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Pete Legend Inner circle Ireland 1401 Posts |
I would quiet like to perform in a Pub setting.Now I have tried various restaurants in the last week or so and had quiet positive results but I dunno I like the type of characters a pub attracts.Its for the most part friendly lively and a great mix of young and old.
Next Tuesday I plan to go up to one of the big pubs in the city(where I know nobody) introduce myself to the manager or owner state my case and blow him/her away with a routine which involves cards,borrowed ring and a mind reading piece.If he/she turns it down I will move on to another and another until I land a job in some pub. In Ireland people cant smoke in the pub so they have to go outside to the beer garden so I suppose some form of entertainment would help the pub in this situation which is a plus for me. I have a few question does anyone here actually make a good living at just performing in pubs,to be honest I have lots of material and need little help in this regard but I would like to know what sort of effects pub magicians/mentalists use on a regular basis.How many hours a week do you guys/girls work in the pub and what times you work?What do you all charge an hour if I may ask? I think that's all the questions I have at the moment any words of wisdom or any adice at all would be appreciated,thanks millions for your time,I appreciate it lots and either way I will tell you all how I got on no matter if its good or bad. Yours Sincerley, Pete Carroll |
Scott Grimm Regular user Chicago 141 Posts |
My two cents. I don't strickly perform in pubs but do in restaurants that have very lively and popular lounges. In fact, it is where most of my business comes from. Yes, a good living can be made from performing in the lounge. Your routiens should be ones that can be performed standing, or at a small table. You will mre than likely have just enough room for a close up mat but be prepaired to work smaller.
You should also try to perform for the spectators you are with. This sounds obvious but think about this. Not everyone wants to see your magic. I know, this is hard to believe, but it's true. In other words, don't try to attract the attention of the tables around you. The big linking rings can be performed standing by yourself but might get in the way of other people, the serving staff, or embarrise the spectators with all of the attention. Just be courtious to your patrons. What effects to perform? There is just no way to really answer that. Look in the mirror. Ask yourself, " what would this guy be performing?" If you look young and happy-go-lucky, you might not want to do bizzarism. Just use some forthought and realize who you are when in charactor. I would recomend working two to three hours a night and one day a week at each pub you get. More than three hours and you and your resorces can get exhausted quick! More than one day a week at one pub takes what would be an event for people to show up to and turns it into something that is just expected and taken for granted. I will also recomend working on weekdays insted of weekends. People don't need a reason to go out on Saturday night but could use a good excuse to get out on a Tuesday. It also opens up your weekends for private bookings which is where the money is. Pubs are mostly adults so also tone down the style of dress. The seqined tux is not taken sieriously any more anyway and will get you laughed at by people drinking beer. Do stuff more on a mental theam. It challenges the intelect instead of the eyes. Still be prepaired and have tricks that can be enjoyed by people of any age. Families go to some pubs for the food. I hope this helps a little and I wish you luck! There will probably be more advise from others so take what you can from it all and go for it! Let me know what happens.
Faith is at the heart of all magic.
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Pete Legend Inner circle Ireland 1401 Posts |
Hey Scott, thank you so much for sharing your idea's and thoughts with me,I truly do appreciate it lots.Well my big day is all most upon me and Im feeling a little nervous but also very very excited.My aim is to find 5 pubs/clubs willing to take me on one night per week as you suggested......I know its rather ambitious but hey why not!!
I will be back on here tomorrow and will tell you all how I got on,either way Im sure I will have some sort of story to share,maybe good or bad but hey its going to be an experience either way so I cant lose Yours Sincerley, Pete Carroll |
ninjaduffy Veteran user UK 332 Posts |
Good luck Pete.
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qenny New user Scotland - New Zealand - London 57 Posts |
You are following in some great footsteps, Grobbelaar. Heba Haba Al enjoyed considerable reknown as a bar magician, and with good reason. I believe that it's possible to get a video of him in action (A Visit With Heba Haba Al), and there are some published works of his that are designed for bar work, such as Card Under Glass.
Where are you in Ireland? I have family there, so if you all happen to be in the same town, I'll encourage them to go see you.
Qenny
Sleightly Twisted |
Pete Legend Inner circle Ireland 1401 Posts |
Hey guys all I can say is what an experience I have had today,I called into two pubs and have gotten one foot in the door conerning each establishment,I showed both owners an ambitious card routine,kolossal killer and Richard Osterlind's Challenge Mind reading,the effects brought the same stunned silence reaction with both.I offered them a free show and guess what they both agreed to it......I was so nervous but I did it!!
It was quiet simple really I went in dressed in nice casual clothing,bought a coke and started making small talk and asked them did they have any entertainment during week days(One pub/guest house have some music Monday nights while the other has no form of entertainment at all) I then asked both would they be interested in something a little different and I introduced myself as a magician......which to my surprise brought about a positive response(honestly thought I be laughed at, magic is not so well known here) Anyways thank you so much for all who posted wishing me good luck by the way quenny I am from County Cork in the South of Ireland,it would be a pleasure to one day hopefully fingers crossed perform for a member of your family.Thanks Scott and ninjaduffy for the warm messages..I appreciate it!! By the way I was like I said very nervous but this poem kinda inspired me...... Risks by Harry Wong To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your idea's,your dream,before a crowd is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken,because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. Persons who risk nothing do nothing,have nothing and are nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow,but they cannot learn,feel,change,grow,love or live, Chained by their atitudes,they are slaves,for they have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free. I havent got anything yet but I feel so good!! Yours Sincerley, Pete Carroll |
Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
Bar magic is very different from other performance venues Pete. I love it, and so do a few others that I know of. I prefer to do it while bartending, but you don't have to be on the high side of the slab to enjoy it.
Pubs offer a unique experience for the sociable magician. Enjoy it. Best, Mike |
Scott Grimm Regular user Chicago 141 Posts |
Godd job, my man! You are on the road. It will be a wild ride with lots of ups and downs but with work, more ups. What I will recomend now is to constantly look forward to the net day and plan accordingly. Read and study on how to make yourself better and improve. Never consider yourself done and just fine as-is. If you do not have it now, get a copy of Eugene Burger's Mastering the Art of Magic. It can give you some more guidelines not on getting a job, but on how to keep one. It is also a great sorce for inspiration to keep you going. Glad it's working out for you and keep us appraised on your progress!
Faith is at the heart of all magic.
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tpdmagic Elite user 459 Posts |
Quote: I tend to agree with Mike, its a differen't ball game then you normal strolling gig at a restaurant. But have fun with it. Mike and I both have years of experience working at bars so if you have any questions I am willing to help and I am sure if you ask Mike he would also.
On 2004-09-28 21:27, WildStone wrote: tpdmagic |
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