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Aaron Smith Magic Inner circle Portland, OR 1447 Posts |
So, I performed at an event yesterday in Portland and it was incredible. I had performed at one of these events before, however it was not quite the same this time around. At the prior events I had a table set up and people would come up in small groups as I would perform a small set. This time, as I set up my table, crowds started to form in a manner I have never experienced before... Out of nowhere.. I was busking!!! Out of my 10 years of performing, I have to say that I have never performed Street Magic in that manner before. Honestly, I really liked it a lot! I could certainly see myself doing this on a regular basis. Not quite a full time busker, but maybe a weekend thing.
Anyhow, since I was not quite expecting that type of performing conditions, I was not to prepared as far as material was concerned. I made do with what I had on me, which was as follows; 1. A rope routine (played very well) 2. Needle through balloon (played very big, and got great reactions) 3. Crazy Man's Handcuffs (If you can believe that!, I used a child from the audience to help me, and they got to keep the rubber bands at the end). 4. A Two Card Transposition (I played it with two spectators on opposite sides of the crowd. It played HUGE) These are items I would normally do in a walk around setting, with the exception of the Needle Through Balloon. My question is this, These routines played very well for me, but I would like to expand my "busking" repertoire, and I'm trying to think of effects that would play well. The Cups & Balls are an obvious choice, but I would like some others, if possible. Would anyone care to share what has worked well for them? I'm not asking for people's routines, I'm just looking for a good starting point. Thanks! Here is a picture of me getting thrown into the deep end of the pool of busking! |
Aaron Smith Magic Inner circle Portland, OR 1447 Posts |
I forgot to mention that I have all 3 of the Cellini videos (EXCELLENT Videos), as well as Gazzo's Streetwise, and Peter Wardell's Crowdpuller from rsvpmagic. All of these videos are a wealth of knowledge, and honestly if it wasn't for those videos I probably would have failed miserably yesterday.
It seems that the standard effects for a busker are cups & balls, rope magic, ambitious card, and cigarette magic. So I should clarify that I was hoping to here of effects that those have used that are not typical busking routines. Thanks! |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Lots of card tricks can play well. those that have seen Simon Lovell's Cards Across would probably agree that it would do very well on the street.
Slydini Silks half-dyed hank linking rings ... there are tons of them. do what you love doing and make it work on the street.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Aaron,
Rule number one, take the stuff you do well now and do that! DO NOT worry about 'tricks' that work well on the street. That is for guys learning to do magic AS WELL as learning how to street perform. Sounds like you are an established, and currently working, professional entertainer, is this correct? If so, just do the voo-doo you do so well. Learning 'street tricks' would TAKE AWAY from your act. For the record almost ALL of the stuff you did in your act are street tricks that established guys have been performing for in some cases decades. Sounds like you had fun, stay true to your performing character, continue to work on the stuff you all ready do well and adapt that to the street environment. I might suggest a couple of books to go along with the videos. The first 30 pages of Jim Cellini's Royal Touch is still the best primer for learning to perform on the street, The Art of Krowd Keeping written by Myself and James in LA for Gazzo is a great book on street performing. I do not make a dime on the sale of that book and never have, I recommend it because I truly believe it is a fantastic book to get started on the street. A lot of the stuff in it has been copied from what I have been told by several guys who have written busking books so at least some of it must have been good! Chris Capeharts lecture nots on street performing are great, Street Magic by Michael Rubinstein is great for getting started, I'm a big fan of Whit Haydn's notes on street work, and I LOVE Gary McKibbin's book on street magic. ottom line is there is A TON of good material out there right now for you to learn from. More than there ever has been. There is also some junk...Pick any book from the above list and it will get you started on teh right road. But really, bottom line is, what you are doing right now is PERFECT for YOU to be doing on the street. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
Sir Richard Special user 650 Posts |
If it ain't broke, don't fix it, & it ain't broke! If it works then you're doing it right! I must confess that I'm jealous!
Sir Richard.
"In the land of Murphy there is but ONE law!"
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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Congratulations, Aaron.
