Performing magic tricks for people is always fun. I can honestly say I will never get bored or tired of doing magic tricks for people as long as I live. There is something about getting that reaction of disbelief from people. Having that satisfaction just for a moment that what your spectators just witnessed you do, may have indeed been real magic. To be able to put doubt in their head, even know they know it really is just a trick , they some how start to question themselves that maybe, just maybe, you truly are magical. Just to watch someone s eyes, the laughter, and even the odd screams, it is something I will always cherish and continue to appreciate when I perform magic tricks. But there is something a little more special when doing magic tricks for specific people. The people that I am referring to are kids.
The Imagination of Kids
Magic tricks and kids is quite a combination. Kids seem to have a very different perception of the world than adults. What goes on in their little minds, I don t think we will ever understand or grasp but it is pure entertainment and just plain innocent fun. For instance, when I performed a very famous coin trick for a little boy, the boy was maybe 6 years old, his expression and the words that came out of his mouth were priceless. I made the coin disappear in front of his eyes and did the classic move of pulling the coin out from his ear. Well, this boy s mouth went as wide as the moon, I mean I could of just put my hand in his mouth and easily removed his tonsils for him, hopefully he won t need that done down the road, but it s those type of reactions that I love. Then, the words that end up coming out that mouth are even more priceless. Something that you can never prepare yourself for, and I quote, Wow, can you pull more money out of my ear so I can buy a new bike! . Well, I couldn t stop laughing for about a minute, I am not sure if he understood what just happened but it s instances like these where reality just doesn t matter, just pure innocent fun.
Magic in their Eyes
Kids alone, just being themselves, bring their own type of magic to us. One place that comes to my mind is Disney World. When kids see or hear about Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck, their eyes light up, a smile comes to their face, just a magical glow all around. I get this same look when I pull a rabbit from a hat, or make a worm crawl out of my pocket and onto my arm. It s really not hard to make kids laugh and be astonished at what you do. You know they are not out there to try and figure out how you did that or try and spoil your magic trick, they are there to be entertained, they are there for the magic.
About the Author
Dion Semeniuk is the owner of the popular online magic shop, This is Magic! To learn more about magic tricks and to receive your very own free magic trick videos so you can do magic also, visit http://www.thisismagic.com
In this article, I’d like to make a few short comments about the performance of magic in clowning where it’s appropriate, and where it’s not. For instance, it would be out of character for a bumbling clown to suddenly put on a serious demeanor, and with the aid of a beautiful assistant, saw a woman in half, or levitate her, or cause her to mysteriously vanish & reappear. Any of these would be totally out of character for virtually any clown.
However, it would be perfectly in character for a clown to attempt to be the suave magician, and be revealed for the charlatan he is, either by his own bungling or that of his assistant (likely an auguste or tramp clown). Since the clown is, by definition, a bungler, this would be fine, and totally in character. In fact, once having been exposed/failed, it would be fine for the clown to successfully complete the magic (with the help of the audience, a volunteer from the audience, or perhaps with a clown assistant).
There is another way for the clown to perform magically, however. Something that we forget too often is that the clown is, himself, a magical character, a ‘toon come to life. Whereas the clown cannot perform magic in character (most of the time; if it’s in character for your clown to successfully perform magically, do so! No one complains that a clown juggler can successfully juggle, or that a clown balloon artist can twist latex into wonderful shapes without them popping), magic can (and perhaps should) happen to the clown, without his even being aware of it. For instance, it is perfectly in character for a clown assistant to a magician to be handed three rings, only to have them magically link in his hands with the clown having a befuddled expression as to how this could have happened!
Likewise, why not have the clown pull out a handkerchief to hand to someone (or blow his own nose), only to give it away/leave it lying and pull out a second from the same pocket (followed by a third, fourth, etc.)? Why not have things magically multiple, change color, disappear with the clown acting nonchalant, as though this is an everyday occurrence?
Now, if your clown doesn’t perform magic, that’s fine not every clown should, any more than every clown should twist balloons, use puppets, or have the same make-up as every other clown. But if your clown does perform magically, why not broaden our horizons a little, and truly portray a magical clown.
About the Author
Tom Raymond, aka Raynbow the Magic Clown, is a professional children’s entertainer in the central Wisconsin area, and is available for parties, conferences, conventions and ministry events. Interested in clowns and clowning? Check out Clown Ministry, the largest clowning site on the web!
As a wedding magician, one can have great opportunities in marketing his or her skills. There are many ways for one promising magician to do that.
- For example, during the awkward period while waiting for the couple’s arrival in the venue of the reception, you can help lighten up the tension by providing entertainment. Sometimes it may take a while for the newlyweds to come to the reception, and it is not a good idea for every one to be in a room that is full of almost complete strangers waiting for the couple to arrive. A magician like you can help ease this problem, and may become a vehicle for people to talk and laugh.
- In several receptions, there is an emcee or a show band hired to entertain the guests. However, watching a magician can be a nice alternative for the usual dancing. While guests are eating their dinner, a magician can give 45 minutes of laughter and amusement. Cool tricks can be performed such as floating roses that can be offered to the wedding bridesmaids.
- It pays to do some research. Find out if there is quite a number of children going to the wedding reception. If so, then a magician can make a special show for the children, providing a nice diversion for them while their parents mingle around.
- These tips may bolster a wedding magician’s reputation as a creative one when it comes to performing on wedding occasions. Now to be more productive while one is relatively free from wedding gigs, or just about any occasion, why not create some promotional brochures for your target market. Send out the brochures to make this not-so popular kind of magician gig more patronized.
- One might want to make a small “wedding planner” brochure, providing information on food arrangements, flower services, on renting a tuxedo or gown, among others. In the brochure, put in an article on how magicians can provide great entertainment in wedding receptions. Leave some room for your advertising. Distribute these to establishments that cater to such occasions. They would be happier to post the brochure if it includes their establishments in the brochure.
- Ensure that the magician can be contacted easily. The important contact details such as the phone and fax numbers, as well as the magician’s website, if any, and his or her email address/es should be included in the brochure, too.
About the author:
Preston Houer has been involved with the art of illusion and sleight of hand for over 30 years. Let Preston show you how to Have Fun With Magic. Visit His Site Today! http://www.have-fun-with-magic.com
