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Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
Okay, not rich buskers, or buskers that do things right...
...but we set up in a public spot, gathered people together, did a show, and then passed the hat. As my daughter pointed out, "We just came out and had fun and people payed us!" Does it get any better than that? In general, probably not, although I expect the specifics (such as amount of the hat, etc.) to get better. Here's the whole story: http://ourfirstyear.com/?p=102 Thanks for the advice and encouragement given here. And if you read the story and want to scoff at how little we made, go for it. I'll agree it was a pittance, but we DID IT for the first time. And that makes me really happy. Jay Jennings
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
G.Gilbert Elite user baltimore 495 Posts |
Way to go Jay
Keep it up! |
gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hey Jay, CONGRADULATIONS!!! Man, I'll really digged your write-up! Ahhh, what a feeling,... ALL of it, eh!?! Great stuff. Also, `honoring', "the first dollar"! Great! I hope a lot more follow it's way.
wishing you guys nice weather, nice peoples, and nice moments with another. gallagher |
gman Special user Lancaster, pa 751 Posts |
Hey Jay cool story. As this was my first year also I really appreciated reading your story. Your daughter summed it up really well too. "You went out and had some fun and got paid for it". So true.
Wish you good luck and fat hats. George P. |
Scott M Special user Apex, NC 524 Posts |
Way to go Jay.
I would like to know what resources you have invested in to get you on your path? I am currently 1/2 way through The Secret Art of Magic and it is very powerful. I have been through others in preperation for going out in '09. So, keep us posted on your growth. Well Done! -Scott M |
JohntheMagician Regular user Mechanicsburg, PA 157 Posts |
Way to Go Jay
I couldn't agree more. Keep living the life man, your doing great.
“The hard must become habit. The habit must become easy. The easy must become beautiful.” ~ Doug Henning
<BR>____________________________________________ <BR>WWW.ILLUSIONDELUSION.COM |
HowaboutBob New user south of atlanta 54 Posts |
The money will come. Just keep working it. Good job.
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The Great Zoobini Elite user Boulder, Colorado 443 Posts |
Congratz!
Meet you in Busker Alley
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JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
Good job Jay! Now get out there and do it again.
-JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
"...we DID IT for the first time. And that makes me really happy."
And there you go. The first key to success: PASSION I feel the same way when we're out there performing. Make a little, make a lot. Who cares? I'm doing what I was born to do. You just feel it in your bones. Congrats and like others have said. Go out and do it again. Oh, and one bit of advice that helped us. Don't worry about the money. It will come. Just go out there and entertain the crowds.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
We're now in Bakersfield, CA, for a week and we're going to try and hit the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning. Not sure if there's any other place that would work for busking in a town like Bakersfield in November.
Scott -- I have previous performing experience, I actually made my living doing magic, juggling, ventriloquism, etc., about 25 years ago. So I'm not starting completely from scratch. However, it is *MUCH* different going out in public, getting people to watch, and then asking for money. In the past I was hired to perform, I'd get there and people were expecting to see me. I had (usually) already been paid by the time I took the stage. I've wanted to do busking for years but always chickened out (probably for the same reason I failed at MLM, because I care too much about what people think. =:) ). But now I have kids and want to give them a skill they can choose to use in the future, so I "forced" myself to do this. And because my daughter was watching I tried not to show how nervous I was -- but we did talk about it beforehand. We both admitted we were nervous, but were looking forward to doing it. I'd planned on video taping our first time out but my son started acting like a 6-year old (which sucks because he's 14) so I left him home -- I didn't want to have to be a kid referee when we were getting ready to perform. As far as specific resources, I bought the first Cellini Street Performing video and when I have the money I want to get the others. (At $2.60 a pop it's going to take a while!) I also bought The Art of Krowd Keeping by Gazzo. Those are the only "busking" materials I have at this point. I also want to get Jimmy Talksalot's book -- I've heard so many good things about it. Even though we only worked an hour the other night for a rapidly diminishing number of people, we discovered some things we want to change about the act. Some stuff didn't work as well as I hoped, but I'm not completely ditching it yet because I don't think it got a fair trial. But our ending was a little flat and we brainstormed what will probably be a much better way to end the show, as well as get some audience participation going. I was thinking of doing some magic in the middle of the show, but now I'm thinking I might just put together an 8-10 minute magic act that's completely separate. Then I can do either one, or, alternate them. Juggling act, wait a bit, magic act, wait a bit, back to juggling, etc. I was thinking that might be a good way to make sure the you have a new audience to watch the act. And part of the reason for this plan is simply that I enjoy doing magic. =:) - - - Thanks for all the encouragement from everyone! Jay Jennings
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
Scott M Special user Apex, NC 524 Posts |
Great to hear Jay.
Yea, same for me...been doing this for almost 30 years..since 16. Did some street/fairs in the early 80's, but didn't do well. Same with kid shows. But having read and researched more...I just didn't know HOW. So, with twin boys at almost age 8...and having read Seriously Silly...I know more of the thinking of that age range and will do a show at their class (just one) and have fun. I don't plan on being a childrens entertainer any time soon. But the Busking is different. I know it is in me vs. kid shows are not in me. I also love performing for families out in the streets...as I did in the 80's...but now with some maturity, I know I will do better...even if the hat is not fat. I also love strolling at festivals and restraunts. Keep us posted... -Scott M |
MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Hi, Jay
You're under way And another day You'll make better pay! But what price can you put on the gain you have in "experience"? That brings the real balance up to $+ for each show. The idea of alternating between juggling and magic would work o.k. You're out there to entertain, first and foremost. So give the people what they want and what captures their interest. Along with my magic show I also do diabolo juggling and balloon models. The ballon models will get children's attention - I want one of those! - and that drags the adult/s they are with to stop also. The set-up price for getting going on balloons is about $40 dollars, comprising a Qualtex balloon pump, instruction book, and a couple of hundred 260 Qualtex balloons. Balloon modelling can start with the simple dog model,and a sword. I give the models away, with a trickle hat out the front for donations and the donations well cover the cost of giving out balloons irrespective of whether you get a donation for a particular balloon or not. I reckon Chelsea could be the maker of the balloon models, because once the instructions are learnt she could be under way half an hour after she first gets into them. I bet adults and kids would be full of admiration that a kid is making the models for them. One thing though, you're running a show, not a 2 ring circus that would divide the crowd's attention at the one time. Happy times ahead. Colin
The presentation makes the magic.
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Proxy Veteran user 336 Posts |
Hey Jay, you might check out Santa Barbara's wharf area on weekends. They used to have art exhibits around there and a lot of tourists strolling. Not sure if this still happens. But it's low key; could be a prelude for some other pitches for you. Good job!
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