Alright, this Saturday will be my first TRUE strolling gig. I mean, I have strolled a bit at Halloween events (mostly kids magic) and a little at Festivals (again, mostly focusing on kids). But this Saturday is specifically for the adults at a party. There will be about 100 of them. I was hired to do some sidewalk busking last weekend at a town festival, and I practiced a lot of my material that I plan on using this coming weekend. Here is a list of my planned effects...

- Nana's Necklace
- Invisible Deck (Malone's routine)
- Sponge Balls (or bunnies)
- Chop Cup w/lemon and lime final loads (based on Don Alan's routine)
- Money Paddle
- All Screwed Up (Doc Eason routine)
- Lucky Coin (Card College)
- Fiber Optics Rope Routine (Sanders)
- CMH

Those are the main things I am focusing on. Do you think that will be enough material? I am thinking 2-3 tricks per group, maybe more if they are very responsive - sound about right?
I will have a friend helping me cover the crowd, he is a card guy and will be doing only card stuff. My role is primarily all non-card stuff (with the exception of ID and Lucky Coin).

I have a few years of being a paid performer, but this genre is going to be somewhat new to me. So I am sure I will get some jitters. Any last minute advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Some of the effects you mentioned (ie. Don Alan's Chop Cup) require you to be sitting at a table. That may be a luxery you don't have in a strolling gig. As much as possible, the effects should be capable of being performed standing and in the hands (either yours or the spectators).

Also be aware that in a strolling situation, you will not have much control over your angles. Make sure the effects you perform are not angle sensitive.

Have Fun.

Kent

True, that's why I said “based on Don Alan's routine”. I used Alan's routine as a starting point, and altered what I needed to make it practical for strolling. Really the final loads were the only big thing that I needed to change. I was unsure about this routine, until I practiced it this weekend on the street for real folks. I was thrilled to see just how well it played and how easily I could load from my pocket. So, that is one routine I am very confident in!

You said “some” of the effect - which other effects require me to be seated?

Just for referece Don Alan's routine far from requires you to be seated.

What do you mean by "which ones require me to be seated?". Havn't you worked them enough that you already have that information?

Seems to me and only me mind you, you have way too many things to try to carry for walk arround magic.

Invisible deck, fiber optics, all screwed up, chop cup, sponges, constantly in and out of your pockets. Tough management.

Who cares if he is doing card stuff, dosn't mean you can't.

It sounds like you already know what your doing. Actually...I know you, so yes, I can say you'll be fine. It sounds like you have a lot of material there. In respect that this is going to be walkaround, I pose a few questions...

What's the setting going to be? Will everyone be standing around with drinks? Will everyone be sitting at tables? A combination of both? You'll need tables for the chop cup routine at least. Also, can you work out of your pockets for the above list or do you plan on carrying a case around? A close up mat may be one thing but walking the case around to table to table, especially if half the folks are standing will be awkward for you and the spectator if you have to open up shop for each group. It could also be time consuming so you'd need to factor that time in with your routines X the # of people and how much time the host has alotted. Will the kids be off doing something else? They know your a magician as you've already performed for them. Will having them hang around when you break into the adult material be a problem? Same for your card guy assistant in regards to handling the kids.

I hope this helps...and if you have MORE questions, or if you think I'm an idiot...well, CALL ME:)

You'll getem Dan, no worries.

Of course I have. That's why I was asking the previous poster, which one's HE was referring to, when he said some of my effects required me to be seated. I know that NONE of my effects (at least the way I perform them) REQUIRE me to be seated. Some do require a table, that is true. But I don't need to sit.



That may very well be true. In the past, I have experienced pocket overload, and tried to shove EVERYTHING I owned inside my pockets! I will consider dropping a routine or two. Thanks.



Well, I set this up intentionally, for two main reasons-
1) I found out last minute that the gig will have about 100 adults, as opposed to 50 or so, like I was originally told. So to help cover the crowd, I enlisted the help of my friend from my SAM Assembly.
2) He is a better card guy than me, so I feel good about him handling the card work, and leaving me more time for other effects that I enjoy performing more.

Do only what you know well and you will not have any reason to have "jitters" -- Keep it SIMPLE... MAKE IT FUN.

I like two sayings:Less is more and K.I.S.S.

