do a few parties the word will get out and your name will get passed around.
Just my 2 drakma worth, Doug
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
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WR Special user Utah 945 Posts |
SLC, UT Doug. I have done some Bizarre in My Harry Potter shows but I want to get out and Do MORE adult Bizarre type stuff. How do you advertize DOUG? Anyone?
Mopst magically yours, WR I do have a few freinds doing Bizarre: Paul Draper and Michael Fraughton.
"Tell Em WR sent Ya."
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cmwalden Regular user Cedar Park, TX 150 Posts |
Advertising on it's own isn't what you're looking for. Clearly you are
already getting shows, just not the ones you want. Do you ever get requests for adult shows? If so, have you tried selling them on a bizarre show? Also, have you selected venues where you think the bizarre approach will work? If so, then you want to do some targeted approaches to try to sell them on what you do. You might try setting up a hosted show to get the ball rolling. Select a home, restaurant, or bed and breakfast where you think this type of show would be effective. Pick a date and sell that show. If it's successful, do another one. Those who attend these small private shows will start your word of mouth. WARNING: You may have to pony up for the space and the ads and not break even. That's a risk, but a worth-while one if you are wanting to break out of your routine.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
- William Shakespeare |
Tim Taylor Veteran user 1970 - 2012 375 Posts |
You brought up the Harry Potter angle. I thought I could capitalize on that at my kid parties. But every time I ask about Potter the kids never know who I'm talking about.
So Doug Byrd you may have to extend your list to Mississippi also.
"Even a mosquito gets a slap on the back for a job well done" - Tim Taylor
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Doug Byrd Veteran user VA 361 Posts |
You have to make sure why they haven't read the Potter books. Years ago I used to do kid's shows too and if ole 'arry Pott'r had been around, 90% of the kids I did shows for wouldn't have known him either. Not because of the religious thing, but because they were all illiterate and I'm talking from their parents down.
Doug
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3909 Posts |
A very interesting start is this one: you do a classical magic show. Then, after the first part of the show, you propose either to do more "tricks" OR trying unusual experiences (impromptu looking mentalism). If the audience choose the "bizarre experience", you'll be ready for mental things, then maybe bizarre magick and storytelling. Otherwise, you do more classical magic.
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Hello WR,
Entertainment is what it is. Even kids will go for odd effects and stories so long as they have a frame of reference to work from. Whatever emotional and cultural backdrop you use for your performances, the magic remains. What would happen if you did your show with the 'bizarre' material, and softened the presentations for the kids? The parents who are attentive and interested would fill in some of the blanks and you might get adult gigs on the spot. _Jon Have you ever wondered what the teacher does with the apples given by students?
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Magickman Elite user St.Petersburg, Fl. 402 Posts |
Why not advertise the bizarre show at your classic magic shows? Let the Parents know that you are a well rounded entertainer, not just a kid show worker. Print up some flyers and take them with you. People that are interested right away will talk to you on the spot. People that think about it later will have the information from your flyer to contact you.
Good luck! Magickman
What man knows he calls Science
What he has yet to learn he calls Magick Both are real! _Tony Andruzzi_ |
Bill Fienning Special user 635 Posts |
Have you read Brother Shadow's Mini-Parade in the Linking Ring a few months ago? He does bizarre magic, that is storytelling magic, for kids not blood-and-guts bizarre.
Depending on your location, you should be able to do that sort of story-telling magic. On the other hand, they burned Harry Potter books in Alamorgodo, New Mexico. (I live in Albuquerque, NM.) For kids, I do a "mild" bizarre show in the sense of storytelling, changing some magic powder into candy. For adults, I am into the blood and guts stuff, as those who have seen me will attest.
Bill Fienning
"It's More than Tricks" |
Marqus Special user 899 Posts |
WR, I'm in the same boat as you. I've been doing kids shows for about 20 years. I still enjoy doing them but I, too, LOVE bizarre, weird story-telling magic. I am starting to prepare for when I'm in my 50's (I'm 45 right now)to do bizarre magic but how do you start?
Let me tell you one of my ideas. At my kids' parties (I only do ages 4-8 year olds), if I see older girls there (maybe 9-12yr olds) I'll mentioned that I do Haunted Sleep-overs. They give me a little confidence for my future with adults. I'm also working on a Poe Show for teens at libraries. Hope these ideas help. Marqus |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The spooky, the mysterious...the bizarre! » » Help!!! I am stuck doing kids shows!!! (0 Likes) |
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