June 18th, 2018

The Most Common Types of Magic Performances – Part 2
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             In addition to stage and stand-up magic, close-up is the other major type of magic performance.  Close-up magicians perform for one person or a small group of people.  Coins, cards, safety pins, rubber bands and other small objects are favored by the close-up magician as their entire act is usually carried in their pockets.  In contrast to stage and stand-up magic that happen at a distance, close-up magic occurs, just as the name implies, very near the spectator.  Sometimes the magic happens in the onlooker’s hands.  For this reason, close-up magic can be very powerful. 
               Where can I see close-up magic?
            Close-up magic is commonly seen in the United States in restaurants, bars, casinos and resorts.  Sometimes fairs and festivals will hire a close-up magician to stroll through the crowd and provide unexpected entertainment.  Magic at wedding receptions is popular in some parts of the world and just catching on in the U.S.  Recently, close-up magic has come to the attention of the general public through performances on television.  America’s Got Talent, Penn and Teller’s Fool Us and the David Blaine specials have attracted the imagination of large numbers of viewers.  Still close-up magicians are rarely seen in person by the majority of Americans. 
                What type of magic is best?
            The best type of magic to use in a particular situation depends on a number of factors.  One limiting factor of close-up magic is the number of people in the audience.  Performing for ten people at a time and doing five to seven minutes of magic for each group would allow a one magician to perform for about fifty to sixty individuals in an hour.  The same magician could perform for hundreds or even thousands of people in the same hour doing stage or stand-up magic.  Some types of magic may not work well in certain venues because of seating arrangements, noise levels and other factors.  For example, a close-up magician works well in a restaurant where patrons are eating at different times.  In a banquet setting, where the meal is served to everyone at once, a stand-up performer may be a better fit.  Other factors include the entertainment budget and the overall needs of the event.  The point is that there is a type of magic to fill just about any entertainment need. 
Contacting a magician is the best way to find out what they can offer.  A professional should have the experience to make suggestions as to what might work best for you.  If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.