As others have said, what you are doing worked well. The routines in your first post are all what I call stand-up material. That's the way I work; no table. That way you have minmal gear to cart and easy-to-replace and inexpensive gear. You can work anywhere. Cups and balls and card tricks that need a table bring in complications - extra bulk, extra weight, knowing when to be in front of a table and behind it [Kozmo talks about this on his DVD]. So think of any future props in these terms. Work the way that suits your style. Jimmy Talksalot's book on Street Magican work, called "To Lure with Spectacle" is a frank and useful book, with the second section being about the ethics etc. of street work.
The presentation makes the magic.
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SilvaAce Regular user Fargo, ND 156 Posts |
Looking at your picture makes me want to go out right now!!!
Thanks for posting it and your story. I can feel the adrenaline right now!
All you have to do to change your life, is to change your daily habits!
Carlos Silva |
Aaron Smith Magic Inner circle Portland, OR 1447 Posts |
Thank you so much for the kind words and all the excellent advice! This is my first post in the busking forum, and you guys have been very welcoming and kind.
Frank, thank you so much for chiming in. I have always enjoyed reading your posts, and I really appreciate your advice. The Slydini Silks would play perfectly, and I'm thinking that Whit Hayden's 4 ring routine would play really well also. I already perform the rings close-up, so I could easily format it to play on the street. Danny, thank you so much for the advice, it is truly appreciated. I couldn't agree with you more, to use material that I know well. I am an established full time performer that has never once worked on the street like that. This is kind of where I was coming from.. I was looking for people to share what effects worked for them, hoping that there were a few that already existed in my close-up or stand-up repertoire. For instance, Frank mentioned the Slydini Silks, and I used to perform that in formal close-up shows, now I can resurrect my presentation of that, and work it on the street. Thanks again, Frank! I never would have thought of using the Slydini Silks, or the Rings. I certainly do not want to change any of the routines I performed, I just want to add to them. The reason for that is because after each performance, when people would put money in the hat, a lot of people were saying "Is that it"? Which is a good thing, and a bad thing. Good because I must have done something right, as that statement tells me that they wanted to see more! And bad, because I could have held them longer and built a larger crowd, which translates to more $$. So, I'm just trying to get an idea of what would be good to add to what I currently am doing. Danny, I couldn't agree with you more about how much junk there is on the market these days.. I really appreciate the advice on books, and I will definitely be checking those out, as I would much rather read, than watch magic videos. Thank you again! I have been performing professionally for some time, and I have to say that busking was such an amazing experience. I absolutely love the freedom of street magic. Being able to set up just about anywhere and entertain a crowd. It is SO much fun! I am used to wearing a suit and strolling around a cocktail party, or doing stand-up comedy shows in a corporate setting. Busking is an ENTIRELY different situation, and I love it! Thank you again to everyone who posted responses, you guys are awesome! |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-08-19 13:32, Aaron Smith Magic wrote: Whit's routine was BORN on the street and it SHOCKS me that there is barely anyone doing it. THIS IS A GREAT STREET ROUTINE ONE OF THE BEST! If you have it in your current arsenal this is a GREAT closer for a street show. With what you are all ready doing that would be a GREAT 20-25 minute show. The awesome thing about Whit's routine for a street environment is it starts with a spectator helping which is a natural build, has some WONDERFUL comedic moments (DELIVERY SKILL REQUIRED! ), and ends with you alone on the stage with a fantastic applause cue and a great opportunity to GTFM <--Get the funny munny! All of that being said, sounds like you got yourself a great street show right there. Just get out and break it in! Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
My advice:
1) Listen to Danny. 2) Whit's routine was born on the street and get Whit's book too. (He used to switch out one of the rings after his street shows b/c people wanted to see the rings!) 3) Don't tell anyone where that pitch is. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Aaron Smith Magic Inner circle Portland, OR 1447 Posts |
Awesome! I used to work Whit's ring routine in a parlour setting, so it'll be really easy to get back into it. I think this set is really going to do well. I'll definitely keep you guys posted the next time I go out.
Jim, I definitely won't tell anyone about that pitch.. it really is an amazing spot hidden in Portland. The cool thing about busking in Portland is that there is hardly anyone doing it!! In fact, I don't think there is anyone doing it at all. Thank you for the words of advice Jim, and thank you Danny you have been great! |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
My pleasure believe me! I love to see somebody excited about it!
best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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