Looking for ideas and routines for gospel magic to be done in the street. Any ideas?

Me too!

GB316 (welcome to The Magic Café...I see this is your first posting...hope you enjoy the fellowship that these forums bring)
and
mwong (welcome too...I see you are relatively new as well)

Anyway welcome to the forums...and especially the Fellowship of Christian Magicians one.

If you have access to the FCM website, (yes...you have to be a member) you can find the Oz & Wilde notes from 2008 that talked about Gospel Street Magic in the members section under FCM Library then Oz and Wilde. That includes our collective thinking on the subject, but since I know not everyone is a member...and it is something we are compassionate about, below you will find some of the things that are in the notes.

The effects mentioned were Creative Magic's "Change Cap" (www.creativemagic.net). Also there was a Street Magic set with a "Magician's Wallet" in it that is a velcro Himber-style wallet. The set is $30 (or at least was when we wrote the notes) and most of the things in the magic set are not wonderful, but the wallet is really kind of neat to work with...and looks a lot more "real" than most himber wallets do to the average person. http://brightproductsinc.com/index.php/S......let.html However, don't buy the set with the "magic baseball cap" as it is a knock off of the Creative Magic one...and doesn't work well at all.

Daniel Garcia has created a wonderful bill changing effect where a one dollar bill transforms to a five, then a ten, then a twenty…then…well you will have to see for yourself. The effect does not come with the cash you need to make the effect, but it is a fun process to learn how to make it. Great for a routine to talk about not being able to serve God and money.

Bob Sheets “It’s the Rules,” is also a great one that is done with a pair of dice (that you supply). The theme… “it’s the rules” flows throughout. Great to talk about the fact that there are rules in life…(ten commandments, giving your life to Christ, etc.) so it is a great attention grabber that you could work the message into.

Garcia and Sheets effect are both DVDs and can be found at many magic dealers.

Also, the notes talk about the High Caliber Holster – from http://www.highclaibermagic.com. There are a number of types of holsters available and they fit nicely under a jacket or open shirt. These are extremely well made from leather and keep your props in their place. You will need to practice with it during a performance to smoothly retrieve and replace items into the device, but the practice is well worth it. Also, you can have your show ready to go and just slip it on like a vest. The different harnesses range in price from around $160-$400. (again...those were the prices three years ago) That is a bit pricey I know for some, but if you are serious about walking around sharing...it is a great investment.

What not to do...

Since it is easier to point out what to avoid than it is to guess what will work best, the following are things to AVOID:
• Effects that involve and use fire. Fines are likely, audience members’ suing you when they get burned as the slightly damp from perspiration flash paper burns slower than expected and is blown into the audience and lands in their hair.
• Silks effects that play big and pack small, will get very dirty very quickly from the oils in your hands and the elements. Your hands are not going to stay clean outdoors and everything is going to “take in the elements.
• Flat things that set on stands are “wind targets” and will blow away. If you are going to do something with an envelope holding a prediction…then bring up someone to hold it.
• Darkly painted props. Nothing like reaching for something and burning your hand. Dark colors absorb heat and if you grab something hot…guess what…you will let go of it and it probably won’t be in a controlled fashion.
• Anything that requires you to wear a blindfold. When you take it off…the crowd will almost assuredly be much smaller than when you put it on in the first place.

So what is the best effect?

The effect Cups and Balls is probably one of the strongest street effect. (but be prepared to put in the effort to learn them before "taking them to the streets." They can be easily washed or polished. Now when selecting cups don’t use the one’s from England that are silver and gold plated or beautifully engraved. Those will really impress the folks in your magic clubs, but on the street people just won’t care and they won’t hold up. You won’t keep them in a nice bag between performances and they will get banged around a lot. Make sure you have along a duplicate set. If one cup gets dented somehow, you have three replacement cups. Furthermore, having extra balls for the routine is also a must. Those have a tendency to fly off the table and bounce into a crowd and “no one can find it.” Translation: Someone has a souvenir and they don’t want you to know.

Like with the cups, your “bag of tricks” should include duplicate props for your program. Things break and you probably won’t have a repair kit for everything with you.

Hope that helps with your creative juices...

