The Magic Cafe Forums - Do you think kid show magicians are looked down upon in the magic community?

My inspiration for becoming a magician (specifically a card and billiard ball manipulator) was Sweden Carlo Tornedo, and most people probably think of me as a classic stage manipulation person. However, I worked as a media specialist for many years in a primary grade school (pre-K to Grade 2 only) not only producing TV shows starring the kids, but also telling them stories as old as "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves." I have never looked down on kid show magicians. In my teens, I did a lot of children's birthday parties with classic kid show tricks like "Fraidy Cat Rabbit," but also the classic manipulation effects like the linking rings (with all the figures, including "Mickey Mouse"--aka the pretzel.

It also helped, I'm sure, that Bob McAllister was living in my home town--Norfolk, Virginia--when I first became interested in magic and hanging out with magicians at two magic clubs that met at Earl Edwards's Magic Shop. I'm sure, too, that demonstrating the Adams and Royal magic tricks that were sold to kids in the front of the store also helped me appreciate what it means to entertain kids--although there was that one kid who grabbed a Hoo coin out of my hand one day and ripped a gash in my thumb...

I think what I like most about doing magic for children is that a lot of them still believe--or want to believe--in magic. My Magic Café logon name--Anatole--comes from an episode of "Dick Powell Theater" about a nightclub magician who also entertained children at hospitals and other places.

I think of some of the truly great names in magic--from Al Flosso to Don Alan--and I think for the most part they all had respect for children's entertainers and truly enjoyed doing magic for kids. I've mentioned before the time--after a World Magic Seminar--when a bunch of magicians gathered in the den of an IBM Ring 50 member's house in Maryland--and Del Ray asked us to help bring in his complete close-up act so that he could entertain my friend's children. I'm attaching a jpeg from that gathering. Obviously Del Ray--America's Foremost--enjoyed doing magic for kids. It was truly a magical occasion.

----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez

Click here to view attached image.

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David Kaye V.I.P. New York City 131 Posts	Posted: Jan 21, 2012 06:25 pm 0 Quote: On 2012-01-21 13:08, Mr. Pitts wrote: perhaps there's resentment because they can't do kid shows and there's a lot of work they're missing out on. Maybe they're busting their knuckles on a perfect double-lift but nobody but other card guys appreciate it Interesting point I hadnt thought of. Thanks to you and all the responses. David Kaye / Silly Billy www.sillymagic.com
Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts	Posted: Jan 21, 2012 09:16 pm 0 My inspiration for becoming a magician (specifically a card and billiard ball manipulator) was Sweden Carlo Tornedo, and most people probably think of me as a classic stage manipulation person. However, I worked as a media specialist for many years in a primary grade school (pre-K to Grade 2 only) not only producing TV shows starring the kids, but also telling them stories as old as "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves." I have never looked down on kid show magicians. In my teens, I did a lot of children's birthday parties with classic kid show tricks like "Fraidy Cat Rabbit," but also the classic manipulation effects like the linking rings (with all the figures, including "Mickey Mouse"--aka the pretzel. It also helped, I'm sure, that Bob McAllister was living in my home town--Norfolk, Virginia--when I first became interested in magic and hanging out with magicians at two magic clubs that met at Earl Edwards's Magic Shop. I'm sure, too, that demonstrating the Adams and Royal magic tricks that were sold to kids in the front of the store also helped me appreciate what it means to entertain kids--although there was that one kid who grabbed a Hoo coin out of my hand one day and ripped a gash in my thumb... I think what I like most about doing magic for children is that a lot of them still believe--or want to believe--in magic. My Magic Café logon name--Anatole--comes from an episode of "Dick Powell Theater" about a nightclub magician who also entertained children at hospitals and other places. I think of some of the truly great names in magic--from Al Flosso to Don Alan--and I think for the most part they all had respect for children's entertainers and truly enjoyed doing magic for kids. I've mentioned before the time--after a World Magic Seminar--when a bunch of magicians gathered in the den of an IBM Ring 50 member's house in Maryland--and Del Ray asked us to help bring in his complete close-up act so that he could entertain my friend's children. I'm attaching a jpeg from that gathering. Obviously Del Ray--America's Foremost--enjoyed doing magic for kids. It was truly a magical occasion. ----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez Click here to view attached image. ----- Sonny Narvaez
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