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October Magic Shows

8/27/2018

You have seen modern magic shows on television but, have you ever wondered what magic shows looked like in days gone by? This October, you are in luck. On Saturday October 13 and Saturday October 27, four unique classic magic shows will be presented at St. Luke’s Holy Hayloft in New Centerville, Pennsylvania. The GPS address is 143 Reese Street, Rockwood, PA. Audience members will journey back in time while sitting in a restored building that was once a school house and a church. The structure was constructed in 1846. After sitting vacant for years, it has reopened as a popular wedding, reception and performance venue.

There will be two shows each evening. The 6:00 PM show is suitable for all ages. The early shows will feature magicians David Lawrence, Dan Miller and Gary Weimer. These shows will contain classic magic tricks, music and costumes. The late show at 9:00 PM is intended for those 16 years old and older. This show highlights the magic of a Spirit Theater in the form of a séance performed by Bradley Barefoot. Think of it as a perfect addition when visiting the nearby haunted venues.

Tickets are available online at tcpmagic.wellattended.com or by calling 814-926-3551.

Why Would I Want Magic at My Wedding?

7/2/2018

What is wedding magic?
Although weddings themselves are magical events, having a magician perform at the reception is a great way to add an extra touch to any wedding celebration. In most cases, the magician or magicians perform close-up magic for guests at times when the bride and groom are busy with other activities. Sometimes the rehearsal dinner or even the reception may include a stand up or stage magic show.

What are some reasons to add wedding magic?
First, magic is unique and memorable and sets your event apart from all the others. Although popular in Europe and among celebrities, magic is seldom seen at weddings in the United States. Because of this fact, those who provide magic for their guests are seen as a trend-setter by providing something that few others are doing. Secondly, magic entertains your guests during wait times. Even the best planned wedding usually involves times when the bride and groom are occupied taking photographs or traveling between venues. You will have peace of mind knowing that your guests are occupied so you can enjoy the day.
Third, magic is a great ice breaker. Sometimes your guests know few other people at the reception. Often family members are meeting each other for the first time. Magic can bring people together and allow guests to begin to interact with each other around a common experience.
Forth, magic is enjoyed by all ages. Usually wedding guests range in age from children to older adults. Unlike some styles of entertainment, magic can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of their ages or backgrounds. Finally, wedding magic is affordable. Considering the costs associated with planning a wedding, adding magic does not significantly impact the budget.

How can I find out more information?
The best way to see if wedding magic is right for you is to contact a magician who specializes in wedding magic. He or she should be able answer questions and offer suggestions. A good source of information can be found at www.addweddingmagic.com.

June 18th, 2018

6/18/2018

The Most Common Types of Magic Performances – Part 2

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.

The Most Common Types of Magic Performances – Part 1

6/11/2018

When the topic of magician comes up. Most people think of the someone on a stage cutting a lady in half or pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Some may be reminded of David Copperfield or Penn and Teller and their Las Vegas shows. Although many magicians perform on stage, you are more likely to see a magician at a restaurant, banquet, festival or birthday party. The fact is that stage shows are expensive to produce and except for a few traveling productions, you are unlikely to see one in your home town. That brings us to today’s topic. If stage magic shows are rare, what other types of magic shows are out there?
In addition to stage magic, there are stand-up shows and close-up magic. This week I will explore at the topic of stand-up performances and next time I will delve into the world of close-up magic.
What is stand-up magic?
            Stand-up magic was once referred to as parlor magic. As home parlors vanished and comedy clubs appeared, the name changed to reflect the times.
We will consider stand-up magic as any magic performance in which the magician performs for a group of more than ten people.   Most of the time the audience is seated because stand-up shows may last from twenty minutes to over an hour. Audience size can vary from in the teens to several hundred. What makes it stand-up magic is that the performer does not perform on a formal theatrical stage. However, to be more visible to a larger number of people, he or she may be on an elevated platform, usually without a curtain. This format is similar to comedy clubs where stand-up comics perform, hence the name. Many magicians have had their careers start in these clubs, including Harry Anderson and Michael Finney.
Where might I see stand-up magic?
            Although you still might see a stand-up magician in a comedy club, it is much more likely that you will find one at a mall, fair, festival, banquet, picnic, corporate event, birthday party or some other venue where live entertainment is provided. Many of the shows are outdoors and they offer an entertaining break between vendors and exhibits. Others are the main attraction provided by the host to make the event extra special. Magicians who perform stand-up magic usually present humorous, fun-filled shows that include audience participation. The shows are designed to attract and keep the interest of the crowd. One group of magicians, called street performers or buskers, earn their living by doing just that. They rely on passing the hat. But, in most other situations, the performer is paid by the venue to entertain their patrons.
            The places for stand-up magic are only limited by your imagination. This kind of magic performance can be a cost-effective solution to a variety of entertainment needs. Next time you see a magician, he or she will most likely be performing stand-up magic.

