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mmreed Inner circle Harrisburg, PA 1432 Posts |
A lot of good advice here.
My suggestion is to take a look at some of Jim Pace's work http://www.shopmagicvault.com/Restaurant......155.html He pretty wrote the "bible" on table hopping and restaurant/bar work. Check out Bruce Kalver and Jim Sisti as well - both offer some great table hopping material. Why try to reinvent the wheel when these guys have already mapped out a path to success...
Mark Reed
Wedding and Event Entertainment |
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Vick Inner circle It's taken me 10+ years to make 1120 Posts |
Hmmm I guess I break the rules
But as Maskelyne says if you have a good enough reason Psss go Google Maskelyne and you'll be lead to a very important book
Unique, Thought Provoking & Amazing Magical Entertainment Experiences
Illusions By Vick Blog of a real world working magician Magic would be great, if not for magicians |
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RodHousley New user 51 Posts |
I have to say that bar gigs were one of the hardest environments: Drinking, stumbling, dancing, loud music, loud audience, etc. Don't get down on yourself if something doesn't work, it may not have been your fault. I mean, you can't blame other aspects of the job all the time, I'm just saying that the environment lends itself to a number mistakes happening that wouldn't happen normally.
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acer New user 70 Posts |
The dvd prohibition I and II (provisions) teaches good tricks for a bar like sobriety test, cap stab,signed coin in a bottle, cap in the bottle.
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Mysterious Mike Loyal user Chicago 258 Posts |
There are so many great effects to do in a bar. "Prohibition" of course comes to mind. Coin bite, Water to Beer, anything using "loops", any ring flight, "pyro kenisis" (igniting a match book with your mind), stigmata, ivanish, I guess anything that requires little talk, is very visual, and fast to perform.
The performance is what really makes it all worth while.
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Phil Tawa Regular user Mass. 103 Posts |
I learned close up in the bars. Best classroom you could have. All types of people all types of surprises and quick thinking situations. Even ones you can take advantage of like mirrors in the room,over hearing something etc.
Things I remember doing in the beginning. Small Billiards about one and a half inches. Made a special routine with S. and two balls. T.T. Wrap dollar around it and pull the cone off. Produce a T.T. Streamer. Hopping Half,Sandsational, Professors Nightmare,Sponge stuff,Ellis Ring and Ribbon,CardToon. When I learned you could still smoke in the bars so I did a few cigarette tricks. Paddle tricks. Stay away from the hot rod,there are so many more to pick from.If you want to grow some brass ones learn in the bars. Don't drink,it doesn't make for good sleight of hand. |
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scaevola Loyal user 251 Posts |
Don't forget that rolled up napkins can work as sponge balls in a pinch. It always looks great when you can grab something off the bar and do magic. I was in a bar the other night and there were some rubber bands in the pen jar by the register. A few rubber band effects later and I had a crowd of drunks flipping out. Good times, though you gotta watch your lighting with the bands, it can get too dark to see them.
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oOMagiiCOo New user 74 Posts |
I agree that the trick needs to be very quick but something that will remain in their minds. I don't know your level of magic but try some of the street magic tricks that David Blaine does.
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Billie Bonkers New user 22 Posts |
I have spent a long time busking bars! I agree with all the effect advised.
ALways good to use quick card effects which are done in the spectators hand. I always finished my stay at tables with a chop cup routine - but here is my advise make a small,round felt pad just a bit largerr than your cup and use this as a mat. Often tables can be wet! and the wood can be bad news for your cup. When I lived in Paris I used to stand outside of the window and do a scarf vanish or a rope effect then go in with a hat!!! Good luck to you bars can be great! |
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Jay Mack New user 6 Posts |
Some really great advice here, I will add one thing about the NO drinking rule, don't be afraid to have one, especially if your nervous (nothing like a nice cold beer to clam you down). 1 or two drinks should not be enough to diminish your abilities (depending on how much of a drinker you are of course) just be sensible, you know your body so go with what it tells you.
To me the most important part of performing in bars (depending on the bar) is crowd management, as was mentioned previously people will try and grab your cards or props, girls may take a liking to you etc etc, I wouldnt be nervous about performing the sleight with perfect precision as due to lighting and mass alcohol consumption people don't tend to see everything that's going on, ive had people see me do something (or beleive they saw me do something) that never actually happened and vice versa, they missed the whole thing whilst staring at my hands. Alcohol can be your friend, you can perform some amazing tricks without actually doing anything but just by making them believe something happened. People in pubs and bars are there for one reason, to enjoy themselves so the most important thing you can do is look like your having fun to, you will find your demeanor and attitude play a big part of whether they like you or not. Go out have fun and just enjoy what your doing. Oh by the way if this is a paid gig in a top class restaurant or posh bar, scrap everything I said, your not there for fun your there to work, so work. haha. Good luck to you. |
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kasper Loyal user 253 Posts |
Yup yup flash paper is excellent in the bar. But do be careful with it. It also stops heckling. Since I often use it first if I bring flash paper along. Manipulations and flurries with coins are excellent. Try to stay away from story tricks or effects with a lot of talking. You can still use them if have the right audience and the conditions are right. Ive had lots of experience performing in bars and I think its a lot of fun. But yeah the attention span is a challenge.
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kasper Loyal user 253 Posts |
Oh excellent advice from Ben Simon....Dont have anything in you pockets. Like as in "props." You might meet a nice girl and you might get close with one another. She might start feeling around and notice all the "crap" in your pockets. Then you come across as a complete dork. Trust me I learned in my earlier days. Then later on I was with one of my girlfriends and she saw other magician with all that "crap" he brought with him. She said "I glad you don't have to bring stuff with you to "perform." Try to use a deck from the bar if you have too also..... But then again this just my opinion.
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iluzjonista Regular user 187 Posts |
If you are going to met girls after then I agree you should not carry too much staff with you but any mind reading tricks (as Multidimentional, Probe) are killer weppons for cheeks at the bar:-)
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MagikDavid Loyal user Cincinnati, OH 297 Posts |
When I used to bar hop (many years ago,) I learned how to handle the drinking thing. Before I'd break out the magic, I would make an agreement with the bartender that whenever I'd order a Rum & Coke (or if anyone in audience ordered one for me,) he'd pour a regular coke and put a swizzle stick in it. As the night rolled on, the audience would keep buying me drinks, hoping that I'd become sloppy and expose my secrets. I played this to the hilt... acting the part of someone getting tipsy (gradually slurring words, dropping more and more cards during the shuffles, saying inappropriate things to a guy's girlfriend and immediately apologizing, etc.)Even though they thought I was about to get real sloppy... I never did. They were so frustrated by the time I left, they couldn't wait to see me again the following week. I had a lot of fun with this cherade and it helped me gain confidence with audience control. I had them just where I wanted them.
One good thing about being wrong...
Is the pleasure it brings to others. |
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valueduser New user Batavia, ny 77 Posts |
One suggestion I would make is to try and do effects that can stay in your hands. If the place is busy make sure not to get in the bartender's way. I've seen a couple of magicians that have not been asked back because they were taking up valuable bar top real estate. Not to mention, it's really easy to end up ruining your props in a puddle of beer. David Stone's the real secrets of magic dvds contain a lot of effects that work well in bars and restaurants. David Williamson's cocktail dazzler from his magic farm video is also killer... not really one I am able to do unfortunately.
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