Hey all,
I was just wondering what tricks you do when working on NYE? I have a gig tonight at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City and need help picking my effects. Just kidding. I am working at the casino tonight though and I was wondering what you all do when working? Here's my list that I've been using on NYE at my casino for the past 6 years:

Sponge Bunnies
Ambitious Card to Kennedy Box
Multiple Selection Routine
Ultimate 3 Card Monte
Fli**er coins across
Pearl Poodle
Chop Cup

I realize it's a small list, but I don't even get the chance to do all of the tricks at each table. I usually do like 2 tricks and move on to somewhere else. What do you all do on NYE?

Do you do a magic routine with the pearl poodle?

I do Daniel Cros' routine. It was in an old Magic magazine. I'm not going to describe the effect, but it's a killer.

Just do your normal stuff...why try and change just because its a holiday?

That's my point. Those are my normal routines. You'll notice that I only listed 7. These are the 7 that I do ALL of the time and have been doing for the past 6 years. The only thing that I add in on NYE is the Pearl Poodle because I give it away as a good luck charm at the casino. I was just wondering what everyone else does.

Avoid NYE shows... people all got too drunk. I remember one show of the Army Officer's Club and before we even started they were all S-Faced and could care less about watching a variety show.

Close-up will often play better than stage magic for the drunken NYE crowd, as long as you can manage a drunk like a bartender could, and not by being a victim, like a punching bag clown.

I also came to learn to book hours earlier, BEFORE most people were snockered. There is a HUGE difference between buzzed and drunk, in spite of the DUI implications. Anything before 10:30 pm is usually ok. People are still happy and not lacquered to a frazzle. I prefer to be paid and long gone by the time the ball drops.

Normal show set is the best bet. It's likely how you got noticed for the gig anyway. Verbal references to the special event is more than enough make it topical.

I worked the New Year's Eve show at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Houston for several years. I left when the old restaurant manager left.

It took some special performance management skills to work this gig, because the restaurant was a relatively small room, and they booked a blues band to play near one end of the restaurant.

I did my same standard items -- along with one or two "specials" for the discriminating group. The audience was, generally speaking, a well-behaved group. Most of them could handle alcohol without difficulty. I never had a problem with a drunk in that restaurant.

I worked the part of the room that was furthest from the band while they were playing, then during their breaks, I would work the tables that were closest to the band area.

In order to protect myself from the drunken drivers, my agreement with the management was that I was to be able to leave at 11:30, so I had about an hour's head start on the hard core boozers.

NYE events can be a lot of fun...but can also be a major pain the arse! This will be the 3rd year in a row that I have NOT worked on NYE...all by choice! I passed off 3 possible gigs this year to other performers...

There are way too many drunks and crazy people are out and about driving around the streets. Plus, in my experience, the only thing that "most" people really want to do on NYE is get S-Faced with their friends and could care less about a Magician.

Also, every NYE Event that I have ever played has always had several bands playing...sometimes at the same time in different areas and I can't compete with that noise and won't try too.

But the main reason, is that ever since I became a dad, I would just rather be at home with my family and toast the ball dropping on Midnight. I'm ok with that.

I'm not saying that I WON'T work on NYE...I just choose not too. I have set my fee for NYE of $10,000 for a full evening of entertainment. I have done that for two reasons. When I tell 98% of people calling for that date what I'm going to bill for the night, it usually fixes the problem...b/c they won't pay it.

However...someone may actually say YOUR HIRED! In which case...I'M SO THERE! It's gonna have to be worth it to me to do anything on NYE.

Christopher

I've worked a family-friendly event for the past few years and I'll be back again next NYE. I perform a stand-up kid show a couple of times and perform close-up between shows and afterward. The time flies when I'm there! I don't have to deal with drunks.

The close-up list includes:

Sponge Bunnies
5 Card Mystery (a Frank Garcia routine being sold by Aldo Colombini)
Slydini Silks
My favorite card routine that involves comedy, a card change, a mental selection and CTW
Fiber Optics
Ringing Around, Too
Chop Cup

I wrap up at 11:30, so I'm able to get home before most of the drunks hit the road.

I don't work NYE because people usually have to be too drunk and I like to be one of them!
Im with Lyle, don't change your stuff, do your regular routines and they will enjoy as in your regular gigs.
My best,
Hansel!

First year in 6 that I did not have a NYE gig. I did work the real job, double-time.

For all of those who have PM'ed me about learning the Pearl Poodle routine, you can find it here:
http://www.magicmagazine.com/catalog/pro......s_id=149

It belongs to Daniel Cros and I learned it from that issue. I cannot give the routine away and for $6 the magazine is a steal.

I had a busy New Year Eve....

4 balloon Drops at the Hard Rock Casino.
2 balloon drops with exploder effect balloons for a NYE Wedding
2 balloon Drops at a sushi Bar
2 Decor archways,1 huge balloon drop & 4 exploders
3 balloon artists twisting in a city park for a First Night Non alcoholic celebration 8 - 11pm

Rushed of to the next city to do my night club gig 11:45 - 3am Twisting balloons hats and shooting balloons over the crowd or 4,000 people.

That's a huge night!

I was going to say that Mark Byrne is the James Brown of magic. But, then I realized there actually is a James Brown in magic. I'll just say Mark is the "hardest working man in magic". Or, I could just shut up.

I FEEEL GOOOOD!!!

EEEEOOOOOOWWWWW!!