Can Magic Really Improve My Bottom Line? – Part 2

5/28/2018

Last time I touched on the topic of magic in business. Here are some places where magic is regularly performed in that context. Trade shows have been utilizing magic for years to gather a crowd at the booth and cover basic information about a product in an entertaining way. This approach sets the stage for the sales staff to take over after the show. Conferences are always looking for interesting ways to get attendees to want to be at general sessions, breakout sessions and workshops. Magic can draw people in and keep their attention. A skilled magician can even customize the program with product information or with a message you want those in attendance to receive. Don’t forget magic as pure entertainment. A magician can set the mood at a banquet, reception or other social get-together. Staff meetings are another business setting where magic might be the perfect solution. (Look at the photo above of members of the Saddleback Rancho Capistrano staff and me after a morning meeting that ended with a magic show. Notice all the smiles.)

The end result of magic in business is improved communication as well as happy customers and employees. Each of these factors will have a positive effect on your bottom line. Try magic and see for yourself. If you have questions, feel free to contact me.

Can Magic Really Improve My Bottom Line? – Part 1

5/21/2018

Magic is for kids. Right? Okay, maybe there are a few places where magic is appropriate for adults. But, certainly not in a business environment! These words are often spoken by those who don’t understand the power that magic can have on the bottom line.
Motivation and Reward
Do you need a motivator for the sales force or an attention-grabber for that new product launch? Magic can do that. Do you need something special on the program to reward the staff for a job well done? A magician might be the solution. Do you want to show your best customers how much they mean to you? Hire a magician to perform at your next thank you event.
Next week, I plan to cover these aspects of magic that can help to improve your business. I will also touch on a few more. Some of my insights may seem obvious but my real goal is to show how you can make and keep more money by doing some things that you may never have thought of.

Educate with Magic - Part 3

5/14/2018

In our discussion of magic as an aid in motivating and educating, we have already established that magic is different, interesting and fun. The fact that the impossible is happening in front of people who are watching a live performance instead of a video makes it even more powerful. It establishes you as one who is worthy of being listened to. After that, it is up to you to keep the audience’s attention and to include the information that you want them to get from you. You can use more magic or switch to something else to mix it up a bit. (Watch the above video clip and note the audience reaction at a Vacation Bible School presentation in which I used magic to illustrate the lesson.)

Magic has been used in math and science classrooms for many years to spark interest in the subject matter. Today, others are finding it useful in therapy, churches and corporate settings. I encourage you to find out more about using magic to get your point across to your audience. If you have questions, please contact me. I will be happy to point you to some additional resources.

Educate with Magic - Part 2

5/7/2018

So, you have a group of learners and you want to get them to better understand the subject matter. It doesn’t matter if they are children, teenagers or adults. Magic will get the attention of all ages of people. First, because it is unexpected. Most of us don’t regularly see magic performed right in front of us. In fact, many people have never seen a live magic show. Secondly, a magic trick combined with a well-crafted story can draw the audience in and keep their attention. Sometimes that is all you need to do. Adding additional illustrations using magic works great for longer presentations.

For example, in my “Ag Is Magic” show (shown above), I explain how food and other agricultural products get from the farm to the consumer. The audience is so busy having fun that they don’t mind that they are learning about farming and marketing farm products. At the end of the show, I provide additional resources that interested individuals can use to find more information. Next week, I’ll discuss how to use magic to educate in just about any situation.

Educate with Magic - Part 1

4/30/2018

One of the hardest things to do in this age of short attention spans and constant stimulation is to get adults and kids to pay attention to you long enough to get your point across. This is a problem for both teachers and business leaders. You know that you have information that is important for your audience but, they don’t seem interested in what you have to say or are distracted by something out of your control.

One answer to this problem is to peak their interest with something that most people don’t see every day and then draw them in by seamlessly combining that special something with the subject matter. Many of the variety arts will supply this special touch if they are applied properly. Although juggling, ventriloquism or any one of the other seldom seen performance arts can work, I am going explain how magic can be used to grab an audience’s imagination and focus attention on the desired topic.

I have been an educator in a variety of positions in the public schools and adult education for more than forty years. In that time, I’ve found that grasping the attention of the class at the very beginning of the lesson is the key to success. Next week I will expand on this concept.

Are magicians a good choice for adults?

3/12/2018

Many people have the mindset that magicians are for kid’s birthday parties. Although there are magicians who specialize in this area, many magicians frequently perform at banquets, corporate events, weddings, schools, class reunions, fairs, festivals, picnics and trade shows. Some perform exclusively for adults. However, there are magicians who specialize in family-friendly entertainment. Be sure to choose a specialist.