I rarely do these .. but I was invited to stroll for the night at a special event in another town. Kind of formal (dress code in effect, etc) but loud with many bands.

I wont go over too much of what I do already (cards, coins, silks, penetrations, etc)

Just wanted to get a few quick tips (refresher) for some good effects for this particular setting.

The host contacted me and asked if there was anything I needed (i.e - asked if I needed a card in the cash register .. lol). Or if I wanted the stage for an effect. I may utilize both these offers to y advantage.

Any ideas?

Depends how loud the music is and whether there are tables you can entertain at.

Take the stage if it's offered you and pick routines that use folks from around the room so more are involved.

First off congats on the gig bro...

wow this is a hard situation to perform in but it can be done.
I usually pick routines that are visual that I can do without words.
I also find out what type of music is being played (research the bands
and get some of the songs they do) and put routines together with the music.

if there is more then one band then there will be set up and break down lulls
that is your time to shine.

If nobody is expecting anything but a band on stage do yourself a favor and forget the stage.

If you have not worked on stage effects up until now do yourself a favor and forget the stage.

If the show is set up to be "loud with many bands" that means the stage is going to be full of music gear, which in my experience nobody in any of those bands is going to let you lay a finger on.

If you were asked to stroll, stroll.

Thanks.

I was asked to do some stage stuff. The guy even asked if I needed a stooge. Interesting. I have a myriad of ideas.

What would you guys do with a stooge in this environment. Formal, bands .. on a stage.

I have some ideas .. but first I'd like to get the uncanny, creative minds of the forum in on this.

Stage/Stooge. Thought's?

P.S .. Good call on the instrument's. I wont go near them.

Often microphones are considered instruments by bands.

Stooges will not stay quiet. You can easily make a fool of yourself in the long term.

If this guy thinks you need stooges in the first place isn't this alrady a bad start?

Scroll up and read Danny Doyle's two posts AGAIN! --AND AGAIN!

Fair enough.

Screw the stage! Screw the stooges. lol

I agree if you do not have stage experience or at very least MC experience I would avoid this. as for stooge the first thought in my head was to use the baffling bra on one of the servers and have her run off screaming after grabbing it and heads for the bathroom.

Skip the stooges also!

Do what you KNOW.

Definitely look at the Shoot Ogawa and Apollo Robbins DVDs..They are perfect for that sort of strolling.

Thanks guys

I'll stick to my standard. I guess lighting by the bar is very good and the bands arn't coming on until about 10:30pm. SO lots of magic time before then.

Some stuff I love doing:

1.Bill change
2. Double Back (or any good transpo)
3. Penetrations (pen through bill)

1. Silk work (including blendo)
2. ID
3. Ring/String Routine with Nest Of Wallets

1. Torched/Restored
2. Pressure
3. Turning Blue/Psypher

Also bringing Branded (with flash paper),Twisted Sisters, Industrial Revolution, Sweet N Low, Bold Business, sponge balls, Linkey and a few others.

Those will stay in my bag behind the bar and Ill grab them whenever I want to switch it up.

Tell me ore about this bra thing.

To be honest I was going to get on stage and perform "TRU TEST" by Kranzo. I've had tremendous success with it. It got a standing ovation at a leadership conference (How Magic Can Be Used In Classroom Setting) from a bunch of principal's.

Introduce 3 magazines, They choose one, then choose a page, then rip it until one piece, then choose a word ..... who am I kidding? .. you guys know this one. I do have stage experience albeit not as much as I'd like. Consequently I may just stay off the *** stage.

I didn't know band's weren't coming on until 10:30pm. Now to deal with the bar swarm and it turning into close-up show. Hate when that happens.

I repeat. Scroll up and read Danny's post AGAIN.

You list EIGHTEEN different tricks! From what you said in the OP, it's a DANCE. That's, apparently, what the customers are coming for. You are the "dessert", not the main course!

You can look up the "bra thing" for yourself. Perhaps you're not as wise as I first thought. Now, you're also talking about doing a stand up on the platform again. --and, a MENTAL thing!

A mag test in that environment would flop hard unless you have a solid audience management. these people came to get drunk get "lucky" and hear music. anything that makes them think past that is not going to be received well comedy, flashy, visual, QUICK. no long winded card tricks (branded is good) google baffling bra and you will get what you need for a fast simple magic trick that when done right will get you laughs.

Hichael seems (?) to be pushing the bra bit.

Vernon did the bra trick once on a cruise ship.

Right! ==And, the KEY word is "ONCE"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hee hee

Yikes Dick. Relax. I consider myself to be a fairly bright individual. I don't think asking to elaborate makes me less intelligent. I work as a behavior specialist in schools and do magic .. but I'm not a pro .. like you .. sorry.

Regarding my effects. While I appreciate your advice and wisdom .. I have had great success with them. I'm organized with them, have set routines that flow, and don't keep them on me all at once. (briefcase behind the bar). I've learned at bar scenes that at times it can turn in to a closeup show. don't want to be out of effects within the first hour.

Regarding the context. The bands won't be on until 10:30. Thus, spotlight will be on me. It's not the crazy club thing. It's a formal, dress code, adult event.

I'm not convinced that a mentalism will flop. Although I haven't yet decided what I will be doing for sure. Probably no stage stuff. But when the folks are seated, the lights turned on and I'm announced to hit the stage .. why would a mentalism piece flop? Just curious why that conclusion was reached.

Mag1cian - I think your description in the title of night club gig may be causing confusion. When I hear night club, I picture people dancing on a dance floor, getting drunk and the noise level being too high to barely hear a word. I have done a gig like that and did 3 effects - sponge balls, ninja rings and professors nightmare - all very visible in low light conditions and require no patter to understand.

However, you now describe people sitting down in formal attire and the music doesn't start till 10.30. This to me would sum up most gigs, such as end of year balls and weddings. What makes this a "night club gig" and why do you need different advice than you would for most other gigs? I think you might get more useful advice for you then.