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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I was hired to do a family magic show in a church. Before the show started I was warned several times that they were a fundamental christian church, and they did not want me to do anything controversial. Did they think that I was going to use four letter words for a family audience in a church? At the end of my show they all thanked me for following their wishes, and had no idea that I did not alter my show in any way for them.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
PCoreyB Regular user 139 Posts |
I toured the church circuit for 17 years and believe me I've heard it all. I've had people see pictures in my promo and ask me NOT to do a certain trick...the head chopper was one of those. My question was always why did they book me in the first place? I didn't ask that out loud but to myself. We just did the best we could and gave them the best program possible so next time they wouldn't be so paranoid AND they'd give us a good reference to their friends and colleagues.
I think sometimes people book you and then get a little scared later that maybe it wasn't such a good idea and they try to "cover" themselves just to be sure. Just a guess...who knows why people do what they do. |
Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
Being a fundamentalist sympathizer myself, I can guess that they wanted to make sure there would be no presentations of hard-core mentalism, bizarre magic, seance, or spiritism. These things are understandably associated with magicians, and perhaps the customers wanted to make sure certain lines would not be crossed.
???
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
Robin DeWitt Regular user 187 Posts |
I am probably speaking out of school here but I would think that if one bills oneself as a gospel magician one would have taken into cosideration that certain things, ie bizarre, hardcore mentalism, spiritism, etc. would be verboten and therefore not included in the venue. But that's just me.
I am the fakir, you....
<BR>Robin DeWitt |
Darkwing Inner circle Nashville Tn 1850 Posts |
Some of the best advice I have ever gotten was from Steve Varro and Duane Laflin on doing church shows. Keep it light, family friendly. If you use cards, either use number cards, animal, or charater cards. Doc Haley Gospel Magic can help you out with that. Don't do dissection tricks. You may want to do one trick that is a reveal such as a simple mentalism trick. This lets the audience know that you are just a regular entertainer and there is a logical explation of what you are doing and that you are not in league with the devil.
Christians are like any other group. They love to laugh and have fun. Just don't bring your 20th Century Bra Trick or anything that would offend your grandmother or great aunt. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Kardor
I bill myself as a children, and family juggler/magician. Darkwing How are you doing buddie?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
Al:
Its hard to know exactly what they were concerned about, but some of the above is probably on target. I would just ask them to be specific, or outline your show for them.
Breathtaking Magic;
Not Breath Taking |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
John how are you doing buddie?
Whatever they were concerned about I did not cross the line, and they paid me. I just thought it was funny to ask a childrens magician to keep it clean.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
jkvand Special user Johnstown, PA 658 Posts |
As a pastor and a magician, I have run into this from both ends, and sometimes they are vague because they aren't the ones who have a problem with anything that you do. It is Mr. and Mrs. Smith or Jones, or who knows who. I have planned events before that I thought would be wonderful (and they were!) but SOMEBODY in the congregation had an issue about such and such, and it is just hard to please everybody. So, when a booker seems to be covering themselves, they probably are doing just that, and they aren't very specific because it is hard to say what will offend who in a large group of people. And sadly, Christians can be more narrow-minded about some things than others (and I say this AS a Christian), so it is often hard to predict what may or may not be an issue! Sounds like you did a great job, Al!
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PCoreyB Regular user 139 Posts |
Jkvand probably hit the nail on the head. I'm a children's pastor but my senior pastor is definitely more concerned when somebody in the church expresses a concern over something.
I have a friend from 20 years back that ran into a bit of criticism over his magic in a church and so he totally quit doing magic in churches and never used it as a ministry tool again. Don't let that happen to you...keep the faith!! |
Darkwing Inner circle Nashville Tn 1850 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-04-02 18:44, Al Angello wrote: Al, Thank you for the note. I am doing well and keeping very busy. I hope this note finds you equally well. Good to see you on the MC. David |
Darkwing Inner circle Nashville Tn 1850 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-04-02 11:25, Al Angello wrote: Well Al I hit the wrong quote. Must be age? David |
PCoreyB Regular user 139 Posts |
David:
Like Indiana Jones said...it's not the years it's the mileage. |
revmike Special user Annville, PA 646 Posts |
Hi Al,
Since most of the time the people hiring me know I am a Pastor, most of the time I am never questioned or even asked about what I do being appropriate - but every now and then I also run into a person who wants to know exactly what I will be doing, etc. I always make it a point if it is a church I am not familiar with to ask a few pertinent questions just to make sure I know what is acceptable for them, particularly if I am not doing just an "audience and kid friendly show" but an actual Gospel presentation - I always want to know the theology of the church so there are no issues. Had a great weekend show this past weekend with the Salvation Army but had a very brief discussion with the Major of the unit before designing the show Take care and nice to hear from you Al MIke
The magic is not in our sleights and illusions, but instead in our ability to bring love and joy.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Revmike
Thank you, your approval is very important to me, because you have actually attended one of my shows. See you in November Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
I completely understand a churches perspective on this matter, but I think it is something that should be taken care of before the contract is signed. If churches are going to hire a magician I believe they should ask the appropriate questions when negotiating the booking. It isn't fair to either party to wait until the performer arrives at the venue to give the 'warning'. If it discussed up front, before anything is settled, then both parties will have a clear understanding of what is expected. If the magcician feels they cannot comply with the churches wishes, they should bow out.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents. I understand churches' concerns, and I have no problem with them asking me questions, or telling me their expectations as long as it is up front. However, I would not like to be put on the spot 30 minutes before show time. Regan
Mister Mystery
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Regan
How are you doing old friend? My agent guaranteed that I was appropriate, and I agreed to the same thing when I showed up, but I have nothing to hide. I must come to the good news more ofter if only to talk to my friends.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Darkwing Inner circle Nashville Tn 1850 Posts |
Al,
Same here, its good to see old friends on the MC. David |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-04-07 11:55, Al Angello wrote: Hi Al. I'm doing ok......thanks for asking. It's good to converse with you again.
Mister Mystery
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