><> J
Kif

I recently purchased from Sheldon Rhode's excellent website http://www.jestkidding.com Rev. Bill Baker's (former president of FCM) pdf ebook: "Taking It To The Streets". Please note: this book is NOT about Gospel street magic- the title is derived from the first trick in the book which uses all kinds of road sign pictures.

As soon as the weather turns warm in 2011, I am planning to attempt to do a little bit of "street magic" using Dean's Box and some other small effects in the beach community of St. Joseph, Michigan. I tried to get a "performers permit" in 2010- but apparently they were not available yet/all used up. Some would say go ahead and perform and then ask questions later- I wanted to go through the proper channels first although this particular beach area is enormous over several miles and is already home to all sorts of gaming activities, fishing, chess, sports, and vendors, commercial and otherwise. I will try to keep you posted with what happens- and what works for me at least- probably in June.

By the way, speaking of Bob Sheets, his three shell game "Bootcamp" DVD is the best routine I have ever seen using two peas (provided) and three bottle caps (also provided). I have at least 4 other DVDs on the topic of three shell game-this routine with practice regimen is really good as the performer simply displays the game- it does not involve "betting" or frustrating people guessing where the pea is. No getting a spectator upset or looking like this is a gambling scheme. It is more like a really good street demonstration. Denny and Lee's sell this DVD- the routine probably can be completely mastered working on it 1/2 hour a day for 30 days. See Denny's website for the youtube link to view the demonstration.

To see the demonstration of the Bob Sheet's "public service announcement" use of the 3 shell game, type in the search box at http://www.youtube.com "The 3 Shell game... From Bob's 3 Shell Boot Camp" and you'll see it. Amazing routine.

"A little fun, just now and then,
Is relished by the best of men.
If you have nerve, you may have plenty;
Five draws you ten, and ten draws twenty.
Attention given, I'll show to you,
How 'Umbrella' hides the peek-a-boo.
Select your shell, the one you choose;
If right, you win; if not, you lose;
The game itself is lots of fun,
Jim's chances, though, are two to one;
And I tell you your chance is slim
To win a prize from Umbrella Jim."
--"Umbrella Jim" Miner

Three shells is a well known con game and like cups and balls...is well worth the effort to learn it. A lesser known game of "chance" is the game Fast and Loose which is played with a chain. You can learn about this at
http://www.chefanton.com/scoundrelsstore/fl_notes.htm
I've always thought using the chain to represent sin and if you are a born again Christian...sin has no hold on you. Or something like that. I have a chain, but yet to develop a routine.

However, while this is good for a few people, as is the shell game, it is probably best for drawing a crowd...but when you have one, you need to be ready to go with larger things.

><> J

First, do you believe that this is something God is calling you to, not Gospel magic, but evangelizing on the street? Do you feel anointed by God to evangelize?

You don't necessarily need to present Gospel magic tricks on the street to be able to speak to others about Christ. You only need a humble and servant heart that has been anointed by God to be his hands and feet. You can use mainstream magic and use one trick that will help get the conversation about God started.

This may be a strange question, but have you ever gone out and witnessed or evangelized for Christ without the use of entertainment, such as magic?

If you are just out to be able to show off some cool tricks and then justify it by using Gospel patter, I'm afraid it may do more harm than good. If you are serious about witnessing or evangelizing on the streets you can PM me. I will privately share some info with you.

I have the fast and loose DVD put out by School for Scoundrels- in my view- it is the only why to learn the fast and loose trick. I have the separate spiral bound instruction set that came with the chain- but it is one of those tricks that is hard to understand via print and photos. Easy to follow on the DVD, I have never learned the involved poem that is on the DVD demonstration. The chain is the wierdest thing- you basically learn how to throw it- and with just a slight repositioning of the chain in relation to the index finger, it is "loose" both loops. Bizarre- fun to play around with for sure- and much, much easier to learn and master than the three shell game. I picked up the basic "fast and loose" moves maybe after a couple of hours most, that's pretty fast.

From the Notes again...

