Hi All,Happy new year. I'm looking for some advice. I've been a hobbyist for around 15 years now and I love performing for friends and family, I have been asked on many occasions to do a stint at some dinner dances etc but have never felt confident enough to give it a go. I have decided that this year is the year that I get over those nerves so I have agreed to do a hours table hopping by at a dinner on the 21st of January. I'm looking for any advice on what type of effects should be performed and any more tips that anyone can give me...thank you in advance

AceFace, be sure to check out the "Table hoppers and party strollers" forum for helpful advice in this area.

Thank you...I will

Just take 3 or 4 effects - that's all you need. Spend 4 - 5 minutes at a table and then move on. I usually start with the fire wallet and end with card to wallet - but that's up to the individual performer. Be careful with sponge balls and bunnies, if there are children present they will get them all gunky. Don't be nervous and just have fun and it will show in your performance. Jim

Good luck AceFace and congratulations on taking the plunge and committing yourself to a live gig. At some point you have to break away from what is comfortable and secure and start performing to strangers. It's the best way to develop.
I have done the same thing and agreed to do a wedding this year as the first step towards getting back into performing. It has focused my mind on developing and scripting effects I am comfortable with and I have started performing in situations that I would previously shied away from i.e dinner parties, christmas parties in bars etc to get more experience and test my material. It is certainly helping my confidence and making performing more enjoyable.

As jimhlow says "enjoy it". Not sure you can not be nervous - performing to a group of strangers is a novel experience and you are bound to have a few butterflies. Would be really interested in knowing how it goes.
All the best.

Forgot to say thanks to Doug for pointing out the Table Hoppers and Party Strollers section. I could certain benefit from as much advice as possible. I'm a newbie so still figuring out where everything is. So much to read!

1. Only pick tricks you enjoy and are comfortable performing
2. As said above, 3-4 tricks is enough
3. You´re not doing brain surgery, you´re doing a magic trick. Who cares if you flash a card or drop a coin? Nobody! In fact, the audience could even like you more if they get the feeling that they see something that other audiences don´t. That is, if you handle the "mistake" with a smile.
4. Talk to people! Ask questions. Be interested in your audience. It´s NOT about the tricks, it´s about you making a connection to the people watching. Be friendly and happy. Think of yourself as a extra host of the party.
5. The first 3-4 groups are the hardest. Once you break the ice, the rest will go easy. Time WILL fly!

Good luck. Let us know how it went.

Very good advice above.Do what you like yourself.
And what your confident with.
Todd

I had a friend keep asking me to "Do A Trick" - after a while -I asked him for a coin(or doller Bill) - did an effect -then put the money in MY pocket- He questioned it- I said- 'this s my living- I don't always do it for free!! L-O-L - Ralph

Great post!

How did it go Aceface?