I got to see this one performed live yesterday in Huntington Beach (yeah, "Surf City"). The entertainment value was disappointly low, because the performer had little charisma and was simply not endearing. He did, however, have the cajones to get out there and actually DO a street act (which, thanks for noticing, I lack) AND...I mean, jeez, the guy pounded a NAIL into his head! It was horrible...I couldn't watch...but I had to watch...what the...?

Yes, I dropped some dough into the guy's hat. It was a cheap education - the guy was very adept at building and working the crowd, and it was quite an experience watching a professional street performer doing his work live, as opposed to seeing them work on DVD or watch pretenders I've encountered in other locales.

I'm not sure if I know exactually what your talking about kind sir.

Leland, if you want to add this one to your show, you need to hook up with the greatest Carney in America today, which is Todd Robbins in New York City. He performs this amazing stunt almost every week at Monday Night Magic. Todd Robbins is the preeminent sideshow entertainer on the scene today. He has seminars periodically teaching this effect, as well as things like sword swalling, eating broken glass, etc.