Celebrating my birthday in April of 2008, my family took me to Santa Monica to one of my favorite restaurants, Ye Olde King's Head, an English pub that has great food and even better atmosphere. While we were there, we walked down the 3rd Street Promenade. There were several folks out on the street, a young girl singing while her sound man, likely her father, sat on the side. There was a gent with a monkey who for a buck would tip his hat and shake your hand. There was a couple playing music and selling their CDs. A few guys were doing break dancing (I think it is still called that). All of these folks were gathering a crowd. Then, I saw three guys standing in a spot, sharing the gospel, and it didn't appear anyone was listening. Clearly no one was gathered around or for that matter giving them any attention.

Kif shares: Celebrating my birthday in April of 2008, my family took me to Santa Monica to one of my favorite restaurants, Ye Olde King's Head, an English pub that has great food and even better atmosphere. While we were there, we walked down the 3rd Street Promenade. There were several folks out on the street, a young girl singing while her soundman, likely her father, sat on the side. There was a gent with a monkey who for a buck would tip his hat and shake your hand. There was a couple playing music and selling their CDs. A few guys were doing break dancing (I think it is still called that). All of these folks were gathering a crowd. Then, I saw three guys standing in a spot, sharing the gospel, and it didn't appear anyone was listening. Clearly no one was gathered around or for that matter giving them any attention.

Why? Well, first off they were not doing anything to attract a crowd. "You need to confess your sins and let Jesus into your life." Great message…unsuccessful delivery. Yes we know the message will not go out void. But is it always really going out? Communication is a two way street. We fail to communicate when the intended audience isn't paying attention.

Some evangelists using magic to do street outreach may use illusion successfully to draw a crowd, but when the "magic stops" and the gospel is then being shared, it is common for the audience to wander away. Much like a seasoned street performer depending on tips at the end of their performance, things are required to "hold the crowd" until the end. (end)


Now why I don't think it is necessary to use magic to evangelize, it can certainly be a way to draw people in an "on the street" situation. My friend Mark Spence, who works for Ray Comfort, does a great dLite routine to gather a crowd, but doesn't do "gospel magic." So it can be used either way.

I agree with Gospel Dan in the sense that if you want to do this...you have to have a heart for street evangelism first and foremost.

><> J

As for Fast and Loose...you can change the old rhyme as Umbrella Jim did to the shells (from the three card monte version) to fit the chain...

A little fun, just now and then,
Is relished by the best of men.
If you have nerve, you may have plenty;
Five draws you ten, and ten draws twenty.
Attention given, I'll show to you,
A simple game called Fast and Loose.
Select a loop, the one you choose;
If right, you win; if not, you lose;
The game itself is lots of fun,
The chance is simply one to one;
But to beat me, you likely will not gain
For it is I who controls the chain.

Something like that...I'd use the line as a way to explain how the con artist draw in the mark, like sin draws in the sinner. Pondering this, you might get a cross...and when they play with the cross...they don't lose...but if they try to do it with their hand...they get caught up.

I don't know...something to think about.

><> J

><> J

If you know a 3 Card Monte routine, with or without gaffed cards, you can fool the spectator with the routine and then follow up with the King of Hearts effect from Dock Haley Magic.

"You seem to be having difficulty in making the right choice. I am going to make this easy for you to choose correctly. All you have to do is select the King of Hearts from these three cards and I won't even mix them up." Spectator selects the Jesus card. "Well that is the best choice you have made today - and the best choice you can make for a lifetime and beyond"

I also have altered Umbrella Jim's patter to suit the 3 Card Monte routine.

A little fun, just now and then,
Is relished by the best of men.
If you have the nerve, and you may have plenty;
Five draws you ten, and ten draws twenty.
I'll will show you with a style most jaunty,
A simple game called 3 card Monte.
Select the King, the one you choose;
If you’re right, you win; if not, you lose;
The game itself is lots of fun.
The chance is simply three to one;
But to beat me, will be very hard,
For I am the one who controls the cards.

Doug

Wow- don't know if you saw Denny and Lee's email newsletter dated 2-4-2011- it had on it all kinds of really good street magic DVDs and books. It was called the "Street Magic Newsletter". Email Denny at the Denny and Lee Magic Studio and I'm sure he'd be happy to send it to anyone so interested.