The way I approach gigs like this is:Two set's of three effect's + two strong encore effect's if needed.(stuff that you can mix and match is a bonus).

IMO,carrying fruit around at a gig like this is unecessary,and can make you look like you have strange growth's bulging out.Keep it Svelt!

At these thing's repartee' with the guests is as impotrtant as the magic.

I bet you do just fine.

Best.
Rich

Hi Pete, I'm not disagreeing on "Do only what you know well" but If this is his first officially strolling for adults getting the Jitters is probably still going to happen...even with material known well. I do tables on a regular basis and I did my first paid strolling gig (see: The Host Saves the Day?!) a few weeks ago, and I thought I was going to lose it I had the "jitters" so bad. I think you first time paid performing a genre of magic is going to make anyone nervous and unsure until they settle into their element.

This is just to say, you probably will end up with the "Jitters" and IF you do...don't sweat it...it's normal (or normal based on my experience anyway) and you'll get through it and be better for it afterwards.

The jitters go within about 5 minuntes.

You get so caught up in entertaining and performing that you forget to be nervous - you only think you'll be nervous before the gig because you have time to think about how nervous you'll be.

Enjoy yourself and others will too!


Cheers,
Ali

If you do not know the setup of the event be wary that even the use of a table maybe hard to come by so be prepared. Also some gigs are so loud that talking may even be an issue.

Also you might benefit by something this is quick and extremely visual as an ice-breaker.

Kevin

Pocket management is a huge problem for most guys. It is why I do so many regular deck things.

To carry fruit arround will make your pockets bulge. Add to that sponges and you can really look silly.

Pocket management really is important. What goes where,what you do first and so forth.

What town in Ct will you be strolling Danny?

Which is all a part of "scripting," something that I believe is critical.

Larry so do I.

Which brings me to my problem with figuring it out just days before the gig.

Good luck with your gig! I'm sure you'll do well. You have more than enough in your list - my advice is also to take less. You will really find you won't use all you've listed so free up your pocket space. Your performance and confidence will be impaired if you can't get to things easily and smoothly (or take a small case or tiny box with some extra items as a 'fall back plan' if you can arrange for it to be placed safely somewhere. If you find any 'repeat' people asking for more you could always say 'sure - see you in a minute I just have to take a break to call my wife/see the organiser' etc. The get some extra things!)

It sounds like you have a good variety of effects and you have gotten lots of good advice so now you just got to do it!
I would suggest having maybe a few more of your favorite effects on hand also, possibly left in your car or something as back up just in case.
But don't stress about it and by the way, where's your card tricks??? I only see Invisible Deck. Just kidding!

don't forget to check back in afterwards and give us the scoop on how awesome it was (or is going to be)!

GlenD

Danny,
You'll do fine! Most important, pay attention to the people that have said HAVE FUN. They're right. on the subject of scripting, I agree and disagree with Danny Doyle. Let me clarify that statement. I have several key lines that I use in all my effects. They are designed to elicit a response at critical moments...ie, to hide the dirty work. A laugh, a groan or a response from a spectator to take the heat off of me when I do what I need to do. Danny D. is right...have script to a certain degree. If you have some of Jay Sankeys DVD's or videos he talks about having some key lines in an effect and letting the spontaneous fun guide you the rest of the way. Whatever you do, have fun and your audience will also.
Lou

To clarify...
• I know all of the effects in my list, inside and out.
• I have routines and scripts for EACH effect I am doing.
• I have a list of the effects, and their designated pocket/location.
• I have several effects that require no table, some that do.
• I have read various publications and as much on the Café as I can, to learn about strolling.
• I have had this gig booked since April, and I have put a lot of thought and practice into it.

So no, I do not have a lot of experience with strolling. But that doesn't mean I am a newbie to magic who booked a gig and then a week before asked “what tricks should I buy for it?” I feel that I have prepared as much as I can for my first real gig in this genre of magic. Will I be perfect? Of course not. But a lot of what I have to learn, can only be learned by actually going out there and DOING the event and gaining experience.

I simply made this post to get a few last minute words of advice before I worked the gig.

To everyone, thank you.

With the edits, my above post does not make much sense. What am I clarifying/defending, if the original post insulting me has been deleted?

You guys might as well delete this whole thread.